I write this post with a heavy heart as this was by far the hardest run so far in the program for me 😢
Yesterday I dropped off my daughter at university 120 miles away from me in Stoke-on-Trent. I had thought hard about last weeks running schedule, taking 2 rest days between runs, so that I would be ready for this weekend.
Yesterday went by in a blur of emotions and plenty of tears, enough to sink the Titanic, and when I arrived home yesterday all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep.
I still felt like that this morning but after dropping my other daughter off at work, I donned the running gear and got out there and boy was I glad I did!!
WK6R1 was my saving grace, it wasn't as easy going as Thursday's WK5R3 but it was just what I needed to do.
Me. Outside. Fresh air. Running. Not thinking. Just running. Breathing. Running. Just running. Me. Myself and I.
And that is all I needed. I always knew that this day would come and that she would go off to uni but I never thought for one moment that the thing to help me through it would be running!!
Thank you to everyone who has replied to my previous posts. It is very much appreciated, more than you will ever know ❤️❤️
Written by
Kimchoc08
Graduate
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Sending you a big virtual hug. I remember the pain of my eldest leaving for uni. It takes a while but you will adjust. And running is great medicine for the soul so keep pulling on that kit and getting out of that door 😊😊😊
They are the best!! Honestly like with the running take it one day at a time. It does get easier...my second one is in the process of moving out this weekend although he assures me he will be home several nights a week...I am not so sure... so I also feel strange today and was glad of my run this morning. Just means we are doing doing our job well when they start spreading their wings. 🙃
Aww bless you! Reading this reminded me of when my first left home (many years ago)! It is so hard at the time - wish I had had running in my life to lift my spirits then, as it does now!
Yes with you all on this one. I survived the Uni departures with my daughters but my youngest daughter will be leaving to live in California shortly with her partner. I will definately be running that day.
Motivational, emotional and brilliant... go you!!!
I remember those feelings oh so well.... daughters in Welsh Universities and a four hour drive to reach either of them... x
You have discovered the magical healing powers of the run You are doing wonderfully, simply wonderfully!
The good news...? Just guess who is not too far away from your daughter... ???
So.... visits to daughter could coincide with ... maybe a meet up run? Plus, a friendly face if she ever needs one Maybe she would like to take up running ?
Chin up Mum... you have done your job... one fledgling, on the way and trying out her flying feathers :)xxx
Ahh, Oldfloss you certainly know how to cheer someone up. Thanks for your very kind words and when I visit I'll let you know. It'd be lovely to meet the person behind the wonderful words of wisdom that you have xx
It gets easier. I dropped my eldest daughter back at uni 200 miles away for start of her second year last week. She'd been home to work in her old job during the summer and while it was lovely to have her home I realised how much I'd come to appreciate a bit more me time (enough to consider taking up C25K) in her absence. You'll both grow individually (but not apart) - and you'll be showing off your running progress when you next see her. Sending all good wishes.
Kim, to some degree I've been through this from both sides, I didn't go to Uni but I left home at 19 and went to work/live in London for a time, my mum wanted to go to the train station with me but I wouldn't let her as I knew it would be tears, etc, from her when the train came, so I got a friend to give me a lift instead.
My eldest daughter and my son have both already left home and my youngest daughter was meant to start Uni in Bedford this year but she got better than expected results and got a place in Derby Uni instead which is commutable from where we live (about 35 miles)
No matter what happens, your daughter, much like I did when I left home, knows she has a mum that will always be there for her, it may be hard at the minute but she's only a call away.
Your daughter will be back, you can spend time with her in the holidays, etc, Christmas isn't that far away and they get about 3 weeks off then, that may overlap with your holidays at school too.
Like you said, running is good for the soul, for me it used to be a good drive but now it's an even 50/50 split depending on the time of day and where I am.
On the running side, you are doing great, you are 11 runs away from graduating, keep it up, like I said in your W5R3 post, your daughters will be proud of you.
Thank you Lee for your words. It's certainly a lot quieter without her. You are correct in saying about her holidays, they do coincide with mine at Christmas so I'll get to spend more time with her than most other parents do so that's a plus 😊😊
Being a mum is tough! I've seen my daughters off the Uni and it broke my heart each time. But they loved it as no doubt your daughter will do too. She'll miss you but you wouldn't really want her to miss you in the way you're missing her would you? You want her to be strong, and have fun and move on independently. Like I said, being a mum is tough. ( I'm a mum of 4 so I do know!😊)
Stoke on Trent is just down the road 20 miles ish) from me. I'm in Cheshire Nr Junc 17 M6. I'm only on wk 3 run 1 and I had both my hands operated on on Fri so can't run this week but I've already learnt that running and the time alone is a great place to think about our loved ones and enjoy the countryside around you. Be strong and remember she will love uni! Xxx
Than you for your kind words. Children are very resilient and bounce back quicker than adults!! She'll have a blast at uni and I'll look forward to and treasure the times that she'll be at home x
As I said to a friend dropping her younger daughter off today, if you can do it without head butting them, you're already one up on my Dad... (and he's a runner!)
We are not quite at that stage with our children yet, but I feel for you and I think I can understand how running could help you get through this. The act of running seems to hold your attention just enough to lose yourself in it.
Both my son and daughter went off to uni...... it is hard! But we have brought our children up to be independent, strong, to grab every opprtunity havent we?
So pat yourself on the back, she has begun the next stage of life, and you have equiped her well! Love means letting them fledge, allowing them to fly, being there when needed. Being strong for them, as you will be!
My 29 yr old and 30yr old children still call our place home, no matter where they are, and believe me mine have travelled! But we always have wonderful precious times when we are together as a family. You will be similar!
Be strong, get out and enjoy those runs, they are all yours! Make sure you send updates to her about how you are doing, she will no doubt love to hear and be very proud of you..... as you are of her!
Thanks. I know that thousands of parents are going through the same thing and I only hope that they've got something to help them through it like I have x
Massive virtual hug coming your way....I dread the day when mine leave home, they're all still young & I enjoy every waking moment with them...they are my life....I can't imagine how you must be feeling...my heart goes out to you...
It's true though, what you say, running is good for the soul...there's no feeling like it, I'm glad you have that to ease the pain a little...you're doing brilliantly on this running journey of yours...& your daughter will do brilliantly on her journey too I'm sure...she'll be back before you know it full of stories & drama!!! It's a new chapter in her life & running is a new chapter in yours .....both to be enjoyed xxx stay strong Kimchoc...
Oh my lord, saying goodbye yesterday was hard but I know that she'll have a blast plus as I work in a school, we will have the same holiday so I get to spend all Christmas break with her!!
Oh I really feel for you! Such an emotional time. Running can be a great crutch in times of need, clearing the mind & zoning out for a bit. Sometimes I wish I could get out every day! Sounds like you are doing a brilliant job on c25k, well done on keeping going in spite of everything.
I'm sure she'll be fine mum , Youve done a great job so far raising ur daughter and allowing her the opportunity to spread her wings and further her education. It's ur time now , enjoy life and keep on running xx
Youve brought a tear to my eye, I know exactly what you're going through, my youngest is off to the other end of the country on Saturday to start his 3rd year. Been through it already with the other two. All part of being a mum😥
Thank you 😊 It was the hardest thing that I have ever done but I know that she'll love it. At least I have my running to ease the pain, even if it is only for 30 mins x
Aah big hugs to you , it's such a difficult thing to do !
I've done it 3 times with my 3 daughters and was such an emotional wrench😭
You have your running which is great medicine and you will soon be enjoying the tales from uni , the new friendships made and the wisdom that is found with independence!
Thank you. I've still got 2 daughters at home so will have to go through it all again next year and then I'm 2 years time. I'll be an expert at preparing them for uni but not at saying goodbye!!
It must be a very tough moment to face as a parent. I can still remember being shocked by seeing my parents' pained expressions when I left for university - I was full of excitement at the new phase in my life and hadn't expected them to find it so hard - and again when I left for Italy (I thought I was going for an academic year whereas they had already intuited I probably wouldn't be coming back, and that was seventeen years ago). But then your daughter's achievements are a reflection of your parenting and it is right that she should spread her wings. As the dancer and choreographer Bella Lewitsky said, to move freely you must be deeply rooted. Home is always home.
But then you know all this ... goodbyes and big changes are always going to be hard. I am glad that running was a comforting companion to you.
Aww, lovely words. Thank you so much. I shall try to remember those words from Bella Lewitsky as they are so very true.
My middle daughter is off to uni next week. I will really miss her but I know she is ready to fly. So don't be sad, she'll be back to bother you at Christmas, if not before👍
I can feel your pain!! I have just dropped my youngest off at uni for the start of her 2nd year and compared to the agony of last year it was great. I had to do my park run first thing before we left which wasnt a popular choice but I needed a run and time to myself before all the chaos and emotion! As it happened it was neither! Knowing what to expect and meeting all her friends and their parents again was wonderful and it was like a houseparty! My girl was unpacked and her room looked like home within 3 hours and then the proscecco was opened before my mum and I drove home! Last year dropping her off was one of the worst days of my life and involved copious amounts of tears from her and myself! What a difference a year makes for both of us! I only started running in April and cannot now imagine what it was like before I started. My early mornings to myself are magical and the benefit to my health is amazing as well. I have even joined the local gym and am doing quite a few leg strengthening exercises to help with my running. I will miss my girl and miss my oldest who is in Australia travelling, but going out there running with my music and thoughts, and at the moment in the sun, makes me happy. Your daughter is in for the time of her life and with you there to support her xx
Hey! So I'm 48 and am thinking how MUCH I would like to drop off my daughter and son somewhere and just have some ME time. Sadly they are 9 and 4 (I met my husband late in life) so it's another 15 years or so... Anyway just to say that it's an exciting new chapter of your life unfolding... Time to have some fun and peace and quiet for once.
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You are doing wonderfully, simply wonderfully!
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