That's better...!

[RainbowC]

As I've said elsewhere, I'm struggling to get out running at the moment. Evenings are often taken up dealing with Teen Daughter's anxiety issues and all that goes with it, so by the time she's sorted it's generally very late and I'm shattered.

Tonight, though, I decided that having even awed by a couple of friends running London this morning, I couldn't make any excuses. So while Teen Rainbow was at youth club, I ran. I decided to set myself a target which felt achievable - 20 mins. If I needed to walk after ten mins, that would be ok. And if it was great I could carry on for a few minutes at the end.

Well, I didn't carry on after the 20, but it was great. I think I was a bit quicker than some that I've managed recently, but I don't actually care about speed and pace tonight - this was about having a good run. And I did. So no matter what happens this week, I've at least started it well

Just think what I might have managed if I hadn't had an 8-mile walk yesterday...!

[Joy57 Graduate]

Look after yourself RC. Dealing with someone else's anxiety can be very wearing- as I'm sure you know only too well.

[runningnearbeirut Graduate in reply to Joy57]

And finding some "me" time to get out for a run is probably very important! Glad you managed it. And hope the run helped you clear your head a bit too.

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Glad you managed to get out and that it was a good one.

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Is there any chance you could get your teen into running, too? It could be a way for them to help deal with their anxiety. I empathise with you- it's a difficult age to live with!

Glad you managed to find time for your run. Me time is crucial!

[RainbowC Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

I've tried to - she used to really enjoy running a few years ago, particularly long distance (or what counts for that at primary school, anyway!). But recently she's been very resistant - partly just because she can't every do anything I suggest, on principal, and partly just because it takes effort and she doesn't like that. The other day, though, she was talking about setting some long-term goals, and one was to run 5k before the end of the year, so there's hope. (Although when I suggested a couple of days later that she might go for a run, I was turned down flat. Too cloudy and not warm enough. Ah well, I tried...)

[Joolez Graduate]

Glad you had a good run. I know it's difficult when someone else needs you but it is also important that you look after yourself too. Running is a bit like the oxygen masks on planes - help yourself first and then help others around you 😀

[mfamilias Graduate]

I'm glad you got out for a stomp - sometimes taking a little distance helps to get a new perspective on things. Anxiety is awful, it is the main reason I run. I hope that teen daughter finds a source of confidence to tackle it - being a teenager is complicated enough as it is. We parents want to help and sometimes end up so tangled up in trying to find a solution, that we end up feeling like we're part of the problem... we just have to be there for them until they find their own solution.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Hi RainbowC, that's a tough balance to juggle the needs of your daughter, and your needs. Of course you are doing all that can be expected of a Mum, and it sounds like you have the grace to prompt your daughter (but accept it when she says 'no').

But you need time for yourself, too. So it was great that you got out for a good 20 minute run. ...press on towards the goal to win the prize... .

My dear friend has been supporting her daughter with deep anxiety issues for the last 5 years. Only now - aged 19 - is she coming out of the other side. It has been a long haul, but like mfamilias says, we just have to be there for them.

Stay strong and keep running!

[RainbowC Graduate]

Thank you all for the support - it's simultaneously encouraging and slightly depressing to see how many other people are dealing with anxiety issues either in themselves or someone close! :-\ I'm hoping that the return to term-time routine will help me with the running, even if it just changes the anxiety triggers for Teen Rainbow. And (at the risk of oversharing!) I've now managed to get her an appointment to see a clinician at CAMHS (the mental health service) so hopefully we'll get some progress...

I think what I like most about running is that I stop thinking about everything else. The world shrinks down to me, my pace, my podcast and which turn I take next. My bad runs recently have co-incided with the ones when I haven't managed to leave the rest of it behind. Food for thought there! And all the more incentive to get back to running three times a week.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Well done for getting out there!