When your own body does not help

Since the euphoria of reaching 10 miles at the end of 2018, I have had an on-off relationship with running. (Relationship with running…what is wrong with me?!) Thinking I could take this running malarkey in my stride, I hit a wall…well a hill, well a few hills.

It had been a few weeks since the 10-miler and I went for a lollop in the winter sun. It was unbelievably hard. The hills I had determinedly crept up in 2018, were not playing ball in 2019. I had lost my hill legs. I just could not get them to go. I came home feeling really dejected.

The only thing that had changed was going back to Body Pump…and eating less Quality Street post Christmas. Body Pump is brutal but I love it in weird, sick way. I do not go heavy on the weights, preferring to get through all the reps with good form. My instructor Leanne is also really inspiring and manages to mix up her own running goals with strength training. I did not want to have to give up pump to be able to run. Surely, being stronger will make me a better runner?

Leanne told me I was over thinking it. (Us Moores are terrible over-analysers!) She told me to build in some recovery sessions, rest and think about nutrition. Sensible advice.

I do rest though. My job is one long rest! My brain may be thinking at warp speed with my fingers stabbing furiously at a keyboard as my shoulders try to connect with my ears…but that’s it! My step count at work, whether I am in the office or at home, is so low, it really gets on my nerves. I think it is part of my trouble. I am either sat at my desk or runnning/Zumba-ing/Body Pump-ing. There is rarely anything in between. No walks to school for me anymore. Very few casual strolls. It’s all or nothing!

While I was musing about my rubbish hill legs, I was also contending with a few other side-effects of running. It seems the sweat I generously donate from my pores gives me eczema around my eyes and mouth to make my crow’s feet and other lined bits even more furrowed. I have also developed dandruff that looks like full-on cradle cap on my hairline, mostly notably at the back of my neck. So while I am trying to improve my fitness and strength, my skin is sticking two fingers up to my efforts.

I also suspect I may be pre-menopausal, which has made me feel fragile and weaker than the person I was when I was pre-pre-menopausal. Night sweats and forgetfulness (which is terrifying when your Dad died of dementia) are among the joyful symptoms. The irony is that I am probably the fittest I have been just as my body wants to start storing a little more fat and refusing to build muscle.

Despite all this nonsense, I am using Head & Shoulders, have invested in Diprobase ointment to slather onto my dry face, bought some attractive headbands and just plodded on with a short run (between four and six miles) on a Tuesday, Zumba on a Wednesday,  a longer run attempt on a Saturday (anything above six miles) and Body Pump on a Sunday.

Last Sunday’s Body Pump felt better in that I could walk the next day, but I skipped an outdoor run on Tuesday as the weather was foul. I managed three miles on the treadmill in the gym before it all got too sweaty and boring.

Yesterday though, we tried a new route. My husband John drove us to Drake’s Trail in Plympton. We ran up it while our youngest daughter cycled. It’s uphill for five miles and then downhill on the way back, including a tunnel both ways. My hill legs were back! I could plod to the top without wanting to cry. Once at the top, I went a little further into the village of Clearbrook to appreciate the view from the top with the snowy Dartmoor tors in the distance. Then the descent. The last mile-and-a-half was a slog though as my calf and knee began to protest, but I made it. I ran my furthest ever distance of 11 miles.

In a blink of an eye, I decided I liked running again. #ficklefickle

What have I learned?

• Rubbish runs make you appreciate the good ones (wise words from my ever-patient husband – thank you x)
• A rubbish run does not mean a good one isn’t round the corner
• You don’t have to just run to be a runner (still coming to Body Pump Leanne!)
• A change of scene/route makes a refreshing change
• I should try to do a few walks in between desk or exercise days
• I should stop over-analysing everything (fat chance!)

Despite the crustiness and sweat…I am still #runningfordad