I run like a snail.......

So the World Cup is nearly over, bar the recriminations and tears. Brilliant match last night, Spain Vs Germany, it felt like the final. Interesting that the German octopus predicted this result, I must get me one of those and see you in the Bahamas when I've won the lottery.

My running is going painfully and slowly. My times aren't particularly impressive but the amount of effort and sweat that I'm putting into it, is. I run like a snail, leaving a watery trail in my wake...when I say wake, please don't think that I actually go fast enough to leave a wake, I barely move fast enough to leave a trail. I never did manage the 7 miler. I went out last Saturday for a 5 mile run. At 3 miles the thought crossed my mind that I should stop for a drink of water, my second thought was "Quitter!" So I didn't stop. At 4 miles I decided that I'd had enough and would walk the rest of the way, I also changed my mind and did finish the full distance but the cost to my body was painful and my mental state is suffering, dreading any distance. I have run 3 and 2 milers this week and have found them painful, no fun, pleasure or even much of a sense of achievement. My intention to run 7 miles is slowly but surely falling by the wayside. I don't know if it's the weather or just the time of year. My youngest needed some new running shoes and apparently the chap in the shop was also complaining about tiredness and breathing problems so maybe I'm not alone.
I saw some overweight old chap running the other weekend. It was midday and hot. I had run earlier in the day when it was cooler and I was depressed to notice that he looked fresh and easy in his stride, not like my shambolic gait as I draw in wheezy breaths like a whale, dripping down the road at 0.2mph. I do find it heartening to see people take the time to look after themselves. Running does take effort and determination, particularly when it is hard. I am proud of myself for carrying on and not taking a break but it is also difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel when this is actually an anomaly, I seem to remember last Summer being easier and it is Winter that causes the problems.
So if you see a tramplike figure, staggering down the road in the morning, please don't assume he is drunk, if the face is grey and creased, almost painful looking and the sweat is beading off it in rivulets, it is most likely me, so please be kind and give me a lift home.