2nd time graduate..: It's been a while since I... - Couch to 5K

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2nd time graduate..

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate
21 Replies

It's been a while since I posted following a really sad year in which I lost a few family members including my husband who I miss terribly each and every day. I found travelling helps a lot, luckily I have a good friend to travel with and we went to America/Canada for 6 weeks last October. I go to Japan in 2 weeks with another friend, Bali in May and over to England for 3 months in July. These trips help me fill in the time and not wallow in my sadness and help with my running as I love finding new paths to travel.

What I have found is that my time and pace has improved immensely in the last few weeks by making a few changes to my diet and the number of days I run. It happened by accident in that I had a two day break and ran a minute quicker one morning. The night before I had a dinner full of carbohydrates and protein. I changed my running routine to running 5 klm every 3rd day and saw a consistent improvement. This morning I was amazed to cover 5 klm in 30 minutes 48 seconds, a PB since I started more than 12 months ago. I'm happy if this is the best I can do, at 63 I have no desire to run any further, but if I can keep this pace then that will do me. I have been continually encouraged by reading all the posts on this forum and want to thank everyone that has responded to my posts before. My husband was my biggest supporter and I miss that so much, but I know he is with me when I'm out pounding the footpaths, and I get some comfort in that....

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CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrim
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21 Replies
Minimaxi profile image
MinimaxiGraduate

I'm so sorry about your loss! It sounds like running and travelling really help you cope at the moment and that is great! Especially if you have lovely people to keep you company :)

I also find that 2 rest days work best for me. Maybe this will change over time but for now I try to stick to it (doesn't always work :D).

I'm sure your husband would be immensely proud of you! And so are we :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply toMinimaxi

I am so sorry for your loss 😞 Losing your husband and biggest supporter is awful and naturally you miss him terribly. Good though that you have company to go off on your travels. We can keep the spirit of our loved ones wherever we go.

I think keeping yourself busy and healthy is good, and will be comfort to your family too 😀

Have fun on your runs 😀

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply tomisswobble

Thankyou so much misswobble, it feels good to be running again and I'm looking forward to different paths on my travels. Especially looking forward to running in the UK, the last time I ran there was when I was at school!

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toMinimaxi

Thankyou Minimaxi,

I will stick with this routine for a while and see how I go. I'm not looking for a faster time or longer distance. Good to know someone else has found this routine works for them (mostly!) and I really feel my husband would be happy to know I've kept running.

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toCaminoPilgrim

Sorry, this reply was for Minimaxi...

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toMinimaxi

Thankyou Minimaxi,

I will stick with this routine for a while and see how I go. I'm not looking for a faster time or longer distance. Good to know someone else has found this routine works for them (mostly!) and I really feel my husband would be happy to know I've kept running

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toCaminoPilgrim

Sorry again, every time I try to reply to Minimax it posts on your reply to me !

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toMinimaxi

Thankyou Minimaxi,

I will stick with this routine for a while and see how I go. I'm not looking for a faster time or longer distance. Good to know someone else has found this routine works for them (mostly!) and I really feel my husband would be happy to know I've kept running.

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toCaminoPilgrim

Grrr, don't know what's happening here, so sorry, I can't delete them!

Minimaxi profile image
MinimaxiGraduate in reply toCaminoPilgrim

Don't worry, I saw your reply ;)

I'm sure he would be glad to see you are doing something that gives you strength physically as well as mentally!

Carolinemcd profile image
CarolinemcdGraduate

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I love your forum name, the Camino is on my bucket list and as I get fitter I know I will enjoy it so much more than when I originally wanted to walk it. Your travel plans sound amazing and at 63 you are doing amazingly.

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toCarolinemcd

Thankyou Carolinemcd,

I walked the Camino in 2014 and will be walking the northern Spain route in August this year. It should be on everyone's bucket list, I had an incredible time and met some wonderful people from around the world. I wasn't particularly fit last time, just did plenty of walking beforehand to train for it. I hope you get to do it soon....

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

It sounds as if you've had a rough time of it, but running is a great way to clear your head. And traveling seems to help you too. Plus you have good friends to support you, which is a blessing. Thanks for the tips on improving. And I hope things get better for you.

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply toJaySeeSkinny

Thankyou JaySeeSkinny

The support I have had from this forum has been incredible and so motivating for me. Thankyou so much for your kind words.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

He'd be so proud of you...

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

I am so sorry for your loss, please take comfort in that you will always have him in your heart on your journeys .

I lost my Mam at Christmas , grief does take such a toll on you doesnt it ?

He would be so proud of you xxx

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply topoppypug

Thankyou poppypug,

So sorry to hear of you loss, it's such a tough time when we can no longer talk to our loved ones. I found it so very difficult at first with the memories I had, I would constantly be in tears, but I find I'm starting to smile again recalling the happy times of our life together. I was married at 19 so it's been a long time since I've been on my own.

I lost my dear mum just 9 months before my husband died. I hope you too will soon begin to remember your mum with laughter instead of tears. Best Wishes xx

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply toCaminoPilgrim

Thankyou , Oh that must have been such a terrible blow losing your Mum and Husband in such a short period of time , that is so so sad .

I dont know whether it will be of any interest to you , but there is a new forum on here called " Bereavement Share and Care " ( I think thats what its called ) . I am thinking of joining at some point .

Take care and thankyou for your kind words xxx

nhs2015 profile image
nhs2015Graduate

You have found a way to cope. You husband will be proud of you. Keep going

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate in reply tonhs2015

Thankyou nhs2015

It was difficult at first, but as the weeks have gone by I've managed to keep the motivation going. Sometimes as I run, the tears flow (as they are now just writing about it) but I like to think he is cheering me on xx

CaminoPilgrim profile image
CaminoPilgrimGraduate

Thankyou Minimaxi,

I will stick with this routine for a while and see how I go. I'm not looking for a faster time or longer distance. Good to know someone else has found this routine works for them (mostly!) and I really feel my husband would be happy to know I've kept running.

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