Even when it sucks, every run is a success

[Gthants]

I did a NRC (Nike Run Club) 35 minute run this morning: Suckcess Run with Coach Bennett, about running even when it sucks to run.

(For those of you working through C25K, listening to Laura, Steve, Sarah or one of the others, don't worry - there's someone to help you through your runs post-graduation, if that's what floats your boat. I run with the NRC app, or a podcast, or music, or I run silent.)

Today was a useful reminder that every run is a success. When I started C25K I hadn't run for 35-40 years. I wasn't fit. I thought I'd never be able to do it. I thought my form was all wrong. I'd have a bad run along the way, so I was clearly a bad runner- there are a millions ways to beat ourselves up and you probably have your own particular favourites . . .

Well, today I got up out of bed at silly o'clock, got myself ready to run and realised my shorts were in the bedroom. I'd already disturbed my lady, so I ran in ordinary joggers, which I haven't done since Week 2 or 3 of C25K. I decided to run in the country park, but instead drove to a nearby town and took a (very) long way into the park. When I got to a crossroads in the park, left was a straight there and back - plus the path was not empty; right was the road out to my usual route; so I went straight ... forgetting it contained the steepest hill I have yet run up.

(Coach B was telling me I was doing great because it's always great to move forward. He didn't have a flaming great hill to run up though, because I know for a fact that Oregon is as flat as Norfolk ... 😬)

My favourite advice: TAKE IT EASY meant I ran at a nice, steady pace, I put one foot in front of another, and I ran. I didn't run away from a potential bad day, I reached that crossroads and I DID move forward. I ran for 37 minutes and I ran another 5k.

When you've run Week 1, Run 1, that's a success. Wherever you are in C25K, or post graduation, or Bridge to 10K, you're getting out there you're running, you're moving forward.

Well done to all my fellow runners - and happy running, folks!

[Sax64 Graduate]

Well said 👏, I enjoyed that run too. Hills are absolute killers to run, particularly if you don't run them often. So well done on a run done well. Happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Gthants in reply to Sax64]

Thank you! 🏃‍♂️

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Park Run definitely for you! 🏃‍♂️🤣

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

That’s one of my favourite runs of his. Some of my favourite runs have been a bit rubbish!!

Congratulations on another great 5k. That distance always feels special to me. Well done on the hill too!

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Great run! And a hill, too. 👏👏👏👏👍

I did my first Couch to 5K in the Norfolk fens. Didn’t even know what a hill meant!

Now I live in a more hilly area and I have a hill on one of my routes (that I’ve been actively avoiding since my return to running). I nicknamed it the Demon Hill. Oh boy. You’ve inspired me to tackle that hill sometime soon. 😊 maybe next week 🤣 (maybe not) …..

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

There's a hill out there that's comin' for you . . . ! 😱

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

🤣

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate]

What a great post with some wonderful, positive highlights

Well done on your run, it sounds like a bit of a stinker that you breezed through.

It's a shame Coach Bennett can't give us a piggyback up some of those damn hills!

It's not fair, your runs are getting gradually longer each time and mine are getting shorter I hurt my achilles heel tendon on Monday running up a hill, and now I'm back to 15 minute runs - which I probably shouldn't even be doing. Ah well, onwards, but definitely not upwards for me for a while

[Gthants in reply to Frankenfoot23]

Yeah - take it easy! A three day rest, maybe - with heat/cold packs and a nice hot bath!

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Sounds like a plan! I can't remember the last time I had a bath but it sounds like bliss just now

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

🎶Run to the hills🎶 and over them!

Well done my friend! 🤗 congratulations on another 5k and I love this post!

I have some gradual inclines where I run but I’m going to seek out a hill for after graduation 👏

Whoop! 🙌

Keep on keeping on 🤗💜🙏

[Gthants in reply to ToothPickJafah]

I took a very exciting photo, which I'll save for another post as the bridge to nowhere suited this post better!

[ToothPickJafah Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Ooooh! I like exciting photos! Don’t make us wait too long to post it 😉

[Jamesrunsforlife Graduate]

Very well done 💪

[Gthants in reply to Jamesrunsforlife]

Thank you!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That's good going ☺️

[Gthants in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you!

[Ziggyliscious]

Awe inspiring! Well done you 😊

[Gthants]

Thank you!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

I like that run too. CB is soooo positive. I live on top of a hill 🏠 I plan my routes carefully to be all downhill or flat 😂 but at some point, if I want to go home, I’ve got to go back up that bloomin’ hill 😏

[Gthants in reply to Frizzbomb67]

I are up in a house exactly in the middle of a hill that was pretty steep to our house, then got much steeper. I went home for lunch every day from middle school and then went out and played football every evening, so I went up that hill at least three times every single day. That's where my leg muscles came from (tho I have no idea where they went🤣).

[Wine]

Brilliant post and fantastic photo

[Gthants in reply to Wine]

Thank you!

[RosesAreRed777 Graduate]

Love coach Bennett he’s great to listen to and love his motivation. It’s so true there is no such thing as a bad run ( unless you get run over by a bus I guess! ) Even a 10 min run is better than no run. Well done for blitzing that hill. 👍🏼

[Gthants in reply to RosesAreRed777]

The "bus run" will never catch on!