This week I’m feeling pretty awesome, and I definitely have my chufty pants on. Once again this is a two-part blog to reflect my two runs.
On Sunday I had committed to myself that I would go out on a run. I woke up on Sunday morning and I was in a bad mood. It’s not often I wake up in a bad mood, but I was definitely Little Miss Grumpy. Then my friend was messaging me telling me about how terribly she is being treated by someone. Now obviously if you upset one of my amazing friends you upset me so now, I was in a doubly bad mood. I decided I would channel my anger into my run! I was having it; this run was mine! So, I did all my pre-run checks. This time I had eaten and waited the hour, my sports bra was correctly positioned to ensure no nipple rubbing, my playlist had been pimped and I was ready to go.
I started my run with Tom’s words in my ears. Keep running at your comfortable pace, I had my route mapped out in my head and I was feeling strong. All was going well until I turned down the path to the cycle track and saw 3 runners. Great – 3 runners behind me that were going to pass me which would completely demotivate me. I know I am meant to be holding a comfortable pace but I can’t let those buggers pass me. I pushed harder than I wanted to and I could feel them right behind me there was no way they were going to overtake me I just couldn’t deal with that. I would bloody trip them up if they tried to. So here is where I tell you I am super competitive, I actually can’t cope with being crap at something. I would rather not do it at all than come last. I get this particular trait from my Dad. He hates losing so much that he actually refuses to play any games at all. Thankfully I don’t share Dad’s negative outlook on the world in fact I think his negativity is the very reason I am so positive and happy all the time. He tells me “always think the worst and never be disappointed” where I am a “every cloud has a silver lining” type of girl. Hence why I get such joy with calling my Dad regularly just to sing “You are my Sunshine” because my sparkle makes him really cross. I should also share at this point that despite all of that Dad is my absolute favourite person in the whole world and it is because of him and my Mum that I am the person I am and I love them for that.
Anyhow back to the run, after about 2 miles of running against the 3 runners I decided to turn and see how close they were behind me. I carefully turned whilst ensuring not to drop speed and…. they were absolutely nowhere to be seen. That’s when it dawned on me when I came down the path on to the cycle track, they must have then gone up the path off the cycle track and they were never behind me. Damn my competitive nature. Chuckling to myself I slowed my speed to my “comfortable pace” and got myself back in the zone. The run was going well when I suddenly felt a rumble in my tummy. I thought back to my last run with Tom when we were discussing what to eat before a run and he said to try different things but make sure I leave an hour before running. Well I decided to have granola as a bit of a treat and I waited an hour but it seemed that it wasn’t a good running partner. I then thought back to our “what if I need the toilet” conversation. I suddenly started to panic. If this went wrong, I would have to find a safe secluded “area” where I would be able to deal with this problem. The next mile was distracted by looking for possible spots to fertilise. Thankfully the need passed naturally without a need to stop and I became distracted by my music. It was actually really good and I was loving it. Before I realised it, I had created a new sport. It’s called “run dance” your legs are running whilst your upper body is dancing. My goodness did I gets some funny looks. I suddenly thought what Tom might say if he was there: “if you can dance you obviously aren’t running fast enough” – Well what Tom doesn’t know doesn’t hurt him. Until he reads this blog of course and then I’m screwed! All the distraction, competiveness and built up anger was obviously good for me as I managed a whole 5 miles! Yes, you read that right I ran 5 miles!
Monday was run two and as Tom was on holiday, lovely Sophie who works with me said she would come with me. I was surprised by this as ever since I have known Sophie, she has always been going to the gym but never quite got there. With that said though last year she did do the Great North Run so I was sure she would smash the run that was planned. One thing you should know about Sophie is she is a complete Diva. I mean seriously, if you think I am a drama queen, times me by 10 and you might get somewhere close to Sophie. I knew if nothing else this was going to be entertaining but I was also looking forward to me bossing someone else around rather than Tom bossing me!
So, we started off our run around Westlakes and actually Sophie didn’t moan that much other than saying she was dying. The second loop was sprints and OMG this was the funniest thing. Now you shouldn’t be unkind when someone is trying but Sophie actually sprints like a Diva. Hands out at angles and knees high, it was hilarious. After I had finished laughing, we continued and this is when she started to moan and say she couldn’t do it and she was actually going to die. I suddenly realised the difference between Sophie and I. She is a proper Diva and when she says she can’t she just stops and doesn’t do it she doesn’t care what anyone else says she does what she wants and she wanted to stop. Whereas I carry on, even though I swear and moan and cry and feel anger and hate I still push on. I guess I am not a diva after all.
Don’t forget I am doing this blog and the running to raise money for Calderwood House Homeless Hostel. We are currently sitting at £242.50 raised which means Tom and I are doing the Cockermouth 10k and Tom is having to do it in fancy dress. Remember if we get to £300 by the end of the month, I will have to do it in fancy dress too. A big thank you to all of you who have already sponsored, your love and support means the world to me!
https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/emma-jayne-gooch-gnr-2019
Until next time…..
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