🎶 Keep Yourself Alive 🎶 (apologies to Queen and Brian May)

[Razouski]

It’s three years ago now since I had a diagnosis of cancer, leading to a mastectomy and a lumpectomy. As horrendous as this all was at the time, it inadvertently kick started my running, as my physio from Macmillan (the charity) made a daft suggestion about get me running. “Errr, no, I’ll do any other exercise in the gym, but I have never run and don’t intend to start now!” was my rather adamant reply. However the seed was sown, and as my oncologist was keen for me to be living a healthy lifestyle as I couldn’t take any of the recommended meds.

I was reminded of all this on my run this morning. Having seen Bohemian Rhapsody the other day I had put together a Queen playlist for my run this morning, and it was doing the trick, keeping me going and I was determined to complete another 10k to get me back in the swing of things. But at 8k I was flagging, there was a steep incline to be tackled, my legs were like lead, I hadn’t slept well the night before so I was tired, and I just felt like stopping and walking. “Why am I doing this anyway?”

And then “Keep Yourself Alive” shuffled its way to the top of the playlist, as if in answer to my question. Great pace for running to, and somehow the lyrics evolved in my head as I pushed on…

🎶

I was told three years at this time

Of all the troubles in my way.

Made me grim but my adviser

Told me exercise each day.

So I rowed o’er virtual rivers

And I rode some virtual miles,

And the next thing that I started

Couch to 5K was worthwhile.

Well I ran upon the treadmill

To keep breast cancer at bay

But I never saw the daylight

In the gym, hidden away.

C25K folks were telling me

Be a super star

They could tell I’d be more satisfied

Outside and running far.

🏃🏾‍♀️

Keep yourself alive, yeah

Running couch to five

It won’t take you much time or money

Help you to survive.

🏃🏾‍♀️

Ow

😈

Well I’ve fought a million gremlins

In so many, many ways

And I’ve tried a million faffings,

Making too many delays.

Running gives me what I need

To help my body and my soul

And I’ll go a little quicker

Maybe that can be my goal.

🏃🏾‍♀️

I was told a million times

That I could run for 20k

How I had to keep on trying

And get better every day

But then my mojo went and left me

And I couldn’t face the miles

But I had to get re-started,

Not get so down hearted.

🏃🏾‍♀️

Keep yourself alive, come on

You’re nearly fifty five

It’s worth the time and money, honey

And you know you have the drive.

Ow

Keep yourself alive, wow,

Don’t let yourself nose dive,

Just keep on trying, keep on running,

You will feel satisfied.

C’mon keep yourself alive

It causes you to thrive

All you people should run to feel alive.

Keep yourself alive

It makes me want to strive

I hope these lyrics don’t feel to contrived.

🏃🏾‍♀️

And with the help of a few more banging Queen tracks on my playlist I made it to my goal. 😀

[David_G]

Lovely post as always, I’m sure Queen and Brian May would be proud of your version🙂👍

Sounds like you’ve had a hard time but credit to you for getting through it.👏

It’s good to hear of medical professionals suggesting running as therapy. I find it great for my mental as well as physical health😀

Hope you continue with your posts and your running, and most importantly your recovery.😌

Good luck in 2019 😄

[Razouski in reply to David_G]

Thanks David, my Mojo went awol after my half marathon in October, and without a goal to aim for I was running less and coming into the forum less. I've given myself a bit of a shake up and realise that knowing I'm going to write a post about my run seems to help motivate me. And I love it when the words to a song I'm running too seem to change in my head as I'm running. These are my favourite posts to write.

Thanks for the good wishes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Go, go and GO..inspirational and just WOW!!!!!!

Your post is amazing!!!! Just like you my friend xxxx

[Razouski in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss , wouldn't have got to the end of C25K without your support and guidance. x

[uncle_wiggy Graduate]

Fabulous post razouski 😉

[Razouski in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thank you uncle_wiggy , it's been a long time since I'v done a lyrics style post - I think I had lost my muse, but it certainly came back today.

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Great work Raz - physically and lyrically 😄

[Razouski in reply to ButtercupKid]

It was good to finish the run, and I'm totally into Queen again after seeing the film.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Highly therapeutic music 🎧

[resolution Graduate]

I praise your endurance, will to go on, and amazing taste in music! Stay fabulous!

[Razouski in reply to resolution]

Thanks, glad you liked the music. I have to keep my running music playlists on rotation otherwise I'm a bit prone to boredom. Normally I have various different artists, but having a playlist with just the faster paced tracks from Queen was great to run too.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Fantastic lyrics Raz,,,and so pleased that you are healthy and so fit following that traumatic news three years ago. Happy running in 2019 too!

I have Queen on my playlist too...always winning tracks!😊xxx

[Razouski in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

It was pretty grim, especially as the Christmas before I had lost my hearing in one ear and balance and was unable to walk without holding on to the wall or crawling. So the running has really helped me mentally to cope, even though I do have more than my fair share of tumbles.

I've had the odd Queen track before, but having a whole playlist dedicated to them was something else, and good for helping to restore my absent mojo.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Go lady, go!!