Since I last wrote a blog on this subject, I have moved on apace.  This week, I ran for a full hour non-stop.  Of course, you do realise when I say run that in actual fact I mean jog.  Nevertheless, it is a wonderful achievement and 9 weeks ago, when I started running just 2 minutes at a time, I would not have believed it possible.

What I have noticed is that my breathing when running has improved enormously and I’m now able to talk at the same time – something which was impossible to do in the first few weeks.  So what have I learnt through this process which can be applied to other areas of my life?  It’s quite simple.  It’s the three Cs:

COURAGE:  We are human beings.  Sometimes we need courage to take the first step and then continue to take the necessary steps until we reach our goal.

COMMITMENT:  When we commit to something whole-heartedly, it becomes easier to take those steps.

COACHING:  Having a coach on your side can make a massive difference in boosting your courage and commitment.

So, if you have a goal that you want to achieve, and you’re procrastinating, find yourself a reputable coach who will help you get there.

If you wish to sponsor me, please go to: www.justgiving.com/vanessa.   Any encouragement would be very gratefully received.

Who would have thought that in just 5 weeks, running three times a week, it would be possible for a 55-year old to go from 5 x 2 minutes running to 2 x 15 minutes running with just 2 minutes brisk walking in between? Well I certainly wouldn’t have believed it!  However, I’m extremely happy to report that on Saturday, I did just that – 2 x 15 minutes running and, what’s more, without my coach.  Now, although I still continue to focus on the week at hand, it seems that there may be a possibility of me being able to complete the run, without having to do much walking.  We’ll see.

OBSERVATION:

When I first begin a running session, I can feel quite breathless and, as time goes on, my breathing settles down.  I questioned my coach and other runners on this and they all reported the same thing.  Whether this is entirely physical or whether there is a psychological element to it, I’m not sure.  Either way, it’s useful to be aware of it. 

TIP:

Like any activity that we do, it’s important to have the right thoughts.  For non-runners, running is physically challenging and therefore it’s easy to have negative thoughts about it.  Here’s a really simple tip for you.  Did you know that the word “yes” is probably one of the most powerful words we can utter?  Well try it.  If you repeat the word under your breath as you run along, it becomes a mantra and your body responds to it positively, increasing your strength and stamina.  Since the mind and body are inextricably linked, this must be so.  But don’t take my word for it, try it out for yourself. 

If you wish to sponsor me, please go to: www.justgiving.com/vanessa.  And please let me have your comments on the blog.  Any encouragement would be very gratefully received.

And if you are preparing for interview and you want some help with this, please contact me on 01202 743961.