12 Weeks To Make My Body Mine Again – Week 10 - Fun Runs are Fun!
- Parents Only
By: Heather Gow, ellaslist explorer
Heather Gow bravely embarks on a very public journey tracking her ups and downs on her personalised running and nutrition program with Benefit Sports Nutrition and Run with Us Online. Read Heather’s Intro Article, her Week One Update, Week Two Update, Week Three Update, Week Four Update, Week Five Update, Week Six Update, Week Seven Update, Week Eight Update and Week Nine Update here.
Over the years, Saturday mornings at our place have degenerated into this: a battle of wills between the ever-loving and I over whose turn it is for a sleep-in. We’ve known each other and our respective quirks for so long that we generally manage to hold this battle completely non-verbally and usually whilst both at least still 85% asleep.
“But I’ve been working really long hours this week, and besides, I’m so tired that I can’t even hear that small crying child three feet from my head” he manages to convey by lying completely still and snoring gently.
“But I’ve been getting up to the kids before dawn every day since Easter” I protest with a barely perceptible groan and an ever so slight elbow to the ribs. This conversation can go on for some time before the sound from downstairs starts to suggest that one of the kids has caused grievous bodily harm to one or more of their siblings, at which point one of us grumbles out of bed, leaving the other to claim all the pillows and to bask in the warmth of victory.
Rise & Shine, First & Voluntarily!
So imagine my surprise, after ten weeks of training and nutrition support with Greta Truscott and Charlene Cassie from Run with Us Online and BeneFIT Sports Nutrition, to find myself not only voluntarily bouncing out of bed before anyone else even stirred, but driving down to St Peters for the weekly Parkrun, a community-run 5 kilometre event.
Enjoyment Unlikely
Anyone who read last week’s update will understand the depth of my aversion to crowds. They are far from my preferred state. In addition, I was experiencing some mild anxiety with regard to my expectation that everyone there would be super-fit, super-competitive, and super-annoyed at Wombat-Woman getting in the way and slowing down proceedings. Further, I’d had a very low week, energy-wise, and had been actively regretting having given my word that I would do the run.
Feeling Positive
However, a phone call to Charlene about what to eat to get my energy right had me enjoying a tomato-based tuna pasta the evening prior, and a piece of toast with banana and honey on the morning before the run. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and at that hour there’s barely another car on the road. By the time I got out of the car and to the starting line, I was feeling far more positive.
A Run For All
Of course my fears were groundless. Parkrun is a completely inclusive event that obviously appeals to a broad range of runners, from the super-competitive sorts who finished before I passed the two km mark, to mums with prams, to dads running with their kids, to my fellow wombat-runners with their red faces and wry breathless smiles of recognition.
Loving It!
I found the community spirit inspiring and that I could run far further, far faster, that I expected, given my low energy levels during the week. I finished in 32 minutes – not fast by any stretch but rather miraculous considering I could barely run for a minute straight ten weeks ago.
Greta was right – I did love it. I’m going to aim to do the Parkrun or a similar event monthly from now on – that’s going to change those non-verbal battles a bit!
READ HEATHER’S WEEK ONE UPDATE HERE
WEEK TWO – THE BEST LAID PLANS!
WEEK THREE – IT NEVER GETS EASY!
WEEK FOUR – UNEXPECTED EATING PLAN ISSUES
WEEK FIVE – CLIMB EVERY PLATEAU
WEEK NINE – FUN RUNS AREN’T FUN
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Heather is participating in a 12 week running and nutrition program crafted by BeneFIT Sports Nutrition and Run With Us Online and customised to help her achieve her fitness and wellbeing goals.
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Heather Gow is a mother of three and a step-mum of one. She’s on a break from her psychology career and is currently kid-wrangling full-time. She writes stories for children when hers are asleep. She blogs infrequently and tweets lefty political rants. She lives in the Eastern Suburbs and can generally be found somewhere on the endless loop between school, daycare, swimming lessons, gymnastics and Nippers.
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