Our Setbacks simply prepare us for our nex... - Strength & Flex

Strength & Flex

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Our Setbacks simply prepare us for our next Comeback...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
19 Replies

Hello everyone...

Here I am again.... and I have some ideas that are popping into my head...

On C25K forum, where I am for a lot of my running time. I am aware of a few folk asking questions about illness, and injury and in particular getting back to running.

For me, right now, I can totally empathise with those questions.

As some of you may be aware I am going through a period of not running. I have been logging some posts about my progress, getting back to it on this forum

Now I have written about this before... and I am going to use the content of the previous posts here...

It can be very hard at times like this to accept what is going on, whilst trying to maintain some degree of fitness or even mobility. Hence my references in past post links, to acknowledge, accept and adapt!

Exercise helps to keep us physically and mentally fit. This is what we advocate much of the time. A lot of us really depend on it, as part of our lifestyle.

When illness strikes, we can miss running so much and we worry about how rapidly that fitness will disappear, particularly in the early days of our running. This feeling is often followed by the almost overwhelming desire to get out there again, as quickly as possible. As we move on, we get into a lovely running pattern and the fact that we are not able to do that, can give us some very dark days

We are all so, so, different and we all recover from illness or injury at different rates, but one thing we all need to try, ( really try) to remember is that we need to get back to our running safely. That does mean at times, we have to be really, really strong and really believe that, those runs do wait!

We want to keep the fitness and we want to feel like running again. So... how can we achieve that.

The first thing we need to do is... WAIT. What !!!!

Yes, I said, WAIT.

You need to wait until you are fully better before you run again. It can be all too easy to kid ourselves that we are almost OK, and think we are able to do more than we actually are able. The thought of having to wait longer is not a good one.. We have to ask questions of ourselves and answer honestly... and that is so hard!

The nature of the illness or injury is a factor, but even if it is only a mild illness, or a relatively simple injury, we still need to make sure we are both physically and mentally, ( and this applies to me right now), fit enough to run again.

So we ask a few questions... and we answer honestly.

These questions were ones suggested in an article I read..

It's a great article with lots suggestions..

womensrunning.co.uk/health/...

Questions

* Can I cope with daily activities such as showering, cooking and cleaning without feeling wobbly and ready for a lie-down?

* Can I get through my normal, working day okay?

* Can I take a brisk walk or run up a set of stairs without coughing/feeling breathless, light headed, nauseous, or just exhausted?

* Have at least 48 hours passed since I had a high temperature? If that is applicable.

* Am I eating and drinking normally?

* Am I sleeping well?

* Has my resting heart rate returned to its normal levels? (Only answer this question if you are used to tracking it).

* Has my fatigue lifted and do I feel strong enough to run?

Okay... the next question is,,, what exercise for your strength and stamina well being, would you be able to do currently?

Well, this is the trickiest part of all!

My go-to is always ,initially, low-impact training.

Because;

*It’s easy on my joints,.. ( old ones)!

* It builds consistency with training...repetition is good, familiarity too.

* It improves cardiovascular endurance...every little helps!

* It relieves stress... always useful when no running has taken place.( You had better believe it)!

* It boost well-being... and that has to be good!

There are loads of links to all manner of exercise, right here on this forum and there should be something to suit everyone!

You can devise your own plan to fit in with your life. commitments and time available.

Those of you who have read any of my past posts, know the kind of exercise I use...

Squat, stretch, stamina and core! Plus. One of the best exercises ever... walking.

I use loads of Body-fit with Amy... low impact short and sweet sessions to get me moving again...arms, legs, back, core etc. and then some longer workouts when I am back on form... there are loads of links here, YWA.... Yoga has been and is a really big part of my comeback routines currently. I need the mindful, relaxation of those sessions.

Check out all the posted links on the forum, please!

As and when we do feel the time IS right to head out again, then that becomes a little simpler...

Make sure that you are ready to go.

* Eat well... you need to build up or back all those resources that a healthy eating regime gives you.

* Rest well...plenty of rest time and some good hours of sleep will promote recovery and return to fitness,

* Listen to your body, YOU are your own best friend... and you would not lie to a best friend. Pushing too hard is not an option.

And finally...

Slow and steady... ( what else)?

Hope this has been useful to some of you. I am taking careful note of all that I have written!

I shall be off to bed very shortly, despite the early hour, as it has been a tricky day, with Mr OF, some worries, now resolved, but, we are both in need of some rest.

Even, simply resting in bed, if you can calm your mind, can be helpful... some gentle breathing exercises may help too...let the thoughts float....the bad and good, but let the bad take their proper place...focus on them, then let them go and replace those thoughts with the good ones. The positive, the happy and the hopeful...

Think of all that you have achieved... and know that there is more, just waiting to be achieved,, when the time is right.

Sleep well or rest easy everyone.

See you tomorrow...

Oldfloss xxx

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Oldfloss
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19 Replies
linda9389 profile image
linda9389

Now if ever there was a post title I could identify with ... and empathise with ... it is this! It is so, so true ... so long as you alow it to be so 🥰

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply tolinda9389

You and I both....Hope you are doing okay... it can be tough at times can't it?

linda9389 profile image
linda9389 in reply toOldfloss

I'm doing better than OK thanks 😊 The older I get, the more convinced I am that I just have to be patient. Something will change. It may be my attitude, it may be my physical health, or it may be something completely beyond my control. But always, something will change ... and with that change there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Patience, along with a healthy dose of your 3 As is often all it takes 🥰

David_G profile image
David_G

Thanks Oldfloss I think I really needed to hear that today. I’ll keep plodding on, following the C25K programme and see where it takes me!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toDavid_G

Plodding is good... and you are doing some excellent plodding! Hang in there and stay strong xxx

JeremiahObadiah profile image
JeremiahObadiah

Plenty of wise words there, thank you for this post. I will certainly read it again to absorb and mull on your thoughts.

Is Mr OF able to participate in/benefit from any of the exercises/yoga? I know you walk together . I do hope he is doing well, and you too, obviously.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toJeremiahObadiah

Thanks you... I hope you do take a look at some different ways to move forward.

We have just had his Cardiac Rehab assessment and we know now how to move forward...the walking we have been doing has been exactly right... and we have guidelines to building up. What is essential is that any exercise he does, has to be something he enjoys..( as with all of us), so getting back to his cycling os on the cards.. and maybe some swimming.

He has always walked and climbed... but the climbing has been out of the frame for a long time... crocked knee! He does knee exercises with me and some other ones.

Thank you fo your interest:)

Frankenfoot23 profile image
Frankenfoot23

What a great post, thank you so much Oldfloss, for this and for all the efforts you put in helping us all on this forum :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toFrankenfoot23

You are welcome... it is good to help keep us all safe :)

Wannaberunner20 profile image
Wannaberunner20

Thanks for this post. I really needed to hear it today.

I’m a lurker on this sight. I finished C25K a couple of years ago and have been plodding along getting up to 7k but can’t seem to push past.

Anyway since I’ve been on holiday I came back and pulled my back. I’ve been out of (running) action for 6 weeks now.

I was thinking about getting out there this week knowing in the back of my mind that my back isn’t fully recovered.

I’ve been doing an nhs Pilates video for backs which is helping but I feel so fed up and just want to get back outside running again before any strength I have gained is gone.

But by reading this it’s made me realise what’s another week as long as I’m keeping active.

So thanks again and I hope you and your family get back to fighting fit soon!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toWannaberunner20

Huge well done to you... so hard to just stay put. We have had folk who have just sneaked out, before they were ready and they will be the first to tell us now, in posts how wrong they were..

Hopefully those Pilates exercises will pay off and it will not be too long before you are out there again... YWA has some lovely gentle back exercises too !

Thank you x

Gthants profile image
GthantsGraduate

This is just lovely. Taking that time is really, really hard. Even today - 3x5 minute runs. Easy peasy. Loads in the tank. Third run a bit too fast, but I realised that and slowed. The temptation was to run more, to add to one (or all) of the runs, to do another 5 minutes. I didn't. I did just what Mr Cram told me too, because I reminded myself why I'm doing this again: it's to maintain my fitness whilst rehabilitating my ouchy muscles, hamstrings, and back.

Holding yourself in check can be as hard as persuading yourself to do the exercise in the first place. Part of our fitness regime should be like the hippocratic oath - do no harm! 🤣

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toGthants

It is hard, and yet so, so, important to really listen to our body...reminding yourself to ease back and not to push... Very well done you!

I love that idea of the path... Do no Harm ! excellent!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
Bluebirdrunner

Super post Floss, they most certainly do.

I am taking a break from running presently as you know. My knee, which I injured a while back and could not kneel on, is still uncomfortable in a cross legged position. This is telling me that high impact work is a no no. The carefully selected Bodyfit by Amy and YWA daily are hopefully enough to build and maintain strength and flexibility and I enjoy them which is key.

My head also is not in the right mindset for taking running time. Being available for my daughter, coupled with worries concerning my grandson's development, have put thoughts of a run on the back burner. It can sit there a while. I do know its there to be picked up when the time is right. (I have that 10k booked next year🙂)

When my knee no longer aches, I will reassess. In the meantime thank you for supporting and reminding those of us on the IC and yourself that there is more to come!🏃‍♀️🤞🙏xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toBluebirdrunner

Hello! Bluebirdrunner !!!

It is a really good job they are so patient !

Yes... your knee is holding things back a tad, but you are doing plenty of gentle exercise to keep everything going aren't you? Your yoga is a real support to you and I am glad that BF by Amy is of some use to you. Having the life issues AND worries especially with that special small one, can be tiring and it is so important to keep our body and our mind healthy!

The body can sometimes be the easy bit to sort out... don't I know it,...but the mind set! That is a whole issue in itself

A huge well done for you and thank YOU for being the support for me... all the time xxxx

Sidmouth203 profile image
Sidmouth203

Wishing you a safe recovery and thanks for all you do on the forum🤗 I know we all appreciate it on our different journeys🥰

Hedgehogs123 profile image
Hedgehogs123

That's very wide words indeed and such a good reminder. I'm still struggling with fatigue and my running is definitely well below what it was and every month is a real effort, but like you say pushing your body too hard will not help. So as much as patience is not one of my stronger virtues, I'm really trying! ☺️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toHedgehogs123

Hello... that is what we do,... we just keep on, gently moving forward and listening to our body... I think many of us struggle with the patience that we need when we run.

Just take it steadily and do what you feel you are able... even a very short outing can be so rewarding x

Hedgehogs123 profile image
Hedgehogs123 in reply toOldfloss

❤️

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