Manchester Marathon Week 13 - Flow with life

Manchester Marathon Week 13 arrived and I couldn’t really be bothered. I kind of expected this to happen as so much of my recent focus went into the Great North Run in Newcastle.

Monday rest day came and went.

Thankfully my body bounced back from the race and by Tuesday I was ready to ‘go again’.

Tuesday and Wednesday were easy runs. A 6km and 10km run to ease my body back into the training. Nothing exciting to report.

Thursday arrived and I felt tired, mentally tired. A lot is happening in my life at the moment and my mind is whizzing about. My Thursday planned run required mental energy and I pondered on it.

I also had plans on Thursday which made a long run complicated.

I pondered some more and decided that I would allow myself to rest on Thursday then run Friday - Yes to being flexible and flowing with life.

Friday arrived and I felt the guilt of not completing my Thursday run, on Thursday, now hang over me. As I left Kilmarnock, after a couple of days catching up with friends and family, I knew as I headed back to Glasgow I had a run to get stuck into. No excuses.

As I arrived in Glasgow I walked away from my route home to the nail bar. Yes, I was in full procrastination mode. My mind kept explaining I needed to complete my Thursday run (on Friday) and I nodded. But I also knew I wanted my nails made pretty. As I eventually arrived at my flat I told myself to get run ready and get out.

But then I decided I was sleepy so I made a coffee. Yes, I am pretty sure this was more procrastination. In the end I drank the coffee, looked at the planned session and mentally prepared.

I am not a fan of the run I was about to attempt. It is a session where you run for 10 mins at one pace, then 3 mins at another pace which you repeat 6 times. You can’t flow into the run, you are constantly checking your watch to make sure you are on pace and on time!

Mentally exhausting!!

So off I went - on a Friday night just before 8pm - as the sun set on Glasgow where the streets were quiet, damp and dark.

And something magical happened. I flowed into the run.

When you are in a flow state, your effort feels effortless. You glide along and time passes.

As I was expecting the opposite I considered maybe it was the late coffee. Caffeine is used by runners to provide a boost. Or was it my body and mind just needed a nature infused release and reset.

Who knows but it felt amazing.

I had been living in my head for the past week over thinking my book, my book launch, the future marathon, and a planned trip to Europe.

I think my body and mind just wanted to bring me back to the present moment. Show me when you get out your head life can be amazing!

As I ran along the canal it was pretty dark so I switched out to the road. And the run still felt great.

As I glanced down at my watch I suddenly saw 19km. Just like that. I had ran 19km on a Friday night and it was really amazing.

It provided the following outcomes:

✅ I felt normal again. Confident and full of believe. Believe for the incoming marathon and believe in

life. That I can do hard things.

✅ I felt strong. My body and mind, although tired, will show up on the runs when you need it to.

✅ I felt inspired. The run allowed my mind space to be free and as I ran faster, than the planned pace, my mind whizzed around making sense of some things I have been pondering. My sub conscious thoughts packaged up and presented back to me into my consciousness. It felt pretty special. Like a massive hug. A nod down the path I am about to walk on.

➡️That run gave me my mojo back.

I have noticed this happens a lot with my running. When I need it, running delivers a ‘meditation and runners high rolled up into one’ kind of run experience.

Running has super powers.

It provides you the space and nature infused environment to get lost – lost in your thoughts to make sense of them. Bring them together and present them back at you in a “wow, I get that now” moment.

Running provides clarity.

It can also make you feel like a super hero. Your body pushing the pace and pounding the streets.

I felt as if I was on cloud 9. A feeling that has been missing all this week.

Saturday morning I kept the mojo flowing and ran first thing – even before breakfast! I wanted to set up my Saturday and know an early morning run gets your body and mind flowing. A gentle wake up. It was so lovely.

Lots of runners out and about. I got back to my flat and, again, felt more connected.

This is why I run and will until I can’t.

It resets me, regulates me, meditates me, inspires me, moves me and empowers me.

But only if you flow with it.

On Sunday the planned run was 27km, which my coach changed to 28.5km. And it happened. It always happens.

My takeaway from Week 13 is to let life and your running flow. What will be, will be. Keep showing up, keep believing, feel what you need to feel then reset. Don’t dwell or linger for longer than needed. If you lose your mojo, go find it. If you can’t find it, keep looking.

Do the stuff you love. Don’t ever turn your back on that stuff. That is the stuff that won’t turn its back on you. Running to a high vibe playlist is my savior, my joy, how I find my mojo.

Manchester - I am getting ready to flow. There will be no grand masterplan other than run 42km with each km ticked off as I pound the streets – playlist ON!

If your mojo is well and truly lost, then switch on your favourite high vibe tune and dance about your bedroom like no one can see you.

By the end your mojo will be back!! I promise!