Following my previous blog post, where I was having a confidence crisis following having to give up on a run earlier this week and then having only managed a very short run, I'd promised myself I could do better today.
The supportive comments in response to my previous blog were much appreciated and gave me a bit of a boost today.
I plotted a route of about 9km, knowing there were a couple of points where I could turn back early if I needed to. I was familiar with most of the route, through driving or motorcycling but had never walked or run large parts of it. All I really wanted to do was see what I could manage.
It was raining when I set off so I wore my running jacket but soon regretted it as I was far too hot. I tried to zip off the sleeves while on the run but ended up tying myself in knots and one of the zips got stuck. This meant an enforced stop for a minute or two to sort myself out and that made me feel hot and bothered again. Most of the first stretch was uphill and I did have to walk a little.
I was looking forward to running along Hem Lane (renamed Hemp lane by someone with a marker pen!) which is a pretty, rural lane. I had to stop to take photos of a rainbow - the last club run I was on felt like we were chasing rainbows so I wanted to share the experience this time - but after that I set myself the target of not pausing again or walking until I reached the main road. I managed to achieve that. What I hadn't realised, having only ever driven or ridden along the main road, was that there were no pavements. The grass verge was far too rough and bumpy to run on and the road was too busy for me to want to take the chance of running there. I had to accept an enforced walk - although the ground was so bumpy that I was having to lift my knees right up so it was probably still quite good exercise. Once I got to a quieter road, I again set myself the challenge of running all the way to the next main road. Again, I managed that but was then back to rough, bumpy grass verges. I finished with an uphill stretch home, with a bit of a wade through a small flood across the footpath.
I got rather wet and muddy and my newly washed running shoes need another wash ! I wasn't quick but I still felt pleased with myself. I looked good too with all the bugs stuck to my damply glowing face 
It's given me enough of a confidence boost to stop me worrying that I'll fail again at running club and I feel I've proved to myself that it won't take too long before I feel ready for a 10k.
connect.garmin.com/activity...
Thanks for all the support on here, it really is invaluable !
Happy again ! 
FAREWELL CORNISH HILLS!
OMG tough w7r1
A Pleasant Surprise 😀
W7R1 - a series of unfortunate events
Phew I can still run (just)
