The last couple of months should've been easier at work and I'm rarely ill in summer. Instead I've had the most stressful term ever where I almost lost the plot completely and got a chest infection with bad asthma.
I had strict instructions not to run from the doc until I was totally better because of a rare complication you can get if you run when you're not quite 100% which can put a strain on the heart and cause cardiac arrest apparently.
Suffice to say I took the advice having already scared myself enough with how I'd unravelled. I went from being desperate to run to eventually running short distances under 5k but they were really hard going and left me wondering whether I should just give in as I 'clearly wasn't cut out for it' (so said the gremlins 👾😈!).
That's where you all rallied round with your own posts of triumphs, frustrations, holiday runs, tips & advice, Parkrun firsts, PBs and VRB meets. I read often, commented at times and gradually got into a better headspace with returning energy levels.
Yesterday I went out for a run along the cool, quiet canal intending to do 6-7 km and happily slipped into a good rhythm which took me to 10k. I honestly felt like a different person afterwards! 😇
So although you wouldn't have realised it, I thank you all for saving my sanity 🙏 😊.
Happy runnings and every blessing X
Written by
Slinkymalinki
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Secondly, I'm so glad you have managed to get back into the running and your headspace is improving. Sounds like you have had a real tough time lately, but this is such a positive post, and it's lovely to read how this forum has helped. The people here are really amazing!
Here's to many more happy runs, and hopefully you get to relax and recover over the holidays
Thanks Alison! It is such a good forum -you feel someone's holding your hand right from that wk1 run1 where 90 seconds seems impossible right up to marathons (not that they're on my bucket list!). 🙂
I thought you had gone a bit quiet slinkymalinki. I’m sorry that life has been so tough for you and hope that end of term might give you the break you need.
It’s great that just reading the posts can help keep you going even if you don’t take part in the discussion.
Thanks Dexy. I'm much less tired now - I think the older you get the harder it can be to unwind mentally & physically when you stop! I've only ever come close to 'losing the plot' twice in the last 25 years but that's still twice too much. I'll be a bit wiser next time...
Good to see how well your running is going. Keep posting! 😊
Hi Slinky, congratulations on your 10k!😊 I'm happy to hear you have recovered and are back in the game! This space is so good for keeping up our motivation, a sharing and caring environment!
Happy running, your canal route sounds perfect!😊xxx
I usually start & end at the coffee shop as it's nearer & indulge in a coffee if my husband comes with me but the pub is at the 4.5k mark. Perhaps I should start & end at the pub another day! 🍺🏃♀️🤭
Oh slinks what a time you've had! I'm so glad you're back on those canal runs where you belong, give those gremlins a push into the water. Teaching is a rubbish job when you are trying to recover, there is no chance of taking it easy for a few days, it's straight back in, full on, until you're ready to drop. I was lucky to be able to walk away when it got too much. Take good care of yourself
😆 I like the idea of shoving gremlins into the canal! The intensity of the job is indeed gruelling but for my sins I've been involved in representing staff on a consultation committee with governors to safeguard our pension - a positive result (for now) but not without politics and acrimony which took its toll on me. Glad you found an escape route and hope you are blessed with many happy canal runs too - less squidgy ones though! 🙂
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Thank you Mr Runner Ashridge NT Estate :)
You have run 10K!!! 😊 What next???
50 runs year so far, thank you all for the support 
One run - 2 PBs! Thank you Fabienne!
My First 10K ! Thank you everyone ! 
