Struggling big time. Life and runing don't always mix.

[TJFlute]

Thank goodness for everyones encouraging and inspirational blogs. I haven't been out since Sunday and even that run was awfully slow. I have been so busy with working fulltime and the kids have had GCSEs and A levels and my daughter has been in trouble at school and my dog has had an operation on her leg and...you get the picture! Stress overload. I was too busy yesterday when I should have gone and too tired this morning when I could have run.

I sat down with a coffee, finally, at 9pm and I read Mrs Lazys blog about her having a pig of a day, and yet she went out, so I thought well.. I had better, I have a race on Sunday and if I don't do it I'm stuffed.

It was seriously the last thing I felt like doing.

But I did my 3 mile run. It wasn't easy because it was supposed to be 'race pace' so i was pushing it the whole way, but at least I did it.

I am nervous about Sunday, I only have one more run left on Friday before it. I'd better not think about it.

[TJFlute]

I'm so tired I can't even spell 'running' !!

[icandothis Graduate]

The hardest thing is to get off the couch, in the busy lives we all lead, well done to you, reading blogs is the way forward, great motivation aids

[RhonaL]

Admiration unlimited that you actually went out and ran! Hope your stress levels felt lower when you got back and that you sleep like a log tonight. I wish you sweet dreams...

[CaroleC Graduate]

TJ, the best cure for stress, if you can just find the time, is to get out there. It may be the last thing you feel like doing; but run till the stress feels less, and you are halfway to chilling it out.

CaroleC

[Flossie77 Graduate]

Well done for getting out there, hope it made you feel better

[BTX4 Graduate]

You will be fine for the race - good luck and well done for getting out there!

[hollyO Graduate]

We have GCSE and A levels in our house too! Like walking on eggshellls! You must feel better for having gone out last night! I have put today's run off till later/tomorrow and now Iam worrying that Iam on the slippery slope ...! Very best of luck for Sunday's race.

Ps You must be very near the end of exams now? ...and breathe ...!

[BTX4 Graduate in reply to hollyO]

Last A level exams today in this house too.....phew!

[Greg_M Graduate]

Well sometimes it doesn't I suppose, its only a run (gah did I say that?) you have to look after the important stuff but don't forget you are on that list of important stuff and admirable as all those things are I know I don't see you on the list; you are no use to anyone else if you are not alright as I have found out to my cost in the past

Great effort for getting up and going though and you know you will blitz 10k, you might even benefit for a bit of a rest.

[TJFlute in reply to Greg_M]

Are you kidding??!!?

Somehow I've got to get your faith over to my brain.

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

Have I ever lied to you

[gypsydepp Graduate]

Oh TJ you will be fine for the race !

How long have you been running....that is all training for this race after all.....please don't worry....you are one of my "touchstones", always cheerleading me on.

What Greg says is true, but I have a teenage son doing work experience and gcse exams too.. and a lorry driving OH on nights......too scared to breathe sometimes.....and injured too, so cant even run to esccape.

You can do it love xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[TJFlute in reply to gypsydepp]

I hope your injury gets better soon. It won't be too long before you're out there again. Oh heavens, I do hope I can do it, but nervous. I just don't want to be last.

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

You can do it!! Keep repeating to yourself. I (we all) believe in you!!!!! You are ready, where are you doing the race? We've got a local 10k here in Orpington on Sunday.

[TJFlute in reply to AliB1]

Ali, the race is in a local village called Heathfield. Last year there were 220 runners. The fastest female did the 10k in 40.33! I kid you not. Only the last 20 came in at my kind of time 1 hour 5 minutes. It's hilly though(it finishes on a hill!) and I've only done that kind of time on the flat. Yikes.

Thank you for believing in me. I will try my best!

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

I know Heathfield. Spent quite a few years driving through it every day when I was travelling between Hastings and Uckfield.

You don't make it easy on yourself do you! A hilly course for your first race!!! Good luck, will think of you on Sunday

[OldNed Graduate]

You can do it; you're one of our leaders!!!

[glendam52 Graduate]

Just run for you on Sunday knowing we are all there cheering you on every step of the way. And well done for finding the strength to go out at 9pm to run if you can do that you can do anything.

[TJFlute]

Thank you everyone for cheering me on. It's just a crazy, stressy time. I'll let you know how the race goes, but it's looking like it's going to be a wet one!!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

You know, if you didn't have this race deadline, I reckon you'd be a lot kinder to yourself - either you'd get out there and run for yourself, or you'd shrug your shoulders, knowing that you're in deep enough that you are going to be back out there automatically when things ease up a bit. I am sure your children will appreciate you being there for them (even if only unconsciously)

[TJFlute in reply to GoogleMe]

This is true. I suppose at least having the race deadline has MADE me go and run when I would have eased up a lot, or just not run and gone to bed early. I'm not sure if having the extra pressure of the race has been a good thing yet. I'll probably know by Sunday lunchtime though!

[hollyO Graduate]

Hope you are feeling less stressed today. Iam sending you good vibes over the airwaves because you are always so kind and positive in your blogs and replies to our questions/blogs. X

[laura--s]

good luck for the run

[magster Graduate]

You can do this - good luck we will all be cheering you on

[ClaireB1973 Graduate]

Yes good luck!! x