I’d like to begin this post to thank all of you who reached out after I posted my blog last week.

Despite my best efforts, I have been struggling mentally and it was in a way a cry for help. I’m really grateful for those of you who recognised this.

It has been a better week, not perfect, but better. Most importantly, it has been a week of conversations and reflection.

Mental health

As I’ve mentioned a few times on here, I run to help my mental health. With my running taking a dip, so has my mental health. It isn’t a one trick fix and we all have difficult times.

This time of year is always odd, the highs and lows, the grief and celebrations. I’m a little all over the place.

The great thing about being a runner is being an active member of the running community. I’ve had so many interesting conversations this week with friends and even strangers about running and mental health.

We all struggle and we’re not alone. I’ve had some friends offer to run with me, something I said yes to this week and it was probably my favourite run for a while.

A week of running

A quick summary of my week, as I got in 4 great runs. It’s all about the quality this week.

So on Tuesday I did a really good session on the track. It was decreasing lap efforts. 4 laps, 3, 2, 1 lap then a 200m effort with 400m recoveries inbetween.

I managed to not go too mad at the start and my paces increased with each effort. I’ve been at the track for the winter season for nearly 3 years and I managed to get a bronze Strava segment for the 200m. I can’t be doing so bad!

On Thursday I ran over 7 miles with my running club. My friend Allistair offered to run with me, knowing how I’ve been feeling recently. He is ace, we stuck together and even helped our friend Jed who was struggling on his run. This is what it’s about. We support each other through the good and the bad. It can help salvage those bad runs and finish stronger. The worst hill on the route made the rest of the run feel much easier and enjoyable. Overcoming those difficulties with friends.

I then ran parkrun on Saturday. With my recent struggles I just wanted to get under 30 minutes. I did so comfortably, so I have overcome that hurdle. It helps having friends slightly ahead to make sure I’m not too far behind them!

On Sunday, my friend Nigel kindly offered a lift to run part of the Transpennine trail. There was myself, Nigel, Louise and Neil all planning to run our long runs. We’re all training for various races at different distances and goals. The great thing about the trail path is that it was an out and back so we could all see each other at some point and finish where we started.

I wasn’t planning to run a half marathon until Nigel offered a lift to the trail. There was no reason not to. I was quicker than last week with a lower heart rate. On race day in Liverpool, I believe I can be even quicker. I am progressing.

I finished around the same time as Nigel so we could break into our snacks. It wasn’t long before Neil and Louise finished and it was a successful week of running. I’ve given it my best whilst being truthful to myself.

Mini goals

After spending the week having honest conversations with friends, one of the pain points with my running is I don’t know how I’m going to get to my main goals of the year.

I’ve been looking too much at the main goals and not enough about how I’m going to get there.

I need to set some small, manageable goals to measure my progress. As I hit these mini targets, it will help me progress and help me grow in confidence.

Some of the targets are like hitting under 30 minutes at parkrun, finish a half marathon, finish it under 2hr 25. Small but manageable goals.

I’m doing really well with my strength training, despite me struggling with the heavier weights. At my small group PT session this week we had a conversation about mental strength and it’s given me a lot to think about.

One thing I’m reminded of is how many people I have cheering for me. People care, they want me to succeed and it means so much. I feel very loved. Thank you.