One of the best parts of my day in recent weeks has been posting about running. It has been lovely to cheer and be cheered in return; to get dramatically fitter and to learn how to get even stronger.
That's going to change for a while. I am not sure if I can read about other's running at the moment.
It turns out yesterday's run was very much too much. When I got lost in the long grass and had to work very hard physically to get myself out it was only for five minutes - and it made a lovely story. But I am now paying for it.
I have slipped a disc ... again.
Those of you who have ever done this know what the pain is like. At the moment I am counting down the minutes until the surgery opens and I can (I hope!) make an appointment to get some nice strong drugs.
I've been here a few times: I have to rest and take it easy. Then there's a gentle movement phase. There's the stage where I do focused exercises. Then I have to slowly build up strength again. I'm thankful that, thanks to the program, the Long Covid is better than it was, but I can hardly bear to think about starting the whole process all over again - I'm "back" where I was last year ... and at Christmas with the last two occasions this happened.
I hope, when all this is over, I will find the strength to start C25K again.
Happy running to you all.
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Gthants
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Nothing to say, except , I hope you get your pain relief quickly; stay strong, stay positive, stay kind to yourself... and know that all of us and of course, those runs will still be here waiting for your return x
Oh no! So sorry to hear this and every good wish for your recovery. But maybe stay with us while you are recovering? I don't comment much on here but I always read and I often notice and like your contributions. Your voice would be very much missed!
You are absolutely right - I have missed this community, and writing today's post made me realise that the vicarious connection to running I get here is important. So I'm back today!
So sorry to hear that Gthants - take care of yourself and good luck for your recovery. Hope you'll continue to post encouragement for us while you're "off" so we can follow your return!
🍏Oh no!!! The agony, the disappointment and the long road to recovery all feels too much to bear at this point!! HOWEVER the runs will wait and so will we!! Thinking of you and at least you know it will get better and that you will run again!! Keep that in mind! Dip in here now & again and tell us how you are getting on! Feel for you!
So sorry to read this and to hear that you are in so much pain. I hope it settles down sooner than you think, and that you will reconsider your decision to bow out of this forum. Your entertaining posts will be missed and it would be good if you could share aspects of your recovery. As you say, you have been through it before, so it may be that your experience will help it along faster this time. You could for now maybe consider the sister forums like Strength and Flex, and Active 10? Many of us on these forums have had repeated setbacks, but learned to enjoy the process, rather than focussing on the end results of graduation and faster running.. I hope once your current understandable distress abates you will come back to sharing here. Wishing you good luck and speedy pain relief. 🤗
I'm going to post on Thursday about what's going on, but you are absolutely right: I've missed supporting and being supported on this lovely forum. Burying my head in the sand about this was not my best idea.
I'm stunned and gutted for you. Such bad luck. I've really enjoyed having you along by my side as we progressed through our running journeys together. Best of luck with your route to recovery and hope to see you here again in the future.
Oh no, really sorry to hear this Gthants . I hope you get the painkillers sorted and that you're on the road to recovery very soon.
Setbacks aren't easy and we all have our own ways to cope. Personally I totally get that you don't feel like reading about others' running at the moment, and why should you? If taking a break from the forums is the best thing for you, do it. I very much hope it won't be the last we'll see of you though.
Now I feel bad for laughing at your adventure yesterday. Sending good wishes and healing thoughts. The runs always wait and we will be here to cheer you on when you feel able to return, running, walking or Strength and Flex.
That is so disappointing for you - and I’ll miss your posts. So unlucky. I hope that you can get the pain under control very soon and be on the road to recovery. As others have said - the runs will still be here! Do what you need to do to heal and I look forward to reading your posts again soon.
ohhh noooooo!!! That is so frustrating and such terrible bad luck - not at all what you deserve after the last 3-4 months of effort and feeling increasingly confident about your progress. So so sorry. I feel bad for laughing at your swamp story now… I really hope the docs can help. Will look out for you if you post and will cheer your recovery.
Oh no! So sorry this has happened. Really feel for you. Wishing you a fast and full recovery. You’re welcome here anytime you need some sympathy or a cheer up ❤️❤️❤️
oh no, I’m really sorry to read this has happened and understand you coming off here while you recover - I look forward to your return in the future, best of luck 🤞🏻
Thanks for sharing this. It is a bit of a reality check for us all. I often think that the competition in running is against my own body. For me it is how much can I do before I strain my calfs (no where near as painful or serious as a slipped disc). Take care of yourself. There are great health benefits to running but, alas, there are the down sides.
Whatever happens please keep us informed - a series of running dreams could be equally interesting!
Oh no Gthants I'm so sorry to hear about your slipped discs you have my full sympathy and empathy (not slipped disc, but chronic hip injury) and you have supported me so kindly during my initial stint with C25K. I have every faith that you'll be back, your enthusiasm has been infectious and that won't stay indoors for too long, I just can't imagine that.
Meanwhile, as you told me, with kindness, you're doing the right thing, you know it and remember you have a place here always. I'll keep an eye out for you and keep on moving as best you can xx
Oh, no! I am so sorry to read this, Gthants ! That must be such a disappointment. I, too, wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to ready from you in the not all to distance future 🤗
I'm so sorry this has happened to you after all you have done to get yourself fitter. Your posts will be missed on here by all of us. I'm sure you have very specific exercises routines for your back. I hurt mine some time ago now and I found swimming and yoga to be really beneficial. There are a few yoga 'moves' where you lie on your back and rotate your pelvis. These did me wonders and whenever I feel the pain I do those and feel it click. I'm sure it's not the same as a slipped disc though. Think mine was only partial.
Please take care and don't let it put you off coming back to this when you are ready. If it's any consolation, I've had to temporarily stop running too. Been off a fortnight with achilles heel pain and saw a physio today and I see them again in a fortnight. I can't run till well after that. Sickening isn't it. It's really helped my mood and overall wellbeing and provided something I have loved so much. I hope you start to make a fast recovery. Maybe with all the work you have done with running and strength and flex it will recuperate more quickly? Let's hope so. All the best!
Thank you. As I said earlier, so sorry about your achilles. I can't do much yoga apart from specific exercises and the flow has gone because downward dog and anything forward bending has gone - and had gone long before this latest setback. But I am finding new exercises and am taking the time to do a reset.
I am very sorry Gthants, you certainly havn't had a good time over the last few months, let's hope once you have recovered you will be able to run again, good luck.
That is a big blow. Can totally understand your feelings of disappointment and dejection.
A lovely PT I used to go to very much believes that muscle memory is a thing. You will be able to build back when the time is right. You will have to rebuild your stamina but the muscles will be willing .
Take comfort from the fact that your health going into this IC phase is far better than if you had done it as a non runner by eg twisting awkwardly whilst emptying the dishwasher. These sorts of accidents and incidents do happen, it’s just a hazard of being a two legged being . I wish you a speedy recovery.
oh no! I have done this too and I recognise the pain. Heal well, hopefully the strength and endurance you have built will work in your favour to help your recovery. Wishing you the very best.
So sorry to hear this. I hope you make a speedy recovery. I certainly do know the pain of a slipped its excruciating. Hope you will be back running soon.
Oh no, how devastating and what a shame for you and all of us who enjoy your posts and generous support. Ironically this post will doubtless be labelled "popular" when clearly nobody here likes it 😔. Can quite understand why it will be tricky to read about others running while you can't, but perhaps you can start a "recovery" group. Injuries appear when least expected and your input and positivity and support would surely be welcome by those new to setbacks... If you have the time or energy! Wherever you end up, please let us know so we can cheer on the progress you are destined to make with your customary humour and fortitude. In the meantime hope drugs plentiful and efficacious.
Oh no! I was going to click the like button, but there's nothing to like about this situation so I haven't 😞
Being a fellow spinal injury sufferer, I can really relate to the feelings you must be going through right now - I can almost hear the "FFS not again" from here in Wales!! I hope the GP can sort out the pain for you, then you can start to think about the gradual recovery you are only too familiar with, so at least you know what's coming (trying to be positive here!).
As others have said, the runs will always be waiting for you. Indeed, I am on my own long slow journey back to re-graduating again with lots of set backs right now. We will all be here to cheer you on once things have settled down again and you feel you may be ready to give it another go, and we'll be here to commiserate with you in the meantime, so please don't be a stranger 🙏
So sorry this has happened. I can truly sympathise with you having been through the same. Take care and hopefully you will be back with us again in body as well as spirit very soon.
Oh no. I’m so sorry to read this but keep the faith. I had a very similar incident a couple of years ago that I have written about on here. I was in so much pain and I thought that would be the end of my running. I was so tearful with pain and sadness.
It may not feel like it now, but you will get better and you will be stronger. You have shown that you have desire and strength and this is reflected in your posts. You will come back.
Behind every setback there is a comeback 💪
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you will still feel able to post here. We all wish you well.
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you have my full sympathy and empathy (not slipped disc, but chronic hip injury) and you have supported me so kindly during my initial stint with C25K. I have every faith that you'll be back, your enthusiasm has been infectious and that won't stay indoors for too long, I just can't imagine that.
Sorry about disappearing
W2R3. Forgive me while I have a little boast... :D
I think I'm going to have to give this up for a while and that feels rubbish.
'Scuse me while I kiss the ground...Falling over is so embarrassing! 
Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk (or the case of the disappearing Joiner)
