Rather stupidly, I thought it had started to clear up, and decided to run the Dublin Half Marathon in mid September. I should know better! I have been running far too long not to listen to my own voice when I say, don't run when injured. BUT, I didn't listen, I ran, and plodded my way around the Phoenix Park, feeling the knee getting sorer and sorer as each mile passed. The last couple of miles saw the old issue of the calf tightening up as well, so I was really crocked as I came towards the finish.
One of the best things to have happened with my running in the last year has been getting involved with my new Running Group from the Runners Support Page on Facebook. We are a mixed bunch of runners, a lot of newbies, a smattering of experience, all shapes and sizes, and all speeds. The Group is also a fantastic bunch - I have met so many people in the last year who I can genuinely call friends - Running brings people together.
Why did I intercede that as I was hobbling to the finish of the Half Marathon? Well! With a little more than 100m to the finish, the #RSP Cheerleaders were out in force, cheering myself, and every other Team #RSP (and everyone else to be fair) runners home. My left calf was tightening up, my right knee was swelling up, but with the encouragement and support, how could I not run hard to the finish! Thanks guys.... Running can be a lonely sport, even when you are a member of a club. It's all about your own performance, you rarely get a chance to see your friends run, as you are usually running in the same race. The support from this Group is incredible, as was shown a few weeks later in the Dublin City Marathon, but that's not my story.
As soon as I had crossed the line, I knew that was it for a while. The walk back to my friends car was difficult. The knee had swollen, was very sore, and suffice to say, a lot of ice was needed over the next few days, along with Ibuprofen. That was Sept 19th, and it was a good month before I could run again - Heck, it was about four days before I could walk properly.... But, one thing age has told me, you can't hurry things, you have to be patient, and I kept my enthusiasm up, planning next years runs and giving myself something to aim for.
I was looking forward to Cheering at the Dublin Marathon, and despite being envious of everyone who was running (although I had made no plans to run DCM this year), I was so happy for all the Virgins from our Group, seeing the emotions of the runners and friends, and not to mention enjoying the party afterwards :).
Which brings us to the end of October, and where I'm going from here. Started the slow comeback with a parkrun today in Hartstown, and my goal is still to run a Boston Qualifying time next October in Dublin. However, I will not be kicking off the New Year in Seville, as I have missed too much training to be ready for a Marathon in February, so I will look at a possible training Marathon in May/June, possibly the Walled City Marathon in Derry, but I'll decide on that after my Summer Break to my Second Home in Argentina.
Talking of Argentina, I will be heading there in less than three weeks, and have already entered two races on my travels. I will actually be away for nearly 7 weeks, so a good time to get some warm weather training in, along withe the races. I have an 8K night race on the day of my arrival, run in Puerto Madero, which is very similar in style to Docklands Dublin, followed a week later in a 10K Race an another suburb of Buenos Aires which I am looking forward to, and if all goes well, I plan on running the Buenos Aires San Silvestre 10K on New Years Eve, before heading back to Ireland in mid-winter, and the Raheny 5 Miler at the end of January.
As autumn turns to winter, I hope to enjoy the sun, and come back well refreshed for 2016 and hopefully, an injury free year. I'm sure the sport will continue to give and take from me, I just hope it will allow me to have more ups than downs.
