Running through grief, making changes and finally reached 1 hour!

[swim63]

I lost my amazing, wonderful Dad in March. He was almost 97, and the best person I have ever known. I miss him every day, but have managed to get back into regular running, which I think is really helping.

Decided to mix it up a bit, as always do the same route and similar distance. So, tried NRC first Fartlek run and a couple of others that have “speed” intervals, never did I think I would see the day!!

surprisingly I have really enjoyed the challenge, even though find it hard to run fast ( fast for me is not fast , but slightly quicker than my usual snail pace).

Then decided I would like to push for an hour run, this I did yesterday and when I got to the hour, noticed on my lovely new Garmin that I was almost at 5 miles, so carried on until I reached it which added another 3 minutes.

I’m sure my Dad must have been helping me along, felt totally amazing!

Apologies for the ramble , just wanted to share with others who would understand 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Oh gosh,,, to lose someone you love and admire leaves a huge space... but you have moved on well and your Dad was watching you with pride. It is a year over since you graduated?

You are running for a longer time now and clearly enjoying.. maybe time to take a run across to Bridge to 10K now...and get that 60 minutes Graduation badge

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Lots to think about now and where you want to go next...

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you, yes it’s a few years since I completed c25k. I was happy plodding on , but happier now with the new challenges, makes it a bit more interesting.

I hope he was watching with pride, he has left such a huge gap .

Should I have posted on bridge to 10k?

😊

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to swim63]

C25K is fine but there are some lovely people on Bridge to 10k too, you can definitely do both and of course there's the badge waiting for you there 😁Well done on your long run, sorry about your dad, mine died just before his 70th birthday, way too soon, but we know they're keeping an eye ❤️

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Oh that’s great, thank you ☺️.

So sad, I think they are always taken too soon, no matter what their age. Life can be tough

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to swim63]

No... gosh, you post on any forum you wish too

It is good to share and here, where we have new friends joining, it is great that they see how we can be away, but return

I just meant, pop along to Bridge as well, for support from friends there as well as here.. lot so inspiration and motivation too x

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Sending you healing hugs 🤗, running is a good thing to do and it'll help in many ways. You are doing so well too 😊

[swim63 Graduate]

thank you, I’m trying 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to swim63]

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal".

This is from an Irish Epitaph from a headstone.

I remember this, when I think of my own Dad, and Mum and my Nan...they are always with me.. I am part of them and they part of me... part of my daughter, and her small one too...they live on through us, and we can best honour that, by living a full, happy life in the best way we are able x

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Oldfloss, that is beautiful. Thank you so very much 😍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to swim63]

xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

ohhh..so sorry to hear about you losing your lovely dad…and I know this won’t make you feel any better but wow…97?! What a wonderful life I bet you had together?

I absolutely know how therapeutic running is when it comes to grief..I have run many many runs with tears disguised as rain…you have to do what you have to do..& yes, I am 100% sure your dad will be looking over you with so much pride in his heart no matter what you do x

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you so much for your kind words.

We definitely had some great times together, many many happy memories x

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

I find it really helpful to run when feeling down, my Dad is in a care home it’s been challenging to say the least but running brought me back after I fell off the edge.

I’ve never tried a fartlek, may give it a whirl and well done with the hour super running !!

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you so much for your kind reply.

It’s so tough with care homes, my poor Mum was in one and it was absolutely awful.

I’m pleased running has helped you through.

Yes, try a Fartlek, it’s fun! I only did a very short one!!

[drl212 Graduate]

How wonderful!

I had a terrible day yesterday at work and it was also the 5th anniversary of my mum's death. By around 2:30, I had had enough and went home, threw on the trainers and got myself out the door as quickly as I could.

Did a nice 30 min recovery run on the NRC 10K plan. I'm sure our loved one's were out there with us spurring us on.

Thank you for your story.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to drl212]

Sending you a hug... and well done.

[swim63 Graduate in reply to drl212]

Oh bless you, it never goes away hey.

I really do hope they are spurring us on, at least that makes it all the more worthwhile ❤️

[Kjb04 Graduate]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I know how that feels. It’s great that running is helping you. I’m the same with the speed runs but figure a little faster is better than always slow! 😂

You should run ‘your’ fast not what you feel it should be. Take care of yourself .

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Kjb04]

So true.. our own runs our own pace. Subject yet again of a past post

healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Kjb04]

Thank you so much 😊

Yep, I’m very happy with my fast 🤣

[Teaching]

Sorry for your loss. Sure he's watching over you. Congratulations on your great achievement.

[swim63 Graduate in reply to Teaching]

Thank you ☺️