Breathless (1983)

[Irishprincess]

This is where I've been running for the past week. As you can see, it's nice and flat which I think is a very good idea for the reasons explained below and since I've not run for 3 months due to a foot problem.

I was so excited at the thought of that first run back! Where to start? What time of day? Where will I run? Will my foot be ok? Only you fellow runners will know what it felt like when I took my Garmin out of the drawer and charged her!! Oh how I've missed you sweetie! ( aren't we nuts?).

Anyway I decided to run in the arboretum nearby (very lucky) as it's mostly flat and I thought that was sensible for the first couple of runs. I took the advice from many of you here and took it nice and slowly and thought I'd listen to my body and see how far I could go. In my head I was thinking I could do 10 minutes (I had been cycling and doing weights and thought I'd kept my fitness levels up) .

Ten minutes? I wish!!!

After a couple of minutes I was puffing and panting and my breathing was all over the place, my legs felt heavy and it was so hard! It was a hot day so I'm blaming that! Anyway, I thought there was no way I could have run for 10 minutes. So I slowed right down and did what I could which in the end was 3 x 3 minute runs with a minute walk in between.

Obviously running uses different muscles from cycling but bloody hell it was tough! But I was back! No niggles, no pain and the foot was not complaining.

That was last Wednesday and I've built up slowly since then and yesterday did a continuous run of 12 minutes. I'm happy with that and I'll build up slowly. I'm just so happy to be back out there, regardless of the distance or time.

Thanks very much to those of you who kept me going during my absence with your words of support and encouragement. It meant a lot.

PS I think my addiction is getting worse!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Hooray! So glad you're back out there. I'm sure you will build up quickly again, but for now - just great that you are running again!

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you Ullyrunner. It's so great to be back!

[tanyag_163 Graduate]

Ah but what a wonderful addiction it is

Welcome back, and well done for listening to your body. It is hard, after a long absence, to know where to start, or how much is enough, even if we have been doing other activities during the break.

You are very lucky to have such a lovely place to run

[Irishprincess Graduate]

It was harder that I anticipated but it's done now and feels great! Thanks for your good wishes and yes I'm very lucky to have the arboretum. We just moved here 5 months ago so still exploring!

[AncientMum Graduate]

So pleased (and a little jealous) that you're back out there and running again. I'm sure you'll soon be back to your pre-injury distances

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thank you AncientMum. Hopefully you'll be back out there again soon.

[Hidden]

That looks like a beautiful place to run, lucky you. Glad you are making progress and injury free now.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It is gorgeous henpen and makes the runs a little easier! Thank you for your good wishes.

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done IP! An idyllic spot for a return to running. No matter that it wasn't what you'd hoped. You were out there doing it which is all that matters. You'll soon get back into it. It was bloomin hot out there today. I was boiling!

It sounds like you have no niggles, which is marvellous, so you can bask in the post-run afterglow and think about your next run.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Aah thanks misswobble, your support means a lot. Next run later today. Can't wait!

[Pigivi]

Great to hear you're back!!

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Pigivi]

Thank you so much. Much relieved!

[MrsSparkle Graduate]

Hurray! So pleased you have recovered and are on your way again. That's a lovely place to run too, it must help your motivation. Happy running

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to MrsSparkle]

MrsSparkle, it's so lovely. Can't wait to see it in the autumn as the colours are apparently stunning. And yes it definitely helps with the motivation!

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

Well done. You are doing great. 12 minutes is fab after just over a week back

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to lizziebeth57]

Lizziebeth, thank you so much for your kind comments and your support. It's meant a lot.

[poppypug Graduate]

Oh Irish Princess, that looks an amazing place to run So glad to hear youre back out there again , it mustve been so frustrating for you to be out of action for so long . Hope you enjoy your run this afternoon and Im sure it wont be long until your back to your best.

Good Luck and best wishes to you xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you poppy pug. It is a beautiful place to run (all 600 acres!) and I'm very lucky. Don't think I'll get bored any time soon!

[GettingFitter Graduate]

Brilliant IP so glad that you've managed to get back out there. Just take it steady though as we don't want you heading back to the IC. Running is so addictive though. Good luck

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to GettingFitter]

Thanks GF. I'm taking it VERY slowly and trying to curb my ambition every time I go out (I can go faster, further). But the thought of another absence keeps me steady!

[carerof Graduate]

So pleased for you, it is very frustrating when you want to run and can't!!!! Take care and listen to what your body feels and tells you. Good luck.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to carerof]

Thank you for your good wishes. It's great to be back!

[beforefifty Graduate]

So pleased your have your running shoes on again It is So addictive, isn't it? My days are classed in my mind as running days or rest days when I wake up in the morning, not oh it's Friday ! What a wonderful spot you have to run. PS 'arboretum' is one of my favourite words, it just rolls off the tongue

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to beforefifty]

I know what you mean. It's bad, isn't it? Serendipity is one of my favourite words for the same reason!