A different Journey….

Our leap of faith was always about our journey, first from stressed Eric’s to happy traveler and then back into a lifestyle career, so in a way this is just another phase of the master plan….

I have never been particularly sporty. I was always last to be picked in school PE and never really had much interest in taking part. I used to see people out running and admire the freedom and confidence they had, but didn’t think it was for me.

My running journey ‘should’ have started at a very difficult time in my life. I’d suffered from work related stress and it had taken away all of my confidence. I struggled badly and unfortunately had to take time off work. I found I couldn’t function normally, I failed to sleep, I stopped eating and generally stop looking after myself

Eventually, thanks to the strength of my near perfect wife I visited my GP who prescribed sleeping pills and offer anti depressants, I was disappointed as I’d managed to avoid taking these for years, I felt a failure, it was what happened to other people.During the appointment though, the doctor explained that I could get a similar result from a brisk walk or jog. I was very interested in this drug-free option but at that time it just wasn’t possible for me, I had hatched another plan and focussed on ‘our leap of faith’ and a adult gap year driving around Europe.

And for me this worked, I lived my dream!, and upon returning we have found a lifestyle that suits us, allowing for extended holidays and suits the bank manager, as money now goes in as well as coming out !

Working as campsite wardens, has been an eye opener, who knew you didn’t have to be on the end of a phone, answering an e-mail in the middle of the night, we now work a few hours a week, have set days off and when we’re not at work, we are just that, not at work.

Coming back to a 9 to 5 (well sort of) did bring back some of the old feeling in my head,so it was time to be proactive, I kept coming back to what the Doctor said though. I’d always liked the idea of running but never in my wildest dreams did I think I could become a runner, yea sure I can walk and sightsee for 20 miles a day , but run ?

Perhaps it was time to give it a try?

At least I can keep it over our winter break, as it requires no real equipment or membership to a gym.

I needed a plan and after a little research, it turns out that Clearly, as far as running goes, I’m a sheep rather than a leader,I like to look at my diary, be told (by an app, a coach or a website) what to do, and go out and do it. So I found a plan that does just that ! – NHS’s “Couch to 5k” plan, and its accompanying podcasts

I remember finishing C25K, ok I quit after week 9, but you know what I mean, running that first 5k, and then being like “Now What?”

I was so excited to be getting out there and running three miles without stopping that I hadn’t really taken time to figure out what I would do once I got there.  Did I want to get faster?  Just run regularly?  Run longer distances?

One of the really fun parts of doing the C25K is how quickly you’re making progress. You go out there, you work hard, and suddenly you’re able to run for longer and longer without stopping.  You make progress in a week, and then it just continues

Once you can run three miles without stopping, though, you suddenly stop seeing such rapid improvements in your running progress.

I no longer have an app that was planning my workouts for you,

I felt a little lost.  Where do I go from here?

My new work out buddie, the joy of a local ‘ParkRun’ – for anyone who doesn’t know Parkruns are free, weekly, timed 5 km runs across the UK and the world !

You turn up meet new people and share a laugh and joke all before running, walking for 5km

So? fancy giving it a whirl? Here’s how you get started!

Take a look at the Parkrun website here and complete the registration form

Then go to the main Parkrun events listing page here and take a look at what event you’d like to take part in and register your details!

Make sure you print off your barcode! You will not be able to get a timed run without it – so make sure you take it with you!

I’d always try and arrive at the Parkrun at least 10 minutes before the race starts so you can listen to the briefing from the Race Director. The briefing will include information about the route and health and safety, it’s also a great way to meet a few people and have a quick chat!

Then all you have to do is run and enjoy your race! It’s always nice to say a few thank you’s as you go around to some of the marshalls and don’t forget to collect your token at the finish line!

When you hand in your token your barcode will be scanned and the details of your race including time and position will be text to you later in the day!

You can now sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hurrah for Parkrun!

Maybe I need to find a race to run ?

Oh wait a minute anyone in the Bristol area on Sunday (15th September) can cheer me as I attempt to run 13.1 miles in a probably ambitious time of 2 hours (ish).

Paul.

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