It might seem hard to believe from my chubby Gravatar, but I would still call myself a runner. I took it up in my thirties and continued, without any apparent running-related injury, pausing only briefly for a surgery in 2012. Then at the end of 2013 the discomfort I had been ignoring for a couple of years in my left thigh developed into a stronger pain across my groin and left buttock, and I had to take advice. I was advised to take a break, at a time in my life when running was especially beneficial to me
After a number of visits to arrogant consultants who injected me and exhausted my private health cover, I got a chiropractor involved (a runner himself), and after months of seeing him it has actually paid off. He still has to make small corrections, but with this and some yoga I have been pain-free for months now
So it’s time to tackle the two stone I am now carrying with me (in my defence, it’s hard to adjust when you stop running 20+ miles per week). That means it’s time to put a playlist together for my iPod, some tunes to keep me moving and to regulate my pace a little. I’ll never be fast but I have a weight target and a half marathon to run in August. Here we go!
As I am starting from scratch after such long break, a friend who used to run with me kindly created a spreadsheet to build up the miles. It’s not as though it’s difficult to gauge the build up, but it’s surprising how a simple tool can motivate. I also get regular gentle nagging texts from another understanding friend to check up on me
The hardest bit right now is not the run, but going out in running clothes. It hurts my pride. There’s no hiding in these clothes and my bra hurts. I don’t look in the mirror once geared-up because I may just talk myself out of leaving the house, and that won’t help. There must be some kind of mathematical graph or equation covering the degree of effort involved, the embarrassment encountered and the distance covered. At some point the embarrassment will reduce because I’ll be leaner and fitter, while the distance covered will be greater and the overall difficulty will remain somewhere in the same region. I am not good at maths but I can make this equation happen
Already at just three mile runs my lungs are working better and I have runner’s calm all day. Nothing unwinds me like a few miles in the open air, however wet or chilly. I’m still staying off main roads where possible because I am not ready to be judged by passing motorists on my physique or my technique. They don’t realise how hard it is to go out carrying extra weight and be exposed to criticism. I know this because I have judged often enough. Tough karma
Today is Valentines Day, and after the filth that was yesterday’s running weather I woke to golden sunshine and I really looked forward to going out. As I stood at the for of the bed, getting into my tragic spandex, Baz lay in bed in the dark and said ‘Well done. I’m proud of you’
There’s nothing more a girl needs than this. A sunny run and the support of the person who matters. Happy Valentines Day, Fatty x
Keep running no matter what. I was a runner at one time and now the knees just cannot do it anymore. You inspire me! 🙂
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Thank you for your support. I shall keep at it
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Good, look forward to your updates. 🙂
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Keep on running! Hope the evening goes well, have fun xxx
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Thank you!
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Run Forest, Run! I’m really happy that you are able to get out again. You are not fat. Just a bit rounder than you were and understandably but you will be svelte and ripped again in no time at all. 🙂
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Oh, I would take svelte and ripped any day. Thank you for the added motivation x
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You have motivated me too … I’ve formally stopped talking about it and went for a snowy run this morning …. The Bean didn’t know what had hit her – we haven’t been out running (aka struggling in my case) for nearly two months ….
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You don’t look chubby at all in your Gravatar. I hate running, but I do like Zumba (for which you also need a good support bra) and yoga. Dog walking where I live involves very steep hills so I feel vindicated. I don’t generally judge the physique of runners, only noticing that they always look miserable but I do judge cyclists – usually because they are often in front of my car and I have ample time to observe lycra clad bums and thighs whilst waiting to overtake. Good luck!
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Cyclists are a different breed! But whatever exercise we all take, it all adds up to physical and mental wellbeing, I reckon. And in the open air, wherever possible (I am not a gym fan!)
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