Back to the plan

[Ann_get_it_going]

hi all,

I’m back on the plan again and I’m up to wk3 r2 . I’ve had an awful time as my Dad got very ill 18 months ago and his care needs became very complex towards the end. He passed away at the end of January and I’m now starting to put my life back together.

I’ve been reading your posts through the months and they’ve kept me wanting to come back but I just could find any time or energy. Now I have more time but my body is absolutely raging against this. I did manage to keep up some weight training and horse riding but the stress has taken its toll and I feel I’ve regressed a lot. Everything hurts regardless of exercise or not so I’m being extra careful but I am seeing benefits of pushing through and being consistent.

I treated myself to a new pair of running trainers which are way more comfy than my last pair and I have an exercise buddy who is a great support!

My Pilates course is starting again so that should straighten out any crinkles and imbalances!

Onwards I go. Wish me luck!

[Jancanrunagain Graduate]

There’s loads of us on here who’ve experienced similar challenges in our family and friends for me running took a back seat over three very hard issues with friends and family and a fight over flammable cladding.

The good thing about your body raging is that there’s a message telling you it’s working and so are you, so very hard after all you’ve been through.

Ann for sure you’ve got it going and not least you’ve got this group going for you too.

You don’t need luck you’ve got pluck and that’s what will pull you through.

Very well done you and I’m one of a number of folk silently supporting you on every run

Please keep us posted …🏃‍♀️‍➡️

[Ann_get_it_going in reply to Jancanrunagain]

Thank you ☺️ what a lovely message. It’s very much appreciated. Something released in my left hip today and a lot of pain and stiffness has eased. I think I became chair shaped over the past 12 months!

Native Daffs

[Jancanrunagain Graduate in reply to Ann_get_it_going]

Ooh chair shaped that would definitely explain why your body has been complaining. I think I became chocolate bar shaped which is equally as hard to exercise out… Glad to hear that your hip pain has lessened. Sending you good vibes for this week’s running …

If you are able or want it tomorrow me. MintT and sheps are doing a synchronised graduation run at 8am Uk and 9am European and we’d love lots of C25k friends to join us, as sheps says maybe we can change the earth’s axis!

One way or another you’re on to a winner being here

[Ann_get_it_going in reply to Jancanrunagain]

I hope your run went well this morning and you graduated!

[Jancanrunagain Graduate in reply to Ann_get_it_going]

Thank you we did it … shiny new graduate here😀👍

[Ann_get_it_going in reply to Jancanrunagain]

🥳🥳👏👏👏

[MintT Graduate]

Sounds like you have been through an awful lot recently and I’m sorry to hear that. You are here and that’s such a positive time. The stress experienced before and the grieving all takes its toll and needs, as I’m sure you are aware, time to process

So pleased you’ve bought new shoes — another sign of determination. This new journey has already started.

Riding, weights re-engaging with Pilates and a third of the way through C25K sounds pretty amazing to me.

Onwards whilst being gentle with yourself ♥️

[Ann_get_it_going in reply to MintT]

Thank you, my confidence wavers but it feels good taking positive steps. I’ve spent the past 12 months saying no and backing away from life

[T2runner Graduate]

It's the trouble with getting older, life's hiccups become bigger and more serious, sorry for your loss, I had planned to restart c25k then my wife decided her needs were greater than mine, one stroke and heart surgery later... one thing you know is how important life is and how easy it can slip away, by doing this, or any exercise you are putting up the fight at a bad health's door, improving your everyday wellbeing, it's not going to be easy, it's not going to be comfortable but the joy that this brings knowing you are getting fitter and stronger both physically and mentally is worth every step, a lot of the runs I would finish and 10 - 15 minutes after I would be on top of the world, and that lasts ages.Just make sure you do the warm ups and cool downs, they are a great way to help relieve the muscles and protect against injury. Any major pains, seek medical advice, there is a difference between an ache and pain, don't push through pain though, take an extra day rest and see if it improves, if not then get advice. I took a few extra rest days, when I felt tired or extremely achey, they can work wonders. There are sections on here about different things that can be done to help with pain and other things that are good for us running novices, and reading will not strain anything! Keep it going, you know you are on a road to a better fitter life, keep us posted on your progress, you will get plenty of encouragement.

[Ann_get_it_going in reply to T2runner]

Thank you for your encouragement, it’s much appreciated. I feel that I’m not alone here

[Barney124 Graduate]

Hi Ann good to read your post, I also completed Wk 3 run 2 yesterday after a nearly 3 year break 😱 a house move and life changes just got in the way! I originally completed C25K during lockdown and found it improved my mental health as much as my physical but it has been a real struggle to get past my excuses and get out there again. Plodding the streets carrying extra weight my legs feel like lead and I wonder if I will be able to complete the course again but reading other folks issues and struggles on here keeps me motivated and inspired.Looking forward to following your journey and completing in sync x

[Ann_get_it_going in reply to Barney124]

Hi Barney! Good to hear from you! It’s great that we are at the same point. I’m thinking about doing a treadmill run later on to do run 2 depending on how my legs are doing after a walk today. (I live in a very hilly place). Hopefully one day it won’t feel like I’m wading through every run! I’ll put a progress post up in a couple of weeks, I not quite managing 3 runs every week so you might be a bit ahead of me. 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome back! Good to see you....you have had a very hard time , but here you are.

Life and all the challenges do bring out the best in we runners, and you are showing that strength and determination

Slow and steady and do keep posting. Do please check out the How to run C25K post, just to refresh your memory...

We are here with you, unseen but still, here... every step of the way!