With a little help from my friends

I think I actually had a successful run this morning :)

It definitely is a mental thing, this slowing down to walk. And when you're following a programme that says run x mins and walk y mins it's hard to get out of the habit. This morning's outing didn't start well when after only 5 mins of running I had to walk a bit. I wasn't out of breath and wasn't running fast (actually Ian can walk as fast as I run!) so I knew it was all in my head. I remembered Davie's advice (thanks Davie!) about not slowing to walk and trying to just ease off the pace before running faster again.

So I started running again and lasted 3 mins! I started greeting like the big girl I am and tried to give myself a pep talk as I walked. I asked myself why am I doing this? And to my horror I realised that I'd fallen back into my old way of thinking. I was comparing myself with other runners again and worrying what they might be thinking about me and my pathetic attempts to be a runner.

I reached the point on the route where there is a commemorative bench. Now usually where there's a bench there's a view. And hand on heart I heard a very familiar voice in my head tell me to look round. So I did and I saw the view of the rolling fields and the distant Ochils. And I remembered why I want to do this. I'm doing this because I can.

I looked at my watch and noted the time. I started to run. And I kept running. I swallowed a fly but I kept running. I choked on my drink of water but I kept running. I ran without walking for 14 and a half minutes. I only stopped running because I reached the main road and needed to put Lucydog back on her lead for the 2 minute walk back to the car. I was only slightly out of breath but I felt good. Tired but good.

10 reasons why women should run

I found this in my wanderings around t'internet. Think it originally came from realbuzz.com.

1. Running is the most efficient path to cardiovascular fitness
That's true. I've tried a few things in my time in an effort to get fit and running has worked for me in the past.

2. Running is the most accessible of aerobic sports
Yep, true again for me. Since we live in the sticks my nearest gym is miles away and I've no idea where there's a decent sized swimming pool. And getting on a bike round here is just suicidal!

3. Running is cheap and easy to learn
Uh huh, as long as I've got decent shoes and a good support bra I'm sorted. Easy to learn but it takes a lot of practising!

4. Running is the best method of stress reduction on the market
Maybe for some but I'm still lying awake at 2am despite being exhausted.

5. Running can help ease women's menstrual tension
Ask Ian about that one!!

6. Running is an excellent component of any weight control programme
Ok, here's where I disagree. I still haven't shifted a single pound. Although I can squeeze into some trousers that were previously too tight and wouldn't zip up. I know that muscle weighs more than fat blah blah..... but I was hoping for a slight loss pushing me nearer the Jimmy Choos.

7. Running is a flexible method of training
Agreed

8. Running increases your overall sense of well-being. Fitness, self-esteem and confidence all increase with exercise
Clearly I'm doing something wrong as I don't feel fitter and I'm definitely not confident enough to be seen running by people who know me.

9. Running is for families and individuals of all ages
Absolutely!

10. Running is a great social activity
Well I guess it is since our entire social life revolves around running, runners and races. I can count on 1 hand the number of close friends we have not involved in running.

I know there are many good reasons for running. I just haven't found the one that really makes me think 'Wow this is why I want to keep doing this.'

Running v Daytime Telly

I know I run the risk of sounding like a big blouse wearing girlie but when will this running malarky get a bit easier? According to my training schedule I should now be running easily for 20 minutes without needing to walk. I'm nowhere near that! And as for the claim that I should be feeling full of energy and raring to go......*blows big raspberry*


I'm never going to run a sub 3 hour hour marathon but a slight improvement in speed/time/distance would be nice. I still can't go for a run without walking bits of it although I can run for longer periods now. But even though I'm running more I'm not covering the distance any quicker. In fact I was a minute slower today over the same route I ran last week.


Someone kindly suggested that maybe running isn't for me. Maybe it isn't but it's the easiest way for me to fit aerobic activity into my jam packed life and I get to exercise Lucydog at the same time. But frankly I'm at a stage where I could easily give this up and lie on the couch eating chocolate and watch daytime telly.

Somebody kick my arse. Please.

Please excuse Allybea from running today......

because it was too wet. Now before you all think 'What a feeble excuse' I'd like to point out that it wasn't just ordinary rain. It was really really heavy rain. In fact it was so heavy the river burst its banks and the main road between Greenloaning and Braco was closed to all traffic. Of course there were a few numpties who tried to get through and ended up stranded. This included a guy in a big Merc who wouldn't get out of his car because he wearing expensive shoes! Methinks the damage to his car was a bit more expensive! Eejit!

Anyway, back to the no running today. I know that it's never too wet/cold/hot/whatever to run if you have the right gear. Unfortunately I don't have the right running gear. I own 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of socks, 1 sports bra, 1 pair of trousers and 1 decent top. I think I need to go shopping for some new clothes, don't you?

Progress

Yes, there is progress in my feeble attempt to get back running but it's rather slow. However yesterday I had a bit of a breakthrough. The training plan I'm following is totally different from anything I've tried (and failed at!) in the last few years. Right from the first session you're on your feet for about 40 minutes. In the beginning it's mostly longer spells of walking with a bit of running. It gradually changes over the weeks so that you're running more and walking less.

Until yesterday I couldn't get over the walking for 2 minutes in between the running. But somehow my legs and breathing co-operated with each other and I was able to all the running bits with only a 1 minute walk in between. I was simply gobsmacked as I had a bit of a hangover (yep we didn't manage an alcohol free August!), I hadn't eaten any breakfast and when I arrived in Crieff I realised I'd forgotten my watch so went home with the intention of actually skipping the run. But Lucydog was crying with excitement at the prospect of a run so I changed my mind and went down to the village instead. I'm so glad I did.

I've not had much success in setting goals and planning races in the past. So I've surprised myself by entering the 5k run at Loch Ness. My target is to run the whole way without walking. The 2 routes that I've been running on locally are around the 4/5k mark so I know what to expect. I don't have a clue how long it'll take me but I'm not that bothered at this stage.

Just like Dad!

Can you see that kid on the track in a blue t-shirt carrying a baton? That's No3 son representing his school in the Primary Relay at this afternoon's Crieff Highland Games. He ran the first leg giving them a good lead which they held on to right to the end.

Look, the trophy's bigger than anything Dad's won! It was presented to him by Allan Wells. Sadly he'd never heard of him! Hmm, I wonder where we can put it for the next 3 months? Well done. He's going to be a better runner than than his Dad methinks.

It's not easy

I'm not smiling today. In fact I feel like curling up on the couch and crying cos I'm sooo sore. I knew the initial euphoria would wear off but not this quickly. I dragged myself out of bed and made myself eat something before I went for a run/walk with Lucydog round Lady Mary's Walk in Crieff. My legs seem to have long forgotten that I used to be able to do this. They feel like I haven't been running for 20 years instead of only a couple.

I had 2 thoughts as I kept forcing one foot in front of the other. Debs left me a comment saying the first time she went out running she couldn't run for more than a minute. And look at what she achieved last Saturday! That really motivated me to keep going. Thanks Debs.

The other was a conversation I had with John and Katrina on Saturday. They reminded me that 99% of the population either can't or won't run. I'm in that 1% group that's at least trying. Thanks guys for helping me put it in perspective.

I got home to find a parcel on the doorstep. My new running shoes had arrived. Same as my old ones, just a newer version. New shoes are a good incentive for me. Not quite my Jimmy Choos yet but they'll do for now. Can't wait to try them out.