Welcome to the TracyW 's report back. Time-to-Run's first project member. Follow her trials and tribulations through the Forums and get involved with your own development through TracyW's commitment.

I started the beginners programme with loads of enthusiasm and energy. A couple of weeks into the programme I woke with the usual signs of a cold. Being optimistic I thought it was only going to be a little hiccup in the programme. I waited a few days until it felt like the cold was just above the neck and headed out for a run, but I felt terrible. I then landed up spending 3 days in bed, the cold had become the latest dose of flu that was going around. I hoped that the 3 days in bed would speed things up.

I really felt that I was letting the "time-to-run" team down, I had taken on the programme for them and now I was not able to follow it. They did reassure me that these things happen and to take things easy. After about 2 weeks of not running I headed out again - not having asked whether it was wise to do so. I decided if I did the 10 min walk, 15 min run, 5 min walk section I would be fine and could handle it.

I managed it, although I did not feel very comfortable. Two days later I headed out again and really felt good even taking 40 seconds off my time. Again the team warned me about heading out and pushing myself too soon. The following Saturday despite having really bad sinus pain I hit the road and felt awful, I landed up walking most of the way. I felt very down about it, I had to admit to myself that I needed to get to a doctor and to not run.

The doctor confirmed a sinus infection and duly prescribed antibiotics. I was not happy. Once again I was advised to not venture out until the infection was cleared. I bit the bullet this time and only once I had the all clear did I venture out. I was so keen to get going and to then be told that I had two weeks of walking ahead of me was not what I expected. I have to admit that the first day I was to walk (20 mins!) I lay in bed and wondered if it was worth getting out of bed for a 20 min walk. I talked myself through it, admitted that I had been wrong in thinking I knew what I was doing and admit to myself that I needed to really follow step by step what I was told to do.

It was really hard walking and not allowing myself to do just a little
running. It seemed like the good weather had brought all the people out, suddenly there were plenty of people out running, probably training for the London Marathon. I found it really hard, I kept wondering what they thought of me just walking along - I know it was stupid, who cared what they thought? At least I was out there and doing something. I finally got the all clear last week and thought that I was going to be told to go to the beginning of the programme again, so I was really surprised when that did not happen and then landed up wondering if I would manage a 25 min run after such a long time off. The truth is I did, it was not easy by any means, but it also made me realise how much more I can feel my body's reactions now. I am more aware of how I feel.

One saving grace is that this happened at the beginning and not much further on in the programme, I would probably have been more stubborn if I was further into the programme. It was a lesson well learnt at an early stage.

A point I would also like to raise other than the flu is one that will
interest the ladies. I suffer from PMS monthly, some months more than
others but one thing that never changes is that I feel bloated and tend to put on at least 2 kg's over this time. This month, even though it was not all running, but still walking, I had less of the bloated feeling and did not pick up the 2kg's which was very interesting to see. To be honest, on the days I normally feel that I look the size of a baby hippo, I felt really good about the changes in my shape. I can only put it down to the continued exercise that I have been doing. Following the programme and not doing sporadic bursts of exercise which sometimes happen when you are relying on going to a gym. I will now keep a diary about this and see what happens in the future.