Slowly building up

After a slow February I am slowly starting to feel myself building up the miles and enjoying being out again. Admittedly the better weather, lighter morning and evenings helps, but I think taking a bit of the pressure off and just getting out and enjoying running, no matter the distance, ascent or time has helped get me feel driven to push a bit more again.
We had a great weekend out from Coniston on the weekend starting with the Lakeland 100 route into Seathwaite and before getting to Boot headed towards round back into Coniston. It was really boggy under foot and my feet froze and being the longest run in a while I did feel a little grumpy at points. And navigating, who would have thought that would be quite so tiring. I spent ages deciding where we were going to go the week before, and then trying to find the route around was tricky, but with a little help I managed. OK, with a lot of help! We had one really steep climb and needed the help of some wine gums, which is unusual for me, to get me up to the top. The descent was quite uncomfortable on numb feet, but once we were making our way along by Levers water feeling had returned and was just loving the beautiful surroundings. A great 18 miles out and over 1500m of ascent. On reflection I think more food would have helped me, but managed a thin bread cashew butter sandwich, chicken and pickle sandwich and trek bar. yes, Kibo probably shared half with me so maybe I just need more treats for him :)

Sunday I dragged lacked motivation as Joe wasn't feeling well I had to go on my own. I picked a route I knew, or so I thought, from Coniston to Skelwith Bridge. I went off course from the start so it didn't set me up well. A few shouts and tears later I got back on course and plodded very slowly through the very wet and boggy terrain until Chaplestile where i felt such relief to be running on firm ground. I'd had enough and settled on a 12 mile day, just happy that I had run back to back days after a while being off the mountains.
So much to work on. So much uncertainty, anxiety and serious doubt. Feeling tired after an 18 mile leisurely run out makes me so unsure about if I will be able to do it. But isn't that the point? To see how far you are willing to push and go through pain? Oh my goodness, I just hope I have it in me!