Ouch to 5K

What a bruised knee, a bathroom cabinet, and a whole load of mindset has taught me about resilience and self-belief.

The ‘Here We Go Again’.

For years, I’ve wanted to complete Couch to 5K, with the intention to lead onto a Park Run. Typically, I’d start in summer (because it feels far more appealing when the sun’s out), get marvellously close… and then life would get in the way.

This year felt different. On 30 July, I started again — very slow, very steady.
Something shifted. I cared less about how I looked, and more about how I felt.

I wear bright leggings (the kind that can be seen from the moon), and when I told Rich that I didn’t want people to look at me, he reminded me — “Lynn, your leggings are basically shouting.”

The truths always come from our nearest and dearests don’t they?

Slow. Gentle. Consistent.

I had a coaching call with one of my beautiful coaching comrades, Emma Norris. We talked about this ‘here we go again’ sentiment and beautifully reframed it. Arriving at creating an identity called Shirley! That conversation is worthy of it’s very own blog, watch this space.

With my new reframed pal, Shirley. I took flight (exaggeration of the year).

Bit by bit, I worked towards my “no flying flip-flops given” approach to other people’s opinions and the unhelpful part of me who would chip in with the ‘let’s keep you safe Lynn”.

Some runs were outside, some inside. Some hidden in the woods or in the middle of a field, some in the gym or on the roads, for EVERYONE to see.

I was doing it! Get me.

September arrived — and so did a lurgy. I could barely walk without losing my breath. Cue the familiar internal loop: “Here we go again…” But this time, I caught it, supported with my pal Shirley.

Instead of giving up, I reminded myself that I didn’t need to be “all or nothing.” I could pause whilst being in the space “in between.”

When I finally felt ready, I picked up where I’d left off, repeating a few runs, easing myself back in.

And then came the big one — a 5K run around Redmires Reservoir with Rich.

It felt symbolic — something I’d always dreamed of doing together.

I ran past someone without worrying what they were thinking. I focused on me.
Rich headed to the car while I squeezed in a few extra metres.
And then — ironically — I wasn’t even running.

A car passed, I stepped onto the verge, lost my balance, and performed what can only be described as a spectacular recovery dance before gravity won.

Left shoulder, chest, abdomen, knee — straight to the concrete.

Two beautiful women on bikes stopped to help. My clever watch had already decided to call an ambulance, so I asked them to cancel it — despite the blood, my brand-new leggings were still intact. Small wins!

A trip to A&E confirmed I’d damaged my bicep but hadn’t broken my shoulder.

When the nurse told me, I told her I loved her.

Isn’t running meant to be healthy?

Mirror, mirror.

Two days later, I knew I needed to get back on the horse — or in this case, the path.
I ran slowly, gently, with gratitude.

Saturday was coming — part of me had chosen to tick Park Run off the goals list
A long-held dream.

I decided the only way to know if I wanted to do Park Runs was to actually do one, not let the fearful voice decide for me. I told my family the plan, and they promised to come and cheer me on. (ooh an audience, was I ready?)

And then… came the resistance.

I started doing everything to avoid leaving the house: faffing, making myself late, talking myself out of it.

At one point, I found myself reorganising the bathroom cabinet, cleaning inside the mirrored doors and organising moisturiser bottles like my life depended on it.

That was my giveaway. I caught my reflection in the mirrored door and actually laughed out loud.

Pure. Procrastination.

The Mindset Shift

That moment was such a mirror (literally and metaphorically).

The voice in my head had a whole list of reasons to stop me:
“It’s not for you.”
“You’ll be last.”
“You’ll fall again.”
“The house needs cleaning.”

Sound familiar?

It’s the same pattern that shows up in so many areas of life — the “I’m not ready yet” story.
The “let me just tidy, sort, prepare” before I take the leap.

But here’s what I know now:
You don’t need to feel ready to begin.
You just need to start — imperfectly, gently, with courage that might look nothing like confidence.

When I feel myself slipping into avoidance, I use stealth tapping, shake out the energy, shout, jump, or simply say out loud: “I can do hard things.”

Because I can.
And so can you.

The Message

Resilience isn’t about never falling — it’s about how we repeatedly get up, over and over and over.

It’s about consistency, self-awareness, and being kind to ourselves in the process.

The only way is through. (This reminds me of reading to Olive, We Going On A Bear Hunt countless times)
We grow through what we go through.

Sometimes our biggest mindset shifts don’t happen in grand “aha” moments — they happen mid faceplant, or while cleaning out the bathroom cabinet.

So if you’re feeling stuck, lost, or waiting for the perfect moment… maybe this is your reminder: there isn’t one.

The moment is now.

It’s all that we have - The Here And The Now.

The Reflection

Next time you catch yourself cleaning, scrolling, rearranging the plastic box cupboard, instead of taking that next brave step — pause, smile, and ask:
“What am I really avoiding right now?”

And then… do the thing.

If you’d like some support rewiring those old patterns — with a mix of laughter, energy work, and mindset magic — I can help you find your footing again (preferably before you trip like I did).

Oh yes, nearly forgot.

I HAVE COMPLETED C25K (entering Beyond 5K territory) and I DID MY FIRST PARK RUN.

About Lynn Butler

Lynn Butler is a holistic coach and therapist who helps midlife professional women reconnect with their inner compass, overcome limiting beliefs, and design lives that feel aligned, calm, and fulfilling.

Through her Tapestry membership and 1:1 coaching, she helps women move from stuck to self-assured — weaving together mindset, energy work, and holistic therapy with a good dose of real-life laughter.

Let’s chat, book a Your Next Step Call https://www.lynnbutler.me/chat

Until next time, Lynn :)