Hello my running friends!!!!!: I've not... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Hello my running friends!!!!!

RebeccaSK profile image
RebeccaSKGraduate
15 Replies

I've not forgotten about you all - and I'm still running but things just seem to be crazy at the moment. My dad was rushed into hospital ten days ago and has deteriorated since. It's been a really difficult time as a lot of soul searching has been done and a few home truths surfaced since he was admitted but there is one thing that has kept me sane - running!!!!! My first run after he was taken into hospital was unbelievable. All the stress, the emotion and the tension poured from me in equal measure to my sweat. I found myself in tears but felt so much better afterwards! I have suffered from mental health problems all my life and I knew that running helped - but this was the most dramatic demonstration of that yet. I'm now exhausted and still stressed and very run down after ten days of being the strong one in the family but even though running is challenging because I'm so tired, just being outside is a huge help - if my legs don't want to run, I make them walk fast! Between hospital visits and a crazy workload I'm only managing two runs a week - but they're good runs and I'm constantly pushing myself.

I've entered a competition at my running club - it's based around Parkruns. You're paired up with another runner but you don't race them. To encourage newer and slower runners to join in, the winner is the person who week after week beats their previous week's PB by the biggest margin. Far from favouring the strong runners, I actually think this favours the weaker and newer runners and I'm looking forward to it!

Somehow I allowed myself to be volunteered to be Run Director for our Christmas Day Parkrun!!! After a year where my physical fitness has improved hugely, where, at the grand old age of 45 I've discovered I can run for the first time in my life and where I've discovered this wonderful forum full of amazing and supportive people, it seems fitting somehow and I will be using the megaphone to thank all the wonderful runners who encourage and support us newbies. I love running!

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RebeccaSK profile image
RebeccaSK
Graduate
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15 Replies
Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate

So sorry to hear that you've been having a tough time, I hope that your dad is ok. You seem like a tough, capable cookie, so when you say you are stressed, I can only imagine how bad that must be. Running is so great for sorting things out in your mind - or just allowing your mind to clear and be free of all the stress just for a while.

I'm 45 too and I started running because I kept putting on weight, I didn't imagine for one minute the benefits it would give me for my own mental health, anxiety, stress - just being more capable and resilient to deal with all of that shit - that is worth so much more to me than anything else. And it's why, like you, I will carry on running for as long as my legs will carry me! :)

It sounds like an amazing thing you are doing for Parkrun, you will be such a great inspiration for all of the new runners. Your enthusiasm and dedication are infectious both on here and in the real world!

Hey Rebecca, lovely to hear from you. You always come out fighting and sounds like you have a really good running support community about you. Life is truly crap at times and I send you warm thoughts. Glad too that the running is doing it's job.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

I am so sorry your Dad is unwell. It is a tough time when someone we love is ill. Thinking of you all. I swear running has kept me sane over the last year. Just to be able to take a mental break even for a little while helps so much. Look after yourself and take it easy as you need some TLC too. Rfc x.

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

Oh Rebecca dear girl, it really is a bad time but it sounds like you're the one holding it together.

I hope things improve for you and very quickly and you will be in my thoughts and especially so on my run tomorrow.

Take care and your friends are here

Wantorun2013 profile image
Wantorun2013Graduate

What a difficult 10 day’s you have had you can at least find some comfort and escape in running twice a week to clear your head and focus your energies. Take care of yourself and keep running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

I wondered where you were!:)'

Gosh.. what a time you have had....Enjoy your runs... use them to help at this difficult and stressful time... but remember to take care of you.... :) sending you one of my squdges x

ruralfrance profile image
ruralfranceGraduate

Hello Rebecca,

You're doing incredibly well on the running front and of course on the home front too, keeping all the family balls in the air! I am full of admiration for you. But take care, don't overdo it. You need rest too. Good luck and keep posting.

ruralfrance profile image
ruralfranceGraduate

Hello Rebecca,

You're doing incredibly well on the running front and of course on the home front too, keeping all the family balls in the air! I am full of admiration for you. But take care, don't overdo it. You need rest too. Good luck and keep posting.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

I am so sorry to hear about your dad, but i am so pleased that running has helped you... I also think the parkrun competition sounds fantastic and so inclusive. And how exciting for Christmas day too!!! Really good to see you here again :)

Limawhite profile image
LimawhiteGraduate

Hi Rebecca

I started running in March, after a 30+ year break, partly to help me deal with my dad's terminal illness. Sadly, he died in April, and I carried on running to complete the Couch to 5k, as a way of honouring his memory.

Running seemed to give my body something to do, while my mind could wander and try to process what was happening. I always felt better after a fun. I can't imagine what I would have been like without it. As others have said, running has kept me sane.

Best wishes to you

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Sounds tough, Rebecca.

Whether it is the physical aspects, or just grabbing that time to yourself while running, is difficult to separate sometimes, but for most of us, once running is firmly established in our lives, it can offer balm in tough times.

Wishing you all the best.

You know what I am going to say.............

RebeccaSK profile image
RebeccaSKGraduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

I don't, what are you going to say?

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply toRebeccaSK

Keep running, keep smiling..........

Getfitok profile image
GetfitokGraduate

So sorry to hear about your dad. When I was in your position I hadn't yet discovered running, but I practiced 'mindfulness', which helped me to just stay in the moment, & try not to overthink things. Running is great to help clear your head.

Hope your dad is ok & remember to take care of yourself too x

Hi Rebecca - haven’t seen any posts from you for a while. I hope you are okay and that so is your dad.

That’s it really, just sending you best wishes..

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