Whatever exercise you do, at some point you'll probably pick up an injury.
I've been running on and off now for over 4 years and I think I've been relatively lucky as far as injuries go. But I've also been guilty of something I'm sure is really common - calling an injury a "niggle" and therefore carrying on, trying to "push through". Take it from me - it's never worked out well!
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So now I'm onto "pastures new" as it were.
I have 2 events booked in to my diary for next year. The first is Reading Half Marathon (18th March) and the second is Endure 24 in June, which coincides with my birthday (almost). I am teaming up with my lovely husband, Dave. A non-runner, but willing to take part and spend the weekend in a tent with me and try at least one lap (as per the rules). We have completed the Shine Walk together twice now, so I know he's good to his word. Other than that, I am looking into some local sprint duo- and tri- events and upping my speed work and cross training. It's been great to get back into some stuff other than running and not to feel pressured by a "big event" on the horizon. I've also be addressing my general wellness and eating habits - more on that in my next blog :) Over the weekend I managed both ParkRun and a 10k short long run!
ParkRun was great - I hadn't managed it for the previous 3 weeks (felt like a lifetime) and I was well motivated by my friend and part-time training partner Andrew. We took it gently (he is nursing an ankle injury worse than mine, unfortunately) and got round in 31:55. My ankle is holding up very well, with only a slight ache after the 10k that was gone by the end of the day. So, that's almost it. This week I've run a 5k (Tuesday, 29:50) and I'm planning a gentle ParkRun on Saturday, plus plenty of yoga (today will be day 22 of "30 days of yoga with Adriene") and maybe some meditation, possibly a bike ride and/or swim. Not to mention a spot of carb-loading on Friday and Saturday! We also had lots of fun trampolining at Rush on Monday (where we were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves for half an hour - the joys of home educating). Bring it on... Just 10 days now before my first half marathon. My ankle is hardly even swinging now, which is great, and I managed to squeeze in a 3.3 mile run yesterday in spite of events attempting to conspire against me (one child with flu, another injured at gymnastics class requiring hours waiting in A&E). It was far quicker than I was intending or anticipating, but again I didn't push, it just happened, which was nice. Then today Mike the Bike and I had a date. Quite a short ride for me, but fast and nice to blow the cobwebs away. I rounded the afternoon off with day 15 of my "30 Days of Yoga" practice, which was pretty blissful if I'm honest.
I am also now the proud owner of a meditation cushion and a yoga block! So on to the serious stuff. The Day is fast approaching and I'd really love it if people felt able to sponsor me. Here's the link to my Just Giving page - even just £1 from each visitor to my bog would make a massive difference. Thank you :) OK, I don't want to jinx this, but I may actually be getting there.
Yesterday I tried to run and made it about 100m down the road before I decided to bail out, and went for an 11 mile bike ride instead (so Mike the Bike was happy!). Today I tried a different tactic. No expectations, 30 second intervals on my FitBit. I managed 10 walk and 10 run intervals before feeling like I needed to stop (ankle), so walked most of the way home, then ran the last 0.15 miles. It doesn't seem like much, but the fact that a small yoga session killed any aches makes it feel like a massive step forward. I then walked Ollie-dog with no pain at all (and no painkillers). Softly softly, catchy monkey!... I won't lie... Since I injured myself 2 weeks ago, I've felt restless and grouchy. Sure, I've managed to walk the dog (hobbling!) and a few swims and bike rides, even a couple of weights sessions. But I've felt a gnawing anxiety at not being able to run, and the worry of the clock ticking. I'm not sure what made me think of it, but this week, on Wednesday, I decided to try yoga for the first time. YouTube was my friend here and I quickly discovered Yoga with Adriene. Adriene is a quirky and up-beat yoga instructor, from Austin, Texas (where my sister currently lives) and I am starting out with her "30 days of Yoga" programme. After only 5 days, I am feeling stronger, more peaceful and more flexible as well as noticing a rapid improvement in my injured ankle. I am hooked - I can see this as something I will do every day (or almost) from now on - it's gentle but powerful and just feels awesome! My muscles are already more defined and I am far less worried about what will happen when I am able to run again (hopefully in a week, if my improvement continues). THANK YOU ADRIENE! I have a niggly ankle all week which I have been trying to ignore, which was flipping stupid because 6.5 miles into my run this morning I couldn't run any more...my niggle is now an injury.
I ended up walking home 2.3 miles in the FREEZING cold, which was miserable. So...next week I will be cycling and swimming - no running until my ankle feels ok. Painkillers, icepacks, rest blah blah. I promise! But please sponsor me! It will make me feel better! Thanks.
I know, I know, it seems impossible after my blog only a few short days ago, but yes! I actually did a run that felt "fun"!
Strangely enough, I almost had to drag myself out, but having had my Tuesday run interrupted, I decided to add an impromptu few miles in yesterday. My plan was simple: put on "Zombies, Run!" and have a gentle jog around a just-over-3-mile circuit.
The situation with the zombies (or actually in this case, mind control) is getting critical, and I (Runner 5) was trapped in New Canton where everyone except me was mind controlled. Luckily, I had Sam Yao on comms who led me to safety (for now)...
Perhaps it was because I put no pressure on myself for pace or distance - I had planned my route before I left and I was only doing this for the miles. It was chilly, but I soon warmed up. The storyline distracted me. And my cardio fitness score went up to 41 on my FitBit #proud In the evening, I went for a not-quite-so-successful swim. I usually swim on a Friday (which I can't do this week) and the pool tends to be pretty empty. Not so on a Wednesday, it would seem. One lane being used for a 1-2-1 swimming lesson, the other lane was full and I was swimming in laps with some rather leisurely swimmers! That said, I swam for half an hour and I'm glad I went (got to try out my new cozzie!).
Distance: 3.4 miles
Time: 34m:11s Average pace: 10m:02s Fastest mile: 9m:50s Type of run: Easy (Zombies) Cardio fitness score: 41 After an hour with a tutor, what better way for the two youngest to spend some time but bouncing off some excess steam on multiple trampolines with friends?
And us mums, too! So off we rushed to Rush in High Wycombe (very punny)... With over 100 trampolines, plus foam pits, and assault course, basket ball, dodgeball...well it's impossible to get bored! Our hour was over way too quickly and we will definitely be back. Apparently it burns more calories than running for an hour. I think I'm a bit too tentative for that just yet, but it certainly worked my calf muscles which has to be a good thing for a runner, right? And the kids had a fab time too. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thanks Rush! Having made short work of the house work today (for once in my life), I saw the sun shining and decided to treat myself to a quick bike ride. Really glad I did - got some sun on my pale, vitamin deficient skin and managed a better pace than yesterday by a long way.
There were lots of flooded fields around us, but the birds were singing, it was almost spring-like! Hopefully the sun will come out for my long run tomorrow... |
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May 2018
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