What makes an ok story a story into a great story? When you watch a feelgood movie, what is it that makes you feel good?
When Richard Gere climbs the fire escape so that Viviennne can rescue him, why do we love it? (and don't we all?). It's because she was a working girl, down on her luck - although a Pretty Woman! - and he was a millionaire businessman who fell in love with each other when they knew they shouldn't have. It was a bit tricky there for a while but their feelings would not be denied; happy ending!
When Luke Skywalker finally puts an end to the naughty darkside jedis, we love it because although he has his hand chopped off, loses his Aunt, Uncle and Father and almost becomes a naughty jedi himself; he still wins through; happy ending!...........
We love the stories of success following struggle; of people who find that extra bit of strength just when they need it. Whether on the top floor of a block of flats in America, or a galaxy far far away; they inspire us and make us believe that our struggles are worth it. It also makes us more determined, as success achieved in the face of difficult times is all the more sweet because of them.
I know I know, Adrian has gone off on one again. There is actually a point to this though. These aforementioned struggles? Well I am going through my first major one at the moment. Was back at the emergency dentists at the weekend, with the infection that hadn't cleared up, and the cold hasn't gone away yet either (not the greatest of climates at the moment to get it shifted). Add into the mix the fact that the dentist (regular, not emergency) on Thursday told me I need multiple (4) extractions under a general anaesthetic; it has left me feeling all in all pretty crappy. The diet has gone to pot, and exercise is just not happening either. Not good.
I mentioned previously about losing my focus, and with all the above it is proving a struggle to regain it. I have been lacking the energy to plan my meals, and as a result have fallen into the trap of trying to sort out an evening meal about five minutes before I am due to eat it. It will come as no surprise to you to hear that the lure of fast food has become too much to resist. Pizza, garlic bread and cheesy chips on Saturday night were the comfort food of choice; and as for last night, I don't actually recall having a proper evening meal, just finished off the rest of the pizza and then kept dipping into the fridge. Again, not good.
It would be a lie to say I was not worried. Worried that I am undoing all the good work I have done, worried that this crappiness is going to persist, worried about the tooth extraction, worried that in my ambition to run the runs I want to run, I am actually as we speak taking giant leaps back in my progress when I want to be pushing forward. It is the most negative I have felt since this journey began.
So, this is where I am; where do I go from here? (.........long pause to genuinely think for a moment..........). There are many mottos I live by; the one most applicable in this situation is 'deal with the things which are in your control and try not to worry about those that aren't'. Any worry I give to my lack of exercise is going to be a waste of energy as I am not in a position to do any; forcing myself will just make things worse. I can however try to keep my diet simple, and even with depleted energies I should be able to rustle up beans on toast (I think the 'on toast' style of cookery might well be in operation for the next couple of weeks!). Finally; the buzz words are PATIENCE and FAITH. Getting back to full fitness will take time, time I need to give myself; frustration will just impede my recovery. Easier said than done, but it's something to aim for. I also need to believe; believe that I still have plenty of time (over three months) to get myself in shape for the Manchester run, especially if I keep hold of the reins of my diet. In a nutshell.........have faith in myself.
So I will go home tonight to scrambled egg on toast, have a nice hot shower, keep taking the tablets, and keep the faith that one day I will be freeing the galaxy from the tyranny of the dark lord of the sith, or waiting at the top of the fire escape stairs, looking down at Richard Gere holding flowers and an umbrella (him, not me)!
The weigh-in tomorrow should be interesting.........
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