As regular readers know, I’ve been struggling with my running of late. When I do run, my pace has been way off what I’m used to. That’s when I run. Many days, I have dug out my trainers fully intent on hitting the roads, only to sigh, shrug my shoulders and discard them. My motivation, mojo, whatever you wish to call it, has been missing. This weekend was a perfect example. Zero miles.
When I was marathon training it was tough but I always managed to get out there and get it done. One of the silver linings in that 26.2 mile cloud was that I could eat pretty much whatever I wanted, and I sure love my food. No matter how tough the conditions, there was always the prospect of a tasty treat at the end of the training session. This usually involved ice cream or chocolate. Preferably both.
The problem with my most recent blip is that, while marathon training has ground to a halt, the corresponding high calorie intake has not. If anything, it has increased, leaving me feeling sluggish and bolted. It’s an ever decreasing circle which I fear will lead nowhere but to an ever increasing waistline. The chubby schoolboy within is bursting to get out if I allow him to.
The solution to this self inflicted pity party starts this today. Although my days of marathon running may be numbered, there is no excuse for this recent malaise. So this lunchtime, I’ll be escaping the office and pounding the pavements of Belfast again. And you are all going to join me. I need to be accountable, motivated and driven when I’m out there battling the elements.
All messages of support and encouragement would be most appreciated between then and now. As my Garmin is playing up I’ll be timing the run on my phone so, in a way, you will be with me every step of the way. All eight miles of it for that’s what I’m aiming for. By documenting my runs on the blog, I know there will be no hiding place for me. Feel free to harass me if I haven’t posted a run in a while.
Running is not the most important thing in my life. Far from it. But it is important, as it assists my mental health in such a way that it overflows into so many other areas of it. Without running, I know I am more vulnerable to my ever vigilant OCD. Which nobody wants to see, believe me. So join me on my winter running adventures. I’ll post a run update later with regards today’s challenge.
Will you join me on my running challenge?
Black Thoughts 
Get your butt out there Stephen. If I can do it then you can too. Chase that monster away with every step you take. You need this and you know it. Make sure you post when you’ve done it or you’ll receive some serious harassment!!!
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It must be hard to reduce running to less than marathons but not stop at all with OCD. I can’t even closely know what that must feel like…
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Well I did it. I’ll post my time later 👍🏻
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You can and you will…. 8 miles might be a high number to start on. But good luck 🍀
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Thank you. I did it. Check out my latest post 😊
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We’re all with you! Some of us will be behind you pinching your bottom to get you into a different gear, some will be in front cheering you on and tempting you with ice cream just out of your reach, and as for me, I shall be running beside you with a megaphone in your ear shouting, “Move your arse Stephen, otherwise you’re going to have this skinny bint overtaking you!” Would that do the trick? 🤗
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It certainly did! Eight miles in the bag 😊
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Excellent work sir!
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I am with you all the way, Stephen. But you knew that. I have also gone through a running trough myself recently and have been trying to drag myself out of it. From 1st Oct, I have been trying to run at least 1 mile a day with my friends with this program https://runeveryday.com/ So far it is working well. Good luck!
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Thanks Padraig. It felt much better out there yesterday. Was pleased with the run.
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Even I am walking more, to and from work (well, 3 times… but that is more(!)) So yo get ’em!! 😁
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Good stuff David. Thank you 😊
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I wish I would have checked in 30 minutes earlier. I just let the fact that its cold and I’m driving my wife’s van today influence my resolve to run a bit before swimming. Sorry I will not be running with you today. I will resolve to swim hard and put in a couple extra laps. It is amazing how therapeutic running is for me as well. Plus the seemingly selfish act does have a positive impact on those around us. I am with you for an eight miler, but it will be tomorrow. Today, I’ll be sticking my head in the water for 90 minutes. Press on my friend. You and the chubby schoolboy inside will be glad you did.
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Thank you very much. Hope the swimming went well 👍🏻
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Get out there & run! I used to have an AA sponsor who said that you don’t get motivation to do things until you are actually doing whatever it is you’re not doing!
The most I run is a quick sprint across the street as I take my walks. I have a lot of streets to cross so I do quite a bit of sprinting. I walk at a brisk pace. I can cover a mile in about thirty minutes & that’s not bad for an arthritic old babe like me.
Another thing … you don’t want to run today? Is not wanting to run a symptom of something else that’s bothering you?
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Good for you for getting out there. I ran 8 miles. 😊
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You can do this…for yourself. Once you get off your exercise, you lose all those wonderful side effects you never even thought about. Imagine how you’ll feel at the end. In a week, you’ll be back on track.
Just do it!
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Thank you. I did 😊
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My running days are long behind me, so I now live vicariously through you. Enjoy your noon time run, as you well know it’s a great way to relieve some stress and clear the. Ind, even for a wee bit.
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Thank you Deborah. 8 miles completed.
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I saw that, well done, and as I’ve said before it doesn’t matter fast or slow, you’re lapping everyone on the couch!
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Maybe you got bored. There’s times where I was at the gym and so was everything else in my head I just couldn’t get into it for sometime. I have read about your marathon and just you running something you like. Go run with no end goal first then maybe as you’re into it say one mile. And go for it. Light up your hobby man!
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Thank you. I ran 8 miles yesterday.
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I hope you had a good run! It’s past lunch time. If you didn’t make it, maybe you can run this evening. The important thing is to get some kind of movement, even walking fast or cycling or swimming or fitness classes. You might try a class if you’re bored with being solo. I’m bored with running myself. I used to LOVE it, idolize it, literally think about it constantly. Now I’m just making myself train because I have races planned. But I hope I get my mojo back and I hope you do , too, because it definitely helps the old brain function better, as well as preventing the fatso syndrome you mentioned. 🙂
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Thank you. When is your next race?
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This week. It’s 223 miles. 😀 I am the crew leader and will also be pacing for my friend who is running the whole route of a relay. Prayers appreciated ! It’s on the highway, unmarked, following a map,no aid stations. Should be an adventure!
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That sounds incredible. Are you running the entire distance?
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I wish, but my body probably won’t let me do that much at one time. I’ll run, then ride in the crew vehicle a while, then run some more. I have some pains in my foot and leg that are limiting my training right now. Hoping I can ignore them.
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Safe running 🏃🏻♀️
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the hardest part is committing to it mentally and you’re doing that. you’ve got this. it’s just one step after another. i have faith in you.
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Thank you very much.
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Sadly, no run for me today, but I will commit to the fitness center in my hotel tomorrow morning. I brought my gear, as usual, but have a 50-50 track record of using it.
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I hope you make it to the gym 🙏🏻
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I did. I spent some quality time with the elliptical machine.
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Good for you 👍🏻
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If I were in the same time zone I would have been with you!! Good for you for taking care of you!! I hope you did it!!
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Thank you. I did!
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Good luck!
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Thank you 😊
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I’m running with you…how far are we going??
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We are going 8 miles 😂
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You can do it!! Go STEPHEN!!
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Thank you 😊
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I hope you got out there and smashed it today! I’m done with running for now but I’m with you in spirit 😁✊🏼 Just think how much better you will feel after getting a few runs in, the first one after a break is always the worst. Scott ran tonight which was the first time since last Tues and he was nervous about going, he always be after a few days off.
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8 miles done Louise! Thank you. What’s your next fitness challenge?
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🙌 Well done!! To try and get these 9.5kg weights above my head at the same time 😄
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That sounds horrific 😳
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Haha it’s tough, very tough! But I won’t be beaten!
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I have no doubt of that 💪🏻
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I bought a shelf for all the crap decorating my treadmill. I haven’t opened it. But I thought about it. Does that count? Congrats on the 8 miles. And just getting out there again.
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Thanks Amy. Great effort with the shelf 🤓
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Thanks, I …try 🙄
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Get up and Go! God pull him up and make him move. Go! 🤣☺️
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Thank you. 8 miles complete.
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Alright… YEA!!!
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You can do it! 🏃
…and good idea about the chocolate, by the way.
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Naturally. Eight miles later….
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Hey! Time difference, remember?
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I have never been a runner but a very, very active gardener with much to care for. I will think of you running as I cut back vines and prune bushes and then haul it all away by hand!
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Thank you. Gardening is hard work 😓
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Hi Stephen! I wrote that second installment of the series you wanted to be a beta for. Would you like me to send it to you through your contact page?
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Definitely. Send it now!!!
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It is sent!
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I am late in reading your post – sorry I was not here to support you and cheer you on. I hope you did get out for a run, even a short one. Fall is an entirely difficult time to keep motivated. I have been telling myself for two weeks to get out and walk, but my inner bear just wants to hibernate. So, I get it. It’s hard to force yourself out the door, and the longer we procrastinate the harder it becomes. I hope you win your battle with it. (and I hope I do, too.)
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Thank you Carol. I managed 8 miles.
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That’s awesome! Good for you!!!!!
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I seriously have to get back into exercising. I did really good from January to May and then when we visited family it just threw me off completely. I’ve been doing a workout once a week haha, but I want to get back into at least three if not more.
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Yep. I sure can relate to this post!
I’ve allowed myself to start eating sugar again, but when you’re an addict like I am, it leads to a painful spiral of eating tubs of ice cream in a day, pants that won’t zip, and new deposits of wrinkly fat in places on my body I didn’t know would even hold fat deposits😐
And when you aren’t running or burning those calories- it sits..and sits.. and gets harder to fall off.
Lots of us are battling that ‘bulge’ together.
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