Running with a focus makes me run further

[Maverickrun]

I graduated over the summer and I found a lot of the graduation runs hard and found the 30 minutes I’d got to slipping further and further away. I was getting frustrated and angry with myself and then I suddenly pulled a 5k out of nowhere!!! I was elated and reenergised and I’m sure I posted on here about my achievement. Running was going well again.

Then in late August one of my kids was diagnosed with a life changing disease and everything went on hold. We were devastated as a family and have had to learn how to live in a whole new way. After about 3 weeks off I decided to try and run as it is so good for my mental health. It hurt and strava failed (or so I thought) but every time I felt like quitting I thought of how much harder my child’s life is and that this pain is temporary. I seemed to fall into a natural rhythm and completed my planned route only to discover strava had been recording the whole time and I’d just completed my first 6k!!! What?!?!

Since then I’ve signed up to a fundraising month long running event and 5k runs have started to feel natural and enjoyable. I actually smile when I run. My new focus has changed my approach to the whole process and I feel like I’ve now moved into a new running phase of my life. I now feel like a runner (for real this time). For those of you struggling, keep at it. It does get easier, your body will catch up with your mind and it feels great. I couldn’t run for 60s in March.

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate]

This is such a bitter sweet story and I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through.

It feels somehow inadequate to say how great it is that your running is getting easier and going your way when at the same time your family life has changed so much.

I suspect that running has become an escape, something for you, that you can control and achieve from.

This post feels like one of mental strength and the power of the mind to accept what we have to and change what we can.

For that fellow runner I salute you 🙌

[Maverickrun Graduate in reply to MinnieMoo55]

Thank you for the reply. It definitely is an escape and something I can feel extremely proud of. It’s also fantastic to raise the pennies at the same time and feel like I can contribute to supporting people with this condition.

[MinnieMoo55 Graduate in reply to Maverickrun]

As a charity CEO I know how much those pennies will be appreciated 😊

[Newbie59 Graduate]

So sorry to hear about your child, one of the hardest things to come to terms with.

Yours is another inspiring story from this group, and it's good to let others know how running can help you cope in such sad circumstances.

[Maverickrun Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Thank you. I loved reading success stories when I was plodding through the original weeks. It’s such a rollercoaster of a journey it’s nice to see that it does get easier. I’m sure it will get harder again but perseveration pays off.

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Maverickrun]

Yes, we sometimes have bad days but we have to keep on running ...