It has been some time since my last update and a lot has happened.

On holiday in February to visit a friend in Dubai, I maintained my routine and was up running in very different climate, from the cold dark days of the UK, to the very comfortable 23 degrees warmth in UAE. It was liberating just being able to wear joggers and a t-shirt. By this time I was running for up to 30 minutes.

Early morning at Dubai Marina

I completed my first 5k park run in Guildford, in March and, out of 404 runners, I am proud to say I was first……. out of the last ten. Proud because I finished and proud because I didn’t come last.

I kept to my training plan, week by week, gradually increasing my distance. Alternating between road running whilst away for work during the week, and trail running

Cooling my feet after a 6k run.

at weekends.

By week mid April I had completed two 6k runs (in just under an hour). In months of training, no blisters and no falls, I was feeling very pleased with myself, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Surrey Hills, building stamina and strength.

Then what?

Oh dear, what can I say? Downhill rapidly from there.

One Thursday my leg nearly gave way as I turned to pick up my luggage after getting out of a taxi. It wasn’t painful and there were no further repercussions, but I mentioned it to my physio. I was given some exercises to do to strengthen my quads and, as I did not have any problems whilst jogging, continued training.

Out for a 4k jog, legs ached, did not feel right. Like an idiot, I carried on walking back to my hotel instead of being sensible and waiting for a bus. Probably didn’t do me any favours – by the Friday evening, I was limping.

My regular physio no longer worked Saturdays so I arranged to see a sports therapist near work. Turns out the muscles I needed to use for trail running were not doing their job so my body had been compensating by using others – not great.

I have effectively had to start again.

Hanging up my boots?

What about Hard as Snails?

From not being able to do any jogging, after a couple of weeks I was able to do 20-30 seconds of jogging while out walking – albeit just 2 or 3 times during the walk and with aches and pains.

About 4 weeks following my first sports therapy visit, I could not believe the aches and pains following massage, pain in parts of my body that have no right to ache – I mean what have shoulders and neck got to do with running? I struggled doing 20 lengths in the village pool (and it’s only about 20 meters long). What was happening to my body?

The event is this Wednesday evening, needless to say, I will not be fit enough. I was able to move my entry to July but even with the massages and by following the stretching/strengthening routines I have been given, whilst I have improved, it is no where near enough to be able to do 10k next month.

The Ange Amess 10k trail run?

If I cannot find an inspiring event that fits in with my diary, I will do something this year, even if it is my own mini “event”. I am nothing if not determined (some may say stubborn) and I will run a 10k trail before the year is out. 

My neck and ribs ache, my arm has felt like it has been punched, my knees still feel weak but:

• I managed 50 lengths Shere Swimming Pool yesterday
• Followed by a mile jog non- stop (just) with twinges and a few aches.
• I can do 10 to 15 mins on the exercise bike

Things are looking up indeed.