Wisdom of your body

Completed my 200th day of running at least a mile each day. This morning it was 5K again.

Another glorious morning, and a relatively quiet week ahead with the family having left for sunnier climes (hopefully for them).

While I was running this morning I was thinking of what I could write in my blog today and as usually happens when I'm trying to think of something, my mind goes round in circles and doesn't come up with the goods.

However, if I let go of trying to think of a solution and get present to my body, my breathing, how my legs feel, how I feel inside, an idea nearly always comes to mind, as it did this morning.

It reminded me of when I was on my coach training and they taught us that our intuition is an extremely powerful feeling (think of your gut feel, or when you feel that your heart isn't in something).

In fact they also taught us that our intuition, usually in our guts or stomach but can be anywhere, is never wrong. The only mistake we make is misinterpreting the feeling sometimes, and that comes from lack of use. Like any muscle that you stop using, you have to practice and build it up gradually.

So anyway, my gut says that I'm going to have a good day today, and it's usually right.

Made her smile

Day 199 completed (I think it's day 199 anyway). Ran 5K this morning.

It felt like quite hard work. We were out last night but I was the designated driver so it certainly wasn't anything to do with drinking too much. Just one of those days. Still, there wouldn't be any highs without the lows to balance them.

I ran past a lady just coming down her path to the pavement who wasn't looking particularly happy, and I gave her a smile and a cheery "Good morning". She smiled back, which was fun.

It's a game I enjoy playing when running in the mornings.

I think that most people must be quite surprised when encountering a happy runner. They usually seem to be pleasantly surprised, and it always gives me a feeling of having brightened their day.

So good morning to you, whoever you are as you read this blog, even if it isn't now the morning.

Doubts are traitors

2 miles this morning and 5K yesterday in the drizzle, which I really enjoyed.

Only 5 days to my 200th consecutive day of running a mile. It seems an age ago when I decided to experiment to see if I could do it every day for a month.

I enjoyed meeting up with a friend for coffee this morning who reminded me again about the Shakespeare quote, "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt".

It's such a great quote and so very appropriate as creating awareness of how much our (and my) avoidance of failing at all costs, impacts us (yes, and me) is one of my pet crusades.

The perfect kick start

Two miles this morning but boy did I find it hard to drag myself out of bed, force myself into my running gear and push myself up the drive to get started. But as always it was exactly what I needed to kick start my day!

I think I've said before that no matter how many times it's been a real struggle to get out there and run, I can't remember one single time when I regretted the run once I was back home.

They used to say "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", but I think a mile a day is far more beneficial and keeps the doctor, psychiatrist and a number of others away.

Screw Work, Let's Play

I can't believe it's been a week since my last posting on here.

Three early morning runs before 6.00 a.m. this week, I've completed my 6th month and started month 7, and today was my 183rd consecutive day of running, so definitely over half a year under the belt.

I received my latest book from Amazon yesterday, it has an interesting title, "Screw Work, Let's Play". I'm looking forward to seeing what gems it contains.

One family birthday lunch party followed by a BBQ and then listening to a band in some private woods tomorrow. Sounds like a fun day.

Now if I can just squeeze in a mile or so in the not too early morning...

Turn off the GPS

Ah Friday. The weekend is here.

My GPS device clocked that I took 36 minutes to run 1.34 miles this morning. Actually, it thought I'd run 1.39 miles. I really must remember to turn it off after I've finished my run and before I water the plants in my back garden!

I'm loving the heat, I have to say.

It's been a good week with cheques in the bank, meeting a couple of new coaching prospects, catching up with several old colleagues and clients, school governor stuff, a potential gig for my new band and even England squeezed through in the World Cup to torture us again this weekend in the next round.

My older daughter will be here in about an hour for a belated Fathers' Day visit.

The weekend is looking exciting.

Thanks for the compliment

Apart from a "just over 4-miler" on Sunday, I'm still languishing at running the minimum one and a bit miles most days.

I accompanied my Mum to a flag raising ceremony yesterday to celebrate the start of National Armed Forces and Veterans Week. She has become quite a local celebrity since the article, on her involvement as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park in the 2nd World War, came out in the local paper a week or two ago. She jokes that it's only taken her 85 years to become famous.

I find it interesting that my Mum's reaction is very similar to that of several participants in a workshop I ran last week, feeling uncomfortable when being complimented or acknowledged. The old conditioning of "you mustn't show off" is firmly ingrained in our psyche.

However, playing it down or refusing to accept a compliment is a bit like refusing a gift that someone has gone to the effort of choosing and buying for you. Accepting the gift is not only polite but also makes the complimenter feel good for pleasing you.

This is also a reminder for myself, by the way.