I decided to do R.E.D January (R.E.D stands for Run Every Day) when I saw it advertised on social media, It wasn't something I had heard of before but I loved the idea of it and that I could raise some money for Mind too. I didn't sign up straight away but once I started to tell people I was doing it there was no going back. I liked the fact that I would be helping myself to get through the January blues whilst raising awareness for Mental Health as well as setting up my just giving page to raise money. I enjoy helping others and also wanted a challenge for myself. I thought I would document my R.E.D January journey as something I can look back on and be reminded of this amazing thing I have achieved.
Day 1...Monday 1st January
The weather was not very kind to me for my first run, it was very wet and very windy but I think that spurred me on to run quicker. It was dark as it was about 5ish in the evening, I don't usually wear a coordinating running outfit however on this occasion I made the effort. The weather was a little off putting, once I was out there though I was absolutely fine. I felt unfit, I think I may have over eaten over Christmas so by the end of January I am going to be so much fitter. I followed the couch to 5k app which I have been following at my own pace.
Day 2...Tuesday 2nd January
I wasn't so keen to go for a run, I went about 6 in the evening. Again the weather was not so great! It rained non stop, I wore my running headband that I got for Christmas. To be completely honest I wasn't that sure about it at first but it kept the wind off my face and kept my ears nice and toasty. I decided to run the reverse route to the previous day just to switch it up and I actually remembered to take water with me which I am usually terrible at. Yay! Day 2 done...29 to go!
Day 3...Wednesday 3rd January
Day 3...Lets do this! I opted for an early morning run before work, it was a nice dry day too. I decided to do a shorter less intense run just round by where I live. Going for a run in the morning isn't usually something I would do as I prefer running when it is completely dark but it gave me motivation for the whole day. As you can see in the picture below I had a nice little bowl of porridge afterwards.
Day 4...Thursday 4th January
I really, really, really, really did not want to go today. I hadn't had the best sleep and all I wanted to do was stay in my bunny rabbit dressing gown curled up with a coffee however that was not an option. I reluctantly put my running clothes on and stepped outside. It was a little windy but there wasn't any rain which was good. I was able to run pretty much the whole time which was progress for me and despite not wanting to go for a run it only took just over 20 minutes out of my day and made me feel better as a result.
Day 5...Friday 5th January
It was just going dark when I headed out for my run, it was so much chillier than I had expected. It didn't look cold outside so I forgot my running gloves and a hat or headband. I followed the couch to 5k app at the point I am up to. I actually really enjoyed it and could have happily stayed out longer, how my Friday nights have changed!
Day 6...Saturday 6th January
I managed to get a quick run in before work, I really liked my outfit today which you can see in the image below. I wasn't sure about the leggings at first but I love them now!
Day 7...Sunday 7th January
I absolutely love going for a run when the sun is just setting, I don't know why it is just my favorite time to go. The pink tones in the sky are so beautiful so I took a few images, it never looks as good as in real life. I was actually motivated to go for a run after work even despite having not really eaten anything, it was absolutely freezing but I just put extra layers on and my running hat. Week one..all done, I can't believe how quickly that went.
Day 8...Monday 8th January
Today was the first day that I didn't want to go, it was absolutely freezing outside and I had been in work all day. I did a shorter run, once I was out there it actually wasn't that bad. I was so excited to get home and have a hot drink.
Day 9...Tuesday 9th January
A nice pleasant evening run, it wasn't too cold either which was good. I really need to change my playlist as Christmas songs keep popping up...oops! I also found that wearing my brothers sock kept my legs so much warmer, I may not have looked as cool but I think I'm ok with that.
Day 10...Wednesday 10th January
I had a really good run tonight, I can't always run for as long as the app I follow wants me to but tonight I smashed it. I changed my route to a slightly flatter one which may have helped. It is so nice to see when I have made progress, it makes me feel like I have achieved something. I ran at a faster pace than usual too!
Day 11...Thursday 11th January
An eventful Day 11 of RED January for me, after a more intense run yesterday I thought I would take it easy today. My legs were quire sore as I don't think I had stretched them out properly, I was running down the road near where I live and went flying landing on my knees and the palm of my hands. I won't show the more graphic images but I grazed my knees quite badly and have cuts on my hands however the thing I was more bothered about was the massive hole in my brand new running leggings that my boyfriend had bought me for Christmas. I looked around to make sure no one had seen which I don't think they had and carried on with my run. I couldn't really concentrate properly after that as it was right at the start of my run but I got through it and am ready for day 12...just about!
Day 12...Friday 12th January
After a traumatic run yesterday I was a little afraid to go out running again I’m not going to lie but I’ve committed to this so I need to complete it. My poorly knees were a bit sore, I managed to run through it and I actually enjoyed today’s run. I wore a brand new pair of leggings which I am kinda in love with. I do love a jazzy running legging, I feel like it makes me run better...right?
Day 13...Saturday 13th January
Good Morning from Shropshire, I am currently away with my boyfriend and his family. I started the day with a nice run, I thought if I did it at the start of the day I didn’t have to worry about it for the rest of the day and could spend time relaxing with everyone. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, it was nice run in different surroundings.
Day 14...Sunday 14th January
Another pleasant run in Shropshire. I tried to convince someone to come along for a bit of company but I didn’t manage to succeed. It was chilly but I enjoyed it, I needed to run off all of the food I have been eating whilst being away.
Day 15...Monday 15th January
Back home today after a lovely weekend, quite sad to leave but lovely memories made. I went for a run before I had to go to work, it wasn't too pleasant as it rained quite heavily and I wasn't fully in the mood.
Day 16...Tuesday 16th January
My R.E.D January t-shirt arrived yesterday which I was so excited to receive, I had already been for my run when it came so I wore it today. I absolutely love it, thank you so much Mind. I had a really enjoyable run and made some good progress.
Day 17...Wednesday 17th January
I went for a run with my mum who has just started running. We followed an app at her pace, it was nice having no pressure or expectations and to just enjoy it. It was freezing but I wrapped up well, I enjoyed having a running a partner as I have always ran on my own.
Day 18...Thursday 18th January
I practically had to drag myself out of the door today, I liked my outfit which I always finds helps. A little Instagram upload and I was off, I have managed to reach my target of £100 on my Just Giving page which is absolutely amazing so I have now raised my target which will hopefully be reached by the end of January.
Day 19...Friday 19th January
I went for a run before work, normally I would go on a route where I wouldn't really be seen by people. It is quite deep and complex, to simplify it doing anything that draws attention to myself is something that triggers my anxiety because I have a distorted view on how others will view me. It is something I worked on in my therapy sessions, today I ran along a main road in daylight which may not be such a big thing for some people but for me it is. Initially I decided to commit to R.E.D January to help other people and to raise money for Mind, I never thought it would help me in the way that it has with my own anxieties and mental health.
Day 20...Saturday 20th January
I found it very hard to get motivated for this run, I had been up really early for work and was so tired when I got back home but enough of the excuses. I thought about why I was doing this and that was more than enough to encourage me to get my running trainers on. The weather wasn't actually that bad, I have been out when it has been colder. I hadn't warmed up as I just wanted to get out there but my lower back began to hurt which hasn't happened before, I took it as a lesson and hopefully it will be ok for tomorrow.
Day 21...Sunday 21st January
It had snowed quite heavily in the morning so I had put off going for a run pretty much all day. I finally braved the weather and it was bitterly cold but it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The snow had melted which was good as I was worried about slipping over, I had nipped out earlier and it was really slippy. I think I stepped in about 100 puddles.
Day 22...Monday 22nd January
Nice little run with my bobble hat on, I went for a longer run today and on a slightly different route which always helps to keep it different.
Day 23...Tuesday 23rd January
I stepped out of the door and was pleasantly surprised at how mild it was, I am used to running in the cold resulting in cold ears and a numb face. I wasn't feeling so good but I think the fresh helped with that.
Day 24...Wednesday 24th January
I still wasn't feeling too well, I have a little bit of a cold so that isn't helping to get me motivated. I wasn't having a very good mental health day either, I felt quite low and teary. I managed to pick myself up and go for a run, I felt so much better afterwards. Going for a run manages to clear my mind especially when I need it the most and it just makes me feel so much happier, like I have achieved something for the day. I can't believe there is only a week left of R.E.D January, I think I am going to miss it in a weird way.
Day 25...Thursday 25th January
It started to rain as soon as I left the house but it was only a little shower. I had a good run today, I had a nice relaxing bath last night and I think that really helped especially with the achy leg situation. I'm going to be so sad when R.E.D January is over, as much as there are days when I lack motivation I have really enjoyed doing it. Such an amazing idea and I'm happy it has been so well supported. I have managed to reach my target again on my Just Giving page which makes me so incredibly happy, thank you so much to everyone who has donated. As you can see I am running out of ways to take pictures on my runs.
Day 26...Friday 26th January
I went for a nice little Friday evening run, I always find it strange when I go running on a Friday evening as it makes me think about how they have changed over the years. There was a time where I would be out every single Friday Night without fail with a new outfit on. I enjoyed my run and didn't feel guilty about the pizza I ate afterwards.
Day 27...Saturday 27th January
Got my run in before I had to go to work, I always feel motivated after running and if I run in the morning I find that it sets me up for the day ahead. Below is my I don't want to run in the rain face.
Day 28...Sunday 28th January
It was nice to run in a slightly warmer temperature, even though it was dark in the evening it was pleasantly warmer. I had to force myself out of the door as I may have had a little afternoon nap and was perfectly happy wrapped up in a pink fluffy blanket.
Day 29...Monday 29th January
I went for a morning run despite being put off after looking out of the window, I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do less. There was wind and rain and it was generally a dark day. R.E.D January has helped me to get out there in all weathers, the next time I think oh well it's raining I can't go for a run today I can now remember that I have been out in worse conditions than that and actually once you get out there it isn't that bad. Only two runs left.
Day 30...Tuesday 30th January.
Here I go on my second to last run of the month. It was a little chilly, I'm still not 100% ok with running in daylight. I still have those anxious thoughts telling me that people are staring at me, judging me or reminding me that I could do something embarrassing. CBT had me testing out these thoughts by doing experiments to see what peoples reactions actually were which made it slightly easier for me go out in public. It is still difficult at times but I am going to have bad days, they make the good ones happier.
Day 31...Wednesday 31st January
I made it, we made it, the last run of the month completing R.E.D January. I'm not going to lie, despite it being the last run I really lacked motivation but felt such a sense of achievement once I had arrived back home afterwards. I'm not going to lie it wasn't always easy but remembering the reason why I was doing it made it all worth while. It was amazing to see the amount of people who took part and it helped motivate me to continue to put my trainers on each day. It definitely helped the long month of January be a bit more enjoyable and my mental health improved. This month has taught me that I can do anything that I put my mind to, the hardest part of running honestly was getting out of the door and it also helped with my own anxiety.
Massive congratulations to everyone who took part and thank you to those who donated to my Just Giving page. There is still time to donate, the page will stay open until the end of February. The link to my page is:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-hunt2017
