Hey 👋 It’s about a year since I started C25k. I was a non-runner, obese, with arthritis in my hip and ‘mourning’ (as my therapist put it) that I couldn’t even sit on a horse anymore without pain - not that it mattered anyway since my own horse has died suddenly in February. I went back to the pool and started swimming 💤 Then, I watched a daytime tv programme in April showing Angela Rippon doing C25k and thought I had nothing to lose...
In the last year, I not only completed C25k, I did B210k, then ran the whole of the Great South Run (10miles), lost 2st in weight, and started training for a HM. I joined Good Gym to help me keep running through winter and to give running a purpose, and did ParkRun on Saturdays - pacing, volunteering, wearing fancy dress. Quite honestly, I now have an amazing circle of positive thinking and supportive running buddies both in real life and virtually, on here. I’ve had ups and downs, like anyone can.
Through it all my main aim has been to stay off the dreaded ‘injury couch’ but as with any course of learning I made a mistake. Mine was running on consecutive days too hard and after the Stroke Association 10K at the beginning of April my hip said ‘stop’. The next day, I could not walk from one side of the kitchen to the other.
I saw a physio on the Wednesday and thought my running days were over. She was more positive than me. I was given a load of exercises to strengthen my glutes and core and stretch my super-tight quads. And I set about the rehab. Up to 12 weeks, I was told. I knew the two triathlons I had signed up for had been a waste of money. And possibly that subscription to Runner World.... and all the running kit I’d bought 🤦🏼♀️
After 3 weeks I tried a very short 100m jogette with the dog and had to limp back to the car.
In the time I’d been running, I was amazed to find I could ride a horse reasonably comfortably again. And without the running to help with de-stressing, I ended up looking at horses.
Guess what?.... here’s Cyril! He’s an 8 year old Irish Sports Horse and former international show jumper. I’ve had him 2 weeks and he is still settling in.
And my rehab had got to the point where the physio advised I start testing my hip with running again.... hence the point of this post.
And, my goodness, how much was I missing my running???!!!!
So, when Cyril arrived I started back at W1R1 with a totally new way to run. I now have to consciously fire my glute muscles every stride, engage my core, balance my head on my shoulders, ensure my knees bend over my little toe and not my big toe... my cadence has quickened and so my breathing is all over the place. I was absolutely gasping for breath, just like a year ago.
But I can still run (at the moment)! All this biomechanical change means other bits will start complaining as I build back up to running a full 5k. My Saucony shoes have covered over 350 miles and if I make it to W5R3 without further injury I will be back at the shop for a new pair.
So, physio is advising caution, and as a horse person I know tendons take a while to heal and are never as good as they were. The arthritis, cartilage tear, and impingement is still there, of course, and I may still re-injure myself. At that point I’ll be referred to the consultant and an op may be on the cards.
But for now, I am so delighted to be back out there and, in a short while, back at my regular Parkrun to do W2R3 and a walk to the finish.
If you are new to running, new to C25k, I want you to know what a life-changer it can be. There was no big ‘flash’ of everything being different from now on... for me it was a gradual change. And still is. While I started in a place of hopelessness and mourning last year - C25k the last resort - now the programme is my rehab tool. Being a runner is too good a lifestyle to give up on without a fight.
Happy running everyone and if you are off to a rainy Parkrun this morning, think of that wonderful hot shower and feeling of satisfaction afterwards and DFYB!!!
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Equi-geek
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Great post! Glad to hear you're back on it. Sounds like harder work trying to do it "right"! I was trying something similar Weds but didn't know if I was doing it or not. So tricky!
Congrats on your new friend. I hope you cover many happy miles together.
Looking forward to new shoes. I treated myself to a second pair of trail shoes, hokas... not tried then yet... they look too nice! 🤣
Best of luck and looking forward to watching your renewed progress! 💪👍🤗
Good luck, EG! Sorry to hear you’ve got injury issues too, but great to hear about your new horse and that you’re also continuing to battle to get your running back! You’ve made amazing progress. 😊❤️❤️
Welcome back! Cyril looks rather gorgeous and it must be great to be back in the saddle with riding and with running. Hope you enjoyed your park run🏃🏾♀️👍 🐴
Thanks Lindsey! Hopefully just some low level riding club stuff, I’m not a very brave jumper but he is more than willing and capable, and side-saddle when I can afford it! 🤣
Oh Equi!! This is an amazing post! And look at Cyril 🥰🥰🥰! Your experiences have led to having 2 loves in your life at the same time. I feel so blessed to have met you in person at Parkrun. You continue to inspire me to keep going and your smile is always uplifting.
Love every moment of your new way of running and having the very best of both. You’re brilliant!! 🤗🤩❤️
Really good to hear you're back. Your positivity is inspirational. Hoping the C25K rehab goes smoothly and quickly and you'll soon be back to where you were
Good luck - it sounds like slow and steady is going to be your mantra for a while but you’re literally ‘back on the horse’ again!! A gorgeous one at that!
He looks super...and now you have running back too!
Good luck building back up, sounds like you have a great plan of action, and you have your beautiful new buddy to share happy times with. Great news!😊xxx
I can't imagine not riding so hats off for pushing on. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery x take very good care of yourself x Cyril needs a fit and healthy mum to bring the carrots 😉🥕🥕🥕
What a great post Equi-geek! Welcome back and a huge hello to gorgeous Cyril! Running is such great therapy; I’m glad you’re able to get back to it. A new horse, the all clear to slowly return to running ... nothing can stop you now 🏃🏽♀️🥰🐴
Hi Equi. You were one of the superstars of the class of 2018, and I know you can get back there again. The very best of luck, and Cyril looks fantastic!
So pleased to see you back off the IC Equi-geek, I have so missed all your posts. You are such a great ambassador for parkrun and goodgym and I’ll always have that vision of you chasing that toilet along the seafront at the Great South Run. You have been an inspiration to many and an all round good egg.
So very pleased to have spotted this post. I had been missing you and am delighted that things are going well. The photo is absolutely gorgeous! It must be so very odd having to change how you run. All the very, very best with each step of the way. If Oldfloss was about I'm sure there would be something about taking it slow and steady! 🏃🏻♀️🐴😊
Cyril is lovely - I hope you have loads of fun with him!
I was out doing a very slow jog this evening, and I thought about how it is easier to run if you align your head over your pelvis - and it occurred to me that good running posture is not all that different from good riding posture. (It's a while since I've been on a horse, but I still have fond memories.)
Well done for picking up the reins again, both in running and riding. Cyril looks such a lovely lad. I am very envious, after losing my last horse nearly three years ago. Still mourning, but running is helping me get over her. I hope you have many happy years together. 😊
Sorry for your loss MG - it’s totally heartbreaking. My Sam is irreplaceable but he taught me so much. Cyril gets told regularly that he should thank Sam 🥰
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Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
FAQ Post C25K COMPLETED…….WHAT NEXT?
