Hello again my lovely virtual running buddies. My last run was 16 December, how did that happen?? Well, stuff. That was when my Dad was admitted to a care home. He never really recovered from his fall in September and continued his decline. He passed away in January. We were devastated. My brother and I continued to live in the family home until 3 weeks ago, which made it easier to deal with Dad’s estate.
3 weeks ago, I finally moved into my new house and thought it was time to start running again. I just couldn’t. I had a major wobble and was very unhappy and lonely. So - I emailed a running club and last night off I went to meet them and go out for a run. Now for me, this is huge! I worried about it all day and almost cancelled. People! And people I don’t know! And driving where I don’t know! But - I went. ‘There’s a run/walk group’ they said. ‘Nobody’s left behind’. There was indeed a run/walk group - 6 of us. Some of the others were recovering from injuries, but all far more experienced and better runners than me. I thought it was going to be a gentle pootle round the block. Ha! As we started running, I heard one of them talking about a 4 Mile run. Whaaat? I frantically tried to work out how many kilometres that was. Too many, was my deduction. I was already panting too much to make the calculation! We were running in the dark around Swinley Forest, which I’m sure would look wonderful during the day. I struggled to keep up on occasion and asked for extra walking breaks a couple of times. When the run ended, I was SO done!
Karen, a lovely lady who was the run leader (it’s all very well organised) encouraged me a great deal; we got back to the track at the sports centre where we had met and all the other groups came back, it’s a big club. Karen told me that we covered just under 4 miles in 55 minutes. I did not record the run, Strava can wait a bit longer!
Will I go back? I don’t know. There is no guarantee of run/walk groups apparently and the other groups are way beyond my capability right now. I need to work on my fitness in a safer, more gradual way! After all my muscle aches have eased, I’ll run during the day again. I know a few places I can go without getting lost.
I think my relief at the end of the run probably shows in the photo - I’m 4th from left. 😊
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
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Yeah!!!!!🌟🌟🌟 Just to hear from you and that you’ve made the first step back is amazing. Look forward to hearing more about your return.
Deeply sorry to hear of all the additional difficulties; you’ve been through so much. Condolences to you and your family. Losing a parent is a huge loss. I hope the good memories are uppermost.
It was more the pace and distance. I’m capable of doing it, but not so much after a long break and I was conscious of being the slowest in the group. Swinley Forest has endless pathways and they are perfect for running on, so the darkness wasn’t an issue. The others had head or chest torches and lit my way! had thought we would be running round the track, so I wasn’t wearing mine.
Well, maybe it’s something the work towards? It’s never good to feel you’re holding up everyone else, and especially when it’s your first attempt. You’ll only get better and more comfortable as you settle back into your practice and new home. You did brilliantly to have the courage to sign up, to go and to survive the 55 minutes.
Sorry for your loss Jools2020 . In my book you're super-brave for even contacting a running club, let alone getting out there and doing four miles with people you don't know - huge well done to you!
Thanks Cmoi. I think I may have been desperate! But I do admit that I was actually pleased with myself once I was back home and tucking into a bowl of chilli that I’d made earlier 😊
Hi, Ian! Thank you. Yes - I’m ok - just a couple of slight niggles. Think I will run again on Thursday/Friday. 3K this time haha! Yes, I’m settling in. Boxes unpacked but a bit of organising to do. It’s a nice house! Soon it will feel like home. 😊👍
Thank you. I think there are different interpretations of the word ‘enjoy’ 😂 but I certainly feel that I overcame the challenges of the day and ended up a winner. Oh, yessssss 👍😊
Sorry to hear about your dad.
But well done on picking up the running again, it can help with coping things. A running club sounds good and I would like to join one too. But just like you, all the runners in clubs are way out of my league. I would be the snail of the tortoises.
I know, right? I think even if I were fully fit I would have trouble keeping up with them. Maybe I’ll start a running club for snails and tortoises lol
Welcome back Jools, I have been thinking of you and am so sorry to hear your sad news. How brave are you, new house, new running club and 4 miles after a 3 month break! You don't do things by halves do you. I'm glad you are running again and look forward to reading more posts 😀
Thanks! I suppose I don’t do things by halves, but this was unintentional 😊. I’ll be running at a pace and distance more suited to my current fitness level!
Hi Julia, i was wondering where you had got to, and did think with your dad's fall, etc, i know all about that, with my mum sadly doing just the same, i really feel for you, but i know my mum is in a much better place now. 😢Hope the house move went ok, must have felt very strange selling the family home, i'm still at ours, although it's on the market.
Glad you've been out running again, i know it will do you alot of good, and nice to meet up with others, just tell them to slow down for you! 🤣
I'm just about getting a run in, once, sometimes twice a week, no big distances, average 5km, but still remember the old me, pre c25k, so def in a better place, anyway, lets keep at it!!! 🏃♂️🌞🏃♀️😊
I know you’ve gone through something similar, Pete. Although Dad’s house has sold, my brother’s still there. I doubt completion will be before May. It feels strange -almost disloyal - to be selling it.
My house move went OK - of course I was super organised 😊. Yes, let’s keep at it, once or twice a week running is better than sitting on the couch in the warm, watching TV. Ummmm what did I just say 😂
Sorry to hear of the loss of your dad but pleased you and your brother had each other to deal with things, both personal and practical.
A new house is both exciting and scary too.
And whether or not you continue to run with that particular lovely group you’ve taken the plunge in running with others and survived.
As you say, maybe you can start a snails and tortoises group. You could start and end at the same place as the existing group to maintain the social aspect.
Welcome Jools I was only thinking about you yesterday I’m starting again after a long break mainly due to the weather it’s been so cold.Sorry to hear about your dad so sad.
You did so well with the running club proud of you.
Look after yourself. Plan my first run Wednesday hope it’s warmer x
Hello! I was wondering how you were and I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. That must have been tough and it sounds good that you and your brother supported one another.No wonder you didn't run, after all that upheaval with your dad and moving house. How brave to join a running grouo too and what a positive thing to do. Even if you don't run with them regularly, it has perhaps kickstarted your running again!
Thank you. My confidence was certainly boosted by running with the group last night, hopefully it’s kickstarted my running again, like you say. Feels good to be posting again, though! 😊
I was in a similar position last march but with my beloved uncle, still waiting for probate to go through.
I also joined a running club but fortunately they were starting C25K for beginners and as I had been on the IC for 5 weeks I thought it would be good. Humph I think I was the only beginner but it was good to run with others especially in the dark.
Hi doggytail, so sorry you’ve been through the same thing. We applied for probate ourselves and it’s just been granted, it took 6.5 weeks, but it is a simple estate, no tax to pay and the house is sold subject to contract.
I would have joined the club immediately if they were doing C25K! I need the companionship more than the running 😊
I’ll continue to run at my own pace once my muscles have got back to normal! I’m still pretty stiff this morning.
My uncle didnt have a property to sell. He left a will but the solicitors couldn't find the original and the copy didnt have a witness signature so it's been 11 months now. Ah well we get through. Happy continued running x
Thank you. I hope it gets sorted soon. It’s difficult enough when you lose a beloved family member without added problems. My dad wrote on the envelope containing his will “Enjoy! You lucky people!” Made us smile x
Well done Jools, finding the enthusiasm for 'normal' life again following bereavement is not easy. You've taken the first step and did so well I don't think it will take you too long to resume your runs as you were doing.Clubs don't work for everyone as they can feel slightly competitive and even though they will walk, it doesn't always feel right to do so. If you don't have any running pals near you, why not look to see if there's anyone on the C25k app, people near me? It's mutually beneficial if you can find someone with similar goals and approach and progress can be made together. It may also provide friendship which is the magic ingredient that could support you through the grieving process.
Anyway, congratulations for finding your running feet again, they will no doubt carry you on to happier times.
Thank you 😊. This walk run group didn’t seem as competitive as the other groups but you’re right. Great suggestions, thank you! And. Hope you’re right about the happier times ….. surely it’s time.
Hello Jools2020, I had missed you and wondered how you were. I am very sorry to hear about your Dad. Such times are very hard. Congratulations on your move. Enjoy changing your new house to your home and well done on starting to run, even if that first run wasn't quite what you imagined! 😊🏃🏻♀️
You lit me up!On International Women's Day I read this. What an awesome person you are. You showed such bravery and courage. I'm so proud that you wrote this post and put yourself out there. Whatever the future holds it holds you and the rest will follow. Keep us posted with how you go. There'll be many more moments waiting for you to take. You are just terrific 🙏🌟😊
GTFC you have such a gift. You always know exactly what to say to make someone feel, well, worthy, I suppose. Thank you so much for your lovely words. I read them and am filled with optimism 🙏😊👍
How great to hear from you 😊. I am really sorry about your dad, and that you were feeling unhappy. You’ve had a lot of change, and I think running can take up a fair bit of mental energy that is sometimes just needed elsewhere for a bit. But I loved reading about your adventure around the forest, because it really does sound like an adventure, go you! You got out of your comfort zone and did amazingly. Even if you don’t go back in the near future, you know where the group is now, and in the mean time, you ran! Hurrah 😃.
Yes, it was a bit of an adventure! I knew about Swinley Forest and have already asked my son to take me down there soon to check it out with me. I certainly did not expect to be running round there in the dark! Now I’ve been out for my first run it won’t be so difficult to go on the next. 😊
Hey Jools!That took some guts let me tell you. I would never have had the courage to do that, even when I was on top of my game, let alone after a long lay off and everything else you've been through. Seriously well done!
So so sorry about your Dad. Its hard and I can't believe it's 10 months now since my Dad passed. I still sometimes think it's all a bad dream.
Hopefully this will be the start of much better things to come. You never know, you might even find you enjoy running those forest trails! 😁
Hello Diane! I’m really glad I did it (oh, I so nearly cancelled it!) but I’m fortunate not to have injured myself. I don’t think they realised my age 🤣. It’s reawakened my love of running, though and I’m definitely going to check Swinley Forest out with my son in the daylight. Might have to crack open my trail shoes! I did all my C25K on grass, so bought the trail shoes quite early on and they are still just fine.
In the meantime I’ve discovered a park close by which might work for those shorter runs. It’s very pretty there, although I might have to loop round it a few times. I’ll have to check a map!
Thanks, Diane. I’m going to go on a couple of 3K runs as soon as my aching muscles allow! From now on I will be taking it easy and increase pace and distance gradually.
You truly are such an amazing lady and so very brave. I am sorry for the loss of your dad and all the sadness you have been through. Wishing you lots of happier times and running xxx
Welcome back!!! I did worry that something had happened to your dad. So very sorry, my deepest condolences.
It's not surprising that you've been through such a tough spell. I remember when my mum lost her parents it took a long time for her to get back to some sort of normality. Good to hear that you're in your new house and feeling strong enough to start running again. And with a running group! Even if you don't go back, you've taken that first step which is the hardest after a long break, especially following a bereavement and everything it entails. Well done on keeping up with the group, I'm pretty sure 4 miles is not the recommended distance for your first comeback run 😱
Lovely to have you back, looking forward to reading your updates. Big hugs 🤗💕
Thanks, BF 😊. I think I’d just like to shut the door on the last 2 years!
I’ve got this, though. I do have the occasional wobble but I’ll be ok. I see much more of my son and his family. I am a homeowner again. It’s good to be back and planning to run again. Although I’m still stiff from Monday! 😊
Hello again! It’s good to have you back with us Jools! I’m so sorry to hear about your father, its such a shock even if they are Ill. But well done on making the decision to start running again - though a 4 miler is quite a serious start! Huge well done on getting to the end! Had you thought about maybe doing some of the C25K runs to get back into it? Whatever you decide to do , it’s good to have you back with us - enjoy your new home!
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A Run in the New Forest ⚠️ Long post alert
Hooray! A drama-free run with the dog (and daughter!) 🏃♀️ 🐕 🏃♀️ 🐾 
Last training run before GNR
A Sunday Morning Run
