Posted this in C25K by mistake.
It’s three years ago now since I had a diagnosis of cancer, leading to a mastectomy and a lumpectomy. As horrendous as this all was at the time, it inadvertently kick started my running, as my physio from Macmillan (the charity) made a daft suggestion about getting me running. “Errr, no, I’ll do any other exercise in the gym, but I have never run and don’t intend to start now!” was my rather adamant reply. However the seed was sown, and as my oncologist was keen for me to be living a healthy lifestyle as I couldn’t take any of the recommended meds.
I was reminded of all this on my run this morning. Having seen Bohemian Rhapsody the other day I had put together a Queen playlist for my run this morning, and it was doing the trick, keeping me going and I was determined to complete another 10k to get me back in the swing of things. But at 8k I was flagging, there was a steep incline to be tackled, my legs were like lead, I hadn’t slept well the night before so I was tired, and I just felt like stopping and walking. “Why am I doing this anyway?”
And then “Keep Yourself Alive” shuffled its way to the top of the playlist, as if in answer to my question. Great pace for running to, and somehow the lyrics evolved in my head as I pushed on…
🎶
I was told three years at this time
Of all the troubles in my way.
Made me grim but my adviser
Told me exercise each day.
So I rowed o’er virtual rivers
And I rode some virtual miles,
And the next thing that I started
Couch to 5K was worthwhile.
Well I ran upon the treadmill
To keep breast cancer at bay
But I never saw the daylight
In the gym, hidden away.
C25K folks were telling me
Be a super star
They could tell I’d be more satisfied
Outside and running far.
🏃🏾♀️
Keep yourself alive, yeah
Running couch to 5
It won’t take you much time or money
Help you to survive.
🏃🏾♀️
Ow
😈
Well I’ve fought a million gremlins
In oh so many ways
And I’ve tried a million faffings,
Making too many delays.
Running gives me what I need
To help my body and my soul,
And I’ll go a little quicker
Maybe that can be my goal.
🏃🏾♀️
I was told a million times
That I could run for 20k
How I had to keep on trying
And get better every day.
But then my mojo went and left me
And I couldn’t face the miles
But I had to get re-started,
Not get so down hearted.
🏃🏾♀️
Keep yourself alive, come on
You’re nearly fifty five
It’s worth the time and money, honey
And you know you have the drive.
Ow
Keep yourself alive, wow,
Don’t let yourself nose dive,
Just keep on trying, keep on running,
You will feel satisfied.
C’mon keep yourself alive
It causes you to thrive
All you people should run to feel alive.
Keep yourself alive
It makes me want to strive
I hope these lyrics don’t feel too contrived.
🏃🏾♀️
And with the help of a few more banging Queen tracks on my playlist I made it to my 10 k. 😀