here we go again😬

[limberlou]

after 8 long months I finally summoned up the courage to run again. Long story short I had an op beg of last August, not allowed to run for 3 months, enforced sitting around aggravated my GTS, and then after physio for that I developed a painful/ weak ankle on the other side so more physio. Finally feeling more or less back to normal ( plus about a stone extra weight 🫤) I bit the bullet and ran on Saturday, just to see what I could do.

Original plan was to start with week 1 but I felt great after my warm up so when I started running I ended up running ( slowly), for 4 mins, walking for 1 minute, 3 times and then walked home triumphantly. I stretched and had no aches and thought ok I’ll start with week 4 but maybe repeat it a few times to get into the swing of things…..

Then Sunday morning I was pottering in my garden and I noticed that two large flower tubs, that I had relegated to behind the greenhouse, had daffs and tulips nearly in flower so I decided to lift them out and put them in a more visible place. Of course this involved standing twisted to one side, on a couple of concrete blocks, leaning forward into the space behind the greenhouse whilst twisted and lifting said tubs out, then carrying them to a better location. No problem!! Or so I thought until later when I went to get up after my dinner and realised I’d pulled something in my lower back!! Cue 3 days of hobbling about, popping ibuprofen, wriggling about on Pilates balls until I felt better, so no running on Monday as planned.

Wednesday brought another visit to the hospital with my son. He moved back home in December after a really stressful miserable year and then being laid off end of November. , just as I was feeding him up and he’d managed to get himself a new job, which starts in March after training etc ….then had a heart attack at end of January. This is my son that goes to the gym 5 days a week, exercise regularly, doesn’t drink or smoke, eats healthily…….!!! They kept him in for 4 days, then sent him for an angiogram and possible stent last week but luckily he didn’t need the stent so they are still investigating the cause. Anyway his arm was hurting a lot throughout the night so he rang 111 and they made him an apt and I drove him up there. As it was they said it was probably bruising due to the angiogram procedure.

So it was Thursday before I had chance to run again. I drove my son to the gym so he could walk gently on the treadmill for half an hour and I parked up and ran again. Managing to squeeze the run in between showers too was a bonus and again it went pretty well. I ran up the estate where the gym is, and turned onto my old favourite the Tarka Trail and did the half a run out and half a run back, finishing up walking back to my car just as he finished. I am totally amazed that I am not out of breath, not aching …. After all this time of a few walks and about 12 Pilates sessions I must obviously had a baseline fitness level higher than I thought. 😁

so hopefully I’m back and looking forward to some better weather and many more runs

[PeggySusi Graduate]

What a tough year you have had! I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s heart attack.. that must have been so frightening. I’m glad he got swift treatment and is in the recovery phase.. I hope he can still start the new job on schedule?

Great to hear that you’ve summoned up the will to start running again and it has gone so well (after your gardening blip!) .. along with the spring weather it’s all looking positive for a better time this year..🤞

[limberlou Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Thanks. We’ll having nagged my other son to go and get checked over, he had his BP check and blood test this morning and then we had a lovely day out shopping and catching up….and then he went home and so did I to eat my tea and then he rang me to say his BP was fine and his BMI was OK, but his glucose levels were sky high and he has type 2 diabetes and is on Metformin now, had to go and fetch the meds straight away this evening.

My daughter is going in for her checkup next week and I don’t think I can deal with much more 😥

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to limberlou]

Oh crumbs.. but you will deal with it and be there for all of them, as mums do.. take care of yourself too.. and I hope the meds and mutual support will carry you all through to better times.. 🤗

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏I salute your bravery in not only coping with your own problems and recovery but your sons too! May you both go from strength to strength! You will enjoy going through some of these runs again as you know what to expect & can relax and enjoy them. If you have the new version of the app there are 3 extra runs with Steve Cram after you complete 9:3 Think you will enjoy them! Do stay in touch & let us know how you are both progressing! Well done 👍

[limberlou Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks. We’ll having nagged my other son to go and get checked over, he had his BP check and blood test this morning and then we had a lovely day out shopping and catching up….and then he went home and so did I to eat my tea and then he rang me to say his BP was fine and his BMI was OK, but his glucose levels were sky high and he has type 2 diabetes and is on Metformin now, had to go and fetch the meds straight away this evening.

My daughter is going in for her checkup next week and I don’t think I can deal with much more 😥

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to limberlou]

🍏That’s all too much for you to take in at the moment but in the light of day you will see although this is extremely painful, & difficult you will find a way through! You will because they are your children. You have been through much! They have been watching & learning! Our children’s problems and pains break our mother hearts. 💔 However you will see that you are stronger than you feel right now! Hugging you in my heart and prayers & hoping you have good support systems. 🤗

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Gosh, what a lot you have been through limberlou - it is so good to see you back on here and getting back to your running.🙂👍 I really hope that all goes well for your son too and that he is soon back to full health.🙂

[limberlou Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks. We’ll having nagged my other son to go and get checked over, he had his BP check and blood test this morning and then we had a lovely day out shopping and catching up….and then he went home and so did I to eat my tea and then he rang me to say his BP was fine and his BMI was OK, but his glucose levels were sky high and he has type 2 diabetes and is on Metformin now, had to go and fetch the meds straight away this evening.

My daughter is going in for her checkup next week and I don’t think I can deal with much more 😥

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to limberlou]

But now he knows he can start to address things limberlou . Hope that next weeks check ups go ok.👍

[skysue16 Graduate]

what a worrying time for you 😕 but very well done for getting out there and doing a run 👍😊 I imagine that the Tarka Trail is a lovely place to run.

[limberlou Graduate in reply to skysue16]

It is indeed, alongside the river with hedgerows on the other side ,you get to experience nature season by season

[linda9389 Graduate]

Hey! welcome back. You have really been through the mill so I'm sure it was wonderful to exceed your expectations on those first two runs. Wishing you (and your son) all the very, very best 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hello ! So good to see you back here with us.

What a time you have had.. and worrying too. So good to know that things are improving...

The gardening back... ahhh.. yes. Both Irishprincess and I have experience of these pulls..!

Your son, is hopefully, back on the road to recovery. Mr OF had a heart attack in July, stent fitted the day, after home on the Friday. He is, as the consultant told him, quite literally , a new man !

Do check out and maybe share with your son, -David-G 's posts, they are inspirational !

Many of us are repeating, or have repeated Couch... and found it super. Just, do take it steadily. Yes, I know, I am still banging on about slow and steady, but the events of the last months do take their toll, mentally as well as physically.

Your sons latest blip... this may be a result of so many things... see how it all evolves...

I was diagnosed as pre diabetic... under 8 stone very active, healthy eating regime... BMI smack on etc etc... and my levels were a result of stress and the effect it has on cortisol levels and subsequently blood sugar levels.

Things may, with the expert help available change... just go with the flow and listen to those in charge.

Just listen to the experts and try to stay positive.

These times are sent to try us, my Nan used to say... but they will pass. You must try to take care of you and remember how important it is to stay strong and well, not just for your family, but for you too.

I made the mistake of using my runs at one time, to help with the stress. I came unstuck. So after Mr OF's HA, I stopped running and relied on the super stuff on S and F. to keep me going until, .. repeating C25K and re-graduating 8 years on, on the same date I graduated!

You will get there...just be very kind to yourself and know we are always here for you... every step of the way x

Listen to your body... and take notice of what it says. xxx

[limberlou Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

thanks I’ve always found your runs and posts inspirational. I’m being a lot gentler in myself this time as I have no pressure to run races or beat times just running for my peace and tranquility and mental and physical health

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to limberlou]

...and no better goal, than those. Perfect x

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

We do indeed have that in common Floss! Unfortunately ☹️

While I was reading your post limberlou and you started to mention about lifting the pots I was cringing and shouting, “no!” I did exactly the same thing and was in agony for several weeks. Apparently it’s the twisting that causes the most damage. I still have a weakness there and need to massage it regularly to get rid of any stiffness. But I don't lift pots any more …

I am so sorry you have been through all that in recent months. You must have been worried sick about your sons. Running and time for yourself is so important in times of worry so it’s great that you are running again. And every single run you have done in the past is still there and contributing to your fitness levels now. Your legs remember!

Take care and enjoy your runs x

[Week7 Graduate]

Tough time for you. Pleased things are picking up. You personify "when the going gets tough the tough get.....etc!"

Looking forward to reading all about your running comeback.