Reflections

Thought I might put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) before this blog can be accused of being misnamed. For one called "This Runners' Life", there hasn't been much running done lately... My time taken up with studying ankle anatomy, conversing with physios and specialists, getting an MRI done, and generally trying to work out if, not when, I will run again. Such are the thoughts going through my head in the darkest hours of an endless cycle of rehab.

And the last 5 weeks have thrown up new challenges to my mental state. On again, off again comebacks, false dawns of hope, and just the general despair that follows any athlete attempting a comeback after a severe injury. Support of some friends and family through this have been crucial, we all need those people that we can lean on at times.

So where does this leave me now? Already having pulled out of 3 major races this year, contemplating on bailing on another, I have already pulled out of Two Bays trail race early next year. After that I am entered for Roller Coaster Run in mid March, and even that must now be under consideration, the longer this goes on.

Essentially I am at the stage of just focusing on the following (and in order);

1. Regain full mobility of ankle without pain, or discomfort.
2. Start rehab running again,
3. Increase distance,
4. Resume full training, and
5. Plan race schedule.

There is no timeline planned, just progress through steps 1 to 5 as I pass each phase. Probably been guilty of focusing point 5, rather than the process to get there, and rushed a few times. Result? Often failure. Currently still on number 1....

But, in all fairness, it is a first world problem. Children in Syria still get bombed, Gaza Strip is still a nightmare, people are still dying in poverty in this country, etc. etc. A sense of perspective must be kept.

Other Matters

Melbourne Marathon

Long since done and dusted (October 12th), it has taken me a while to put my thoughts down re this race. Most readers of this blog will be aware of the significance/importance of this race for me. Leading up to the day I was feeling okay. I had 6 weeks to get used to the idea I wan't running, 6 weeks to get behind a number of other runners, and 6 weeks to make sure I was going to get through the day without some sort of emotional breakdown. Probably didn't use those 6 weeks very well.

Started out okay. Following a number of runners along the way  I was energised, excited at how they were going. Soon realised that the online tracker was WAY out. Too fast, everybody was apparently running times 35-40% faster than expected. Then I started messaging with a friend, Chrissy, also injured and unable to run at Melbourne, and we both got a bit emotional. We had both got a bit pigheaded and didn't want to go anywhere near the race, but when it came down to it, we thought we were missing out on everything... A tearful phone call later, we both had a shoulder to lean on.

Amidst all this, my friend Narelle, was running using my bib. She had dedicated her run to me the night before (another teary moment, was losing control of my emotions somewhat), and I was really interested to see how she went. 3:31 with change, and would probably have been quicker if she hadn't run a 50k ultra a month before, and it hadn't been as hot on the day. I have some work to do to beat that next year!

parkrun

Inverloch parkrun is currently a good focus, and a diversion from injury issues. Now up to event #13, and apart from a couple of minor issues to deal with (2 blokes having a punch-up near the finish line was a highlight), it has run very smoothly and been roundly accepted by the local community. One thing going for an event like this in a country/regional area, is that it doesn't have to manufacture a sense of community. One already exists, this merely provides an outlet for that community.

Has been a good way for many locally to take up a regular form of exercise. Not everyone is a gym junkie. A pleasant offshoot of this, is that it is starting to encourage more people to run in my local area. That can only be a good thing!

Until next time...