We Are What We Think

This morning's long(er) run was my usual route from Carrington, along past the harbour and Nobby's, then Newcastle beach and up on past King Edward park and along Memorial Drive to the Merewether Surf club and then back the same way to home, and it was perfect weather. The kind of stunning morning that reminds me why I am so fricken proud and lucky to call Newcastle home, even if it's an adopted sort of home (me being technically a London-raised Salopian - haha, look that one up...). It's just such a beautiful, friendly and active little city. The change of hours due to 'daylight savings' (by the way - can we all just take a moment to appreciate this is one of the two days a year where we collectively agree on and realise that 'time', as we see it, is nothing more than a human construct and illusion, as we can suddenly all agree that now it is a different time) definitely didn't stop the many runners, surfers, sea kayakers, SUP'ers, dog-walkers, and skaters. It seemed everyone was out and about early this morning, and who could blame them. To prove my authentic Aussieness and that I am worthy of that citizenship certificate carefully stashed away somewhere safe, the phrase 'pearler of a day!' comes to mind.

So, my run started off beautifully and I was quite happy just soaking it all up and thinking about a myriad of things. One of which is 'how much I love Newcastle' which then led on to 'oh yes, I'm going to see a movie this evening that is filmed all around Newcastle!'. I could not be more excited - this evening I will be attending a friend's film premiere right here in Newy, for his new movie 'Pop-Up' (Tower Cinemas, 6:30pm, today). I LOVE a good movie, or show, or novel, that is set in a place that I've either lived in before or know well, and combine this with what looks to be an awesome drama/romance (Stu, you are very talented! Can't wait to see the whole movie!), and the whole shebang of a film premiere (you know, red carpets, dressing up, paparazzi flashes, etc - not too sure what to expect as this will be the first one I've ever attended, but think it's safe to speculate re these!) well: I. Am. Excited. If you are here in Newy and fancy coming along, here's some more information about it, the trailer, and a link to buy your tickets: http://www.popupmovie.com/

Here's a good article written by one of the dudes working on the movie (I'm sorry I don't know you're official title/technical name Richard!). By the sounds of it, if you LOVE Newcastle, you will LOVE this film! https://open.abc.net.au/explore/105667

Then my running mind went back to a rest around something that I've read recently, in a couple of different places, where people have been quoted as saying something like 'it doesn't matter if you've been running for 6 years or 6 months, the first 10 minutes of any run is always hard/bad'. What the?? I simply don't find this to be true or the case at all. Sure, very occasionally, when my legs feel like lead or after a big race or training session the day before or something, then you might feel tired or like you're shuffling, but that actual feeling of 'it'll get better / everyone hates the first ten minutes'?? I don't think this is true for everyone. (Please tell me if this is true for you too!! Or am I a freak??). Could it have something to do with what we tell ourselves before we head out for a run?? I definitely think so. I.e if you tell yourself 'this is going to hurt' or 'this will be hard' then more than likely, it WILL hurt or be hard. Just as if you tell yourself: 'I can't wait to get out there and run' or 'this is going to be great' then more than likely, you WILL get out there, and it WILL be great. Such is the power of our thoughts and intention, something that's been on my mind a lot lately. I didn't specifically have this is my mind this morning as I made my way out of the door, it's just something I thought about whilst running a little bit later, but I DO remember one of my recurring thoughts this morning as I got dressed/ready and laced my shoes up was this: 'I get to go and do my favourite thing ever now!' And then, just a few seconds later: BAM: there I was doing (one of) my favourite things ever and was out there running. (i.e. we create our own reality.) So, I don't know where this 'the first ten minutes of anyone's run is going to suck' theory comes from.

About a third of the way into the run however, my right knee was starting to do that strange thing it used to do when it had had enough after my first ever full marathon, back in the day. Specifically when I was running DOWN hill, down Memorial Drive. Hmmm.... It didn't feel good, and I slowed down to walk the rest of the downhill sections of my 'run'. I was actually looking forward to the up-hills as at least there was no pain or weird feeling when running UP! Oh well. This then led me to cutting the whole thing short by about 20mins or so, but no actual harm done. Oh well - nothing some good old fashioned rest and turmeric won't fix! Maybe my body's way of telling me: take it easy this week before the iStadium half marathon next Sunday.

So, there you have it folks: to sum up: Newcastle is a beautiful and inspiring city; Pop-Up is premiering tonight at Tower Cinema, and we ARE what we think or believe and there is such power in the things we say or tell ourselves. So choose your words wisely and be careful what you wish for!! Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL rest of your Sunday, whatever it is you are up to, and before I go, here's a sampler photo of Newy itself, taken early one morning last week: