Writing

Final run of week one - it was optional, so I didn’t feel too bad having a 5 minute sit down in the middle! Felt really good for the first 5 or mins, like I was in a real flow. I think the fluency and stamina will come as I run more (and the weight comes off). I again justified the periods of walking by ensuring I keep enjoying running.

Third run today. Still finding it challenging to run for the full time, and end up walking a bit. I’m rationalising this by telling myself that if I end up not enjoying running, I’m less likely to do it.

Second run of Sofa To So Far, and this time I was accompanied by Gang of Four. More mid-tempo stuff, but with some aggression this time. I reckon I need to put together a running punk playlist.

My first Sofa to So Far run, and I’m sticking with the spirit by listening to one of the most inflential bands that no-one has ever heard. Listen to Pink Flag, and you can hear 1980s US Hardcore (not to mention 1990s Elastica). They were and are vehemently not a punk band. What they did, and did brilliantly, is took the sounds and textures and excitement of punk music and used it as a tool to craft minimalist masterpieces.

I’m starting something exciting today. I’ve dabbled with running a few times in the past, but never really made it part of my daily routine. Completed Couch to 5k, and then didn’t carry on. I didn’t go straight back to the couch, but the lack of a structured programme meant it was much easier to not run than run. It’s not just running: I’ve trained for and completed long cycling sportives and then having reached my goal, found that the impetus to keep getting on the bike has dropped off.