This olde house

This olde house enters its 50th year next August and some items are beginning to show signs of wear. Got me my brand new OnePlusTwo phone. A long awaited Birthday treat to myself. It can do everything a smartphone can do. Only issue is it has highlighted my eyesight is not what it used to be. So off to the Specsavers for a pair of yokes that will hopefully allow me to read the screen properly.

One thing after another

Doc finally cleared my proctitis, but as a result my joint bursa are getting inflamed. At the moment both elbows and particular my right knee which of course is causing a pull on my IT. The solution is good old Diefene. This however aggravates the proctitis so at the moment I am awaiting MRI’s and a colonoscopy and on a very reduce mileage. Basically run when I am able and all easy nothing hard. The week before Christmas I stupidly (several units of Alcohol involved) went over badly on My ankle so another missed week of running. Leading up to Christmas my biggest week was 27 miles and two single figure weeks. This has also given rise to a probably rise in my weight. I haven't stood on the scales since before Frankfurt when I was pretty much close to 11st 4lbs my race weight. I have no intention of doing so until the New Year, I have no doubt that the result may not be nice but for now I will enjoy the Festive period and worry about such things in 2016.

Slowest one to Date

Courtesy of Mary Mockett

When all of the above was taken into consideration being at the start in Portumna for the final MCI race of the year was an achievement in itself. I knew I was not in good shape and was nursing the ankle, knee and extra little belly that had appeared out of nowhere. Arrived to be told there was a change in the course which was now going to be longer to ensure correct distance as part of it would be on trails. More like XC conditions so of we set 16 laps of 1.6 Miles, Ray mentioned Km’s but i cant compute those things. Started of with Cezary and Dari at around a 9 minute clip. Even after 2 loops I was starting to feel the pace so I was glad when my bowel rumbled and I said my goodbyes as I headed for the toilets. In contrast to last year where I was the bear in the woods several times, this year I made the White Throne and only had to stop once. Continued on after this comfortably between 9 and 9:30 pace. Meet and ran with loads which always make the miles easier. Even got a hug from Aaron of team Kerr, had to hug all of the team before been released to continue on my way. Eventually got over the line in 4:21:15, nothing spectacular but I loved every minute of it. With over 100 runners on the day all credit must go to Ray, Vincent and Brian with his crew of helpers in the mobile kitchen. Its a pleasure to get a warm drink and a sandwich into you after a marathon.

2015 a year in numbers

So to wrap up the year 2,486.4 miles (4001.4K) ran, 13 Marathons completed, 5 PB’s ran  19:45 (5K) 25:47 (4 Mile) 41:11 (10K) & 3:18:12 (Marathon). I am extremely happy with this even if the last 4 months have been a write off. Next year I hope to complete my 50th Marathon before my 50th Birthday on 4th August

Corner Turned

Finally able to get back to running this weekend. Reverted back to the Doctor who accessed the situation. Time for an Anti-Inflammatory. Difenee which comes with a bad rep of side effects notable that it may (and has) aggravated my Bowel. So one thing gets fixed another thing breaks. Going to persist unless my Bowel shows signs of bleeding. Course of tablets for 10 days. The real issue may be what happens when I come off them, will my symptoms return? Hopefully not as I am not a believer in taking tablets just to eliminate symptoms. It may well be just an unusual inflammation from some sort of infection but I am more inclined to think this may be more related to the current age of my joints and the possibility that they are starting to remind me I am not a kid no more.

Frankfurt Target

I feel having lost well over 3 weeks of specific training that my lofty goal of sub 3:10 is gone by the wayside. I am not really going to get any sort of race pace work done or really very little between now and race day. This could turn out to be one hell of a taper. Best case scenario is a crack at sub 3:15 outside of that lining up on the day will do me. Pity as for the first time in my life I got rightfully in to the first Corral.

Still Broken

Still on the bench. Not a mile ran in September and have abandoned this Saturdays planned Marathon in Tulloran. Just finished my 3rd Visit to Leon in Physiozone, needles today on the TFL and Quads. My knee is still swelling up after any length of time standing/walking and even though I have no pain just swelling and a pulling sensation at the IT insertion point under weight. Leon has advised to refer to the Doc tomorrow for an MRI referral or possible NSAID/ Steroid Injection. Its doubtful that it is a Stress Fracture as I would not be able to tolerate the ShockWave Therapy on the Insertion point if it was, of which I have had 3 sessions with minor discomfort in the area.

At this point running a PB in Frankfurt is not likely , best case scenario is that I make the start line and get to jog high 5 my way around the city. I have also planned a marathon in Galway in Three weeks time but I may drop down to the half unless there is a miraculous recovery on the knee between now and then.