Earlier this year I could run five miles. It wasn’t pretty or fast, but I could plod along with a couple of little walks as the run progressed. I never mind about my speed, I’m happy to be out in the fresh air and improving my physical health, which, in turn, improves my mental health. At cross country races I was usually amongst the last three runners, but I was never actually last (not that it mattered). The three of us always had a friendly chat at the end.

When I got back from my summer holiday I found that I couldn’t run a single kilometre without a bit of walking. My breathing was tight and laboured. Getting round parkrun (5km) involved a lot of walking. I was flummoxed. Why couldn’t I run even a relatively short distance? I know that one holiday had been very touristy. We had hoped to run whilst away, but it was too damned hot! So we walked and walked and walked. After that we were cycling - not the same muscles, but still a lot of exercise.

Ever slow to cotton on, I gradually realised that I had been ill. I must have picked up some virus along the way. There has been a lot of covid around, and although I’m vaccinated that doesn’t mean that I’m completely immune to every strain of the disease.

I would push myself round the park in a run/walk telling myself how rubbish I was and generally getting frustrated with myself to have lost so much fitness and stamina.

Then it came to me: After parkrun one Saturday I downloaded the Couch to 5k app, chose a nice voice (I’ve gone for Reece) and determined to start the process on Monday morning.   

Waddaya know? I feel so much better when Reece tells me how fabulous I am for completing small efforts. I completed Week 3 (of 9) this morning. Each week gradually builds on the previous week.

We often talk about changing the narrative to improve our mental health. My narrative changed from the devil on my shoulder to an encouraging man telling me to be proud of my achievements.

When have you successfully changed your narrative to improve your mental health? Please share.

Susannah

A Moodscope member