The best part now is that I’m not daunted by the thought of going for a 40min run like I used to be, but in my head I’m much better than I actually am. Or maybe I think it is going to be easier than it is. That’s me really badly trying to explain that prior to any run I’m eager, then I go out and I’m like ugh, this is harder than I imagined it was going to be. Then as soon as I’m finished I’m like yeeyah, bring on the next run.
My first run of the week I got my hubby to drop me off on his way to get wood. I know the road is uphill because I have biked it (and avoided it). However I like to keep the odd challenge for myself in the programme, but because you start going up, and continue going up, my brain is like ‘you’re tired now, your legs are getting heavy, what are you doing, just walk, and why did you even do this’. Anyway, I got my first throat burn today. That real out of breath feeling and I did need to stop and walk occasionally, but you do what you’ve gotta do! Finally I reached the top of that road in what felt like forever (it’s less than a couple of km) lol. The next leg was up and down. Wheeee. if I wasn’t having to run it, it’d be like a roller coaster ride. My lovely family did take this way home and shouted some incentives out the window as they drove past!
So there’s things I haven’t encountered to date, so I haven’t thought about them, and having been to the toilet before leaving I was surprised by feeling like I needed to go again. Hydrate they say. I ignored the urge to go, because there wasn’t anywhere to go! But after another kilometre there was no ignoring it. So I had a quick stop by some loading ramp. Thankfully there were no cars, all was well, and I was on my way again. And what a relief! Now with that part of the block over, the best part about going up is going down! My knees don’t love it, but I do! As self punishment for having to stop and walk I made myself keep going to the bridge, but then I was so close to 7km, I ran to 7km. I called it at 7km, but it felt good to know I could have kept going.
Wednesday. I can now confirm something I would definitely choose running over. Going to the dentist. The Murder House as we called it when younger. The worst part was the amount of numbing stuff he actually had to put in before I couldn’t feel the drill, which felt like it was penetrating right into my nerve. (Of course this is not the case, but it bloody felt like it). To top it off I had a couple of jobs to do before coming home. Speaking was an issue, so I explained where I had been, to which the lady did sympathise. Four hours later, and nearly home my mouth finally had thawed. I got home later. I was tired and by the time the evening routine had played out, it was later still. I wasn’t running outside, yes I’m a wuss, but I really didn’t want to roll an ankle or something, but mainly because I’m scared of the dark. Haha. The treadmill is parked in my girls room, so I couldn’t go on that. So I didn’t do a run. I did my stretches and called it a night. I tarnished my perfect ‘no missed runs record’. But sometimes life does get in the way.
So, Sunday we headed to the Woodbourne event. The kids, Nanny and I entered the 5km fun run. There was a blimin’ breezy wind to freshen everyone up to start with, but the day was beautiful! What a great event. But, I lost my boy before we even started. I had a feeling I knew where he was, so I hopped over the tape and walk up the side to the front. Yip there he was – front of the pack, ready to go! All I could say was wait for me at the finish. Yes the little bugger blitzed me) and he was waiting for me at the finish. He’d met two other wee guys whose parents couldn’t keep up so I didn’t feel so bad, and they had to ‘out run some teenagers, cause they were annoying and kept talking to them’. Haha. Nanny and my girl did great too, run/walking their way to a personal victory! Nanny’s first ever, event in her life (of 60+yrs), and a personal achievement for my girl! On returning home and showering I faded fast and retreated for a ‘nana nap’ before driving home, because I was knackered! Haha the kids and Nanny however went out and played a game of rugby, but the trip home got my son!
I think, the best part about being a newby to this running thing and going to events, is that it’s inspiring. You realise that there really isn’t ‘a type’ of person, because the field is SO varied from quite young to quite old, all of different shapes, and abilities. My Wifey teamed up with a 72yr old man for the first part of their 1/2, and she said he has done lots of events and does not sound like he has any plans of slowing up. So no, age is not as excuse!!
– Lisa Harris
Lisa will be writing weekly as she continues her journey to achieving her goal of completing the 10km Kaikoura Whale Run. Check in next Tuesday for her next article.
Tonight Coach Ray will be in Kaikoura delivering a FREE training seminar about how to prepare for the Marlborough Women’s Triathlon. Click the link below to the Facebook event to get more details and to register.
https://www.facebook.com/events/298302430954596/
Read Lisa’s article from last week here:
Lisa’s Journey, Week 1: I Saved My Treadmill Or Did My Treadmill Save Me?
And all her previous articles are stored here:
https://www.coachray.nz/category/client-stories/lisas-journey/