Trotting into Week 7

[Equi-geek]

It's taken me a while to start posting myself, but some on here would have received some likes and comments from me over the last few weeks, and I've been enjoying seeing everyone progress and overcome. This forum is amazing - thank you!

As you might expect I'm a horse person. Actually it's a bit all-consuming. I graduated an Equine Science masters degree with distinction, I'm an examiner of equine behaviour consultants and I'm a registered riding coach, plus I am trying to start my own business developing equine technology. I always enjoyed sports and dance. A riding injury a few years ago resulted in arthritis in my hips and I was told not to ride any more. Then 2 years ago the pain of trying to sit in a saddle was too much anyway and I had to give up martial arts. My horse became a pet, I became obese, well into middle age, depressed and developed anxiety. Then, just as I'd started to get back on track with CBT, my horse died in February after 17 years together. He was the reason I'd done everything I had in the equine industry and is utterly irreplaceable.

It would be too easy to just work longer hours to use the time I would have spent with him. I decided to exercise instead. Kill or cure. If it wrecked what was left of my joints the NHS would finally do a hip replacement and I could ride a horse again. If it worked, then great (but secretly I didn't believe it would). I went back to swimming first, and was surprised to notice my range of movement had inexplicably improved.

I tried sitting briefly on a friend's stocky pony, just to see if I could sit astride, even if it was only briefly before sitting side-saddle - and amazingly I could. Then I rode a simulator and realised I could still ride astride. It seems the impossible has happened, and I have another chance. So now, I need to lose weight and strengthen my hips and core. The less fat there is on my legs, the easier it is going to be on my hip joints.

I am getting fitter, lighter, and surprised to find myself enjoying it - and my joints are doing great. I have plans to get a new horse next year, after I lose the weight and I get my business off the ground.

In the meantime, I have running ambitions beyond C25k but I dont want to jinx myself by confessing what those are yet. I've got all the longer runs ahead of me. I've had a gait analysis done, got better shoes, and am still nervous/excited before every run as I have no expectations about whether things will go well or not. The CBT I had, and the Headspace app, have enabled me to live more 'in the moment'.

So good luck all!

[Fifie]

Hi!

Sounds like you’ve had a tough time, and like me, need the headspace that the run provides: I’d forgotten how precious it is.

Good luck on your journey.

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Fifie]

Thanks! I never understood the mental benefits before. My OH used to run marathons and told me about the mindset, but I didn't understand until I experienced it during this programme

[Tartiflette Graduate]

What a journey you've been on up to here. & I'm so sorry for your sad loss of your horse.

Much respect to you for getting to where you are now.

Good luck to you too! Running is a wonderful tonic for wellbeing. Keep posting & let us know how you're getting on x

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Thank you, And I shall 🤞

[Fernshome]

Amazing journey best wishes

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Fernshome]

Thank you! You too

[Irish-John Graduate]

An inspirational journey. Thanks for sharing it and wishing you many happy miles in your future ☺

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you - keep running!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

A great motivational post... well done you and welcome! No jinx allowed here.. with your strength and determination you will succeed

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss!

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate]

Amazing post - so sorry for your loss :(.

It’s amazing how stopping riding can change your whole being! My horse has been off work for a year on and off - long story - and I have lost so much of my fitness and condition because of it. The running is helping both physically and mentally (I’m on week 8) but I now need to start work on my core strength.

You must be over the moon to be sitting on a horse again - so happy for you. Good luck with the rest of the journey and the future running ambitions. 🐎 🏃‍♀️. And let us know how it is going! 🍀 🌸

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Dizzysmum17]

Horses eh?! Oh I know how you feel - my horse was always hit and miss as to whether he was sound enough to be ridden on any given day. We'd stopped having lessons years before we both retired. Yes, there were a few sobs when I realised it wasn't over. It was the overtraining for my Stage 3 exam that caused the hip problem; riding big moving warmbloods without stirrups for too long and pushing through aches and pains (as we do) I think my days of a classical dressage leg are over, but I'll just do everything with my stirrups at jump length in the future

[Jell6 Graduate]

What a touching post, I am pleased that you are feeling positive again, and you have definitely come to the right place 🤗. Keep posting.

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Thanks Jell6! I'm finding this forum such a great place to hang out, I'll definitely keep posting.