Look for the path between the trees.

Saturday - formally known as 'Parkrun Day.' 🌳

A no pressured run today. For the first time I didn't look at my watch to see what pace I was running at - until I got to the finish line. (33.58) I could feel some niggles so I didn't want to push it too much. Lots of regular faces back so a nice, social run, on a nicer than average January Saturday morning. Because of this, I certainly over estimated the weather and, it was certainly shorts weather - which I did not have on. I've read a great piece of advice on Twitter this past week. Dress for the your 2nd mile, not your first. & this is absolutely the mantra I need to take from now on. However, this is not filling me for much excitement of standing on Southport front on Sunday morning (6th Feb) for Mad Dog. 
I was still happy to have finished in the 33 minute bracket, which, tells me that I am improving. One thing that running is really teaching me is that it really is the long game.
Starting running I was so impatient and I wanted immediate results - and that is how people fall out of love with running. Don't beat yourself up over a time. You got up this morning and did 5k more than your friend / husband / boyfriend / girlfriend did, and I bet you have some of those feel good endorphins running around you as you leave the park.

I unfortunately did not make my Sunday long run this week. It was a really hard call for me. I usually don't listen to my body, but I could feel a niggle in the outside of my foot & the idea of running 14 miles did not sound appealing - so - I rested! I was frustrated and naturally punished myself by pining over all the photos, gutted I was missing out on the morning's camaraderie, but fear not. I had a week ahead of me to make up my miles! 
I spent the morning / afternoon watching Nadal win the Australian Open and perhaps that's exactly what I needed. A masterclass in perseverance, sportsmanship and a reminder to never give up. 

Cuerden Valley at the startline of the deceased Parkrun. 

I therefore took myself out on Monday for what I have dubbed as a 'free run.' It was the first time that I took myself out, not really with a plan, my headphones and my new jazzy backpack as a new attempt to fuel myself. An hour later, I had accomplished 10k. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't clock watching - again! & I enjoyed every bit of scenery around me. I didn't dread each kilometre, I took in all my surroundings, enjoyed being alone - and I wasn't scared or worried. I had no idea how far I had gone, until I kicked myself that I was almost home on 9.64k (yes, I went round the block to get to 10k).

Could I have carried on? Yes.
Had I thought about extending my adventure? Yes.
Was it a good idea? No. I had the gym later that evening and was I glad I didn't extend? - absolutely. I'd listened to my body - again! 

Monday was a huge accomplishment for me too. 31st January marked the end of Red January. 
For those who don't know Red January is an initiative started to get people moving in January to beat the winter blues. This year, they were raising money for Sport in Mind. However, as I have my own fundraising to do for Macmillan. (Have I mentioned I'm running the Great North Run?)I just wanted to complete this as a personal challenge. Shameless plug here..

I wanted to see if I could really push myself. I've learnt from previous challenges that when I try to run every day I end up injured, so I took this time to switch it up. I've engaged in yoga, walking, running and gym sessions... and I've finally completed a little personal challenge!

So, what is the point in the title of this blog. This morning I watched a really good video called "Stop holding yourself back" by Simon Sinek. He talks about if we focus on the negative, then we start to believe the negative, and the main takeaway from this is, focus on what you're wanting to achieve (the path) than the trees (the negative).  This week, I will be looking for the path between the trees.