I want to make this a positive post not a moaning one. (Believe me when I say I could moan for England today)
Two years ago my husband took up bowls. I was very jealous of the effect all the time outdoors was having on him and did not fancy bowls so started learning to run.
The upshot of him bowling was we ended up volunteering to run the bowls club. This has meant learning many new skills.
Yesterday was one of our biggest days of the year. A corporate day for 60 youngsters. Food provided by me and bowls In The afternoon drinking and dancing in the evening in the clubhouse.
It is a 17 hour day and all on my feet, with three days prep in the kitchen before hand, then working behind the bar. I have done this every year for the last two years and apart from a bit of tiredness I sail through it.
The reason I mention it here is today I feel about 150. All because I am not running. The side effects for me are countless and I don't think I realised just how much I had gained and what a difference it makes to my life.
I love the buzz and everything that goes with my weekly runs but these are some of the very real and subtle side effects that being on the IC has given me the opportunity to realise.
Here are some of my side effects
1) stamina for day to day life
2) Stregnth all over my body
3) mental clarity for puzzle solving in tense times
4) calmness in stressful situations
5) running takes years of my body in its attitude to hard work.
I have another three of these to do in the next three weeks, luckily my physio says I can cross train and do wall press ups now as well as my 5km a day walks.
These will be the reasons why as soon as I can I will be out running again and will do as long as I can.
Are there any more side effects you can think of?
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Realfoodieclub
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What a great post. Sounds like you worked really hard there to deliver a great day. I'm glad your spell on the IC is slowly coming to it's conclusion. Take things steady.
You are so right about the side effects. I think I would struggle to pin them down quite as accurately as you because for me it has become so all encompassing. My Dad told my hubby the other evening that he thought I was addicted but as least it was a good addition (unlike alcohol or cigarettes!)
I think maybe one extra side effect is the regular sense of pride and achievement. There aren't generally many pats on the back in life nowadays so getting the chance to feel pleased with yourself for achieving something 3 times a week is good for me
I'm not quite at the end of C25K yet, but I was musing on this yesterday (after my dad - the man of no compliments ever - said I was looking good on it so far).
Things I think running so far has done for me:
1. Raised my 'happy' levels. I only realised yesterday that I haven't felt properly miserable for months now.
2. Calmed me down. Someone at work remarked on how calmly I deal with the ridiculously stressful stuff that's been going down recently. I really think going for a run and basically sticking two fingers up to the work that's demanded of me outside of hours has helped! (It's also made me leave work at a reasonable time so I can run in the evenings)
3. Made me much more positive and 'can do'. Running (sports in general) was the one thing I couldn't do to save my life when I was at school. I was a straight A student, with a grudging 'B for vague effort and not being a complete cow to the teacher' in PE. So if I can do this... what else can I do?
4. Made me look after myself a bit more. My body's trying its heart out for me. The least it deserves is a bit of fake tan to look nice...
5. Got me out of bed on weekend mornings
6. Really improved my asthma
I'm sure there's other stuff as well. But that'll do as a start
I've just realised point 4 is true for me too. Last week I painted my toe nails!!!! I don't think I have done that for 10 years and it was possibly only the 5th time ever in my whole life.
Totally agree with all your comments. As I too try and get back to running - I just miss the positivity it fills me with. And I really identify with the calmness in stressful situations. These are the reasons we will get back to it though aren't they?
Blimey, no wonder you were knackered RFC! That's a lot of work and a very long day but I totally agree with your points about the side effects.
For me running has:-
1. Toned up my whole body
2. Got rid of my lower back pain which I had for years
3. Improved my mental strength. I've been going through some difficult family stuff for the past 6 months and running, and this forum, have kept me sane and strong. When I feel myself wobble I just go out for a run and come back feeling invincible!
4. Introduced me to the world of addiction.
5. Made me more aware of how my body works and a newfound respect for it.
6. Made some of my friends jealous and impressed others.
given the family another reason to have me certified. It's been pointed out to me that there's a limit to the number of mid-life obsessions you can have. There's also some concern that I might be spending the kids' inheritance on race entry fees.
Wow RFC! Busy, busy, busy! I really hope you are back running soon, I can imagine the frustrations of all those on the IC.
I agree with everything everyone has said on the benefits of running (apart from asthma improvement, and that's because fortunately I don't suffer with it!) I don't worry like I used to. I don't get stressed. I have confidence that I never knew was there. I have a whole bunch of new friends from running groups and parkrun which I never imagined I would be a part of. I smile- a lot! I am happy with how I feel and how I look. My blood pressure is lower than it has ever been.
I am sure there are many others but there is one thing that really miffs me now and that is not having enough time to get on this forum!
Bless you, I am new to this running fix, but already would become devastated if on the injury coach, already trying to work out how I am going to get 3 runs a week in the winter, with short days etc.
Enjoy your walks, take a deep breath and think of England.XX
Lovely post RFC... And another is mental therapy... Like dreaming does by sorting your brain out in ways known only to the brain, running seems to do the same thing for me. I have a very busy life and that half an hour or so squeezed in after work completely sorts me out. Having said that I haven't run for a week as have an ankle injury, so I am actually going bananas. Hang in there and I hope you are out there again soon xxxxxx
Agree with all of the above but probably didnt realise or acknowledge the full impact of the positiveness and healthy results from running. Until!! I had an accident on 2 July resulting in broken patella, requiring an operation to repair plus wrist damage (fracture not yet confirmed!) and can only attribute my extreme calmness and acceptance of the situation to the very high physical level I attained doing C25K and beyond. Compared to a similar situation I went thru in September 2011, my husband does not recognise me.
Yes, mentally, I am having some issues having too much time to think about possible future problems - should stop Googling about it - but my general "up ness" (is that a word??) is absolutely remarkable and I am so proud of myself. The consultant has not dismissed me running again, nor the physio, and that was within 2 days of the op so their positive outlook re running has helped me to keep looking forward to full recovery. I am nearly 64 and had got up to doing 10K races so I have a lot to get back to!! And I am looking forward to doing it.
I dont post much but read the posts daily and they do really help so much. thank you all. xxx
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