I started running exactly one year ago. For the first half year, I was just panicking about keeping it up. I had to get used to running in public, and discovered the delights of running in rain. Christmas wish lists filled with running gear. (Runners must be the only people excited about getting socks for Christmas! Love my Injinjis)
I remember that - before I started to run - walking for 20min would give me a severe back-ache. I can now run for 2 hours, and am not utterly exhausted and back-aches are a thing of the past.
Our living room changed, it has now a workout corner with a big screen, yoga mats and a basket holding all sorts of exercise props. My bedroom wardrobe changed, I have now a running drawer and a clothes hanger dedicated to running gear.
I’m a long time hypothyroid sufferer (Hashimotos). Before Hashimotos I used to be fit back when, then I wasn’t. Now I’m getting there again. I still have immense difficulties of maintaining a normal weight, and the one thing that has not really improved is my weight. In a year of running, with most of that year incorporating 3 runs per week and at least 3 workouts per week, and having already cut out gluten and dairy from my diet and counting calories and carbs, I have only lost 3kg. It is annoying.
But I am stronger, I can feel muscles in places where I never felt them before. I have also become more flexible again. Something I had given up on. I can now kneel on the floor again. It seems such a small thing, but it’s making a huge difference.
Running pulled my cross-fitness. I started with getting close to the trees in my garden when listening to Laura’s instructions for half pull-ups and knee bends. During the year that followed I experienced Pilates, yoga, tai-chi, belly dancing, rowing, resistance band workouts. And I love the NHS fitness website!
I got to try out all sorts of digital free apps, from the original C25k app, Runkeeper’s hilarious voices, NRC’s audio guided runs, Strava’s social aspects. I love programming my tabatha timer intervals app. A discovery was FitOn’s free offer of workouts, as well as all sorts of virtual running apps, such as Zombies, Run; RunGo; Conqueror’s Challenges.
And best of all, I joined this brilliant community of likeminded runners and workout buddies on these forums. They kept me motivated and provided advice when needed. In this strange year, where we all were unable to go out and socialise as normal, it felt like this community had my back. There were challenges to keep reaching for the next targets, weekly chats to just keep thinking and talking about what works and what doesn’t. There were virtual events, RunLEJOG, the HU Spring Run and COGH!
So I am immensely thankful for what running and this community has given me!
Health Journeys are always very personal. Sometimes painful but they have their moments. I keep some of my milestones proudly on my profile. But it doesn’t tell the whole story of how much I value being part of this community that allows me to share in the enjoyment that running and fitness journeys bring, and with such delights and rewarding experiences.
Thank you!
To a year of running and workouts! Long may it continue for all of us!
Written by
CBDB
Graduate10
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Happy runniversary CBDB! What a year Thanks for all that you have given in encouragement and inspiration. I hope the next year brings you even more good things!
I notice many similarities with myself: Injinji socks for Christmas, running gear taking over the wardrobe, hypothyroidism, running for two hours and feeling OK after.
Congratulations! Here's to more fun times working up a sweat in the coming year! 🥂
I'm stable on 100µg levothyroxine per day, with no complications (yet). I started back in 2017 after having a grey-out in a meeting at work. It sounds like yours is a little more complex.
I've also been losing the tummy due to the massive increase in regular activity. I haven't been at this weight or waist size for twenty years!
I'm probably faster due to three years of cycling in Curlygurly2 's neck of the woods back in my late teens. I never lost that muscle mass even though they became less toned from inactivity. I also have long legs and have always walked quickly. A colleague of mine keeps leapfrogging me in the "work runners" weekly step league table on Garmin, not from doing more distance, but because he has much shorter legs.
I’m on both T4 and T3, 100 Levo. But Hashis can make it more complicated, I believe. Before this condition I also cycled a lot, climbing, kayaking.. <sigh>. But I think the big thing was for it to not be diagnosed for 10 years, and going through a pregnancy with Hashis, which then created additional complications (split linear alba). So all the overweight I have, it still stems from that pregnancy and my son is now 16!
But I am feeling better than I have in a long time, so I feel immensely fortunate as I know many hypos suffer immensely.
I have several medical/ nutritional strategies still left in my toolbox that I’m getting to trying out. And I’m now regularly getting private blood tests, unavailable with NHS, but which help with this. So it is an ongoing health journey.
And it sounds like you’re managing your condition really well! Big thumbs up!
Many congratulations on meeting a great milestone.💥🔥⚡️✨So exciting to see how running has become such a huge part of your lifestyle, and all the health improvements. Love how you rearranged the living room for your new lifestyle.... future goals for some of us. 👍
You mentioned you gained muscle💪. ...a few years ago, did an InBody scan with a nutritionist, which was very insightful. It was useful to see all the bits broken down and whilst BMI was borderline (healthy/overweight), was carrying too much fat = not healthy. Meanwhile, my friend did it, BMI score was well over, but less body fat overall... the extra weight was muscle mass, due to a very sporty and healthy lifestyle. Good advice from the health professional too.Would highly recommend an InBody scan (if you haven't done it yet that is) . 😁😃😄
That is really interesting. I haven’t done a in body scan but was thinking of measuring body fat percentage. But now I’m thinking I’ve missed the most crucial first year! 😕😏
But my legs, arms, waist (and bum) all feel differently, confirmed by hubby. 😁💪
Thank you!
Wow CBDB that’s some awesome year you have put together, many congratulations and a great big hurrah 😃 You’ve been so dedicated to searching out all kinds of cross training and sharing it all so well which I am sure has helped many of your VRb’s this year. So a big thank you coming right back to you 🙏😊
Congratulations and happy runniversary CBDB! You’ve crammed loads into that year! Also, don’t forget muscle weighs more than fat so you may have lost more than you can measure on a normal scales. 👏👏👏👏
Definitely. Obviously it’s all muscle! 😂👍🏽🥰☺️💪🏃🏽♀️
But yes, I think I need to be patient with my body. 10 years of undiagnosed condition, plus then 10 years of rather unsuccessful attempts to manage condition,- that makes 20 years that I have to now wind back.
This year has been a big step towards this. The journey, plus it’s delights, will continue.
Thank You! Yeah, knees! And my child’s pose is becoming a reality for me as well! Tried to work without my yoga blocks today and it’s getting there! 👍🏽🙏☺️🥰
How fabulous are we? You have achieved such a lot in one year and been a great supporter and inspiration to others in the process! This truly is a wonderful community and it's folk like you that help to keep it that way. Keep on - never mind the weight- you are now a way more healthier you. Many runny returns!!! 🏃♀️🤸♀️💃🥳🎊
Happy Runniversary CBDB 🥳🥳 that’s a great post, I really enjoyed reading about your journey, loving the pic too. You’ve done so well to regain your fitness, enjoy your Runniversary Weekend 🥂
Happy 1st Runniversary! 🥳 Love the pic collage. It’s amazing how running has become part of our lives during this past year. So many familiar names on here too that were unknown just a short while ago 😊
How did I miss this post CBDB? And there was me looking out for it too! 🤦♀️
What a year you’ve had. Maybe, in a teeny tiny way, lockdown channeled your focus and enabled you to try all these new things? It does sound like you’ve had a blast, and a beneficial one at that. 🥰
You’re an invaluable part of this community, and it’s wonderful that you’re so involved. Here’s to another happy year of running and fitness, hopefully with less restrictions!
I hope you celebrated your fabulous milestone in style this weekend. 🎉🎉🎉
Yes, I did celebrate in walking/running style, although not on the day, as it was a recovery day. But it was way better than a birthday! 🥰😘😃
Lockdown certainly gave me my commuting time back, but workwise I have to admit it was one of the most exhausting years I’ve had. But getting travel time back and first running early in the day and then through winter being able to nip out at lunchtime for a run made a huge difference.
If we ever go back to 100% office work, I might to really have a think how to squeeze in my runs.
Hi CBDB. Hats off to you. I think mine issue is more of a mental one. I'm not in bad shape for someone of my age group luckily. Never been into fitness.Well done and people's stories like yours keep me motivated... thank you and best wishes.
☺️👍🏽🙏Enjoy your music-filled running journey. I also love running to music and have been known to make my own (bad) music to get the perfect beat for my running 😅🏃🏽♀️.
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Thanks for all that you have given in encouragement and inspiration. I hope the next year brings you even more good things!
Runniversary Half Marathon!
I'll take that as my 2nd runniversary
Runniversary - what a difference a year makes!
