A few weeks ago, I downloaded the NHS Couch to 5K app. I had this ‘great’ idea that I would ease myself into running, following this beginners approach, with a mix of walk/jog intervals to avoid injury – and ideally, to avoid an ME flare up or worse, relapse. I was giddy with excitement over seeing my progress and sharing how far I’ve come since my housebound/wheelchair days. I was SO gonna ROCK at running!
(Umm, high expectations much?!)
Before getting sick, I had this vision of being one of those super-fit super-mums. I wanted to go for runs with Pete, runs with O, and I wanted us to run as a family. But by the time I gave birth to O, I couldn’t even run a bath. I was simply too unwell.
I’ve been so lucky this year to have FINALLY reached a point where I’ve been able to go to the gym with relative regularity (usually once or twice a week, aside from the odd week or two off when my ME flares up). It has taken yeeears to get to this point, and a LOT of trial and error. There has been utter joy, utter nausea, and everything in between. But overall, my health has been pretty stable this year.
The Couch to 5k is split into 9 weeks of training. The jogging gradually increases and the walking decreases as the weeks go on. Or at least, I think it does. I wouldn’t actually know, since I never made it beyond Week 2.
I gotta say, when I took this ‘look at me! I’m-so-fucking-happy!’ picture from my last run, I really thought I was on fire.
…. That is, until the fire was extinguished by an ice pack and bed rest. Oops.
Week 1 – I rolled my left ankle and it swelled up in protest for a few days. I think I may have had a few sympathy pains in my knee but nothing major. I felt fine to run.
Week 2 – I got stung by something in my right achilles, which made that ankle swell up for days, and then my left knee decided to jump on the band wagon and swell up to the point of feeling rather unstable and not safe to run on.
…and then I had an ME crash and ended up spending a few days in bed, and many more just wading through the metaphorical mud – waiting for the fatigue (and knee swelling) to ease.
Anyways, 11 days later and I’m nearly feeling back to my version of ‘normal.’ And like a moth to a flame, I find myself wondering, “shall I give it another go?”
Because apparently, I’m a fucking idiot.
Dear Emma,
I am so happy that you felt ready to tackle Couch to 5K. That in itself is amazing! You have come a long way! I am still at the hobbling/wheelchair stage but hope that I can eventually consider that app! Hoping that you continue to improve and can restart the app!
Thank you so much for your support Maddy – I massively appreciate it! I think I’ll have another crack at the app once I’ve fully bounced back from my crash – except next time I’ll try to adapt the training to suit my health needs a bit better (ever the optimist!). So sorry you’re still at the hobbling/wheelchair stage – I know how frustrating that is. Which makes me appreciate your support even more ❤ (that heart is meant to be red, not black. I’m terrible with technology!) But I am loving your outlook: hope is so important for our sanity – and it’s entirely possible that one day you might be able to consider the app. I’ve wanted to do it for the last 6.5 years, but as you know yourself, the whole wheelchair thing kind of puts a spanner in the idea of running. It’s been a looong road to get here, and I really hope your road is shorter than mine. 🤞🤞 Thanks again for your comment, it means a lot. 😊