A new start

[RJN12]

I did the program, 9 years ago, and it truly brought me from couch potato to a running entusiast. Everywhere I went, I planned running router, from Sydney and the jungles of Borneo to Rio, New York and Berlin. Then my hip gave out, so although I got back to running, it was never the same and during lockdown I couldn’t get started as I got out of breath. Turned out to be advanced lung cancer, and treatment has given me diabetes and adrenal insufficiency. But….Two years on, and I have been told that at least right now, I am cancer free! So this is a very long-winded way of saying I am starting again. Just finished week 2 run 1. It was embarassingly tough, but I know I can get through it. Learning from the past, I am combining with light pilates, to protect my dodgy hip. I may not be the sprightly healthy person I was the first time around, but hoping to get the joy of running back. X

[Flybe Graduate]

All I can say is WOW!! Well done to be back after all that. Sending you congratulations and hugs ❤️❤️x

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Welcome back, you've had a tough few years, join me in being a really slow runner and your fitness will soon catch you up, there's a few slow runners here already

[RunningJ123 Graduate]

Wow, you've been through a lot... Good on you for getting this far and now starting again.. All the best!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just WELCOME !!!

How wonderful to have you here.... healthy and raring to go....snail pace.... along with a whole bunch of us.... because here, slow and steady really does work!

many many of us right now are repasting for all manner of reasons... including me... again! I just finished Week 3...

You are I am sure really in tune with your body and will take every opportunity to listen to it !

Just take it gently, and enjoy every step....and please, now you are here.... stick around and keep posting !

HUGE well done you, on oh so many levels!!!!

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

that’s amazing ! Huge congratulations and do keep us updated on your progress.. you’ve been on such a journey already, it’s really quite inspirational to read your post👏🏼

[Shuffledaway Graduate]

Your post really is an inspiration to everyone!

I’m a dedicated re starter now, and am comfortable with that, just doing what I feel like doing and not feeling pressured to run further / faster. So, most times I just go out and perhaps run for 20 mins ( slowly) or perhaps to the end of the road and back. Doing this with a HIIT session and strengthening exercises every week is enough to keep me at a reasonable level of fitness that I can maintain, with less risk of injury too. So well done and carry on but most of all, enjoy it!

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

What can I say apart from another HUGE WOW!!! I am also snail when I do run, but I'm currently not running at all as I don't feel up to it on so many levels; however, I am walking regularly and doing a walking challenge just now which is keeping me ticking over.

You've got this and I am in awe of you. You have my utmost respect 🙏👊🙏

[Penwithpink Graduate]

What an inspirational post and person x sending you love and light on your journey x

[Gthants]

So much you've battled through, so it's great that you are back out and running. Coming from a slipped disc and then muscle injuries I definitely find that pilates is helping me to strengthen and loosen and to be able to build back into running.

Good luck in your journey!

[RJN12 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Absolutely pilates. I was told when my hip gave out that many runners don’t have strong enough glutes and core, which can cause strain, inflammation and tears in the soft tissues. Since I have a bone spur in my hip socket (FAI), it is critical to put as little strain as possible on the hip, and pilates/barre is the most effective way to achieve this.

[Gthants in reply to RJN12]

When I came back to running my physio said I was an accident waiting to happen; my core, hamstring and glutes were not up to the task. I have religiously done the prescribed exercises and branched out into others to add extra strength and flexibility, my glutes and core are coming on nicely, but my hamstrings and hip flexors are still 😬. I still exercise them every day and I'm much better than 6-8 weeks ago, but I have a LONG way to go. Keep it up, huh?! 🙌

[Fiadh79 Graduate]

Wow - what an amazing story. That's so good that you are cancer free.

Good luck with returning to running. Pirates sounds like such a good idea. I've been doing nearly daily yoga since I restarted running and I think I have had the longest time ever in my life without injury. When people say running is bad for you I'm convinced that's only the case if you don't have the musculature to support it. (Assuming you aren't doing too much.)

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

So good to read of your come back, I admire your can do spirit. I’m sorry you have had set backs and serious health issues and I’m hoping you will really enjoy the sense of purpose, energy and the camaraderie that c25k and this forum can bring. . .

I look forward to hearing about it all.

[Bruch1 Graduate]

Wow! I am in awe of you! Welcome back. I'm a snail too so join the trail. All the very best as you return to your running. We're all behind you - quite literally in my case 😆

[RJN12 Graduate]

Wow - Thank you for all the lovely comments. I appreciate the support. I posted because 1. I know I will struggle at least sometimes over the next months, so keeping myself honest! and 2. To encourage others with difficult physical or mental challenges to keep going. If I can get back to it, then so can most people.

[DocEmmett Graduate]

Epic Stuff RJN12! We are with you.

Remarkably well done on your resilience and return.

We are looking forward to hearing how it goes on good days and bad days and middling days because, as you know well by now, it will be mixed but it will all be well worth doing.

[August122 Graduate]

Good for you 🙌🙌 Sounds like you are a true fighter and your determination will lead you right back to your joy of running. Have a wonderful journey with it ☺️

[Cookscat Graduate]

WOW , amazing , Xx

[Mossop0namission]

Go yo. You got this ❤️