Keeping busy keeps the tears away

The night before going to bed, I announced I was going to go for a run on the beach tomorrow at 6:00 am. I wanted to start university by running every day and getting into a routine of being fit. However, when my mental health decreased, I was not up for it. I wanted to start on a day to clear my mind and my head. I was not expecting anyone else to jump at this opportunity too.

3 of my friends piped up, they would get up at 6:00 am too and run with me. Part of me wanted them too, the other half I wanted to run by myself, as I was embarrassed to not be a good enough runner. I did not believe anyone would get up, but we made a bet that if they all got up and were ready by 6:00 am to leave I would buy them some sweets.

I woke up at 5:30 am, put on my running gear and opened my door at exactly 6:00 am, the exact time my 2 other flatmates also opened their doors. I was generally shocked! What was wrong with these people, wanting to get up and run at 6:00 am? We met our friend downstairs and walked to the beach in our running gear.

We started our run, but within 10 minutes we gave up! I started to get a stitch and slow down because I am generally a beginner at running. I used to run on the treadmill, I could run for a solid 20 minutes, however, that is different from ground running. I also went to the gym, but I did muscle work rather than the treadmill and I have been in multiple sports clubs that require running. I felt embarrassed that I suggested running and then failed within 10 minutes.

Instead, we walked it and then one of our friends decided to go and run into the water. We recorded them running in and out of the water and then running towards us as they were cold. We went and sat on a bench to watch the sunrise, which was so beautiful. I love being near the beach to watch the sunset/sunrise and have the calming tide there too.

As we were cold we walked back to the university. We found a gym-pulling bar on the way back and all had a try at it. When we got back, I had some muesli and a shower and then got changed. I then went back out into town because I needed to get the screen on my phone fixed.

Funny story about my phone....my phone was already slightly cracked, and when I was back home I tried to get it fixed, but it was so expensive where I lived. One of the days at university, me and my flatmates were laughing and my phone fell out of my pocket and my flatmate stepped on my screen. It cracked even more, but I found it so funny!

It was pretty scary going to get my phone fixed as I was without my phone for 1 hour, meaning anything could have happened to me. I walked around some charity shops and then sat on a bench for a while. I went into Poundland and bought 2 bags of sweets for my flatmates for getting up and going running. A bet is a bet!

I paid £50 to get my phone fixed and then went back to university. I walked back to the university but stopped along the way and sat on the beach for a little bit. It was relaxing and chilled. Once I got back I suggested to my flatmates we figure out how to do the laundry. We have a laundry room, with 4 washers and 4 dryers for over 150 students. It is ridiculous!

If your university has Circuit Laundry I will give you the steps to it:

1. Put in your clothing whether it is lights or darks (make sure they are separate)

2. Put in the pod (I suggest a pod rather than liquid, but it is up to you)

3. (If you are using a liquid, put the liquid in before your clothing)

4. Choose what degree you want it on...I normally 30 or 40

5. On your app say what washing machine you have e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 4 or more

6. Press start on your app and press start on your machine

You can leave the machine and go and do something, the app will tell you when your laundry is done. I would then wait 10 minutes after the app says it is finished, as normally by the time you get there your laundry is still going.

I went back to my room and hoovered it and ate some lunch. Then it was time to go back and get my laundry. Top Tip for hanging out your laundry is, to keep your clothes near the radiator as your clothes will dry quickly.

Later that evening, one of my flatmates bought us pizza, which was decided we were going to do a weekly meal plan of someone buying a take-out. I think it only happened once though. My 2 flatmates and I decided to watch a film...we chose a horror film.

It was very sweet, we were in the kitchen and made it all dark and then sat on the chairs in the kitchen with our flatmate's laptop watching a horror film. It was funny as they were in a couple and were holding onto each other, I was the third-wheel who had no one but constantly screamed and had no one holding me.

Quote of the blog:

"A short run is better than no run" - this would have been a great quote for me at the beginning and when I did do 10 minutes of running. A run is a run at the end of the day, if you put your mindset to do it, then congratulations, that is the first step. I wish I kept it up, however I didn't. I am thinking next year, it is either gym girl time or running girl time.

The next blog is about how I missed my first university lecture and not being able to sleep.