11 Months on...
It's been nearly a year since my injury and I’ve just started to get running again, I can’t believe it’s taken so long it has generally been the hardest year I’ve ever had. I just hope it makes me stronger and wiser. Every day I still fixate on my injury, and overthink it. Any ache or pain in the area and I panic, should I still run should I stop? I hope this will pass in time. Sensitivity and phantom pains are normal after a stress fracture.
The first run was daunting and I was terrified.
My last run was agony in Adelaide and I just didn’t know what this one would
feel like. With the Physio there to support me I started a slow jog on the
treadmill (I can’t believe how hard it was) I felt knackered after one minute!
However, there was no pain. I was then put on a running plan 1 minute run, 1
minute walk for 10 minutes then adding in an extra minute run each time. This
was a painfully slow process for someone with little patience like me but you
have to listen to the experts. I am now
running 6k slowly but comfortably and after an initial few weeks of panics and
anxiety before my runs I am now over it and am looking forward to my next run, happy
to get that running buzz again!
Looking back I’m convinced now that my
injury was caused by a mixture of thing; 1. Too many miles, 2. Not having a
proper rest day, 2. Letting my weight get too low, 3. Not refuelling properly
after training in the morning. 4. Doing track sessions on concrete.
It’s taught me a lot and I think I have now
created a healthier view and habits especially in regards to nutrition. Food is
fuel and is it needed. I had a barrier that putting on weight would slow me
down when racing (stupid I know), but in reality my body needed the fuel. I had
to get over this to allow my body to heal and yes I am a few Kgs heavier now
but people say I look healthier and I feel stronger so going with it, except I am slower cycling up hills! I am also ensuring I do my two resistance strength sessions a week to get my bad leg, hips and pelvis stronger.
So what have been up too, I’ve been on my
bike a lot. London Ride 100 (100 mile sportive) was the first event since my
injury and I was pleased to have a slightly quicker time than last year. I think my biking is stronger now than before
my injury, just now to work on the running.
I recently won a competition and was invited to the Garmin Ride Out. A
fantastic day apart from the heaviest rain I have ridden in constantly for
47miles. It was a great excuse to be reunited with my partner in crime “Claire
World Champ Steels” I didn’t see her for long during the ride as the speed
machine shot off with the pros but it was a great day. We met Alex Downsett and
teams Merida, Cannondale and Movistar. They all rode with us, had lunch with
and answered any questions we all had. 
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| Alex Downsett, Me and Claire |
On Sunday last week I entered the Circuit
of Kent a killer 80mile sportive, where we encountered a horrible head wind throughout!
I was pleased with a 1st in
my age 15-39 year olds and 3rd Lady home. Just being back at events has cheered
me up and I have a few more random ones coming up (a 6 hour mountain bike race,
no I can’t mountain bike, a hill climb possibly and a few more sportives).
Duathlons may have to wait a while until I
can get some speed up but it’s good to be back on some sort of training
programme!
Back to training now - Training smarter not harder.
