What if MJ is my talisman?

[Antilala2018]

My second consolidation run today and I decided it was time to say goodbye to the lovely Mr Johnson and move to the grown up toys. (I downloaded Strava last night having used it for the odd run and plenty of biking in the past.)

Anyway laces tied with runners loops I set off. Music on, cool morning, what could be better. Decide last minute to synch strava to watch. But all under control.

5 mins walking done I fiddle with the watch to start strava, which is so easy I don’t realise I’ve started it for a few seconds then have to set off in a panic! Usually fullbody “WTF are you doing?” feeling as I crank into action.

Seconds into my run, in strange homage to Barbara Windsor, 2 of the 3 clips holding my sports bra together decide to pick this moment to spring apart. At this point you need to understand that along with many women I don’t do running without support. But it’s quite quiet so I keep my pace and fumble around like a teenage boy, trying to attach them.

Turns out clips are out of shape (the irony) so I give up and stop to concentrate on bending them back. Stop Strava, reset and keep walking. I’ve been wanting to do an old loop that I used to run last year. It’s a loop so it means I don’t have to stop and turn round which I like and although it’s longer I figure with the few mins walking it will be just over 4K.

So I get to the new start, start Strava and away we go. Settle quickly into a nice pace. But now, as well as no MJ, all my usual distance and time markers are no use so it does feel a bit strange. Five minutes comes and goes with no “How are you feeling?” from MJ. So I ask myself. I’m ok.

At 7 1/2 minutes, I expect the buzz of my watch to indicate my first KM. But nothing. I puzzle for a bit then check my watch and try to place all the strange numbers. It’s at some point now I remember Strava is set to miles. Ok.

I now have no MJ, no markers and I have to remember how to convert miles to kms. Turns out I can’t remember and run at the same time but I can do 10% of 30mins. So I aim for 33mins.

I’m actually feeling pretty good. Eric Clapton sings about Mrs Harrison as I come round the loop and I know I’m going home. “Well done. You’re halfway!” I imagine MJ saying.

Check my time 17mins something jumps to 20mins something as I look at my watch. Strange. Ooh dogs, lots of dogs. Must not trip over the dogs, which side of the path are you picking, silly animals. Hello dog walkers! No it’s fine I’ll weave past them all. Don’t feel you need to intervene.

So I have no MJ, no markers, I don’t know how far I have run and my watch seems to be going to VAR first before giving an time.

How do I feel? I feel ok. Im going to stop at my usual place.

And stop - 35mins 30secs/ bang on 3 miles (4.828kms - no amount of thinking was solving that in my head).

I walk home with the Boss telling me I was Born to run. 😎

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Sounds like you were born to run Antilala! Don’t worry about MJ, I’m looking after him for you. Great run! ❤️

[Antilala2018 Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Oh I had a definite pang of jealousy when I read that! 😂 I must learn to share my virtual running coach! 😁

[Jay66UK Graduate]

That is a fantastic account of the stream of consciousness of a run. So similar and yet so different to mine.

Well run. And well done managing the costume malfunction. All we teenage boys needed was lessons.

[Antilala2018 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I think lessons would have been considered a bit “tarty” when I was a kid but I take your point. Tricky things. 😁 Thank you - it was a close account of my thinking but with fewer swear words for a general audience.