ANNIE COWEN

6:30 am train and tired!

Friday 31st Jan January is officially the longest month. Feels like it’s been 487 days long …. Share

The end is nigh!

Friday 31st Jan I’m writing this in a cold and damp Station waiting room at 6:30 in the morning whilst waiting for a delayed train. It’s been a long month and morning’s like this don’t help raise the mood!  Share

Another soggy run

Monday 27th Jan Is it strange that I really enjoy running in the rain? Share

So nearly there

Monday 27th Jan Day 27 and I’m pleased to see February is in sight! Having said that, the level of activity I’ve managed in January is not against the norm for me. Tonight was a classic example; I came home from work tired, feeling really anxious about some stuff going on and just wanted to hide away. But I know that exercise calms my head so I got straight out of the door before I could sit down and talk myself out of it.  5km later and I feel a whole heap better. Exercise is just magic!! Share

Over half way

Sunday 19th Jan Please to say the cold I’ve had seems to have been short lived. Also chuffed that I’ve managed to carry on moving every day whilst getting to grips with a new commute and long working day. This weekend has been fun. A lovely long walk with Stu and our favourite Doggo yesterday then Spinning and a run today. It all helps to quieten a noisy brain and keep the anxiety at bay.  Share

Back to work

Wednesday 15th Jan Started my new job yesterday. Getting my head round commuting to London is going to take some adjusting. But pleased that I managed a run last night and a good spinning session tonight - both were needed, both did the trick. Exercise really is the key to keeping my head in a good space. And I’m not alone. RED January is a great opportunity for me to highlight the benefits and importance of activity on mental wellbeing. Raising money to support the charities that help people get active makes the days when I’d rather be on the sofa so much more worthwhile. Thank you for your support if you’re reading this. It means a lot!  Share

It’s getting harder

Wednesday 15th Jan Share

Freezing cold after a chilly 5km run

Sunday 12th Jan Share

A busy weekend.

Sunday 12th Jan I’ve been following a 5km programme for a few weeks to get me running again. Yesterday was the end of the programme and I was scheduled to run 5km. I had a trip to London planned and knew my only chance to run was early morning so I pulled my body out of bed and set off for my run at 8:30 in air temperature of -5 degrees!!! Needless to say it wasn’t quite the 5km run I’d hoped for. The cold air plays havoc with my breathing and I felt pretty nervous on frosty pavements. I ended up doing a run/walk but was really pleased to have finished the programme and I know if the weather had been slightly warmer I’d have need fine. It was a good start to the day. Share

Swim and dog walk day

Friday 10th Jan Day 10 has been fun. I went for a swim with Tom this morning - my first pool swim in months and I could tell!! Lovely spending time with Tom and being able to help him with some swim technique pointers. It felt like special time. This afternoon’s dog walk was cold. But fabulous. I really took it slow today and focussed on what is around us and how lucky I am to have this space on my doorstep. The dog was acting like an idiot, rolling on the frozen floor. But he seemed happy too. I love the little fella and will miss these long walks when I start my new job. Share

Days 8 & 9 Double activity days

Thursday 9th Jan Yesterday I had a lovely dog walk and catch up with a good friend. We have a mutual need to offload at times and I feel lucky that we can walk the dogs and talk honestly about what’s going on in our lives. Finishing up in a cafe with good coffee and teacakes is also a bonus! I went spinning in the evening which felt very tough after a few weeks off over Christmas. Nothing beats the feeling of working hard though and if there’s one thing I do well it’s sweating so I get a very obvious sign that I’ve worked hard 🥵 Share

Day 7 Dog Walk and Pilates

Tuesday 7th Jan A good day for clearing the head. Pre new job anxiety is kicking in now. A walk with beautiful blue skies and cold air was good for slowing down my thoughts. Pilates this evening was fun as ever. Good people, great instruction and a zen like state at the end of an hour. It should be on prescription. Feeling energised by the donations too. Thank you all 🙏🏻😊 Share

A chilly run

Monday 6th Jan Share

Day 6. A walk and a run

Monday 6th Jan As I’ve said previously, RED January for me isn’t necessarily an increase in activity for me. It’s an opportunity to share the reasons behind my activity and to promote the benefits. Today I’ve done a long (for an 11 year old) dog walk and a 4k run.  The walk in daylight gave me headspace, some time to straighten some frustrations with leaving one job and the anxieties associated with starting a new one. But I enjoyed blue skies and beautiful countryside all on our doorstep. This evening’s run got the endorphins going. I find running at night beneficial when the days are so short. It almost kids me into thinking there are more daylight hours when I get out of the door with my torch and run.  Thanks for reading. Thanks for donating ☺️ Share

Day 5 - the rainy one

Sunday 5th Jan Today was spent out on the river driving the launch whilst Stu coached his junior rowers. We got absolutely soaked! I’d just about dried out and it was time for my evening run and, guess what, I got soaked again!!! Sunday dinner tasted all the better for getting out. Share

Brrrrr

Saturday 4th Jan It may have ‘only’ been 12 mins in the water but, blimey it was cold!! 1.5 degrees air temp and the water was a balmy 5.2 degrees. But the post swim buzz is real!! Great to connect with very special friends who I have neglected during a period of particularly rubbish mental health. It felt good to be back ❤️ Share

Day 3

Saturday 4th Jan I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few days about why I participate in RED January year after year. I try and exercise daily throughout the year. Sometimes it’s a long run, a hard row, a ridiculous swim. Other days it’s forcing myself out of the house, out of bed even. Half a mile round the block with the dog. What I know is that any of these activities, however big or small, they all help me find headspace. They all help me navigate the day, the week, the month. I have an incredible network of support from family and friends around me who accept me for who I am and don’t judge. But that time I get when the fresh air hits, the endorphins kick in and my head is quiet, that is the time that heals and straightens my addled brain. I have never ever regretted any form of exercise, however painful at the time. It is what keeps me going. RED January just gives me an excuse to share my reality - moving every day, however I do it is good for my mental health. And I’m not alone.  Share