Write off 2011
After a very enjoyable experience in Athens I and her good self returned to Ireland Boston
Well so much for planning, Life (I really should
know this by now) has a nasty habit letting you know it’s not easy just when
you think it could not get better. We had both forgot about the
routine mama-gram herself had done before we went to Athens, well on
a Thursday in November life decided to throw us a curve ball and
herself now had breast cancer. Surgeon is not one to mince her words and
outlined that the next step was a full mastectomy. Neither of us knowing what
end of us was up at this stage where brought into a quiet room where an very
nice nurse basically told us whatever you have planned for 2011 write it off.
With hindsight I really should have listened to this advice.
Doing to much
So I upped my mileage in an effort to get my
marathon time down to the required Boston Qualifier Time. For the first 4
months everything was going as well as expected but the added stress in my
personal life with the increase in mileage was going to catch up with me. From
May on after setting personal bests for 10K and 10 Miles the niggles (overuse
injuries) started to happen. Glutes, back and hamstrings all at different times
left me missing training days. So much so that I missed both of my planned
attempts at sub 3:30 in Portuma and Longford. In between I ran day 2 of the 5 in
5 in Sixmilebridge as a training/test run to see where I was at. Set a PB but
the plan of 20 miles @ 3:30 pace did not materialise. It was after this that I
knew I was not in 3:30 shape and was not going to get there under the current
circumstances. I concentrated in keeping my long slow runs in the legs with no
fast stuff. Paced 5 hour in Dublin Marathon of the
year, mile loops of the bridge. Took the rest of the year off and at the turn
of the year felt good again.
Happy New Year
Well was I glad to see the back of 2011. Looking
forward herself was finished treatment had got the all clear and on the mend.
So was I or so it appeared. After 2 weeks into the New Year and on very little
mileage (15 miles a week) I could barely drive with the pain in the butt/lower
back, so I bite the bullet and decided go see the doc first. Full blood work
revealed Vitamin D was on the floor. Refereed for on lumbar spine MRI came back
clear but some signs early wear and tear. She referred me to Rheumatologist
just to rule out any arthritic issues. Thought that this would be a wasted trip
but turned out to be quiet the reverse, he identified I had swollen Bursitis in
the hip, which duly got a steroid injection. Had another
MRI done on my SI joints and hips which came back all clear as well. Returned 2
weeks later for review
Bursitis still tender so
another injection and 3 weeks more off running.
Glad to be back
running
This brought me to mid march. I was down to pace
Limerick half marathon as part of the 2 hour
pace band and with little or no running done since previous November it did not
look likely. Decided if I could not run a pain free sub 50 in the Packie Ryan
Memorial 10K a week later, there was no way I could pace a 2 hour Half Marathon
in Limerick 6 weeks after that. Ran it comfortably in 48:30 and completely free
of pain so Limerick in May was my next goal.
Upped the mileage to about 25 miles per week, no side effects paced Limerick half marathon and 55 minute band for the Bridge
Milers 10K 2 weeks later.
Acute Injuries
heal quicker
Words of my physio after I stupidly twisted my
knee acting the goose with my nieces. X-Rays showed only damage inflicted was
on my ego and another 4-6 weeks off running. Not too bad as 2 of those where
going to be on the long awaited trip to Portugal
