Running Scared

After some positive running experiences through the summer I have been experiencing increased pain in my lower back again when I try to run.

I want it so bad but I am genuinely terrified of setting myself back again. When will this be over when will I be able to seriously start the process of building my fitness and stamina back up?

I have been hitting the gym more, swimming and taking classes such as pump with weights half of what I used to be able to manage in fear of doing some damage and setting myself back. Having short easy treadmill runs - which I am still not a fan of, give me fresh air and the open road anytime.

So today I finally built up the courage to get out and about in the local streets. Concerned I opted for a walk warm up, two blocks of 10 minutes running with a 1minute walk break in between then a walk cool down. I had originally I planned to do 3 sets of 10 minutes but my back was twinning by the end of the second and I had to be sensible #ihatesensibleliz 

It was a start, I made it out, I didn't collapse or my spine combust. I need to stop being scared though and make this more regular. I want to but I don't want to make my injury worse, it is taking so long to recover that I just want it over.

No Thunder Run for me

So for the last three years around this time you have been treated to a long and adventurous journey as I have embarked on the annual Adidas Thunder Run as part of a team which then decreased and decreased leaving me as solo runner last year. 

This year I have planned to go back, hoping for better weather and to beat my solo achievement of last year running 10 laps through thunder, lightening and mud slides. 

This has been my most bitter disappointment that has stemmed from my back injury, wanting so badly to attend the event which has become one my absolute favourites and a yearly staple in my running calendar. There was nothing that could console me as I spent the weekend grumping about..... Adamant that when the entires opening for next year I would be back and I would claim a solo PB.



October 2014: entries opened, filled and closed.
They did so at midnight, it was quite absurd and signing up was a laborious process of being kicked out and trying time and time again to finally be told I was on the waiting list. Yet more disappointment. Then I received an email a couple of weeks later telling me that all names from the waiting list that would have a place did and I had not been successful, we'll this sucks ass. So I am p!ssed and rightly so, mostly at the silly cow who wasn't paying attention and has screwed up running for me for 19months now..... I hope your premium is through the roof and your car is plagued with expensive glitches as this is the worst I can wish upon you.

Waterway to have a good time

After our mini break and racing last year in Chamonix it was time we had another break with the our good friends (and my oldest friend of over 30 years). This year we would be boating on the Norfolk Broads, just like Alan Partridge although without a cow landing on us I hoped. 

This trip was not about running or a race but we were all (with the exception of my good husband) keen to get a run in. So on a slight hangover, myself and the Bonds hit the canal path around Wroxham to get in a cheeky 5km run before breakfast. I was still easing myself back into running with my back injury so I opted for a run/walk technique. 

Quickly running out of canal path we headed inland and onto some lovely country roads, our out and back point as is often the way finishes at the top of a steep incline but at least we got to run back down! 

I was pleased to have got back up to 3miles again two weeks on the trot although my back was not convinced of this after such a long departure from running any kind of distance. It is slow going but I will get there I am sure, just frustrating it is taking so blooming long.

The park where Robbie Williams played!

Each year the DMU netball girls get together for a reunion... We see each other in the meantime but this is the weekend that has been in the diary for the last 9 years and boy how we have changed!!

In the early days it was pretty much carnage as we took various cities by storm in the way in which only the netball girls can. As the years have gone by we still hit the town, a force to be reckoned with but a few years something changed.

Two of us had become runners, then as the years passed another one started running and another. This year as we woke early the body clocks of working career women and not students 6 of us donned our kit and hit the park for some running. My goodness how we have all changed!!

As you can see from the picture this was no ordinary park either, the blue plaque told us that non other than Robbie Williams had lived on this road in his childhood, so we set off delighted to be running in the park where the Take That and solo artist had probably scraped his knees and squealed terrified at the hissing swans as he rounded a corner and came across them unexpectedly.... Or maybe that was just us!

I love that we have changed, I love that each year another one of us calls themselves a runner, here's to next year, the 10 year reunion and let's see if we can't get everyone out for the morning run!

Just what the Doctor ordered

My treatment has progressed and I am seeing my Physiotherapist and also my Chiropractor who between them are making great progress with me. I had been tasked with gradually building up what I can in terms of running and getting my body prepared to once again take impact. I have moved from the lazy bike at the gym (officially I believe it is called the recumbent).

Phase one was to do a 10 minute warm up, followed by 30 sec run and 2 minute walk, repeating and building gradually over the weeks. By the time I reached my last appointment with the Physio she was happy for me to continue to build on this with me reaching the prolific heights of 2 mins running with 30 sec walks in between, sandwiched between 10 min walking warm ups / warm downs.

It is great to be making progress but still frustrating that I am not able to run like I am used to. These runs are all taking place on the treadmill unfortunately. It would seem that my confidence to go out and run is a little damaged in case my back starts to hurt. I consider it altogether much safer to run on the treadmill where there is an emergency stop button. This is a sign of my annoying alter ego, Sensible Liz (also known as boring Liz).

My regular Chiropractor appointments have become less terrifying as my adjustments are not such loud crunching noises now as more satisfying little pops! In fact I look forward to them for the most part as I find my Dr most entertaining yet knowledgeable.