Inspirational weekend

What a fantastically inspiring weekend.  On Saturday I went to watch the Highland Fling, the 53 mile ultra from Milngavie to Tyndrum - the one I ran last year. I had a number of friends running this incredible race and I wanted to surprise them so I headed up to Balmaha with some friends. Watching all different styles, shapes, ages of runners was inspiring.  They had completed 19 miles and we're all looking strong but I knew what they still had to face. A very tough 34 miles.  They all completed the run with some fantastic time. It didn't just happen they had sweated blood, sweat and tears and deserved the accolades.
Once they had passed through I went for a swim in Loch Lomond with my pal who wanted to experience the cold water as he is doing a standard distance triathlon in 3 weekends in the loch.  When we got there we did a safety assessment as the water was only 7 degrees and it was choppy.  Entering the water was a bit of a shock to the system but after a few minutes we were starting to "warm up". We cut it short at 5 minutes as we'd achieved our objective.  I was meant to be doing the 70.3 ironman in 3  weeks time but have pulled out as I am still resting my foot and therefore not running until I get my new orthotics next Saturday. That would not be sufficient preparation therefore I made a difficult, but the right decision.
Today I had the pleasure of watching the London marathon on TV and following friends on FB.  One friend deserves a special mention, Laura Gordon.  3 years ago she achieve her target of running a 10k. Today she completed the London Marathon. Unbelievable achievement and she raised a fortune for a good charity. It just shows what is possible with the right mind set - well done Laura.
Spectating isn't my favourite past-time but it gives me a chance to support my friends who have supported me. Watching people achieve their goals is inspirational. It makes me all the more determined to get over this injury and reset my goals.

A diagnosis, at last!

Tonight my podiatrist explained what perhaps the specialist should have last week.  He had met her and discussed my foot in detail.  I have Lisfrancs (mid-foot) injury.  At this stage there is no requirement for surgery so in order to strengthen the mid-foot I had my feet scanned for new orthotics.  The podiatrist also confirmed that my target of running 100 miles on August 22/23 is still on, assuming that my foot behaves.
This is great news but I will need to take it sensibly.  My orthotics won't be ready for a week so I'll concentrate on my swimming and cycling to keep my base fitness up.  I have a sprint triathlon on 3rd May and a half Ironman on 17 May so I've plenty to keep me busy.
Thanks for all your good wishes and continued support.

Perhaps looking for Plan C!

A week into Plan B and it's not going well.  My foot has been grumbling all week and I've not had a good weeks training.  Yoga on Tuesday was wonderful.  On Wednesday morning I went out early in the morning in the rain to run for the first time in 10 days.  I was aware of my foot all the way round but after 4k I became more aware of a "toilet" problem so needed to head back asap.  Fortunately I made it, just, and it reminded me the importance of routine i.e. ....no need to go into detail here as I think you get the point!
I then took my bike to get it's annual service and due to a part needing ordered I haven't had my bike back yet which hasn't helped.
Thursday and Friday I was in London so no ability to train but I did a lot of walking and my foot wasn't happy.  On Saturday it was a glorious day but I had booked a days golf for a friends birthday so we were away for the day.  Turnberry is a fantastic golf course on the Ayrshire course and the sun shone all day.  However my foot really started to hurt and my calf muscle began to stiffen.  By the end I was limping and the pain was affecting my golf - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
I rolled my foot, stretched my calf and hoped I'd be able to run today, Sunday.  Sadly there was no improvement in my foot and calf so today became a rest day.
I am meeting my podiatrist on Tuesday night and he is looking at stiffening the mid foot area to provide more support to my foot.  We are also looking at my footwear which when I do a post mortem, it might turn out to be a major factor despite taking advice at the time.  I will also be booking a massage for my calf and foot which I don't think will result in a "happy ending"! 
Is a plan C required?  Maybe but not before I get the orthotics adjusted and look at changing my shoes.  Hopefully the bike will be back and I can get in the miles.  I'll be back in the pool and between those two should keep my fitness up.  My taking part on a sprint triathlon and a half marathon are in the balance and I'm not even thinking about my 100 mile run at the end of August.  A lot will depend on the next few weeks.  Get out there and enjoy the summer folks!

Plan B

Life has a way of putting obstacles in your way and that is why you need a Plan B.  Unfortunately I have to implement my Plan B due to my foot injury.  For a few months now I have been suffering pain in my foot and despite treatment it hasn't improved, in fact it's got worse.  Tonight I visited the specialist and had 3 x-rays taken.  The outcome wasn't exactly conclusive but without getting an MRI scan which isn't guaranteed to show anything, the experts view is that there is some "wear and tear" on some of the bones on the top of my foot.  There may be some old damage from a car accident 7 years ago but nothing definite.  I've been told I can run and if it's sore take pain killers.  I've to see what happens over the next month - the last resort is surgery as that is a 3-6 month recovery period so here's hoping.
What wouldn't be sensible would be high intensity training compressed into 8 weeks.  Therefore it is with a heavy heart that I am postponing my WHW+ (100 miles) till 22/23 August.  It will mean 2.5 hours less daylight but that will be part of the fun.  It gives me 8 weeks more to build my mileage in a sensible way. 
I may be mental but I'm not totally stupid.  I have numerous multi-day events and challenges that I want to take on over the next 10 + years and having to do it with a walking stick isn't on the agenda.  My short term focus is now on a half Ironman on May 17th so miles on the bike required and build up the running.  It's a set back but not a season wrecker like my hamstring last year! See you out on the road, the trails and on the water!

Pain free training!

It's been a mixed week of training.  The good news is my hamstring is fine.  I think pushing the pace in my training run last week didn't help and taking a couple of days rest was a wise move.  After a two week layoff I went back to the pool - I won't make that mistake again! For me it's like hell after a lay off. I need to think about everything and it just feels like hard work, but it was good to be back.

I got new orthotics for my other shoes, not my running shoes as their orthotics are fine. This will give me additional support which I hope will help with my plantar faciatis.

On Thursday I went out for a run and lasted 100 yards. A sharp pain shot through the top of my foot and it didn't feel good. This is the area the surgeon will be looking at on the 13th April. So using my sensible head I hobbled back home. I gave it two days rest but played golf on Saturday afternoon - even that was sore.

Today the sun was shining so I headed out with a pal ON MY BIKE! We covered 62 km with some nice hills and I felt great. We took the pace easy, I had cobwebs on my bike, and I loved it. So here's the plan until I see the surgeon I'll either be swimming or cycling to keep my fitness up - no running. That's all I can do. If I get the go ahead to run the 100 miles will probably turn out to be my hardest challenge yet. Physically challenging because I haven't done the miles and mentally challenging because I know I haven't done the miles. Plus probably some pain management.

I've promised Maggie's Centres that I'd raise £5,000 and I don't want to let them down. But I will be sensible, promise. What an adventure this is turning out to be! Stay tuned!