Hi fellow runners
I haven't posted since graduating from c25k but thought this was a milestone I couldn't miss! I retired at the end of March at 63 and shortly afterwards was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, so had a clear aim to address that, as well as improving my general fitness.
I started c25k in May and completed in July - since then I've run 3 times a week including my local (Portsmouth Lakeside) parkrun, achieving a PB of 30.38 there (though I have managed 29.02 in solo runs). I've been working on an amended version of ju-ju's plan, increasing my long run by about 0.5 km per week. Today I managed 10k in 66.56 - the last 3 or so km was hard going as it's running up Portsdown Hill on the outskirts of Portsmouth. I was dead chuffed!
I've changed my diet (almost cut out sugar and reduced carbs) - that and the running has led to a loss of over 2 stone since I left work. I will be having a diabetes assessment shortly and am confident that my blood sugar level will have reduced - hopefully in due course it will be back in the normal range. I am certain that this forum has played a huge part in helping me to achieve what I have - hearing about other people's successes, queries and stories has been so helpful. Thanks to the administrators who keep the whole thing running!
In that spirit I wanted to share something which happened to me recently in case others have the same experience and find it helpful - a couple of weeks ago after a 9k run I had blood in my urine. Obviously that is something which needs to be checked out and following a visit to my GP I am currently having some tests to rule out anything sinister. However as this has not been repeated in subsequent runs, I think it is highly likely to be running-related - see this article in Runners World. runnersworld.com/health-inj... This was confirmed as likely by the urology nurse I saw recently. An empty bladder is a possible cause, so I am now drinking a glass of water in addition to my half a glass of milk before my early morning run!
Future plans? Continue much as at present and let's see - I'm really enjoying my running and that's the main thing!
Update on 14 Nov - to let you know that my tests have now been completed (fast-tracked through our fantastic NHS) and nothing sinister was found, thank goodness. They did however identify that I had a bladder infection I wasn't aware of(!) - all resolved now with antibiotics. No repeat of the blood so I think probably the cause was as described above - definitely worth getting it checked though!
Running wise, I had a PB at parkrun this week and completed a 3rd 10k at 65.05 today so all good!
🎓🎓10K!!! 🎓🎓
Ready to get back to 10K
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