1 step forward, 2 steps back!

I started writing this blog in 2009 when I decided to train for my very first Ironman competition (Copenhagen) which I didn't think was possible to complete.  The first thing I did was check the cut off time which was either 16-17 hours and I didn't think I could make it but my coach at the time said I'd get sub 13 hours and he was right, by 15 minutes.  I'm typing this blog from my home office and hanging proudly on the wall is a picture of a much younger me going across the line with my three kids.  I really couldn't believe what I'd achieved at the age of 48 nor the journey it would lead to.  It took me a week to process the feeling of achievement but that opened up my mind to what could I really do if I just believed anything was possible.  
If you look back in my blog to then, I posted a blog every day about my training.  I'm sure at one stage I must have used the same title, 1 step forward, 2 steps back but this will happen to everyone when training.
I've really been under the weather since my 50km ultra in the Peak District over a month ago.  I've had nothing more than a cold but it has knocked me for 6.  In the training runs I have done my heart rate has been high, I have felt the top of my chest to be restricted and just out of sorts.  I have tried to tick over with running but it caught up with me yesterday.
I ran on the 16th (1st run back) 8.35km, ran 5km on 18th, joined the club for interval training on the 19th with a total of 9.32km, ran 9.55km around Chatelherault on Saturday and on Sunday was taking it easy when at 6.7km my left hammy gave me a sharp pain.  I was running with Beth and we decided to walk the rest so I didn't do anymore damage.  That was followed by a massage gun on my hammy and a hot epsom salt bath.
So 1 step forward with a good week of running without pushing the pace, and 2 steps back as I need to rest the hammy.  Frustrating but if there is a time of year for it to happen it's now when I'm not racing.  But rather than sit around I will head back to the pool and swim with a pool bhoy to take my legs out of it.  I'll also get to the gym and leave the hammy out for a few days.  I rather suspect it was going back to the "bands" that may have caused the issue.  It's amazing the muscle deterioration in such a short space of time - the gym will sort that but I need to be patience.
The most important thing is to keep a positive mindset and work out what I can do to continue my return to fitness and doing it in a way so as not to injure myself.  Part of keeping positive is trying to decide what races to enter for next year to help prepare me for my "A race".  But as I woke up this morning I felt that "man flu" had really gotten hold of my throat so here's hoping it's short lived.
In the overall picture my man flu and lack of training really isn't important.  There are friends out there fighting bigger battles and every day I appreciate just how lucky I am with my lot in life. so instead of complaining about 1 step forward, 2 steps back I'm going to see it as an opportunity to work out differently. Take care and grab life with both hands while you can.