This is what I am imagine a trail ultra to be like in the autumn. I expect to be looking around for a target race then. It will be muddy, but then I love mud!
Today I have been going Janathon mad. I crutch walked 0.5 miles and then swam 2450 metres in the pool, or about 1.5 miles. Slowly first and then much much quicker. And I can now do some almost-walking. Not bad seen as they told me I would still be in cast. Hehehehe!
Off to the pool in the morning and then off to support Susie and the rest of Dulwich Park Runners at the Bank of England XC in Richmond Park. Last year was a week after the 45 mile C2C race and I ran from SE23 to Richmond and then ran the race.....having said that I was carrying a knee-malalignment injury. I'll run it next year!
Friday, 21 January 2011
Dreaming of a trail ultra
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Back to Water!
OK, today was a positive day. I am really pleased. 2.1 miles on the crutches and then I went to the pool and, despite the funny looks when I entered the gym on crutches I enjoyed catching up with some old aquaintances (as I had left the gym some 6 months ago to focus on running) and take a 440m swim to get me in the mood for a couple of kilometres in the pool tomorrow. Well ideally I would like to do a mile, which would be great. I might feel up to crutching to the gym and back, get, fitter and save some petrol money.
Also got a physio appointment in Dulwich for Tuesday which I am most excited about!
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
cabin fever
I had to get out of the house today. I just had to. It might be the central heating or the car alarm down the road that I can hear, ringing in my ears. I heart Crutchathon-Janathon.
I crutch hobbled to the fishmongers, then over to the butchers. I filled my rucksack with tasty organic fresh fayre. I paid with crisp fat purple twenty pound notes and then across the sun streaked pavements down to the trophy shop. Bag unloaded, I refilled with shiny silverware, cups and medals overflowing out of my rucksack ready for the Dulwich Park Runners annual dinner. Race Secretary duties are not stopped by a broken leg! On again, striding on 3 legs, (2 aluminium) to the DIY store to fill my hoard ready for when my leg is better. Finally down to the supermarket for some bits and bobs, then to the grocers for some tomatoes and pomegranates.
I didn't take my watch so I have no idea how long I was out. I didn't take my Garmin, so no idea how far I went, but suffice to say that I am feeling good about the miles. Its back to work on Monday and I have no idea how I will cope. My usual 12 hour day will take some getting used to, especially as I am sleeping 12-13 hours a day. At least I will be out of the house!
Monday, 17 January 2011
Ultra Mr Immune
A little blog post about a good running buddy and an all round amazing fella. We ran the UK Ultra Distance Championships together in August and came =46th. Immune has been training hard. My training, a mile on crutches today for crutchathon-hobblathon was easy and am feeling that tomorrow I might have a go at breaking my 2.1 mile record with an attempt at 3 miles. Immune is attempting something that has never been done before. Had I been on 2 legs, I would probably have done it with him. It is the Virgin London Marathon 4 times (finish to start, start to finish, finish to start and then start to finish with the mass start at 9.00am. 104.8 miles to be precise. All for his local charity which I will be advertising for him in the coming weeks. I am very flattered that he has asked me to crew for him as sadly I will probably only just be walking properly by then.
In this photo Dave was all smiles, as he was over the course of the first 45 miles of the Ridgeway this summer. What my job will be is to stop him feeling like he did for the 30 miles of night running from Goring on Thames. Only me and he know the highs and lows of that night on the moors but I will be doing my best to keep his spirits up, keep him well hydrated and watch his energy levels. No doubt he will be supporting me on my double hundred in 2012 and I think it would be rude not to run the Bob Graham Round together. What are friends for?
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Fear of falling
Out of cast (outcast!) for a few days now and my trusty Aircast A60 is supporting my leg. I am scared that every step my result in some sort of relapse. I'm sure it won't. Mobility on the flat is not an issue.....I have begun to walk up steps which is such a bonus and carrying a nice cuppa is now easy to do without splashing the contents over the floor, the wall and myself. The big issue I am plagued with is uneven ground. The gravel driveway, the step over the front door, things on the floor. Ouch! Rotation in the foot is improving, however I am not able to flex my foot upwards. Any abnormality in the surface structure renders me with unpleasant sensations and fear. Exercise wise, I embraced Janathon in a practical way yesterday and covered my mile, about half on crutches and half in a stoop-hobble. Very exciting.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Pinned down!
Sorry about the flash in the photo but my eyes were drawn towards the fusion of fibula and tibia above. This is obviously necessary but causing me pain for 2 reasons. 1 because I can feel the screws and 2 because the range of movement feels small. The tendons are so tight that normal flexion of the foot is impossible. I have managed in short bursts, a mile of hobble today. Any uneven surface, in which the normal range of movement of the bones in the foot would accomodate, is utter agony.
Having said that, I had expected to still be in plaster, so being confronted with a step here and there is not actually a mountain to climb, but positive progress, as is being able to stand up in the shower! Is the first run 3 months away? Lets hope so as I had thought it was going to be 6!!