Week 3

I've started noticing a lot of people asking how far I am running. I suppose it's their yard stick for how close to marathon standards I am, judging whether they think I am going to make it or not. When I reluctantly/embarrassingly tell them how far they either look very worried for me or laugh hysterically at me.

The truth is I am probably not even going to get to marathon standards, not on any self-respectful level, but that's not necessarily my aim. My aim is to do the best I can with a body that has suffered years of neglect in the short amount of time I have available to me. If that means that I don't run very far then please don't judge me, I am doing the best I can. As long as I get out three times a week I'm sure I will start to see improvements along the way, which will then give me the confidence to start thinking about the challenge ahead. But until then I have to just do what I can, when I can.

Mid-run selfie with my son Joe looking very red faced 

Here is how this week has gone down:

Day 1

Nada, nil, nothing. My legs huuurt beyond belief, I struggle to walk so am trying to rest them, even cycling or swimming is looking painful to me. Getting a bit depressed also that I can't even do the simplest things

Day 2

Today I am determined. No matter how much it hurts I am just going to get out there. As a friend pointed out, no matter how bad you think a run has gone you will be better and stronger for your next run. So I managed 15 minutes again and only my right leg hurt, 50% less pain I can deal with! Feeling so happy at this point as it was so frustrating not being able to run it actually felt really good to be out there no matter how short

Day 3

Yes! I managed 20 minutes then walked for a bit and a further 5 minutes run home. Feeling ace :) and for those of you who ask 2.5 miles, which may sound pitiful but it was my own little marathon

What I have learned

To take my time and not worry about the standard other people think I should be running at

My Goals 

To just get out there three times and see what I can do

Feeling
Pretty good, long may this continue!

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Week 2

It was all going so well...this is this weeks efforts:

Day 1 - My weekly 6am run, this time with my 10 year old son Joe. I was quite glad he agreed to come with me as it was so dark it's probably not safe to run around the park on my own. I figured I could throw Joe in the attackers way for a quick escape. At least, I would if I could catch him, he was sprinting circles around me. You can just see his silhouette in the spooky picture I took, way ahead of me. 

It was good having the company though and made me relax a bit more and not be so tense whilst running. I managed run 15, walk 2, run 5, hooray I'm getting there! To the beginning of my running schedule, hmmm.

Day 2 - This is where it all goes wrong. I was determined to run 15, walk 2, run 10. I had planned out my route I was feeling good and happy I was making progress. But I ran 15 and my legs were in agony, the dreaded shin splints, I had to walk home without any more running. I figured I just needed to rest them a couple of days and I'll be fine when it comes to my third run of the week.

Day 3 - My legs still felt sore but I didn't want it to stop me, it's not as though I'm doing much yet, I'll just have to run through it. So I got ready Sunday morning, went out and managed to get to the bottom of the road before I turned back. My problem is I don't know what pain is OK to run through and when I'm just being a wimp, I think it's a fine line. I went home and did yoga instead, and you know how people say that yoga feels like you haven't really done anything...yeah that. 

What I have learned
That I need to get fitter so I can catch my 10 year old to use as defence.

My Goals
Cycling or swimming to try and keep me active until my legs feel a lot better and can get back on it.

Feeling
Very frustrated as my first goal I set myself I have failed on.

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Week 1

Well I still hate running, but I feel good for actually getting through the first week without wanting to throw the towel in completely.

I'm likening running to child birth at the moment. At the time (and a little after) it's hell and I want it to be over and I swear to myself that this will never happen again, ever. But after a while I forget the pain and think there was nothing to it, it was a breeze, a walk in the park (or a run). I'm currently thanking this philosophy for my motivation to get out there each time, but I'm not sure how I'm going to feel around the 26/27 baby mark.

At the moment I am not setting myself any major targets, just going out running and seeing exactly how unfit I really am. I'm making sure I go out 3 times a week and trying to build up any kind of stamina. This is how this week has panned out...

Day 1 - I looked at a 10k fitness schedule provided by Bupa and it said 'Day 1 - Run 15 minutes, Walk 2 minutes, Run 15 minutes'. Easy, right? So I set off, ran 15 minutes, nearly passed out and limped home.

This is going to be more difficult than I thought.


Day 2 - Got up at 6am (get me!) Went out while it was still dark and ran 15 minutes, was almost sick but walked at a brisk pace home. It was actually really nice running without loads of people to watch me red faced puffing and panting. When I got in however I was nearly crying my lower legs hurt that much, I had to sit with frozen peas on them, much to the amusement of my ever supportive family (cough)!

Day 3 - Ran 15 minutes, walked 2 minutes then ran (hoooray) 2 minutes home (hmmm).

What I have learned

Weirdly, I run with my right thumb up, I don't know why, I tried to stop but it felt wrong. Here's a picture of it, obviously mid-run so it's a bit fuzzy...

My Goals

To get to the end of week 2 being able to run 15 minutes, walk 2, run 15 minutes by Sunday, even if I nearly pass out or am sick.

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I hate running...

It happened. A while back I had signed up for the London Marathon. For years I knew of people trying to get a place and failing, so I figured I'll sign up for it. I can be one of those runners without actually having to run. I'd just have to act disappointed when I get my rejection and join in with the 'oh dear, maybe next year' club. At least I could say I've tried to run a marathon, just not tried too hard.

But as fate would have it, I got home to a 'You're In!' staring up at me from the welcome mat. I immediately checked my husbands post to see his decision and saw the 'Sorry Not This Time' peeping through the plastic wrap. My immediate thought? "Why me?" Someone up there was having a right old laugh at me.

I later discovered not only had my husband not got a place but at least 7 people I know hadn't. These were all desperate for the opportunity, seasoned runners who put a whole lot of effort in to keeping fit and achieving great things through running. I felt a little sheepish, like a fraud who didn't deserve a place, because I guess that's what I am, I really don't want this! 

But I'm not going to let those who didn't get a place down, I have to run this and I have to do it the best I can which involves a) a whole lot of running (blergh) and b) a whole lifestyle change (no more wine). This to me is devastating, and anyone who knows me will realise this. I am going to hate my life for the next 7 months, but I only have myself to blame and who knows maybe something amazing will happen and I will start to enjoy it...

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