I took a three day break from running due to London trip, but clearly my step count meant my fitness continued to improve.
So I did the 25 minute run one yesterday with no issues ... except in my head. I've had enough of feeling imposterish with my writing, so for it to appear and start nagging away at me whilst I was running was frustrating indeed.
Forty minutes after my run I had my physio appointment and he had me planking for three minutes and adding all sorts of other exercises to my repertoire to improve my back and shoulder, to stretch pre and post running, and now to build up strength too.
The fitness is (at the very least) coming back. But the doubts are circling. Can I do this run? Am I sure? Is it worth it? Am I sure? Why not just stop now . . . ?
On the app Laura told me after Week 6 Run 3 that I am now a runner. I was so chuffed! But yesterday I doubted that. I'm 61 and I've been ill for three years. I can't be a runner. My body's telling me I am comfortable running for 25 minutes yet my mind is saying I should stay on the sofa.
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Gthants
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that's the gremlins talking - nasty little things - the voices in your head that tell you the sofa is comfy, running is not for you, you've never been a runner anyway and so you won't miss it, it's all too much with all the other stuff going on bla bla bla
Your physio, who is a medically trained professional obviously thinks you can run, and is helping you do it.
Your body is saying, this is good for me.
Your mind knows it too, it knows it's looking after a healthier body and you're taking steps to a better you.
But those gremlins, damn gremlins, they have competitions between themselves to see how many people they can get to quit, they win prizes - the gremlin Quit Olympics. They get into your head, they nudge each other saying "go on, make them believe they can't do it", then they laugh amongst themselves...
Leastways, that's how I see them
Ultimately, it's your choice. If you're not enjoying it and you're not seeing any benefits, then maybe you'd prefer another sport, but if you feel like you're progressing, if you feel that the flexibility of running is what you need in a sport, if you feel fitter mentally and physically then kick those gremlins out of your head and keep on keeping on!
Thank you for that thoughtful response. My stamina has noticeably improved in the last six weeks. Not a bit, and not just for running. The change is dramatic. And you're right about the physio - in March I told him my ambition was to be able to run 1km by the end of the summer; it's just June and I'm running over 3km. He's thrilled and is adding to what he would like me to do, not saying "don't do this."
Absolutely agree with backintime. It’s those gremlins! But maybe you need a rethink.
Yes - you’ve done the program so far. You ARE a runner, make no mistake, and you’re doing this to help get your fitness back after 3 years of being ill. It’s working, obviously, but maybe you could think how you could enjoy it more.
Perhaps run somewhere new. By the river - on a beach, through the woods - and start to notice your surroundings more. Run where the air is fresh and clean. Drive somewhere to run through a park. Especially now you have those longer runs to look forward to.
Just a thought. Running isn’t just about putting one foot in front of the other for fitness.
Golly this is a great thought. I've been seeing photos of beaches and countryside and thinking "if only". I was supposed to run in a country park yesterday, but forgot my earbuds and then had to run locally. So you are absolutely right: I was on a high after the early runs, precisely because I was moving my body, but now I am going through the motions. I enjoy what it is doing for me but not so much the running itself. Tomorrow I'll do the country park and then I will think about nicer places to run and about getting more than treating it as a tick box exercise ... Thank you!
Nah, you've got this. You're a runner, just like the rest of us.
The couch is rubbish and I don't miss it, I go out in the woods and enjoy nature while running and clearing my head. Its helped me get of the meds I was on for my Bipolar, and has kept me stable. This programme has got me doing things I could imagine doing before, I've run London marathon and will be doing Chicago this year.
This is so true - "out in nature". I'm treating my run like it's something to get through, whereas the early runs really excited me. I need to run somewhere I will enjoy my surroundings - and I think listen to something I'm gonna love too. Thanks for the kind words and good luck with the long-distance running!
Try mixing up the time of day as well. I enjoy dawn, lunchtime, evening and night time runs. But primarily I just love being out in the woods. I challenge myself with trying to get places under my own steam. My mother in law lives 20 miles away from us, so the other week I ran 16 miles and walked the remainder while my kids and wife drove there.
Everyone has blips in confidence, but push through it and I promise the rewards will be massive!
Oh those sofa gremlins, I'm 67 and my gremlins live in the duvet, if I let them win I'd never get out for a run, sometimes you have to beat them round the head. Being ill is horrible so take it steady and if I can you can
Your post reminded me of what my dad used to say when I was pondering aloud over something..”well you’ve talked and answered yourself”!
You’ve said your fitness has improved, your physio is delighted, you run 25 minutes comfortably and both the app and the esteemed Laura say you’re a runner.. how can you doubt it after that?
Glad you’re going to take Jools2020’s advice - it’s spot on 👍
Compared to Mr Bolt, I am not a Runner - at least thats what the numbers would say.But unless Mr Bolt is a total pillock - which I'd bet a years pay he's not - he would look at me running and agree that it is indeed running, which makes me - and by extension you - a Runner.
Gremlins versus Mr. B - I know who I would believe 😉
As for age and condition - I'm 63, smoke and asthma damaged lungs, feet that the muscles are irreparably torn to almost nothing which means I wear two steel plates and a fair old bit of bit of pain even walking (think being barefoot on a path made of lego ) And boy am I slow lol
However, it was put beautifully by a world class Marathoner when it comes to "our" kind of running. He said in an interview that the Runners he really admires are "the guys who are not genetically blessed, the Runners who take six hours or even more to finish a Marathon, that takes real dedication - no way could I spend that kind of time and difficulty, I really admire them" 🙂
We are Runners. Further descriptives are just relative - "fast" "slow" "accomplished" "ungainly" etc -but the fact is, when you run you are a Runner 👍🏻🙂
That's beautiful - thank you! I LOVE that about who the marathon runner admires! I got back from work at 0100. Up for the school 'run' ... and will then do an actual run in the country park!
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) And boy am I slow lol
Week 7 Run 1 done...
Week 7 Run 1
Week 7 Run 3
Week 7 wobble.
week 7 run 1
