a running achievement

I've talked a lot about running on this little space, mainly about how much I hate it, in fact, I don't think I've ever had anything positive to say about it.  But, things have changed, now, don't panic, I'm not going to start gushing, I'm not going to tell you I love it, but there's definitely been a shift in opinion.  So for those of you who either don't follow me on Instagram, or haven't been reading my blog for a while, I thought I'd start at the beginning of my running journey.
Over the years, I've dabbled with running, and using the term 'dabbled' is even an exaggeration.  Prior to 2016, I think I'd been on approximately 4 runs in my life (school PE lessons not included, although it probably wouldn't bring the number up that much as I'd usually try and get out of those too!), every couple of years I'd give it a go.  I'd get kitted up, leave the house, and manage 5 minutes before giving up and running walking home.
The Mr (who is currently in training for a marathon) is a keen runner, and has run the whole time we've been together - rephrase, he doesn't run ALL the time, but he's always ran as his choice of exercise. On one occasion many years ago, I asked him to come with me, I think I was feeling particularly determined at this point, and had even downloaded the 'Couch to 5k' app, from memory, I don't even think I completed the first run.  At the time, I was incredibly unfit, and didn't appreciate the Mr's words of motivation, on returning to our house, our flatmates banned us from going running together ever again for the sake of our relationship.

Leggings - Nike, Top - Primark, Trainers - Nike, Headphones - Apple
Fast forward 4/5 years, and on January 1st 2016, I set myself the New Year's Challenge to complete Total Warrior, I've written about that endlessly on here, so I won't bore you anymore (but if you are interested, you can catch up on posts here), but as part of that challenge, I decided I had to start running.  To complete a 10k obstacle course, I was going to need a decent level of fitness, and being able to run a reasonable distance was crucial.
On the 9th January, I set out on my first run.  I 'managed' 3km, with the majority of the second km being walked. However, I was determined to do this, and I had sponsorship money on the line... I was completing Total Warrior for Pancreatic Cancer so did't want to let anyone down.  So, every weekend, regardless of time, weather or energy I set out for a run, gradually building up speed and distance.  By April, I'd hit my 10k aim.
I stuck with it until Total Warrior came around, and then hung up my running shoes.  I was already working out 5 or 6 times a week so why did I need to keep up doing something I wasn't enjoying.
But by the end of August, I was annoyed at myself, running is such a practical exercise, you don't need much kit, you're not committed to a certain time, you can do it anywhere, so why wasn't I keeping it up.  So again determination kicked in and I set myself a new target to try and run a minimum of 5km a week.  Thinking that keeping it low and achievable, I'd maintain my running fitness, and might learn to love it.  I'm also super enviable of runners, and those who enjoy, I want to be one of those people who just declare 'yeah I ran 6 miles this morning, no biggy'.
That didn't happen, and I found more excuses to not do it, and found myself hating it even more.
Then I lost my dad.  His fight against cancer came to an end on the 16th November.  I couldn't face going to my usual classes, I didn't really want to speak to people so I started running to keep up my fitness.  
And since then, I've been running several times a week, I'm getting closer to getting back up to 10km (I'm currently at 8.2), I'm getting my speed back up, and the biggest thing? I don't hate it.  I've learnt to slow my pace down a little, so that I'm not completely exhausted, which seems to help.  I've got a handful of routes that I like, none of them too far from home so if my legs (or stubborn mind) gives up, I can wander back quite easily, and it all seems to have fallen into place.
This week I ran my 300th kilometre of the year, it was my 53rd run, and a total of 32 hours (don't do the maths, you'll work out how slow I really am).  But I'm really proud of that, I'm not a natural runner, it's a real effort, and I have no intentions of signing up to any long distance runs, I definitely won't be joining the Mr in the marathon next year. But for me, this is a real achievement, and that post I wrote back in August about 'learning to love running' well I think that maybe one day, that might just happen.

And look how fast I am, blink and you'll miss me!