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!
Written by
RebeccaSK
Graduate
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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.
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.
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 🏃♀️🏃♀️👍
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Just a friendly hello :) xxx
Oh dear, hello week 3 my old friend...
Running for my mental health
