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!
Written by
JonathanP
Graduate10
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Congratulations! Brilliant! Well done on your 10k and your weight loss! 😊🎓🍾🥂🎉🏅👏🏻👍☀️🏃🏻🤸♂️🏃🏻🤸♂️🏃🏻🤸♂️ Enjoy the after glow and your time on the podium. All the very best for your onward running journey!
Firstly, congratulations on graduation and the time. The difference between your 2 * 5k and 10k times is remarkably little given it includes 3k of Portsdown Hill - as a Southsea parkrunner I wouldn't dream of running up there!
On the blood front - it happened to me twice, a few months apart, about 15 years ago, once after a hard lunchtime run and once after a very bumpy cross-channel trip in a yacht. The subsequent medical investigations were, shall we say, "interesting" (crossing my legs now thinking about them) but reassuringly gave me a clean bill of health. No recurrence since (crossing my fingers this time as I'm probably now running harder than I have for many years, thanks to this damn forum ). The thing in the link about not having a last-minute pee is interesting, so thanks for that.
Hello Jonathan, Congratulations on your 10k today. It’s definitely worth posting about. Running up Portsdown Hill is brave. We stick to the nice flat Southsea Prom! Although we have done the slight inclines of the Lakeside parkrun one Saturday, which was great fun.
I am sure that running will have a great effect on your health and losing weight is another good thing. It’s certainly helped me reduce my blood pressure to normal, much to the amazement of my GP. So well done - you’ve done good. 🏃♂️👏👏
Thanks Dexy5 - I must come to Southsea parkrun one week, we walk along the prom often. Yes I'm on medication for high BP too but I think that will take longer to sort!
Wow Jonathan, massive congratulations! What a journey you’ve been on too. Even more impressive! 👏👏👏 10k is an epic achievement and you should be very very proud of yourself! 😀😀🏃🏃
Well done Jonathan! Congratulations on your 1st 10k, but also a huge congratulations for losing 2 stone in weight!! Sounds like you are doing brilliantly. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉🎉😃🏃♂️💥❤️🍾🥂🏅
I thought if you too, John, when I saw this. Hopefully this will be your experience too and perhaps it isn’t as rare as first thought. Thank you for sharing, Jonathan x
How inspiring!! Well done. Thank you for sharing. Reading the experiences and challenges and how much effort is going into trying to solve their challenges is truly inspiring.
We’re not professional athletes with personal coaches and dieticians and yet we’re still trying our best and going for it.
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🎓🎓10K!!! 🎓🎓
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