🎶Keep Yourself Alive🎶 (apologies to Queen...)

[Razouski]

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. 😀

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

❤

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

❤️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

It's quite the journey you've had Raz. Thanks for putting it to lyrics and sharing with us. You'll always be our super star 🌟. It was nice to read some Raz lyrics again 🎶💕 and I'm glad you made your 10k again.

[Razouski in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks SaskAlliecat , I'd lost my mojo and not been in the forum for ages, or ran quite as often, so thought it was about time I got my act together.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

There have been a few missing of late but starting to make their way back again. It seems so easy to lose the mojo and so hard to get restarted again but I have found that once I get my butt out the door, I'm quickly reminded why I love to run and quickly get addicted again 😅. It's nice to see you back.

[Razouski in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I had been running twice a week but hadn’t had time to post in the forum, which then had a detrimental impact on my motivation. In fact I’d had a really lovely run in Copenhagen at the start of December, took photos etc ready to post, but then got swamped with work and never got round to it.

It’s good to be back. 😀👍🏽

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

It's amazing how this forum can help keep the gremlins at bay and keep the motivation strong. I firmly believe I'm still running strong a year and a half later, because of this forum. It has become my morning routine to read a few posts while having my morning coffee, sometimes just 'liking' a post, sometimes commenting but always checking to see what everyone is up to. It helps that you are all hours ahead of me so there is usually something new to read from overnight. Reading the forum has become as much routine as the running 😆

[Hidden in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I resolve to be more active here, as although I have been reading and lurking, I think that actively contributing definitely contributes to my running routine. I have only been running once a week in the run up to Christmas and I am determined to up the mileage again in the New Year. When people 'disappear' it does often seem to be that they are not running....

[DebJogsOn in reply to SaskAlliecat]

You're definitely right. I love catching up with posts on here and am always inspired by them in my own running.

[Razouski in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I know what you mean. That was my routine for a long time, and hopefully will get back into it.

[BarbieW Graduate10]

Razouski

So pleased for you - I know from personal experience how rubbish that diagnosis can glad you can go for it!

And yes we run to be fitter and healthier.

So go you!

And a Queen playlist sounds brilliant

(And Macmillan are amazing aren’t they?)

[Razouski in reply to BarbieW]

Macmillan are totally fabulous - gave me so much support. I couldn't have coped without them.

[Flaraflarkin Graduate10]

Upbeat positive glass half full post!! Love it 🤗 Go you!! Glad you got your mojo back 😊👊💪❤️

[Razouski in reply to Flaraflarkin]

I'm going to have to take better care of my mojo to stop it from going AWOL again.

[Hidden]

What can I say other than you are a shining star of inspiration. I’m glad the mojo is back and you made your distance

JCR xxx

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

Might need to think about upping my distance in case a HM comes my way. 😉

[Hidden in reply to Razouski]

Have yet to find the Italian one... , but watch this space and keep September free,

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Wow! Great words Razouski, lovely post and what a difficult time you’ve had. You’re an inspiration, thank you for sharing. 👏🏻

[Razouski in reply to lexi6]

Thanks lexi6 , I've been lucky as have had lots of support and (touch wood) been clear for a while now.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oh wow Razouski. ❤️👊

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

So well done to you overcoming many battles

[Razouski in reply to Agelesslass]

I was just glad to get to the end of the run with a positive frame of mind. I was singing Queen for the rest of the day.

[Hidden]

Great post Razouski, nice to see you are back on form. Its funny how when life brings us to our lowest point, something comes along to save us. Your cancer did not destroy you and has definitely made you strong

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

It's good to be back on form and in the forum. I just need to be a bit more disciplined.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

WOW!! You are a strong person Razoiski and a talented writer too. You have captured both the strong emotions which drive you and many of us to run and the lift running can give us even when faced with the most daunting of challenges. Only one word for you and your post, amazing . ❤️❤️

[Razouski in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks for your kind words.

[DebJogsOn]

Wow - I wasn't aware of your journey into running - what a positive and inspiring story.

I'm glad your mojo is back. I don't think we stop liking running - it's just that other stuff sometimes gets in the way.

I often find if I prioritise running - with a bit of a new challenge or something great to listen to then the joy returns pretty easily.

Keep running and keep posting 😊!

[Razouski in reply to DebJogsOn]

You're so right DebJogsOn , it's the other things in life (like work and singing commitments, and church, and family stuff) that sometimes took priority and the running just didn't seem to fit in.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

What a great post Razouski. We sometimes need reminding of why we started running - it wasn’t about the snazzy running kit, or admiring results on our tech. For many of us it was to improve our health and life span.

The benefits of this forum , which I didn’t find until W7 c25k, are priceless. So much virtual support , and people we care about even though we have never met in the flesh.

[Razouski in reply to Dexy5]

Yes Dexy5 this forum gives so much to so many of us. I feel like the prodigal son, having been away for a while I get a fabulous welcome back into the fold from you all.

[Tbae]

What an inspiritation you are Mrs Raz.

Atb for 2019.💥🏃‍♀️💥☄️

[Razouski in reply to Tbae]

Thanks Tbae , I just need to make sure I get back into the routine, and maybe enter an official race to keep my motivation.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Wow! What a post - so inspiring! x

[Razouski in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Fantastic Razouski - funny how sometimes things happen just at the right time to give us that extra help!

[Razouski in reply to JonathanP]

Macmillan were fabulous giving me 14 sessions with a personal trainer/physio, who supported me with a variety of exercises to help me workout in the gym and get my arm flexibility back. The running was just an interesting by product, so to speak. I could hardly believe that in the summer I was able to run 21km and entered my first official HM in October finishing in 2hours 3mins.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

Yes they are an excellent organisation

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Wow Razouski! I absolutely salute you! 😄 What a journey and what courage and determination- celebratory cyber hug winging to you! 😀🎉🎉👏👏

[Razouski in reply to Elfe5]

Hi Elfe5 , thanks for the hug. I'm pleased to be still fighting fit.

[Empem Graduate10]

Greetings and thank you for such an inspirational post.Wishing you well and fully mojoed for 2019.Fabuloso x

[Razouski in reply to Empem]

Fully mojoed, what a wonderful thing to wish me. I'm hoping to keep my mojo close by , so that it doesn't wander again.

[SuzyKK]

Made me feel A-L-I-V-E !!! Woohoo

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

❤️❤️❤️ What an inspiration for the rest of us! ❤️❤️❤️

[Razouski in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thanks mountaindreamer.

[Hidden]

Isn't it funny how early experiences put us off running - which is such a joyous, life affirming activity. You are one of the people whose running i most respect, so it's worked for you! and kudos for coping with adversity of three years ago x

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden , I didn't do cross-country at school or distance running as I got terrible cramp in my spindly legs. (Definitely not spindly now, so no cramps 😂)