Reality Check

Thank you to everyone who has been so encouraging throughout my journey so far. I have been feeling very sorry for myself, and extremely frustrated for the last day or so. Let me tell you why.

Someone on the forum posted the gmaps website, and I was very excited as I measured my normal route accurately for the first time. It turns out that I have been running 3.5km and not 4km as I thought. So my very slow 9 minute km's are even more appalling. Horrified at my shocking progress, I sulked all day yesterday. I didn't even go for my scheduled run - I piked. It is the first run I have missed since I started this. I was little Miss Cranky Pants.

But then I figured it was a good reality check. It gives me a greater appreciation of what other runners are doing without even thinking about it. And I realised that I REALLY have become obsessed with times - and that is not what running is all about, at least that's not what I wanted. So instead of feeling sorry for myself any longer, I jumped back onto gmaps and measured 10km along a completely new route. Tomorrow is my long run. I was hoping to do 8km, but the 8km I THOUGHT I was going to do, is more like 7km. So I am going to set off on my new 10km route and run until I hit the 7km mark and then I'll walk home. And I don't care how long it takes me!!

At least I'll have the satisfaction of knowing the real distance I have covered - and no watch. I think I need to get rid of the watch altogether - yes I'll probably count paces, or guide posts or something else, but no matter. I want running to be about running. I don't want to worry about times - I'll leave that for the races!!

So I managed to dig myself out of the hole I put myself into, which is a good thing. I will improve as I am meant to improve - I can't expect to run 7 minute k's just because others can. I'm still a ton overweight so I've got to expect some wind resistance! I will take my watch once a month - as a reward - and see if that makes a difference.