The first week I hated it but knew Lindley was right when he said I needed to let my hamstring and a touch of PF in my left foot heal, I've run over 1500 miles this year and my body needed a rest. So I needed to fill my time up somehow...
The house is slightly tidier than normal, the dog has enjoyed lots of walks and I've tried to do some things that take me out of my comfort zone. I regularly run at Great Notley parkrun and am now part of the core team and in training to be run director, I'm not confident talking to lots of people but love our parkrun community and know I will be well supported. Today I did the first timers run brief and it was fine, no where near as scary as I had imagined and am looking forward to being involved.
This evening I'm off to do a photo shoot, a friend is a photographer and wants to do some running shots, again not something I'd normally do but it's good to try new things!
I think my willingness to say yes to things is a result of the confidence I have gained this year from my running, I may not have finished every ultra I entered but have learnt so much about myself and what I am capable of and this has had a knock on effect throughout my life. Even silly things like last week I knew if I drove my usual route home from dropping my son with his dad I would have to sit in traffic, possibly for hours, but the confidence in navigation I have gained from running trails this year meant I was more than happy get the map out, find an alternative route and avoid the traffic jam, no way I would have done this before!
So a month of resting, reflecting and trying some things that for me are 'outside the lines' has been great. This whole year has been great and taught me so much...
Time to plot and plan for next year...
Happy running xx
