Feeling very thankful! ( running with fibromyalgia )

[K311y33]

I found this forum from googling running with fibromyalgia, it was the 1st thing that popped up on my feed, all be it posts from 4/5years ago.

Today i ran w7r2 , it felt good! I ran slightly over the 25min purely to get 3.5k , didnt want to leave my shiney new tom tom watch on an uneven milage!

I just wanted to post so if anybody else (which i expect there is!) Is thinking about giving it ago , they can see they can!

Its tough , but it is for most people, it hurts , but you hurt anyway! Its also fun and is actually helping my pain levels. I walked 5miles last sunday and i was in agony the next day , but after a run i dont feel half as bad. If your considering giving 5k a go , then try it , your not going to make things any worse , and others are out there with worse health issues , just listen to your body and take it at your pace. Also a good running buddy helps , my dad has helped me beyond words! And this forum! So download the app , join the forum and get your running shoes on , good luck!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I love this post and I am so glad that it has worked for you.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

[K311y33 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you iannodatruffe , that means alot 😁

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

I love this post - this is the true definition of inspirational! I have an unusually large number of friends with fibro. I also work in general practice so it's a condition I know a fair amount about. I know there are varying degrees and varying stages of fibro but for those that are able to, exercise is hugely beneficial. For those who can find the courage to deal with their diagnosis and then stand up to and refused to be beaten by it, I have the utmost admiration. My sister, who suffers badly and who just couldn't run, made changes by deciding to walk her 5 year old to school rather than driving. Everyone has to do what they can and I think you're amazing!

[K311y33 Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Thank you rebecca! I was diagnosed back in 2012 after getting hyperthermia on a charity experdition , ive never been the sporty type in the slightest and had to train for a year before hand in order to go in the first place , my dad got up every other day to go running at 5am to get me ready for it , after my diagnosis , i got into a slump , very depressed , didnt really want to go anywhere or do anything. I would make excuses to drive to Sainsbury's rather than walk to the local shop. Purely because anything can cause pain! Theres times i cant shower because of the water pressure on my skin and i do the stairs in the morning , holding the walls and both feet on the stair before i tackle the next one like a small child. Strangly i find walking harder than running , the worse part for me was getting over the mental barrier that i cant run , because i can. Some days its a complete painful slog , other days like today its amazing!! I would never say to anybody if i can , you can. I wouldnt even be attempting this if it wasnt for my dad asking me to run of the starting line with him for his 100th park run, what i would say is try it slowly , very slowly , they may just suprise themselves. Since i was diagnosed ive giving up my full time active job , to become my mums full time carer (while my dad is at work) and have 3 beautiful children (2 of which are stroppy hormonal teens!) And im single , so i find the time out running , to be my time and i love it!! 😁 i wanted to give up last week coz it was so hard , had 2 days rest and feel ive smashed it today and cant wait for mondays run. Since i was diagnosed and was to scared to do any physical activity so ive put on a whooping 4stone! But doing slimming world along side this ive lost 1st 9lbs , and feel great , i hurt yes , but not as much as 3months ago. If i could say to anybody going through this , if its what they want to do , then try it , first to weeks are extremely hard! But judging from this forum it is for everybody. Just wish i could make others in my situation feel like i do at this moment.

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to K311y33]

I have tears in my eyes reading this. I started running after being totally inspired by a friend of mine, Jo, who had never run before. She decided to run a half marathon to raise money for Syrian refugees and she did it. She came last but she bloody did it - and ran the whole thing. She inspired me. I'll never be able to run a half marathon but it sounds like Jo is to me what your dad is to you - and what a bloody amazing dad. Carry on posting on here, post on Facebook - shout your achievements from the rooftops because you will give others so much strength. You are amazing and this crappy condition is not going to defeat you. You really are bloody amazing! Be proud of yourself - be very, very proud of yourself.

[K311y33 Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

I think everybody needs a jo or my dad in there life! I hope your sister has more good days than bad but either way i think she'll be just fine with the support of you , you seem to have a good understanding of the condition , i have people who try to understand bless them , but they dont get it. All i know is im loving the program and loving my self development, im not sure however that my lazy choc lab is enjoying my revitalised energy as much! 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to K311y33]

Oh my.... you are quite something! Such determination and strength... absolutely inspirational.

[Lorna9339]

Well done you! I also have fibromyalgia. I did c25k last October and it made a huge difference to me. I still had pain but I felt so much better, physically and psychologically. I have been in the IC for 3 months with bursitis in my hip but have now been given the go ahead from my physio to start running again. I will need to take it very slowly but can't wait! Hope you continue to feel benefits from running 😊

[K311y33 Graduate in reply to Lorna9339]

Well done to you to! You are right , it helps mentally aswell as physically, i really do feel so much better. Im sorry youve had some trouble the last few months but you sound like you did all the right things and rest up when its been needed and not let it put you off getting back out there , good luck with the rest of your journey, i hope it goes well for you and i also hope i have the same grit about me as you do if i have a set back , which im sure i will along the way.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Inspirational.... I don't know how I missed this!

Go you!!! You just do it at your own pace and enjoy...please keep posting too!

[K311y33 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you oldfloss , means alot coming from you. When im running and feeling done (mainly because i cant regulate my breathing and then panick) i remember your words to slow down , go slow and steady , from your post earlier i see your doubting that people will not see where your coming from , all i can tell you is i get it! When i sound like a steam train thats running out of steam , not even 5mins in from a 25min run , i know to slow it down , because A-my body is screaming slow down! But also B-coz your telling me to do so! Which is so reasuring in the fact that somebody who knows what there saying , whos done the program and has the experience, knowledge , and injuries to show for it, is saying its ok to do that , slow or fast your still doing it , i value your opinion , with that i get the extra bonus of your mentors advice through you , and nothing is more valuable than experiance. Im also lucky (which im sure ive mentioned more times than i can remeber) that i have my dad , who only took up running 6yrs ago for me , and hes never stopped. However i know your slow is different from mine , im SLOW! im ok with that , my goal is 16th sept , lee-on-solent park run , dads 100th , my first , time for me is not an issue , just want to get through with no walking , dont mind a shuffle but no walking xx

[goya Graduate]

Great to hear you are on week 7! wow...

Another fibro person here trying the C25K... slowly as you say, and a few times I just repeat a previous week when pain is worse, or any change of conditions... or just cos I don't feel ready for the next challenge yet (like now I went back to week3, and will re-start week 4 again next run!). But you are right it's not pain free... it's just that it feels incredible when your body stops being a problem/obstacle and becomes something to be proud of. Congratulations!

[cybermat64 Graduate]

I also have Fibro and did the Couch to 5k - twice in fact, the first time on my own and then again in May with an amazing running group. My aim was to run 5k - when I graduated I was running for 30 minutes but managed 3 - 3.5k. I am now running 5k twice a week and am going to start the 5 - 10k in January. I am still in constant pain but running doesn't hurt anymore than normal - except my muscles after running but that is a 'good' pain. I struggled at first but was so determined too do it for my mental health as that has been the biggest bonus - I feel almost 'normal' when I run.

People have asked me how I can run when I have Fibro - I don't really know is the answer but I do!

[K311y33 Graduate in reply to cybermat64]

Im glad its working for you aswell! I graduated in august , had a few issues since then , flu and a bad flare put me back and had to build up again but im back to 5k , still taking 42mins but im doing it :). I cant seem to widen my stride length due to hip/pelvis pain so started pilates to try and help with that, fingers crossed it works! Im enjoying that aswell , during the class it doesnt feel like your doing excercise but can feel it the day or so after, especially in the glutes,thighs and stomach , would definitely recommend it. Good luck with everything and enjoy your running

[Elsiegreeneyes Graduate]

I love this! And wonder how you are as your post was few years ago?

Wishing you health and happiness 😊