So, after struggling to get up a hill on Tuesday morning I decided to repeat the same, two lap, route to see if my determination and mental strength would get me to the top. It was a beautiful morning as I set off through the trees…..only the sound of the birds to keep me company, along with Laura and the dreadful podcast music. The hill appears at the end of each lap and is a gruelling steep, winding path. On Tuesday I’d given up about 3/4 of the way up on lap one and had to walk…….today I breezed up without stopping to walk. Well, perhaps wheezed up is more appropriate, but the point is I kept going. Knowing I could do it on the first lap gave me the strength to repeat it on the second lap. Although Laura gave me permission to do my 5 minute recovery walk as I was half way up the second time, I kept going and reached the top.
This may only be a small milestone, and boy was I slow compared to my usual runs, but it does feel like a milestone. I think these breakthrough moments are really important to give us a sense of progress and achievement.
I change hotels tomorrow and so my last Week 7 run will be in another new location. Can’t wait.