If you’re anything like me, there’s a voice in your head telling you not to run today. And there’s another one that has taken on the persona of a Boot Camp instructor and is using every insult under the sun to rouse you from your seated position into a striding one. But, and I’m assured of this by a book I’m reading, what you should be listening to is your intuition.

Sometimes it’s right to ignore your training plan and sack off a session – but only if it’s your intuition that’s giving you permission and not your inner lazy voice. With so many voices shouting at me, how can I tell which one is my intuition – maybe I’ll try name badges. Last night I think I identified my intuition – it was the one sitting politely with its hand raised at the back of my mind while my lazy side and sporty side fought for my attention. It told me that I shouldn’t go to train with the running club, but that I should still go for a run. “Maybe something gentle” it said.

So that’s what I did. How did I know that was my intuition? I’m glad you asked. As I set off for my run my legs felt weird – weird like they weren’t my own. They were clunky, heavy and the knees didn’t seem to work properly. For 5 miles I struggled to get out of first gear. My intuition was right – I would have struggled with speedwork if I’d trained with the club.

This is just one thing I’ve learnt so far from reading Matt Fitzgerald’s ‘Run: The mind-body method of running by feel’. I’m only a couple of chapters in so I’ll report back fully when I’m finished, but so far it’s got me hooked.

Janathon Day 12
No running today after ‘weird leg syndrome’ last night. I’ve continued with my 200 sit-ups iPhone app.