Mind and Body

Friday: This was my fourth day running, having taken only Tuesday off, and I think my body was not pleased about it. The weather was great, the sun was out, the wind was moderate and no sign of rain. I had my new trainers on, having first used them yesterday. They do add a bounce to my feet which the cheap ones don't do. I fed the ducks (for luck, perhaps, as well as to see their happy ducky faces) then I warmed up as usual through walking. I then proceeded to stick to 3min runs and 2min walks, which I found that little bit easier than yesterday. However, my right leg, specifically the calf area, seized up and my running speed was greatly reduced to allow me to run through the pain. The walks were more akin to limping breaks, I felt I was dragging the leg, it felt dead and heavy. I carried on as much as I could, but then decided it was best to rest the leg, rather than cause damage that would ruin my training schedule. I did around 40minutes, including a long cooling down session, which was just walking and trying to get the blood flowing in my leg. I was pleased that I found the 3min run, 2min walk plan easier than yesterday. The right leg was obviously annoying for me, but another important lesson, maybe I need to seriously reconsider how much rest my body needs. The problem for me is that the word 'rest' feels like 'laziness' for me right now, I feel I have so much to do. At the end of the day, I can report the right calf still feels tight and stiff, which I am sure runners world would say 'I told you so' over. I have two days off now, the weekend should be plenty of time for my body to recover. It's so strange having my mind be at a different place to my body, and I guess I have to learn to be careful to strike the right balance between the two.

Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

Thursday: And it started so well, the rain had stopped by the time I started my warm up and though a very cold air blew, the sun was shining. I was pleased to have remembered some bread for the ducks in the lake. I decided to pace myself, focus on being realistic, and I managed to do four 3min runs with 2min walks between them. I was really gasping for air and the calves ached tremendously, but I persevered. However, I got a phonecall and was called away to family commitments, cutting the run short. I did manage around 30 minutes but I was extremely disappointed with not having longer to run. I found it hard today, though I kept trying to relax about my level of fitness, it frustrated me hugely yesterday. I am pleased with what I managed and I just hope I can build on it tomorrow. The runners world site would suggest I take days off between running, but knowing I have two whole days of no running every weekend, I feel it would be lazy of me not to run. I finally told my other half about the Run last night, which was greeted with a mixture of surprise, silence and laughs, and a thought to do it with me, which won't happen due to study commitments. But now my running makes more sense to him, and compromise is a two-way street, so I hope to be able to give my running the priority it needs, in negotiation with other commitments. I feel more serious about my running now, due to the Run, I just hope I can keep the momentum going and make real progress.

Hard Lesson, Good Lesson

Wednesday: The weather was kind - no rain and a medium to brisk wind. I did a 45 minute session, including the warm up and cool down, which is just walking for me. I started off with a 5min run, taking a 2min break, then another run. But I was disappointed to find myself struggling to do lots of 5min runs, having to settle for 3 or 4min runs, and taking 2 or 3min walks in between. Am I expecting too much from myself, I am not sure. I was a little tense as the run went on, partly due to feeling disappointed with myself, and partly due to concentrating hard. Feeling tense added to the aches and pains. However, as I continued, I persevered, running despite the aches and pains in the calves, trying to make it the nearest minute and not give up mid-minute. I was sweating more than I have ever done, and that was a good feeling, reassuring me I was pushing myelf and not taking it easy. Today's session was not as much fun as others, perhaps I expected too much, perhaps I need to be more realistic. Knowing I have the Run to train for, I feel I must be strict with myself and make real progress. I was getting upset during the run over my low fitness levels and started to worry about how I'd ever manage a 10k run. But somehow, I just kept running, I want to do it, for me, as well as for Sam. The thought of doing it for Sam and for charity, they were the things that really kept me going. And I learned an important lesson, early on in my training. Not every session will leave me feeling euphoric, there will be good days but also bad days. I need to keep it in perspective and just keep going, never give up. I finally finished the registration process today, I am now officially doing the Great Manchester Run! I finally told another person about it and her reaction was really uplifting for me. I'm doing something that's going to actually make a difference to others, which feels good. Got to keep motivating myself, apparently it is supposed to snow tomorrow - gritted teeth but still smiling, eye of the tiger, that's me :o)

Post-Decision, Pre-Run

Tuesday: A rest day due to family commitments. I tried to register for the Great Manchester Run, but encountered problems. I did receive an email saying I was registered, but technically I had a few more steps to go, and then there were technical problems. I hope to finish registering over the phone tomorrow. Body-wise, some aches, nothing major. I was itching to run today, which I think is the excitement of doing the Great Run. Wonder how long that will last :o) Right now, I am feeling very pleased with having decided to go ahead and do it. It means my running will have a sense of purpose, and sticking to a more formal programme should mean getting fitter more quickly. Before, I was anxious about doing something like this on my own. But knowing I am also doing it for Sam and for charity, I don't feel so alone. Plus, my runner mate is full of useful advice and tips, which is such a confidence-booster. I have always been more academically-minded, rather than a sporty person, despite enjoying sports, so this is a new experience for me, challenging my body and not my mind. I'm looking foward to running tomorrow, getting out there and making a proper start on training for the Run.

Big Decisions

Monday: The weather was atrocious today, no other word for it. I started off fine, despite heavy rain, but I found lots of paths were close to flooded, and I ended up walking much more than I wanted. My running kept getting cut short due to the excessive water, and then I ended up doing running bursts uphill, which I wasnt ready for. Not the most successful session to date, but at least by staying on the move, I kept some level of exercise going. By the end of the day, I find my legs weren't as achey as expected, I presume due to insufficient running. Today, I finally stopped dithering, and decided to do the Great Manchester Run in May. It's 10k, yes, the thought still freaks me out, but that never stopped me doing something before :o) In all seriousness, I found the Run's website to be very useful and informative, and actually quite inspiring. I turn 27 in May, no major milestone, but I know that come that day, if I havent done the Run, I will be disappointed with myself. I have thought a lot about this, about how I can do it, and apparently lots of people do it all the time, from a 'newbie' level like mine. I have seen programmes that detail how to train towards to and there is so much advice out there. I was also spurred on to do it for my cousin, Sam, who passed away suddenyl a short while ago. He was 26 like me, the life and soul of the party. I plan to run with a charity linked to him, as I feel on one level, I might never even have started to run if it wasn't for his untimely death. Also, I used to do lots for charity years ago, and I want to go back to giving back. If others can benefit from my running, then it makes it more worthwhile. I realise this means taking running more seriously but after much thought, I feel ready to do that and to have a focus. My initial reaction to the Run had been to pretty much run in the opposite direction, for various reasons. But I am so glad my friend suggested and encouraged me to do this, because I do think I can rise to the challenge once I put my mind to it. Sometimes, it is the strength of others that helps us forward in developing further our own strengths. There is still a tingling fear in the pit of my stomach but that tells me I am alive and I feel ready to take on this challenge :o)

Week Two Reflection

Sunday: The physical report is as follows - annoying blister on right foot is dying away slowly; aches in legs easing; right knee showed huge improvement after massaging. This week had setbacks but I am happy with my determination to overcome them, and this week has been a positive learning experience for me. A part of me looked forward to some rest but having had relatives visit, too much rich food has been consumed which has left me actually craving the lighter and healthier stuff I had been eating for the last couple of months. I will be back to eating better tomorrow, the rich food has made me feel more lethargic and lazy. This weekend was productive in one way, in that I was bought new trainers as a present by my brother. Now, I had been most keen on a 'trendy' pair, like nike or adidas, but in the end, I settled for substance over style (heavy heart feelings aside!). My new trainers are 'new balance' shoes, which apparently are very popular with 'proper runners'. Do I see myself as a 'proper runner', not yet, but I must be planning to be one, having taken the whole shoe issue so seriously, debating the ins and outs of 'arch support' with beleagured JJB Sports staff. They were great, actually, very helpful. I won't wear the trainers just yet, I plan to visit another branch which I hear has a greater variety of women's running shoes, so I may exchange the pair I have. However, I am pleased to have new, 'proper' trainers. My friend has suggested I do the Great Manchester Run (1ok) which initially made me want to run in the opposite direction. But it is something I am thinking about, perhaps I need something to focus me. My main fears are that I won't be ready in time for it, which isnt the best excuse, I do have lots of time to train for it. A bigger fear is doing it on my own, the idea of participating in the Run with hundreds of people, and having no-one to run along with me, or even have someone to come along for moral support, I admit I find that quite scary. Do I want to take my running to the 'next level', or should I keep it light-hearted for now? Participating in the Run is something I will be thinking about a lot over the coming days. I am too under confident to register online right now, but ambitious enough too, to not dismiss the idea right now. Two weeks on, I surprise myself with my interest in the more serious side of running. I am even attaching a pedometer to myself tomorrow to figure out the distance I do. I am definitely being brainwashed, slowly but surely, into the world of running :o)