That quote is my favourite line from "Running Like a Girl" by Alexandra Heminsley (well worth a read btw). Apologies for the ramble but I hope this might help others.
I began my C25K running journey in March 2015. Full of enthusiasm and a rediscovered passion to run, I bounded though weeks 1-8 until disaster struck at work one day, resulting in a nasty calf tear. 😩 I couldn't run for 10-11 weeks and then had a couple of false starts before eventually graduating in October. Progress from there was sure and steady - running became an important part of my life, helping me manage my own anxieties and comforting me through the ups and downs of life, most notably the decline and loss of my own dear Mum just after Easter this year and then a week later the sudden and unexpected death of my father-in-law. Running got me through the surreal days of paperwork and funeral arrangements that followed and the complex probate process too. Grief comes in waves doesn't it? Good days, bad days, days of normality and then of sadness. My family kept me strong too. In May I ran my first 10k race (Great Bristol run) with my sister. We ran it for Mum and held hands as we crossed the finish line🙂. It was a special day and I felt so strong despite all we had been through. At work I even secured a new post which I begin in September. My running form then seemed to plateau and dip. I developed a hip niggle which I could not shake off. I eased up, I even took almost two weeks off running (😮 that was hard!), I have struggled in the heat to run 5k some days, but you know what? I am still out there, still plodding away and the last few runs have been so much better. This morning's felt like I was back on form at last! Increased strength work seems to have resolved the hip problem, the runs are feeling easier again and I hope to start some longer runs again this week. I think what I want to say to anyone out there, is just keep on going. Whether it's injuries or hard times, we move on through them all. The words above have seemed very apt in my life just recently and have become a bit of a mantra on those harder runs, which we all get. To anyone struggling on the programme - just believe in yourself and keep on running. Hope everyone has good runs today🙂!
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Sandraj39
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Keep On Running (Spencer Davis band) may need to go on my run list too. Lovely post, and good on you for keeping it up. I might have to read the book and in case I forget: good luck with the new job!
Beautiful, emotive and thought provoking post. Have just downloaded Running like a girl on my Kindle. Will be thinking of you now as I read it. Thank you Sandra
Just what I needed to hear atm.. Thanks Sandra.. .must add its strong words like yours that really make this forum so much part of my daily running/ healthy new lifestyle.. on days when you may just think.. I can't... YES WE CAN.." just keep on going"
Thanks and enjoy your new post in work and wish you every success x
Well done Sandra!😊😆you're made of strong stuff and been a good friend to me on here as we shared those same sad days this year.... glad to hear things are picking up for you, on course for GSR I hope x hope you're having a great Sunday 😊
Thanks Ali, your words of support on here, this year have meant a lot and yes, we have both been though some very sad times recently. I have told myself that if I can hit 10k again in the next couple of weeks then I will get that entry in for the GSR! I dearly hope to be able to do it..and we can have a meet up at some stage in the day too! Hope you're taking it easy today!!?
A great and inspiring post Sandra. You've certainly had your ups and down but it's so good to hear that, despite it all, you've stayed strong and positive. Hard work and perseverance have ensured that you're going from strength to strength. Well done, have a virtual pat on the back xx
Fab post Sandra and I just love that book. I always go back to it and read the good bits.
You've been through a lot but I keep thinking you've been running for much longer (that's a compliment btw! Running is a great comfort when life gets tough but this forum is a fantastic salve for us.
I'm really pleased that your hip issue has gone and here's to a joyful, injury free year ahead 😊
I have run sporadically at different times in my life, but never as regularly and committedly as I have since this programme! Maybe I was always a runner - I just didn't always run!?😉
Fantastic post - I hope that the hip issue is now officially dealt with. I can only nod my head in agreement at all you have said - running has become my source of serenity, which I never thought I'd ever say! As for "Running like a girl", love it. It's on my bedside table.
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Do you have to run 3 times a week to feel the benefits?
Got to keep going
Sometimes you have to forget speed and distance and bpm, and just run for the sheer bloody joy of it.
Sometimes you just have to compromise...
I'm back😊 But hard to keep going!!!
