Running as distraction/solace/displacement a... - Bridge to 10K

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Running as distraction/solace/displacement activity!

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10
27 Replies

We took our youngest to start at uni this weekend. It's 250 miles away so we moved her in yesterday, stayed overnight in a hotel then drove home today to our empty nest. It's so quiet!

I haven't felt real sadness yet - I think that's to come. Mostly at the moment I'm just pleased and excited for her starting this next stage in life.

When my older daughter started at her uni a few years ago, I remember I felt quite bereft for a while.

Today, on getting home, I changed straight into my running gear and went out for a 4.25k 'run for fun' across the fields, lanes and towpath. That felt good. I hadn't had space in the car (believe me!) to take my stuff with me to run in the university city.

And I am very mindful that I've entered for a 10k (my first) next Sunday....

On Tuesday I'll try a longer run, then maybe ease off till the weekend. Is that the right thing to do?

Anyway, with this daughter leaving home and us now being empty nesters, I think running is going to be my solace. I'm so glad that I started c25k last year :)

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Joy57 profile image
Joy57
Graduate10
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27 Replies
RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10

Well, I did the parkrun on the Saturday before my first 10K then everyone told me to just do a shorter run no later than Tuesday and nothing else until the 10K.

That worked for me, so you probably just want a short run on Tuesday then rest.

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

Yes, though I want to reassure myself that I can do the distance - never run further than 8.5k before. So I think I need to try to get to 9k at least, on Tuesday, Sue.

I think my plan had me running a 4.5 miles on the Monday and a really easy 3 miler on Thursday before my 10k on the Sunday. However I did none of that as I was in bed with cold/flu on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday I surfed the sofa and worked on Friday. I turned up sunday and ran my 10k after a week of total rest! Not the best but I guess anything will work as the training is all done now. Good luck with your run!

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to

Well done! That reflects on your great level of fitness rfd! Not at all sure that I could do that! 😄

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

...there have beenn a couple of empty nest posts recently - I have a few years to go, although suspect the eldest will be off to uni in a couple of years (😮🙁😥). I think just a shortish run (5k?) midweek and then a few days rest before your 10k so that your legs are really fresh! Good luck, hope it goes well for you.🙂

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39

Thanks Sandra though (see my replies above) I think I will still try for a longer distance on Tuesday 😄

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10 in reply to Joy57

Good luck!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

2nd one today... I have replied to another empty- nester :) I know the feeling well...:)

But... you have done this before and you know... they still need their Mum! :)

Very well done you! The magic of the run :)

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Yes, I read the other post on the c25k forum and your reply - I think she is feeling it more than I am at present! I think that 'slump' is yet to come 😥

However, for the moment, I just felt grateful today that I can run 😄

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Joy57

The benefits from our running are so many and so effective... hopefully she will settle into it quite soon.. I know my youngest struggled also.. but she came through it,,

You do seem to be on track for your 10K though... exciting!!

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

I'll let you know how tomorrow's run goes, Oldfloss! 😄

Running serves so many great purposes doesn't it :) I agree take it easy this week you don't want tired legs. Maybe run 9k so you know you can "do the distance" but take it very slow, then be sure to rest for a good few days between that and the 10k. Lots of luck for your taper week :)

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to

Thanks Ruth, I'll try for a slowish 9k tomorrow. Who am I kidding, 'slowish' is all that I can do anyway! 😄

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10

I was very sad the day my youngest went off to Japan for 4 months. But the sadness only lasted a couple of days - we hardly see him anyway! He's back now, the oldest is expecting our first grandchild, so we are now full parents again. Don't know which I prefer! Variety I suppose!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to JaySeeSkinny

It is the spice of life.... :) We are Small Runner in Training's carers two days a week now... gosh... it is exciting and a tad exhausting at first!

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

We won't be able to do that as both of us are still working full time and have quite a while to go until retirement. Plus we'll see how much they want us involved, our relationship with our oldest has always been a bit fraught - although he seems to have grown out of it. We'll see!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to JaySeeSkinny

Yes..:) You are a mere youngster:) x

I often wonder how I ever found time to go to work...I seem to work almost as hard in the week now...less stress and pressure...my runs paining, walking gardening etc etc ... not so great a pay check at the end of the month:) but the benefits are incredible:) I have had to up my core strength exercises, ( along with Rfc's exercises), as my back, clearly is not as supple and strong as when I had my own offspring ! :)

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to JaySeeSkinny

Wow, Japan is a long way. Not sure I could cope with that....

Good luck for your 10k on Sunday joy57. I'm sure you'll do it!

Look forward to reading all about it😀😀x

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to

Thanks Peggy!

My middle un heads off next weekend and I know I will miss her terribly. Still they have to spread their wings and Uni is such a great experience😁

Running really does help with managing life's challenges and is s challenge in itself. Good luck with your race. Let us know how it goes🏃‍♀️

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to

Thanks Helen. I will do.

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate10

You'll be fine for 10k as you are, you've already surpassed what you need to train for to get there, if you can get to 8k you'll get to 10k, good luck, enjoy the event!😊

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to davelinks

Thanks for the encouragement Dave. I'm still going to go out tomorrow and try to 9k. I don't want to embarrass myself completely on Sunday! 😄

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate10 in reply to Joy57

Good Joy, let us know how it goes..

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseit

My boy goes on Friday :(

He's only an hour and a half up the road, but I'm not expecting to see him until Christmas. I've got a campervan though, so I may just .... um .... drop by for a cuppa one day ...

Yes, I am dreading being an empty nester. Can't believe it's come round so quickly. Why, it only seems like yesterday I was asking the maternity ward if I could return him as he was faulty and wouldn't stop screaming all day and all night. The first five years were the worst ... since then he's been excellent company for the most part (unlike his father these days, who works too hard and then plays b****y farming simulator the rest of the time unless there's formula 1 or footy ...).

Running will fill a bit of the gap, but I think I may need to find a job or a really good hobby.

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate10 in reply to useitorloseit

I have a job and other hobbies as well, but it still seems quiet here!

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