A nice Sunday 10k 😊🏃🏻‍♀️🍁

[Frenc]

Even though I’ve been checking in and reading people’s posts (you are all amazing!) it’s been a while since I’ve posted myself, so here goes.

My running has been very up and down of late. A stumble a few months ago has seen me having to cut back on my distance quite a bit in order to give my leg a bit of a rest, so that hasn’t helped. But what has really put the cat among the pigeons is a new job I started fairly recently which has seen me so incredibly stressed, I have literally almost just walked out on it a few times. I really hope that I’ve turned a corner with it this last week, because I went from a job I could do in my sleep to something completely different, which at the age of 54, is hard. This has really affected my desire and ability to run, (sleeping has been rubbish and all I’ve wanted to do is lie down in a dark corner) and when I have, my rate of perceived exertion has been horrible! The worst bit is I had entered the GSR but I just couldn’t face it, which made me feel even more miserable. I loved reading everyone’s posts about it though! 😊😊😊

Anyway, enough moping for this lady! This morning I did a really nice 10k which gave me that little bit of spark back which I sorely, sorely needed. It was raining fairly heavily when I started out, but it soon stopped. There was a lovely fresh breeze even though it was pretty overcast. It was the most rested I’d felt in an age (thank you clock change), and I dared to go in the woods where I stumbled previously, although I took it SO slowly. So that was a little victory in itself as I had lost confidence in the woods. So I am feeling more positive about life in general! Which is great. And I won’t let the new job defeat me either.

I hope everyone is having a smashing day 😊🍁🏃🏻‍♀️.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Starting a new job is incredibly stressful and exhausting. I think it’s all the concentration required to learn about a new company, its culture, rules, names, etc. It takes time.

But, as you say, it sounds as if you’ve turned a corner 🤗 with that great run.

Well done for having the courage to start a new job, doing your 10K and for conquering that demon in the woods 💪

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you so much IP! What you say is very true, and it is very kind of you to say so as well. I realised I couldn’t keep avoiding the woods - they’re so nice and add a lot to a run. 😊😊😊

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Nice to hear from you again Frenc, that was a good 10K run for you today, that fresh cool wind made the run even better, you certainly have regained that spark. 👍🏃🏾

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you very much AlMorr - I did miss that spark, I am so pleased I found it again. 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

What a fantastic run that was Frenc. It sounds like a real treat to you, one you definitely needed. Stick with it and the job will surely get easier? And the runs - they are waiting for you to cherry pick from whenever you feel inclined (short and kind, hard and fast, whatever suits your mood, they are all waiting just for you 🥰)

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda, I’m sure the job will get easier - a bit like running really! I’ve wanted to throw the towel in many a time with running, but the end result is worth all the stress and effort isn’t it 😊.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Frenc]

On the good days it's hard to even imagine, let alone remember the bad ones 🥰

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

That sounds like a superb run. Now you’re not a runner in a rough patch…you’re a runner who has just done a victorious 10k. Congratulations!

Really good luck with picking up again. It’s hard when life gets in the way. Lots of us are rooting for you ❤️

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you so much MissUnderstanding , it’s so nice to know how many lovely people there are here 😊.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Sounds like you needed that run! Sorry to read about the stresses of your new job - I really hope that things continue to stay more settled for you. Here’s to the healing power of running helping us all through the months ahead - best time of year to be a runner imo! 🍁🍂🏃‍♀️🍂🍁🙂

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

That’s so right! The healing powers of running. Thank you so much Sandie1961 . I’ll get there, I’m sure - by hook or by crook 😁.

[sparky66 Half Marathon]

well hello 👋 Frenc, well done on your 10K and bravery on tackling the woods again 💪 very daunting after an injury

I hope work gets easier for you..

you're such a naturally positive person so you'll find your way through..

same mental attitude as running, keep going through the tough and reap the rewards soon 🙏

Good luck and best wishes

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to sparky66]

Hi Soarky! Good to hear from you. That is very true, sometimes we need to apply what we’ve learnt from running to life as well, don’t we. Well said! 😊😊😊

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

What an inspiring post and good to hear, well done!👌😁xxx

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Ah, thank you aliboo70 , that’s so nice of you to say so 😊.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

It’s great that you have managed to overcome some of that dreadful new job stress Frenc. Even better that the running has helped. Well done! There’s always light at the end of a tunnel! Here’s a picture for you that I took recently while on the Bluebell Railway. I hope it helps. 😊

There’s light at the end of every tunnel.

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Oh bless you Brian, what a great photo. The Bluebell Railway sounds like good fun 😊.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Oh it’s wonderful. Took me right back to the good old days. ☺️😅 I definitely recommend it. 👍They had the camra beer festival on when I went which was amazing with some great live entertainment.

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

That sounds fab - I bet you had a smashing time. 🚂 🍺 🚂🍺🚂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

A new job is well up on the scale of high stress events, so well done for sticking with it Frenc. I always see running as a safe zone; a refuge from the stresses of life, so I would never contemplate giving it up…it will give me up eventually of course but you are a long way from that point.Superb run. 👏👏👏👏👏🏆

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you so much Beachcomber66 😁. It is isn’t it, I sort of forgot how change can be difficult even though we do it for the right reasons. I think some running clobber shopping 🛍 is in order too, haven’t bought anything new in a long while! Shopping always makes things better 😊.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Go for it !! 🙂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Aw, so glad you had a good one. Jobs, especially new and challenging ones can really throw your life out of balance. I really hope this is a corner turned for you 💖

[Frenc Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Aw thanks GoGo_JoJo . Things feel a little less stressful and strange this week, which means my running feels a bit better too. 😊😊😊