The year started brightly, and with good intent. The first six weeks saw my weight dropping steadily, my mileage increasing, and things were looking promising for the Santiago Marathon in April. As the weight dropped, the speed was increasing too, and then February 13th arrived. I've written before about the pain, and what happened. The "why it happened" is still a mystery. According to the doctors, it has been an injury waiting to happen for years, and nothing triggered it specifically, and both my original doctor here, and the specialist, have advised that running was not the cause, and that I will be able to run again.
I "celebrated" my 54th birthday in March on my back. At that time I was still having Cortisone Injections every day, along with a cocktail of painkillers/anti-inflammatories, to keep me sane. Gradually, the sheer agony wore off, to be replaced by constant pain, and after Easter, MRI's, X-Rays, Kidney Scans, and various options being outlined to me, I finally started a course of treatment under Dr Calle, with Ozone Injections every two weeks to remedy the situation.
During this time under treatment, it was very difficult to sit on a chair for more than 10 minutes, or even to walk far. I am eternally grateful to Nurse Paula, who had to put up with me for far too long as the invalid patient, she has the patience of a saint, and needed to have with me. Also I was grateful for visits from my Frinking and hashing buddies, with at least two occasions when our Friday Night Frinking Parties arrived at my house, with bottles and food, to cheer me up.
Gradually, some aspects of life returned to a sort of reality, and I was able to start to get out a little. I managed to get to a few Hashes, albeit solely for the circle and a few beers, and Frinking was resumed in the bars of San Telmo, even if only for a couple of pints and home by ten! Over the winter months of July and August, I started to add a few teaching classes again, which when enjoined with the social activities, started to get my sanity back. It still hurt to sit down, but otherwise I managed to get out walking, although all the muscle strength had vanished from my legs. As an ex rugby player, and having ran for 20 years or more, I always prided myself in my leg strength, with well defined quads, even into my 50's, but now, they are more like matchsticks, and a lot of work will need to go into redeveloping these.
I last posted an update here in November, and it was then that I had the idea of entering the local Road Race here in Avellaneda. I had managed to complete the, free to enter, 8Km race in the previous two years, with friends, and as they had a 3Km fun run, Paula and I decided it would be a great mental stimulus to at least walk the 3Km. Which is almost what I did.... I couldn't resist the finish straight, and when I saw the Arch of the Finish Line Balloon, I had to try.... I jogged, in trepidation, the last 200m or so, crossing the line with a PW of 29:20 for 3Km. Paula was crying as I jogged on, but they were tears of joy and relief, as she confessed she had fears that I may never be able to walk again properly, let along jog, such was the pain I had been in earlier in the year.
After the race, I knew that I had to change physios, as my then locally based one was still treating me for the injury, rather than working on the muscles and helping the recovery process. I searched around for an English speaking physio with little success, until I found one on my doorstep. I had completely forgotten that one of the hashers was a Physio, and so I started to trek over to Belgrano, across the city, every week to Sandra Diaz, who has been a godsend, even when she has left me in agony having worked deep tissues. The improvement in flexibility in these last few weeks has been noticeable, and whilst the pain has not vanished, it is no longer agonising, far from it, and I can sit in a chair for a few hours now, without being a wreck afterwards.
As the year comes to a close, I can look forward with hope, that the doctors advice that I could be running again by March is likely to come to fruition. I have set a little target with one of my students, to run a lap (300m), of my local park by the end of January. When I say run, it will be on tiptoes, and very slow, but the process of rebuilding will take time, but all being well, I will be on target to run a little more as the months progress. I may never be fast again, but I will run again.
On a personal level away from the back and trying to run, although as this is supposed to be my running blog, that's what I talk about here, I am awaiting the call to return home to Ireland in the New Year. I am on two months notice of recall now, and even if nothing is heard from Dublin Castle, I will be heading home in May, after 3 1/2 years in Argentina, as Liam Og is getting married on June 1st, and I haven't seen my little grand-daughter Maisie since she was 2 days old in June of last year, so trips to Sheffield will be in order to see her and Melanie too.
So, this was my "short" review of the running year. Mind you, when have I ever been known for keeping anything short? Given only one 3Km "race" in the year, it's amazing how many words I can pack in. Lots to look forward to in the year to come, running, returning to Ireland, the wedding, and most of all, a return to good health. Hopefully, I may even be able to post updates here about running, rather than the ramblings of a grumpy old fella with a bad back.
My old mantra for marathons comes to mind as I recover, "If it is to be, It is up to me", so true.
See you in 2013.
