So today I went to check out the site! T’was pretty exciting except the main gate to Ambury Regional Park seemed to be closed… I still got a shot of the driveway which tells me there are going to be elevated bits! I better get my renegade-hill-running on!
Training Session #3
Hello supporters and fellow runners,
Today I went for my third intensive run around Cornwall Park, my local running jaunt. It was such a beautiful morning - there were even sheep hanging out around the footpaths. One of them gave me an inquisitive stare as it chewed its chunk of grass. I think he/she didn’t approve of my parking which can sometimes be a bit spontaneous, depending on my level of spontaneity and adventure on the day.
How did I go this time? I managed to run without stopping once, and instead slowed down to a brisk walk if I felt I needed to catch my breath. I also found it really helpful to take short, brief glances of the track ahead and not think too much about how much further I had to go. I also found running without a watch very encouraging as I didn’t put myself under a time constraint, I just ran at the pace that suited me.
When I think back to my first training session, I remember feeling so overwhelmed. It was certainly a shock to the system but my sister, Kate, kept me going. I learnt a very valuable lesson that day, and that was to stay calm no matter how out of breath you are, no matter how sore you feel and no matter how much you want to take a break. If you stay calm and focused on a) what you’re doing - the basic motion of left leg forward, right leg forward and b) why you’re doing it, you will keep going. Staying in my centered place has proved to be the most important aspect of running for me. It also correlates well into life’s daily situations. Without sounding cheesy, you really can achieve anything when you shut out the noise of the world and stay centered within yourself.
My Playlist: Because I am a quintessential music geek, here are a few of the songs that really kept me going today: U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name (Yes, the Edge’s guitar looping effect kept my legs going), A-ha - Take on Me (I pretended I was a racing car from the video clip), Big Sean, featuring Chris Brown - My Last (The piano part in this song is so great, it kept me distracted for the whole four minutes and thirteen seconds), Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin’ Something (Mamasaymamasamumacusa!)
Before I sign off, I just want to say how thankful I am for all the donations that have already come in. I get so excited when I receive notification emails from my fundraising host telling me that another person has made a donation! So thank you for your support and words of encouragement.
Until next time, take care and enjoy your summer,
Anna
