The afterlife!: I haven't posted on here for... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,190 members159,536 posts

The afterlife!

Wheatls profile image
WheatlsGraduate
21 Replies

I haven't posted on here for nearly a year, but wanted to share some encouragement to anyone on here who might be flagging post-graduation. Since graduating I haven't done any marathons or even improved my speed that much, but I can definitely say that thanks to c25k I am still exercising 3x a week, getting myself into the fresh air and really enjoying my runs.

Although I've had a few phases of doing a bit less, the discipline of doing the 9week course has helped me get back on track.

Best of all, my 18 year old son who like me had never been particularly sporty has now started c25k and is on week 3 despite having asthma and seems to be getting a real sense of achievement from it! He's even letting me tag along with him on his Wk3r2 run later today. :D

So if you are struggling to keep motivated after graduating, don't give up, just set your own goals (however small) and enjoy just getting out there!

Written by
Wheatls profile image
Wheatls
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
21 Replies
useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

What a lovely post! As a recent graduate, I haven't yet lost my post-grad zeal, but I'm going to have to be away a lot for the foreseeable future as my dad is very ill and was taken into hospital yesterday, and my folks live 4 hrs drive away so I suspect my run schedule will somewhat go out of the window. I will pack my running things and hope that I don't lose my momentum ...

in reply touseitorloseit

Sorry to hear about your dad, useitorloseit. I hope it's not too serious and that he recovers soon. Remember to take care of yourself too.

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply to

I don't think he will. I just wish he could slip away quietly, because at the moment he is in a lot of pain and my mum is exhausted. Not a very nice situation. If he were my cat, I would have taken him for the last trip to the vet a few weeks ago. Not a very nice way to feel.

in reply touseitorloseit

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope it doesn't drag on and on then and that they can do better with pain management now he's in hospital. My thoughts are with all of you. Do take care to look after yourself too - it's easy to get lost in the middle of these situations and you can support others better when you keep your own mental and physical strength up.

Sending virtual {{{hugs}}} and some of my sunshine x

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply to

Thanks sweetie.

Jo55 profile image
Jo55Graduate in reply touseitorloseit

So sorry to hear about your dad and I completely understand where you are coming from re your cat comment. Take care and look after yourself.

runningknitter profile image
runningknitterGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

So sorry to hear about your Dad. It was like that for the last couple of months of my Dad's life. So incredibly hard. Like your Mum, mine was exhausted. I wish him a speedy and painless passing. Many hugs to you and your Mum. Hope you can get out and run as I am sure it will help you cope xxx

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply torunningknitter

Thanks x

folkieboater profile image
folkieboaterGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

As others have said, so sorry to hear about your dad.

I've been "lucky" in that both my parents passed away quickly. It's never good for those left behind at the time, but with hindsight its best for them.

Hope your family get the peace and outcome that is best for everyone concerned. Make sure you look after yourself - your mum will need you.

And I agree with the cat comment.

love to you and your family. xx

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

I think you might find it a useful tool for getting away from things a bit, when they might otherwise pile in on top of you. Running is a great stress release and it gives you valuable head space. I had five years of caring for my mum, I didn't run then, but I used to bash the hell out of my veg plot!

I'm sorry to hear things are bad with your dad. Hang in there sweety.

Hi Wheats! Glad to hear you're still running. I've been running just a year and have kept it up. Great int it. Like you I do three times a week. I can't imagine not running now. Going out in a minute in fact. The rain's stopped. Glory be!

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply tomisswobble

Thanks Miss W. x

Fitfor60 profile image
Fitfor60Graduate in reply touseitorloseit

Sorry to hear about your dad but if you can get out for any runs - no matter how short- it will help with the stress . You need to look after yourself to be able to help your parents . Easier said than done I know . Take care useitorloseit

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply toFitfor60

Thanks x

MarlyParly profile image
MarlyParlyGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

So so sorry to hear about your Dad, how heartbreaking & agonising for you all. Look after yourself too, as others have said. Sometimes this might be in the form of a short, gentle run but sometimes equally it might mean a long bath or a slice of chocolate cake. Do what you need to do to get you through. Thinking of you & your family x

runningknitter profile image
runningknitterGraduate

Thank you for this post. Just what I am needing to read atm. Well done for keeping it going x

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

I agree. The point of the NHS C25K is to provide people with a tool for a healthy life. Some people make it a hobby and that's great. For some people 'healthy' includes having big goals to work towards or getting together with other people and that's great too. But it doesn't have to be any of those things.

useitorloseit, I hope that having running in your toolkit helps you cope with a difficult time, whether that's the fitness you have built up and the knowledge that it will be there for you to return to when you are able, or actually getting out there for a break. There's that uncomfortable thing about so many people not slipping away until you pop out for a bit... it happens so often it must be necessary.

Fitfor60 profile image
Fitfor60Graduate

Thanks fir sharing weatis What stands out is ' really enjoying my runs' . That's what it is all about - the speed and distance are just add ons . Also great that you are running with your son

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

Sorry your thread got hijacked for my family problems! At mum's now.

Wheatls profile image
WheatlsGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

Not at all - That's the beauty of this site - people are so incredibly supportive and its been really moving to see all the supportive messages you've had from people on here. I went through a similar experience with my mum and it was so painful, but I hope you will be able to find comfort in being with your family. There's no easy way through or comforting words that will make things easier, but life is very precious.

MarlyParly profile image
MarlyParlyGraduate

I love this post, thank you so much for sharing. I like it because it strips it all back to basics: it's about a healthy, regular change in lifestyle & enjoying the journey! So easy to focus on goals & targets once you graduate, & it is refreshing to remember that it's okay these can be small & simple, whatever works for you personally basically. I was knocked off track a little the last week or two by going away for a weekend & then being ill/exhausted. This post has stopped me beating myself up about it, we all fall off the horse occasionally right? It's about where the ride takes you overall that matters x

Wheatls profile image
WheatlsGraduate in reply toMarlyParly

Thanks - I'm always really in awe of people posting who are doing incredible runs and who have overcome huge hurdles to reach their level of fitness....but you're right, its the small and simple goals that seem better for keeping me motivated.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Afterlife

So my last C25k run is tomorrow and I am having mixed emotions. This app (& Sarah Milican) has been...
Plantsill48 profile image
Graduate

What do I do in the gym

After graduating on the last day in August I am happily doing my three 30 min runs per week and...
lynne0_0 profile image
Graduate

5K with the group

As well as doing this programme I've also done a weekly run for the past 8 weeks with a local C25K...
SnailRunner71 profile image
Graduate

Bleep and speed

I’m on week 7 of C25k and doing ok, slow but getting there, I failed a bleep test 3 weeks ago and...
Medusa2506 profile image

Consider this post the 'Sunday papers'. It is rather long my friends ...

My 'bigger picture' plan when I started 5k, was to graduate the programme, do some Parkruns and...
Onewomanscrusade profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator

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.