Be fiercely, unapologetically you.

Week 1 of Easter half term gone. Honestly, where does the time go?
This half term I haven't really made any plans, more of a.. go with the flow style and... it's been good for me! It has helped me to take time for me, and do what I want to do. Rather than chase my tail trying to please everyone. I'm trying my best to be, unapologetically me.

Cuerden Valley Coffee stop with Teddy Bear (Weds), & Valley Coffee flat white (Thurs)

But what has that meant for running?

Throughout the week, I won't lie. I found it tough to find the motivation to get out and do. I was all geared up for a Thursday night Chorley Runners 7k... But when the rain hit, that went out of the window. Which left me in dangerous running purgatory for the weekend.. 

Throughout this week I have finally finished my Bryony Gordon "Eat, Drink, Run" book.  I've really enjoyed this book, after going to be a spectator at the marathon last week, dealing with my own mental health issues, (If this is new information to you.. seriously, where have you been?) and needing a kick up the arse to actually get outside.  This book was exactly what I needed. It made me really think about what I enjoy about running, and the journeys that we make to get to where we want to be, in the running world. That end goal. It took Bryony quite a while to see what running did for her - defeating her inner voices, she calls hers Jareth (Think, the labyrinth 80's film vibes) Mine, a gremlin. (Think, 80's horror film vibes) We all have them, we all have them in different ways, and they will always try to defeat us. But, we all have the power. (Of Voodoo, who do? You do) If you know, you know. 

First book about running I've ever read.

I've also found a hidden love for the running community on Twitter. You can find lots of support, lots of tips and advice, and even though it is Twitter, it's a safe part of Twitter. My feed has morphed from trashy celeb stories, teaching anecdotes, to celebrating running achievements with other twitter-ers.  Within this community I found a really insightful video, which told me things I already knew, but also inspired Friday's run.

Friday - 3.7k
Friday saw me decide to head out for a mere 2 miles. 
(Look at me, 2 miles, pah! that's a walk in the park these days!) 
The main goal of today's run was to s l o w  down. Something I regularly battle with. It's honestly harder than it sounds! I went out with no music, just me, myself and I. Of course, my little gremlin joined me. He must've had a lot of fuel this week because he kicked in early, I wanted to turn around and give up. But, I was only doing 2 miles. And goodness, running on your own is boring! I did manage to slow my pace, but not as much as I wanted to. I thought 2 miles was a good distance for a Parkrun warm up. 

Parkrun - Number 41.

Quite possibly my favourite photo

Sophie was back! She had missed about 4 Parkruns? But the whole team (Sophie, James and I) were back together once more for a 5k in the park. I left them by the tree before the run, as I went to see the Lions. (of course) And then we were off to complete our weekly 5k. Isn't it funny? I found my solo run the day before a complete mental battle, going out on my own, and, I didn't speak to anyone on the Parkrun course this week, yet, I felt more at ease? Your brain is a funny old thing. Temperatures were mild, or, should we say Goldilocks. Not too hot, but not too cold. What was this week's damage of a time going to be? 

Is it even cool to own a light box these days?
It seems I've found a new use for mine.

Insert new PB klaxon! I'd only gone and shaved 11 seconds off my time. I have no clue how, but, I am going to say it is thanks to my little 2 miler warm up the previous day. It did get me thinking, that I could possibly begin to do a slow 2 miles every Friday, as a Parkrun warm up.. Who knows? 
Of course, if it isn't on Strava then it doesn't count, and, as my running friends saw my new achievement I got a little giddy.. 

I've now set myself the challenge of getting into club 30 before I hit my 50 milestone at Parkrun. How cool would that be? The elusive 30 minutes I've been craving after for 3 years now. It seems to be a cool club to be in. I only have... 9 weeks to get myself there. 

Why I have such an obsession over getting a 30 minute 5k time I honestly cannot tell you. Perhaps it's because to me, that validates that I am fast. When, in hindsight, I'm getting up week on week, getting stronger and stronger, and meeting like minded people, who I enjoy the company of. Surely that should be enough satisfaction and a time should mean nothing. 

Evidently not. 

Sunday - Long run day!

So they say, that it takes just 21 days to change a habit. I started my Sunday long run journey in January this year. It is now April, and it seems that long runs are now part of my weekends. I think I have a new habit..
A healthy habit to have? I'd say so. I've gone from lazing around on a Sunday morning to getting up and getting out. I admit, it is harder when the weather isn't on your side, but lucky for me it was a healthy 10 degrees this morning. 

Naturally, Lions were not running a long run session today, still feeling the effects of the marathon. I absolutely whole heartedly do not blame them so, it appeared it was down to me, myself and I again. 

What was the plan seeing as Friday took so much out of me? - Take my music with me.

I was going to battle and defeat that long run I failed on a few weeks ago. Would I manage it? I put on my little friend; my hydration pack (I think she needs a name - suggestions welcome), quickly glanced over my running playlist on Spotify and off I went.

This run was different. I didn't care how long it took me. It was just time on feet and beating the gremlin from the previous few weeks ago. I got to the end of Central Avenue and this was the crux last time. 

Left to Astley, or right to Euxton. 

I went left. Following the road all the way into Astley Park. I felt on top of the world. I'd done it, I'd defeated the Gremlin that told me I couldn't do it the other week. Now I just had to face my other demon, Cenotaph Hill and get back home. I had my trusty electrolytes, my playlist (thank you; Don Broco, who mainly starred in this week's tunes) And sheer determination.

While I was out I had a strange realisation. I wasn't thinking about anything. I was just doing. The kilometres ticked over, my feet kept moving and I mustered a smile to some passers by. I thought about what I was going to write when I got back. The only thing that came to mind was that I was complacent, happy. Listening to my music, and enjoying what came on. Thank you Stevie Nicks, for kicking in when I needed you. Don't get me wrong, running alone is boring and I really missed the camaraderie of being around people, but, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I even thought about spicing things up a bit and extending the run. But I didn't want to get too carried away with myself. This could wait for next time. I still managed to extend a few segments and was very happy with what I found on my watch when I got home. 

11.3K. Naturally, in my head I thought 'go on, round it up to 12.' But sometimes, it just doesn't matter.

Very happy with my distance,
Sporting my unnamed hydration pack.
She definitely needs a name.

Ending the week on a very satisfying 20k.

The only thing is.. is that I actually have to do that distance in 1 afternoon, on the 11th September, at a half marathon event. The biggest half marathon. 

Crumbs.