Mental Health and Running

[Joeys86]

I’ve written this post quite a few times now but haven’t found the right words to get my thoughts out... here goes.

I suffer with depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I mostly have this under control and have been in a good place for a while now. Like everyone says, exercise certainly helps with this and I always feel a million times better after a run. I graduated a few weeks ago and have been concentrating on running 30 mins 3 x a week since. All was going fab, I noticed my pace improving with each run and I was really enjoying it. Until...

Last Wednesday, I was doing my 5th consolidation run, just after the half way mark I started feeling like I was getting a stomach ache. I tried to push through it and keep on going but it got worse. I managed to run until 28 mins then stopped and walked the rest. During the time I was feeling unwell, I could feel a panic attack coming on. When I stopped, I called a friend and just about managed to swerve it. I then felt super anxious about running again; what if I get another attack, what if I need to stop or am unwell were thoughts in my head. I headed out again last Friday, determined not to let this beat me. I ran my best run yet.

I then had a few rest days and went out again on Tuesday. Again, the feel of panic was rising just after the half way point. This time I stopped at 19 minutes, went into a public bathroom to splash some cold water on my face and compose myself. I then went back out and did the final 11 minutes.

This now brings me to this morning. I left the house feeling incredibly anxious. I decided to change my route slightly and go the opposite way along the seafront. I stopped after 6 minutes. Just stopped and cried. I feel like I have lost my confidence with this. I’m absolutely determined not to let this beat me, no way. I want running to be enjoyable and to help me clear my head.

This morning after I stopped, I called my friend to bring me back down again which helped, then decided I didnt want to waste the time out so jumped onto one of the rental bikes and did a 40 minute cycle instead, which I loved.

I know running is often a mental battle and I just need to persevere through it. I think next time I go I will try to break it down and concentrate on maybe 1km at a time to make it seem more achievable perhaps.

I’m not too sure the point of my post, just a place to get my thoughts out I guess.

Does anyone have any experience similar?

[HennieR62 Graduate]

Hey best-virtual-never-met-running-buddy! You are brave and honest to post this. I don’t know about panic attacks. What I do know is how determined you are and have been in graduating, and how much checking in with you after each run totally helped ME to graduate. You gave good advice such as (I summarise) “get out there even if walking.” How determined you were to go out again on the Friday. 👏👏You have more inner strength than you perhaps realise. I think of you when I’m out for a 🐌 run, wondering how you are getting on. Your plan to break down the targets to 1ks sounds good, the mental equivalent of slowing down!! Just think of how many times you’ve already run for 30 minutes!! I’ll look forward to seeing how you get on when you next post. X

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Thank you for your lovely reply 🥰. I think I’m going to have a few days rest and go again on Sunday morning. Thank you for your support. How have your runs been this week? X

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Good plan! I’m still managing Monday/Wednesday/Friday, but it was hot again yesterday and looks even hotter tomorrow, so I’ll try AGAIN to go earlier. Definitely less distance covered in the heat! One run I had to walk in the middle as I was really tired, limited it to 100 steps, which got over whatever hump that was! 😊

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

You are doing amazingly! Good luck with tomorrows run ☺️

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Thank you - though I’m postponing until tomorrow!! Too hot and too tired.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

It is way too hot. I went for an early cycle at 7am - 22degrees! Too hot to run!

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

How are you doing? Well done getting out on your bike! I’ve just posted, I abandoned Friday/Saturday run in the end and actually feel better for an additional rest day.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Hi 👋🏼 I’m doing ok thank you. Havent managed to get out for a run yet. I am planning on doing so in the morning. Now I’ve told you, that will be my motivation to go! Definitely agree about additional rest days! Mine will be 6 😂 so hopefully that means it will be a good one!

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

It sure will 😂😂

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Morning! 30 minute run done with 4K covered. I wont lie and say it was easy. It took me a good hour to even get out the door! I paused 3 times during the run to make sure I didnt over do it. I made sure to pause my trackers too so the distance logged was running only. I’m so pleased to of done it! Going to take a couple of rest days now and go again on Friday. Thanks again for your support and checking in with me 😊

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Ha ha I was just thinking of you!!! You are fabulous to get out there and run! 👏👏👏 You’ve done it! Every step makes a difference and very unscientifically I think it makes a bigger difference when it’s winning the mental battle 😊 I’m running Friday too so we can check in again? Have a great week.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Thank you so much. Ive had holiday from work, but back in tomorrow - that means I wont have the time to faff on Friday morning so will have to get out there and get it done! Have a lovely day ☺️

[Blackberrypie Graduate]

Does having a plan in place for that "what if" help? For example it sounds to me like you dealt with the first panic attack really well by calling a friend, .so perhaps your answer to "what if" could be, "I'll call X". (I should say I've never had a panic attack and don't have any expertise in the area but I do find having a plan really helps to reduce anxiety levels.) Hope you manage to find a way to keep running - sounds like it is doing you good.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to Blackberrypie]

Thank you for your reply. I think thats definitely a good idea. I need to get a proper plan in place. ☺️

[Roxdog Graduate]

My daughter used to have mini panic attacks while running, although she doesn't have any particular mental health issues. She had a break and then re-started, concentrating on her breathing. In for three through the nose, out for three through the mouth. She said that focussing on her breathing stopped the panicky feelings.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you for your reply. Thats an excellent suggestion. I will definitely concentrate on my breathing ☺️