Last May my wife of 43 years died of sepsis after a very short illness. She had spent the previous 3 years as a paraplegic after a spinal abscess attacked her body.
I proceeded to to go on a 12 month bender getting drunk every night and not looking after myself properly until one day I thought to myself you getting a fat grumpy old git and going to kill yourself if you don’t sort yourself out!!
So I started walking every morning not long walks at first probably just a mile or so but fast forward 6 months and I’m in week 3 run 3 of C25K lost 2 stone 2 1/2lb and feeling amazing.
I still have my bad day’s feeling sorry for myself, missing Anita but the running and walking really does help and to say I’m proud of myself is an understatement. If I can do it anyone can so keep the feet going people one step at a time, push yourself and do what you can when you can
Merry Christmas everyone and have a great running new year
Kev
By the way I don’t normally put posts like this out there so feel honored lol😂😂😂
Written by
Kevin1604
Graduate
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You've been through a terrible time, well done for still being in one piece. It sounds like you've turned a corner to a better place. Wishing you every success in the New Year
Welcome to our chatter! You've been to he'll and back. Congratulations on getting out. We're all with you to help you through the difficult days and to cheer you through the good ones. Enjoy your running. Wishing you a happy Christmas and a happier, healthier new year. 🌲🎅🏃♀️
🍏 🤗We do indeed feel honoured that you have shared your story with us!! What an encouragement to someone hiding in the wings, holding on to their pain and hurt, whatever that looks like for them. You have been through so much grief and pain and still in bereavement but have managed to turn it around into something positive not only for you but for many who will be encouraged by it! Anita would be very proud of you Kevin. Please let us know how you get on with the runs so we can encourage & cheer you on to the finish line! Well done!!! 👏
Loss of the person closest to you is so sad, I know this. Well done for pulling yourself out of the downward spiral and couch to ,5 k is a great programme to follow.When my partner passed away, running saved me, it was very hard to be motivated to be bothered but it made a huge difference.
what a tragically hard time you have had and now you are turning a corner with the help of running. Well done! So glad you are finding the joy of running. Keep going.
So sorry for your loss. I’m so pleased you are finding some joy in walking and running. Well done, you deserve to feel proud, keep going 🏃♂️ Best wishes to you 😊
Have you thought of going along to a parkrun? Parkruns are free weekly events that take place every Saturday morning at 9am, they follow a 5k course, there is no pressure to run at all, in fact walking is distinctly encouraged. There are people from all backgrounds, all ages, all shapes and sizes…
You do not have to be able to run 5k, you can use it as one of your C25K plan runs, follow the planned run and walk the rest.
They are run purely by volunteers…..the reason I’m suggesting it, is the welcoming and friendly atmosphere they have….if you are feeling ready to mix a bit more and get chatting to others, it may be an option - you will already have something in common with everyone there….running/walking…
All parkrun aims to do is encourage a regular weekly habit of a bit of fitness, a walk, a chat, a jog, a skip, whatever you like
Have a look at the parkrun uk website to find out more and see what is on near you, if you want to track how you do, you just register and get a barcode, you only have to do this once, then you can go to any parkrun here or around the world…..by the way, you don’t have to register to take part….only if you want to know your time….
You might want to just go along and see how it works, anyway, I hope you consider giving it a try….
All the very best to you for Christmas and the New Year
Mx
Ps - there are ‘extras’ this time of year, some events do extra parkruns on Christmas Day and New Years Day…..there is a Christmas compendium on the parkrun website that lists all the parkruns taking part….an idea to start the new year? 🤔
You have a very supportive community here, and so is parkrun, I have always found parkrun to be a very supportive welcoming community, everyone has their own story…..good luck, hope you enjoy it 👍
Seriously - we are honoured that you have shared your story. Such an honest and brave account of the impact of your grief. Your story of healing gradually through running is an inspiring one. Hoping you enjoy all the runs you can 🏃♂️👌
Having also gone through incredibly difficult times in recent years, I too have found solace, strength and fitness from walking and running. 4 years ago I would never have described myself as a runner and would not look to make time for running but I’ve completed C25K (more than once actually after time off for an ankle injury I got out walking!) and gone on to fundraise ££££ through running 5Ks, and longer distances I never thought I had it in me to so. Running is now a habit I miss when I can’t do it and is part of my routine. Keep going Kev, you have found a positivity and should indeed be very proud of yourself, as would be Anita - keep putting one foot in front of the other, and this group is here to support you all along the way.
Great work! I am having a rough patch and haven’t run for a while but fully know that as soon as I get back to it I will feel better so thanks for the kick I need. Have a good Xmas
🍏🤗 A hug for you Wavy-chick28 Sorry you are going through a rough patch. If you want a guided run to kickstart you in January there are some fun ones on the Nike Run App from 10min runs to any distance you want. They have fun names that draw you in like I don’t wanna run, run etc
Huge respect and admiration to you for coming through your (totally understandable and natural) trough of despondency, getting yourself in a positive and disciplined state of mind (not easy at any time let alone when in that trough)and now here you are , on week4 feeling the benefits mentally and physically .
Watch the Japanese Slow Jogging video if you can, I found it invaluable.
Do let us know how you get on -we will be cheering you on. Go You.
We all have our reasons for being who we are and how we deal with life - no one person is on the same journey and some journeys are definitely harder than others
Well done for taking charge of your life and how you live it. I’m sure Anita would be so proud of you and what you have achieved and you should be to. Keep on going my friend - the world is a beautiful place and life is a gift denied to so many.
I feel you’re an inspiration to many people Kev and being once in a similar position to yourself I can understand you maybe feeling a tinge of guilt at wanting to move forward and get fitter but I’m sure this is what Anita would have wanted you to do rather than drink yourself into oblivion, well done you.
Hi Kev. What a terrible time you have had. Not just Anita’s death but her illness and incapacitation must have been so difficult too, in different ways. Thank you for sharing your story.
And bloody well done for getting out there and your achievements so far. You should feel proud!
Hi there Kt at Christmas 🎅 I had a few decisions to make and getting out there and sharing Anita’s loss was one of them as I felt that was the only way forward. I had to get positive and dump a few so called friends but that’s all done now and it’s onwards and upwards as far as I am concerned 😦
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