Well I haven't posted on here for a long while but I'm still here and still running. Unlike a lot of you I can't pinpoint the exact date I started running but looking back on my first post it would seem that I have been running for a year now.
As a lot of you will know this has been quite a journey for me as I started running after we found out my husband had cancer so that I could do the Race for Life for him. He was my absolute rock and support throughout the start of all of this and was so proud of me as I progressed through (and finished) the program and that meant the world to me. Again, as a lot of you will know, he sadly died before that race so it was a very emotional one for me.
Running became very cathartic and I would have fallen apart without that release. I then spent 3 months running in between having colds, tummy bugs and the mother of all blisters and it seemed I could never quite get on top of things for a while. I would run for a couple of weeks and then be ill. Grief does strange things to a body.
But here I am reflecting on my year's journey. I have finally had four weeks of running without having to have a break so fingers crossed my immune system is back on par again and I can start building up the distance again. So yes, I'm still here, still running and finally plucked up the courage to do a Park Run! I'm not sure if I will make it a regular occurrence but I certainly enjoyed it and may well go again at some point. But it seemed like an apt thing to do to celebrate a year's worth of running
So... keep smiling and keep running
Written by
hilbean
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Forgot to answer you question on Garmin, I'm doing fine ta. Had the biopsy yesterday,my ear is quite sore, but the Doctor thinks its basel cell cancer, he can't confirm until they get the results through. But all things being well, things should be fine thank you. I'm delighted you are feeling so positive, long may it continue.
Hilbean, you are an absolute inspiration. I am so pleased that you've kept running and found some real comfort from it, emotionally and physically, during what must have been the most difficult time.
I raise my glass* to you in celebration of your anniversary, and here's to many, many more.
*well, cup of tea actually...don't have any champagne to hand unfortunately..... although to be honest, I'd rather have a cuppa!
Hello Hilbean - lovely to see you on the forum again. Sorry to hear your body has not been helping your journey through grief - that sucks. You always seem such a positive person though, and I am sure your healthy attitude to dealing with what life throws at you will carry you through, along with your family and friends.
I was a contemporary of yours through C25k, and still haven't been brave enough to try park run. I'm way slower than you and despite all the encouragement from folk on this forum, I don't think I'm robust enough to finish last - I look like a normal person but for some reason I am just a slow runner!
Just one of those things useit. Sometimes you have no choice but to go with the flow and I guess my body was telling me to slow down!
To be honest, when it comes to park run, just go with whatever you feel. I did enjoy it but I'm not sure how often I want to be running with lots of other people. I had one very heavy breather bearing down on me at one point which was quite unnerving and as he passed I have to say I was heartily relieved to discover that it was someone doing canicross and it was the dog panting that I could hear!
And I would say oi you! You are not 'just a slow runner' you are a runner! And I loved reading your posts when we were going through the program too xx
Hi hilbean, firstly so good to see you here and still out there running through what has been a very difficult year for you hugs sent
Well done you on losing your parkrun cherry a very apt way to celebrate a year if running
I sincerely hope that your health will enable you to continue and enable you to go from strength to strength
Here's hoping. I really miss those long runs! And besides I've signed up for the Anglesey HM next year so I've definitely got to get back into the stride of things
Well I certainly hope so I was doing the longer distances when I signed up for it and it all seemed quite feasible at the time. Just hoping it becomes feasible again lol
So good to hear from you Hills, I'm really getting into this running to. I never stray over 5k, but am really starting to feel the benefits of running. More energy, losing weight at last, and now I'm starting to score better PB. This week I managed a 33:56 minute 5k. I run with a couple of friends and find that suit me. I do the odd park run only as a challenge to try the odd different route.
Fantastic! There's nothing quite like a PB to give you a bit of a boost. Well done!
I think we all find a level as to what suits us best and it's definitely not a case of one size fits all. I think it's been good for me to try keeping my distance down over the last few weeks but I find myself itching for the longer runs. BUT I'm being strict with myself and forcing myself to increase slowly rather than doing the 'oh if I run down that way that would be fun' malarky that takes me way off course!
And I definitely need to be a more regular visitor to this forum again
Lovely to hear that you are still managing to run and that it helps🌹 You're posts were always inspiring and helped me to complete the programme. Great that you did a park run...not managed one yet but it's on the agenda😀
Hi Hilbean, congratulations on your runniversary and your 1st parkrun, what a fantastic time, you ARE speedy!
Hope the HM training gives you a fantastic focus after such a hard year, you are very strong and inspirational person, keep on going and keep us updated!
The HM isn't until next March so I have 6 months to prepare. Just as well really seeing as my longest run over the last few weeks has only been about 6.4k
Congratulations hilbean, and on the first parkrun too, life is wonderful that such things are available to us. I'm so sorry about your husband, but I'm glad you're finding a way through.
Thank you! We are very lucky indeed and I'm also lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country too. It's definitely good to have things to focus on and it's nice for me to continue with something that made him so proud of me
Lovely post. Well done you for sticking with it. Running is such a great thing for so many reasons and certainly helps me with my emotions. I'm so glad it's helped you too and hope it will continue to. Happy runniversary!! Big hugs lovely. You're an inspiration. Xxx
Thanks Toonlou. Running is definitely a great thing to do for so many reasons. It's always nice to hear that it helps otheres in so many ways too xx
Congratulations hilbean on your first park run and a very good time as well. I am sure it will be the first of many as you will like the rest of us get hooked on these events. Excellent place to meet fellow minded runners as well. Keep up the running as I find it a good way to just concentrate and forget about things for a while. All the best.
Hey Hil, lovely post. Nice to see you on here as well as on Connect. I always love your posts with all the descriptions of the wildlife you run past. It's been a hell of a year for you but your calm dignity in the face of such sadness has been inspirational. Big hugs. xx
Happy Runniversary 🏃 and good for you doing your first Park Run too - despite wanting to do one too, I haven't made it just yet!
I am so sorry about your husband - I had forgotten about that. I can't imagine how hard that is, but it's good to hear that running is helping you along.
Thanks pinkangel. I really wasn't sure about a Park Run but it's worth giving it a go. Even if you decide not to do one again Go on! You know you want to
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So I think I owe you a thank you!
)
hugs sent 
First park run completed.
First (and probably last)Park Run
First Park Run! Not in a park - along the prom!!
First Park Run - 5km in 24'31\"!!!
