Is It Over Before It's Even Begun?

Well I had hoped by the time I blogged again I would be injury free and running again and a smile planted back on my face.  Sadly, it's not the case.  Anyone who is a runner or triathlete will probably understand my woes.  Everyone else just thinks I'm mad.  I most probably am.  I've been reasonably lucky with injuries over the years and have very rarely missed a session but this one has really got me down.  Not being able to run in the glorious weather we've been having, when I've been in a real need to de-stress and with the looming Ironman - I've been miserable and not much fun to be around.  Ask my husband, he will vouch for that!

Arranman?  Well, maybe it's over before it's even begun.  Someone once told me the hardest part was getting to the start line.  And they were maybe right.  Running up to 85 miles per week, cycling or spinning 4 times plus upping swimming to 4/5 times per week and much longer distances was bound to take it's toll on my body.  But I felt good!  I felt strong!  I was cross training, nutritionally fuelled and doing yoga.  I maybe didn't allow enough rest for my body to recover.  Resting and tapering I find difficult but I need to learn to do it or I maybe wouldn't be in this problem!

Nutritional fuel - After a hilly 70 mile cycle around Kintyre I rewarded myself with my fave Sunday brunch - avocado and eggs on toast -  yum!

But here I am, injured and feeling sorry for myself.  I hit a new low last Friday (my favourite day of the week where I usually slow down training with some light spinning, swimming and yoga) but everything just seemed to be going wrong.  My leg ached.  I knew I should rest and I hated missing my morning swim.  I couldn't sleep.  The bathroom we were getting re-done was lying unfinished for visitors.  The car was broken and no idea when it was getting fixed.  The house was a mess.  Work was chaotic with assessments and end of year budget orders incomplete.  I had to pull out of the Balloch half marathon at the weekend as the injury just wasn't improving.  I just couldn't cheer myself up on Friday so I completely apologise and want to sorry if you are one of the friends, family or colleagues who have had to deal with Mrs Self Pity or receive my pestering messages asking for help!  You know who you are!  But regardless of how small my problems are compared to a lot in this world, I want to thank you all for your friendly words of support and advice - you all have been great and lent a sympathetic ear when I needed it.  And given me hope!  Everyone gets injured at times, I know that.  But they rest, work through it and come out the other side stronger.  Like I am going to.  I will use alternative ways to keep up fitness levels and train without injuring myself further.  

My workouts for the week have including rolling about on a tennis ball and a foam roller - ouch

I gave total rest a go for a few days and mentally it was horrible so from the advice of the Dr and other experts I've seen, cycling and swimming can continue.  I've loved being out on my bike and back in the pool, managing to tally up over 100 miles on the bike despite a few rest days and another open water swim in the Loch with Jen!  I'm starting to feel human again and even managed to crack a smile at the weekend :-)  This was mainly because I got to meet wee baby Maddison who is just super duper cute!  And some of my friends were home so it was fantastic to catch up.  And my husband got a fantastic PB at the Balloch to Clydebank half marathon.  He never fails to put in a good performance and I am so proud of him.  But right now I'm just incredibly jealous that he is running!

Meeting wee Maddison put a smile on my face - what a wee cutie!

To get running fit again, I've been working hard to stretch, foam roll, tennis ball and ice every day as well as attending sports massages and hopefully physio soon.  I tried an easy run on Tuesday but was disappointed that it was still painful, so I'm going to give aqua-jogging a go instead.  I will report back on that........ I'm dubious at best but willing to try anything.

My cat Charlie isn't best impressed with the tennis ball or foam roller either!

This injury will not defeat me.  I know my husband and Mum would love me just to quit with the Ironman triathlon.  Maybe I will. If I have t, I will.  I would rather just be running again for the enjoyment of it, pain free again.  But I still hope to do it if I can.  I KNOW I can do it, I am not giving up hope just yet.  Watch this space.