Alive and Kicking

So, nearly 6 weeks since my last blog, and much has changed, much has stayed the same. What has changed? I am running. Not too much, still trying to slowly increase the weekly mileage to a point that I am happy. No pace, no intervals, not even much hill work; just steady, consistent churning out of the kilometres. I have to be careful, running consecutive days has still somewhat of a risk element attached to it, and therein lies the part that hasn't changed; I still have some issues with my ankle. I may always have issues, just never know if it's going to completely heal, or always be something I have to 'manage'. But the fact that I am running, and more than likely able to race one of my favourite trail races within a few weeks, is happiness alone. The alternative (no running, possibility of surgery) was too much to contemplate.

Thankfully, after the initial disappointment of the non-effectiveness of the cortisone shot in mid December, I was able to run/walk Kawana parkrun on 3rd January, a welcome start to the new year. First week of 7k's total, then, bit by bit, I have increased the weekly distances. Topping out recently at 46k's, I have well and truly pushed the envelope of the 10% rule in an effort to get back racing.

Weekly mileage steadily increases, trying not to push it too much (10% rule?)

Over the last 2 months I have managed to run 6 parkruns (steadily increasing the pace), increase my long run to 21k, (which was a trail with 1000 metres of elevation gain!), and run a total of 292k's. The proceeding 2 months was spent in the full roller coaster of rehab. At times I have treated my ankle with kid gloves, too scared to load it, to walk any appreciable distances, and even bear weight on it, . At other times I have treated it like a drunken blacksmith; hell bent on hammering it back into shape as if it were a shapeless lump of metal. Nothing worse than a rehabbing runner. My fear is that despite my efforts, the ankle will always be suspect to injury. Just hope that I regain the confidence to run hard on it again.

8 days from now I will be running Roller Coaster Run. The 21.5k single loop version for me (a 43k, 2 loop version exists also), on trail, with serious elevation, but ultimately very rewarding. Last year I had a bit of a day out on this course, smashing a 2:20, and placing high in the field. Not going to happen this year, just happy to be running again. Anything under 3 hours will be a win for me.

Addendum: Friday the 13th is usually an auspicious day, but it was at night that I decided to enter a local race on the Bass Coast rail trail. The fact that is was less than 12 hours before the event, speaks volumes of my unwillingness to commit to a race. Turned up this morning, zero expectations on time, just the need to run hard (if not race), but at a sustainable level throughout the race. And I can safely say, result achieved; 46:38 official time, km splits keeping within 20 seconds/k, and the feeling that I paced myself quite well. Considering what a disaster this race was for my confidence leading into Roller Coaster last year, it was pleasing to get a good result.
Understanding where my fitness is at, is the main thing at the moment. Plenty to build on, and a way to go, but confident that I have laid a very good platform.

It's great to be back...

Until next time...