Running To Sanity -- Starting Over

Haven't blogged in a long time -- but it is time. My wife and I are separating after 12 years. I need a focus and a healthy outlet. So while I don't have a "race" goal I 'm hoping to run my way back to physical, mental, and emotional shape.

Starting at a low bar. With all the stress over the last six months I've really let myself get out of shape -- so all of 2 miles today. Even the two wasn't pretty but looking forward to another run tomorrow.

It's a hard loss. But you've got the right idea. It can be done. Running can provide a focus that builds much more than physical well being. More power to you, Dave.

Thanks Kevin. Just hope to make some good healthy choices. Ran an hour this morning, lots of hills, but slower than I would have hoped. Only 5.43 miles per Garmin. But I know where I stand.

House was empty last night except for me. Kids sleeping over at friends. Wife out. Kind of a dress rehearsal for life to come.

OK it's a couple of hours later (watching a movie with my son) and I think I slightly over did it. Time for some core work.

Sorry to hear about the troubles at home, but in my experience (with friends in the same place), running and dedicating to fitness really helped them get through the tough times. Good luck with both and feel free to vent - we all get it.

Sorry it's been so rough for you lately. I think you're wise to want something that can provide a focus and sense of continuity and progression. Running is a good way to do that.

I'd ease back into it, but not be afraid to experiment and try new things. A little adventure never hurt.

Sorry to hear that Dave, but having gone through the experience fairly recently myself, I can say without question that running greatly helped me keep my mind right in the midst of it all. It's a nice, positive thing to be able to focus your energy on while there's turmoil elsewhere. Hang in there, as they say, this too shall pass.

Dave,

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Same experience for me recently - hang in there and it will get better. I'm here for you if you need it. The running will likely take care of itself - no more stress needed I'm sure. Hang in there.

Thanks guys:

Not off to a bad start but am terribly out of shape. Had fair runs, with some walking, on Monday and today of about 30 minutes. Yesterday the alarm didn't go off (new clock). Looking forward to tomorrow as the goal this week is merely to get out the door each morning.

Great work! Just keep getting out there, Dave. Even if you're walking for 30 minutes, it counts.

Thanks Mark.

Good run this morning 40 minutes (3.6 miles) much slower than I'm used to but felt good. Wet, and very windy. Should have looked at the weather before suiting up and didn't want to go back in as the wife would be getting up so ran in the rain. Kind of refreshing. Looking forward to longer runs/walks on the weekend.

Skipped yesterday because I was a cold wimp. Today 5 miles in 58 minutes running in and around Harlem kind of exploring the neighborhood. Need to find a new apartment and move out. Want to be near enough to the kids so they can eventually come over on their own (but far enough away to not run into the wife). Running through neighborhoods is an excellent way to get a real feel for a place. Harlem is spotty block to block . . .

The running is still very difficult but I will get there.

Nice job Dave. You're a better man than I being able to get out of bed early enough to run in the morning. I just can't do it! Not regularly anyway.

Nice running, Dave. Running seems like a great way to scout out neighborhoods.

Sorry to hear about the home life difficulties, Dave. Seems like most of us have used running as a comeback from something like that, though. Maybe try West Harlem instead of East Harlem for some less-sketchy blocks?

Dave, sorry about all that you're going through. Stress is really tough on the body. Having been through a divorce 18 years ago (and it wasn't ugly, it was heart and gut wrenching) your focus on your health is really important. Forget about the miles for now and just walk and run. It's good for the soul.

Remember, you have us here to lean on.

Thanks Mike and Dot:

dot520 wrote:(and it wasn't ugly, it was heart and gut wrenching)

Funny how it's hard even when it's not ugly.

Wanted to run back to back 5s but only managed 3.5 this morning. Ran up in the Bronx where to my surprise there were some decent streets and neighborhoods near Van Cortlandt Park. VCP is like the cross-country mecca here in the North-East and a great place to run. It is not far from the kids and the running would be good -- either flat or hills. Next weekend I'll scope out some neighborhoods in Brooklyn -- farther away but still close enough to be involved with the kids.

Good running this week guys.

So sorry, Dave, about the separation. Like Dot, I went through an un-ugly one about 15 years ago. It was gut wrenching...most especially being away from my children when they were with their dad. But, guess what I started doing way back then....RUNNING! Good for the soul!

Keep up the great work!

Dave, I'm very sorry to read about your separation. I hope things are going as smoothly as possible.
When all this snow is gone, I'd love to get together for a run. If you don't feel like taking a ride up to Westchester, perhaps we can meet at Van Cortlandt. I assume you must run there?

Good to see you back at it, Dave. Consistency will really go a long ways, even a few miles if necessary.

Thanks guys -- a grand total of 2.5 miles this week. So much for consistency John.

Seth looking forward to it this spring -- let me try to get a few miles under my belt.

Looking forward to more running this week.

Another very short 2.5 mile run today. Cold. Figure I would try to string together some very short runs.

Couple of short wet miles today. Very, very slowly getting back into it. Looking forward to spring on many levels -- better weather, new place to live, running in Central Park. Will do some core work after after kids go to bed.

Spring is going to bring all sorts of good things, Dave. Good job keeping at it while everything's so dreary.

Thanks Mark -- 3 more short and easy miles. The best run in some time -- although short.

Short and satisfying runs can be some of the best! It's amazing what a shorter run can do for you....it's all good.