"Relentless Forward Progress" is the title for a great wee training manual which has inspirational stories in it about Ultra runners. Today's run reminded me of it a lot.
I have been using this phrase as my motivational mantra for my life at the moment. Every day, as a family, we are faced with challenges in this new life without Alistair. Sometimes it's okay other times it is tough and we just have to make relentless forward progress. People keep saying I am so strong, but I think what I have is fairly strong mental strength, which does definitely come from long distance running. Running long distances really teaches you a lot about yourself. It teaches you how to keep going, how to battle through the walls, and just how far down you can dig into your reserves to keep going. You learn that to finish the run you just have to keep making relentless forward progress. No matter how tired you feel, you have to tell yourself that you have to get to the end where you can sit down and enjoy your achievements. This is why I have "relentless forward progress" as my mantra for my life at the moment, I have to keep going, battling those challenges from day to day.
So to my run today. How did I have to just make relentless forward progress on my run today? Make yourself a cup of tea, sit down and read on....
The alarm clock went off at 6 o'clock. I had said to Rhona that I would get up early so that I would be out mostly when she was still sleeping. It did take me to 6.50 to actually haul myself out of bed. Looked out the window and the sun was shining so I got up and had my porridge. By 7.30am I was ready to go. The sun was shining but it was very cold and there was snow on the hills and ice on the pavements. And there were gorgeous golden daffodils everywhere.
I had decided to try and practice the run/walk plan for my Ultra at the end of April. I felt a bit daft walking just a mile into my run. I was trying to do the 1/10 but got all muddled at where my walking started and then stopped. Too much maths for me just boggled my head. So I decided to go for the "walk up anything that resembles a hill" advice that I had been given. This was much better as it felt more natural. My legs objected to begin with not liking the stopping and starting very much. However, after a run of hills they soon got used to it and it felt good. I was running nice and relaxed, particularly after my lovely massage from Lynne last night. The sun was shining and the sky was sparkling blue.
Run/walking my way along the route and I was really feeling good. Then I got to the huge downhill which took me out of Midlothian and into Edinburgh. Over the by-pass and onto Frogstone Road. This was about the 9 mile mark so I walked and practised my eating (this sounds a bit mad but eating is really important on long runs to stop you hitting the wall and practising is good for settling your stomach to eating whilst running). My run was going nicely and I completed another 5 miles, still feeling great. The run/walking strategy was really working. Then it all went pear shaped.
I was running along looking at the ground and I noticed an old television aerial (the round wire kind). I was thinking "there is that aerial again, it has been there for weeks". Next minute my foot was all caught up in it and it flipped up (comedy rake style - thanks for that description Douglas) and I was crashing to the ground in slow motion. I had just finished running on a beautiful new tarmac pavement and had stepped onto a really rough, stony path. I slammed my hands out in front of me as I could feel my head almost hitting the ground. My knees banged onto the ground and then my hands slid along the stony path. I lay on the path for a second (interesting none of the drivers who were sitting a queue of traffic thought to open their windows and shout to me to see if I was alright - probably killing themselves laughing at me). I got myself into a sitting position, picked up the aerial and flung it into the bushes with a few choice words. I sat waiting for the stinging to stop and was trying to decide whether or not to phone my Dad to come and pick me up.
But then I remembered "relentless forward progress". So I got up and decided to walk for a bit before I decided whether I needed a lift home or not. Adrenalin must have kicked in because soon I was running again. Quick look at my watch told me that actually I hadn't lost too much time so this spurred me on a bit. When I got to Seafield Moor Road I stopped at the traffic lights and there was Jean waving madly at me.
It wasn't until I got closer to home that my hands and knees began to sting like they were on fire. By the time I got to the house they were throbbing. But, I was quite pleased with myself, my legs weren't actually sore from my run other than my knees and hands burning. So I think making relentless forward progress was the best thing I could do. Again running has helped build my mental strength. 18 miles done for the day. With slightly stingy, plaster covered knees. And sorry Lynne, might have totally ruined all your good work with the massage, I reckon I might be sore tomorrow.
So whether you are walking the Race for Life or running it whatever challenges you face on your journey to June remember to keep making relentless forward progress. (sorry Rhona :) ).
don't worry be happy!
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