Have you considered teaming up with your son so the two of you get past your fears together? You could tell him how afraid you are to try running again, really share your thoughts and anxieties and then tell him how you plan to over come those fears, and then show him by doing, maybe even asking for his support as you move forward. You can then open up the conversation to his fears about sleeping alone and when he sees how brave his dad is, he may be inspired to do the same, with your support of course! Caveat this idea... I am not a parent, so this could be totally hairbrained! LOL!
Over the past three years I have noticed a change in my breathing. Long story short I was diagnosed with COPD even though I quit smoking 30 years ago. I’ve been struggling with being afraid to do any races because I used to know I could get through anything…even if I had to walk but I don’t feel like that any more. Then I remembered that the marathons I’ve done in the past were work but were primarily a mental thing…so I keep chugging along and try not to give into the fear.
T- thank you for once again baring your soul to us and talking about real life struggles. We have 4 grown children and 5 grands. We did not have that struggle but purely out of economics. We couldn’t afford to spend that kind of time with each one. I am not making light of your situation at all. I can imagine it is difficult. I am glad others had good things to share.
Regarding Murphy. We had a similar situation with our golden about 22 years ago. It was heart-breaking because we did not know how to handle it. Your story reminds me that when we were moving back to our home city/state we left him with some friends at their farm for a few months until we could get a house. (In our former state) It may have been part of the issue with his behavior and my wife did in home childcare. We simply could not risk it with the children. So we had to get rid of him.
Fears for running. I shared in an earlier post that back in March I soiled myself on a run. It was about 3 months before I got back to regular running. I was always afraid of a repeat. I am running a mile at a time right now and will soon be adding more to get back to my former schedule.
Hey Terrell. This is off today's topic, but a while ago, you posted about a book on mindfulness and, I think, running that sounded really interesting. Do you remember the title of that book?
Hi Terrell! Yes, I *get* it! Try doing what you can for today... put your running gear on... go to your usual place to run, the everyday place. Then: walk, for as long as is comfortable, but no more than what, 20 minutes? Self talk is: It's 20 minutes, of walking! Who couldn't do that? We'll see... I'll stop at the first foot pain and go home. Then you know the rest: do a little more as you can, push it gently, daily if you're pain free, until you jog... then back into a running plan. What do you think?
I avoided reading your post this past few weeks because I am in a rut and don't want any encouragement. Since Easter, I haven't run due to an injured knee. I was given the green light in mid-May but was afraid of getting hurt again or convincing myself I was not healed. Besides, I have no race coming up. I finally was able to do a 2-mile for three straight days. I missed the feel of my steps against the road, but Covid took over, and I am out for almost two weeks. I'm back in a rut and having difficulty motivating myself to get back out there.
I have two kids, both teens now. They went through periods when they couldn't fall asleep, so we tried brainstorming creative ways to help them fall asleep. We came up with storytelling, so all they have to do is listen. We put together a playlist including songs they sang when they were little. We experimented with diffusers and mini massages (5 min). The daughter will ask for a back massage when she can't sleep or is stressed out about school, and my son has a playlist he listens to. This phase will eventually pass. Sometimes I wish they would ask us to help them sleep so we can spend more time with them.
With regrets, I have no advice for how to help your son, but I'm a mom so you have my sincere well wishes. As for your foot...I also seriously hurt my foot last year, 8 weeks before a 10 mile run (and vacation). I was petrified to run, and equally petrified to cancel a vacation my husband was looking forward to. After confirming no broken bones, no fractures or tendon tears I bought 2 rolls of KT tape and a good quality arch support at CVS. After practicing applying the KT tape using how-to videos produced by the KT company on YouTube, I started training again taped up, wearing the arch support. Short, very easy runs at first. A bit longer runs as my confidence built that the tape & arch support was keeping me from a reinjury. Also using experts on YouTube, I did foot exercises to strengthen ALL my foot and ankle muscles. My pace during the 10 miler was a bit slower than normal but the point was to overcome the fear. Crossing that finish line, foot still a bit achy but healing, did the trick!! Hope this helps!! 🙏 You got this!!
All I can say is get outdoors, forget about times or distances, start walking. . . a little bit at a time. Pretty soon, you get so bored walking, that The Runner aromatically kicks in. :)
I've been injured several times with severe tendonitis or other ailments. It is painful to begin with, but quit if it hurts too much. . . try again the next day. Seems to work for me every time As they say, listen to your body!
Have you considered teaming up with your son so the two of you get past your fears together? You could tell him how afraid you are to try running again, really share your thoughts and anxieties and then tell him how you plan to over come those fears, and then show him by doing, maybe even asking for his support as you move forward. You can then open up the conversation to his fears about sleeping alone and when he sees how brave his dad is, he may be inspired to do the same, with your support of course! Caveat this idea... I am not a parent, so this could be totally hairbrained! LOL!
Over the past three years I have noticed a change in my breathing. Long story short I was diagnosed with COPD even though I quit smoking 30 years ago. I’ve been struggling with being afraid to do any races because I used to know I could get through anything…even if I had to walk but I don’t feel like that any more. Then I remembered that the marathons I’ve done in the past were work but were primarily a mental thing…so I keep chugging along and try not to give into the fear.
T- thank you for once again baring your soul to us and talking about real life struggles. We have 4 grown children and 5 grands. We did not have that struggle but purely out of economics. We couldn’t afford to spend that kind of time with each one. I am not making light of your situation at all. I can imagine it is difficult. I am glad others had good things to share.
Regarding Murphy. We had a similar situation with our golden about 22 years ago. It was heart-breaking because we did not know how to handle it. Your story reminds me that when we were moving back to our home city/state we left him with some friends at their farm for a few months until we could get a house. (In our former state) It may have been part of the issue with his behavior and my wife did in home childcare. We simply could not risk it with the children. So we had to get rid of him.
Fears for running. I shared in an earlier post that back in March I soiled myself on a run. It was about 3 months before I got back to regular running. I was always afraid of a repeat. I am running a mile at a time right now and will soon be adding more to get back to my former schedule.
Hey Terrell. This is off today's topic, but a while ago, you posted about a book on mindfulness and, I think, running that sounded really interesting. Do you remember the title of that book?
Great article. And not a word about intervals or vo2 max, yet still about running
Hi Terrell! Yes, I *get* it! Try doing what you can for today... put your running gear on... go to your usual place to run, the everyday place. Then: walk, for as long as is comfortable, but no more than what, 20 minutes? Self talk is: It's 20 minutes, of walking! Who couldn't do that? We'll see... I'll stop at the first foot pain and go home. Then you know the rest: do a little more as you can, push it gently, daily if you're pain free, until you jog... then back into a running plan. What do you think?
I avoided reading your post this past few weeks because I am in a rut and don't want any encouragement. Since Easter, I haven't run due to an injured knee. I was given the green light in mid-May but was afraid of getting hurt again or convincing myself I was not healed. Besides, I have no race coming up. I finally was able to do a 2-mile for three straight days. I missed the feel of my steps against the road, but Covid took over, and I am out for almost two weeks. I'm back in a rut and having difficulty motivating myself to get back out there.
I have two kids, both teens now. They went through periods when they couldn't fall asleep, so we tried brainstorming creative ways to help them fall asleep. We came up with storytelling, so all they have to do is listen. We put together a playlist including songs they sang when they were little. We experimented with diffusers and mini massages (5 min). The daughter will ask for a back massage when she can't sleep or is stressed out about school, and my son has a playlist he listens to. This phase will eventually pass. Sometimes I wish they would ask us to help them sleep so we can spend more time with them.
With regrets, I have no advice for how to help your son, but I'm a mom so you have my sincere well wishes. As for your foot...I also seriously hurt my foot last year, 8 weeks before a 10 mile run (and vacation). I was petrified to run, and equally petrified to cancel a vacation my husband was looking forward to. After confirming no broken bones, no fractures or tendon tears I bought 2 rolls of KT tape and a good quality arch support at CVS. After practicing applying the KT tape using how-to videos produced by the KT company on YouTube, I started training again taped up, wearing the arch support. Short, very easy runs at first. A bit longer runs as my confidence built that the tape & arch support was keeping me from a reinjury. Also using experts on YouTube, I did foot exercises to strengthen ALL my foot and ankle muscles. My pace during the 10 miler was a bit slower than normal but the point was to overcome the fear. Crossing that finish line, foot still a bit achy but healing, did the trick!! Hope this helps!! 🙏 You got this!!
All I can say is get outdoors, forget about times or distances, start walking. . . a little bit at a time. Pretty soon, you get so bored walking, that The Runner aromatically kicks in. :)
I've been injured several times with severe tendonitis or other ailments. It is painful to begin with, but quit if it hurts too much. . . try again the next day. Seems to work for me every time As they say, listen to your body!