We’ve been in a rut and now we are climbing back out again. I would love to just jump up, pop on my trainers and run again. Not so simple. I’m prone to injuries, I have lost my strength and I have a doggie to walk. So what’s the plan Little Mummy Running?
SMART
- Specific: Establish a new running schedule, teach Mr Jack Squish to be a good running buddy, don’t overdo it to avoid injury. Add a short 20 minute strength session to each session to maintain a good core strength.
- Measurable: use the Couch to 5k app to record my progress and to maintain some steady progress. Log my progress on social media to be accountable to you lovely people.
- Achievable: this is an easy programme for an experienced runner like me. It will keep progress slow to help Mr Squish adapt to running and to minimise the risk of injury.
- Realistic: I talked about this in my last post. Last year I got to my fittest but at it’s peak I have never felt so exhausted. Fewer calories and daily, sometimes gruelling, workouts really took it’s toll on me. It is time to try something less brutal. Something more sustainable.
- Timely: the plan is to finish the 9 week programme with a 5k. Either a Parkrun or a race. I started on Saturday so that takes me to the 9th of March.

Day 1: you have to start somewhere
I chose a Saturday so that I had more time. Often a commodity I don’t have. I got up to walk Mr Squish as I would normally but instead of pulling on a coat over my pjs (I walk in the early hours) I put on my running gear and stepped out the door. I chose the indifferent face on the start up page of the app as that is how I felt. In that moment not quite convinced.
As soon as I was out however it was a different story. Muscle memory is a wonderful thing. After the first couple of running intervals I felt like I was welcoming back an old friend. I felt the endorphins kicking in and it didn’t hurt anywhere near where I thought it would. A success! Yes it was simpler than I am used to but slow and steady wins the race. Mr Squish did ok too. I wasn’t going particularly fast so he just trotted along beside me. Clever boy. Let’s just see how he gets on when we pass another puppy who wants to play.
Give me a follow on Instagram and Facebook and I’ll keep you appraised of my progress. Together with the updates on all Monkey matters from the monkey house.