First time out in WEEKS!: Due to a series of... - Couch to 5K

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First time out in WEEKS!

earl-grey-sian profile image
earl-grey-sianGraduate
15 Replies

Due to a series of calamities, some bigger than others, today I went out for the first time in weeks.

Before Christmas I was out of action due to a torn calf muscle. Just as that healed I got a chest infection, which for a serious asthmatic is not nice. Finally, about 3 weeks ago I decided to test out my lungs and went out to see what they could do. They managed a week 4 run (I had been on W5R2 prior to the muscle injury). But, the cold temperature took their toll, my lungs complained and Ventolin was required. Lots of Ventolin. So much Ventolin in fact that 36 hours of tachycardia followed.

I was just recovering from that when the biggest calamity struck me. For the first time in about 10 years, I had a serious short sharp depressive episode. Of the 10 days or so that it lasted, I spent 3 or 4 days being terrified and the other days fighting suicidal thoughts. In hindsight I think I had been quite manic for several weeks running up to my crash. But I don't notice mania at the time, I just enjoy it! Anyway, during this week, the fog has slowly cleared and I decided it was time to get back out there.

I wasn't sure where I should start, so I decided to play W5R2 and see what happened. I also changed my route so that I started my run on a gently sloping decline for encouragement. I think largely due to the slight downward gradient, the first 8 minutes were a doddle, so much so that I carried on for another 2, until I turned the corner and the gradient changed to an slight incline. I walked for the remaining 3 minutes and started running again when Laura told me to. The second run was a different story though. An incline. I only managed 3 and a half minutes. But, No pulled muscles, no Ventolin induced tachycardia and a smile on my face once more.

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earl-grey-sian
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15 Replies
BigEd profile image
BigEd

Hi Sian, welcome back, you have done superbly! I haven't run for a week i know when i go Parkrunning tomorrow that will be hard work! So coming back after weeks but me a very daunting task indeed. To go out at all is very brave! Really really well done and keep up the good work, Ed x

greenlegs profile image
greenlegsGraduate in reply to BigEd

I was wondering yesterday where BigEd had got to! How's your training going?

Jeddahpm profile image
JeddahpmGraduate in reply to greenlegs

And me.....spill the beans Ed ;)

earl-grey-sian profile image
earl-grey-sianGraduate in reply to greenlegs

Ed is fine. He's up to around 6 miles now and still doing regular Parkruns.

Jeddahpm profile image
JeddahpmGraduate in reply to earl-grey-sian

Wow he works sooooo hard. Thanks for letting us know he is ok Sian

earl-grey-sian profile image
earl-grey-sianGraduate in reply to Jeddahpm

He's just stubborn!!

earl-grey-sian profile image
earl-grey-sianGraduate

Thanks Ed x

Norni profile image
NorniGraduate

Oh Sian, poor you,, sounds as though you have had a really tough time. Thank goodness you have come through it. I hope your running helps - keep it up.

earl-grey-sian profile image
earl-grey-sianGraduate

Thanks Norni. It felt good to be back :-)

greenlegs profile image
greenlegsGraduate

Well done for getting running again, Sian. Good to have you back here. :)

Jeddahpm profile image
JeddahpmGraduate

Glad you are now on he other side of such an intense episode Sian. You can slowly, gently build yourself back up physically and emotionally. Hector (hectorshouse) posted about depression last week I think and there was some great supportive sharing which you might find good to read.

I have been using exercise as one of my tools help manage depression for nearly two years so I hope your runs help that fog remain clearer and that you get all the support you need. The folks on here are just lovely as you well know :)

Nice to hear the lungs and muscles are starting to behave! Happy to see your return and a post fromBid Ed who I have missed also.

Take care

Jems x

123456789 profile image
123456789Graduate

Congratulations on your run, and on having your smile back, I didn't realise there were so many of us bi-po runners on here....almost sounds like a track team!! Lol.

All the best

Dale

earl-grey-sian profile image
earl-grey-sianGraduate in reply to 123456789

Maybe we should form a team. We could get club t-shirts, black on the back with a sad face, bright yellow on the front with a smiley.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

Glad you're back, Sian, but sorry you've been having such a rough time. Hopefully you can pick up the running again - gently - and that smile will be back on your face :)

Annie

rolphie2 profile image
rolphie2Graduate

Glad you are back and have got through that rough time, wishing you lots of successful runs, well done for starting up again :-)

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