Wednesday 18 January 2023

How bad do you want it?

Sorry my blog is late but I've had something on my mind that meant I couldn't concentrate on writing something of interest and I don't just blog for the sake of it.
Over the years I have had numerous injuries and continue to have niggles; neck, shoulders, calf, and foot need regular attention. In 2015 an old foot injury became a permanent foot injury which made me delay running Grand 2 Grand a year.  Instead I entered Ironman Frankfurt as it involved less running.  It proved a great success, despite 6 weeks out getting tests for prostate cancer and then pulling a hamstring 5 weeks out so no more running before the race.  It ended up I had prostatitis but it was only a month after the race I got this result.  The race gave me something positive to focus on and despite being crippled with back pain for the last 13 miles and walking large sections of it, I got a PB by 45 minutes.
A year later I ran the 250km G2G.  My foot and calf were taped up but I got round the tough course.
In 2019 I was signed up for Tahoe 205 mile non-stop race.  3 weeks before a hernia appeared with no warning.  I was offered the operation before the race but with the recovery time of 3 months I elected for Plan B - hernia pants!  I ran the race in hernia pants which wasn't the most pleasant experience.  My balls were just about in my throat as they were so tight and the pants offered no ventilation - the Grand Canyon is hot! 3 weeks after I got back I had the operation and started my training after 3 months.  A long slow recovery.
Last year I had to withdraw from my "A race" URR due to an ankle injury one month out from the race.  I've spent much more time in the gym and on my yoga practice to try and keep my niggles at bay.
But the reason my mind wasn't on my blog was yesterday I went through a prostate operation.  I've been on medication since 2016 and it's got to a stage that to improve my quality of life something had to be done.  It will be three months before we know if it's been successful but for the next week I need to wear a Catheter.  You may feel this is too much information to share but I've always been open and honest in my blog as I record this as much for my benefit as hopefully yours.  Perhaps it gives you an insight in how I deal with challenges and where ever possible, let nothing get in the way.  It's a mindset and as I have said before, it all comes down to "how bad do you want it"?  The answer is obvious.  I want to complete URR 2023 "badly".  It will be made easier having my partner Beth running it with me knowing how big a challenge it is for her, taking her ultra running to a whole new level.  But she is so capable of it down to her determination and mindset.
Depending on the surgeon's advice, I'll be running a hilly half marathon at Glentress in 4 weeks time and the Manchester Marathon in April.  My training has been going very well and despite not being allowed to run I will be doing light upper body weights at home (need to get bigger, stronger "traps" for carrying the rucksack in URR),  light yoga and am waiting for permission to start turbo training.  I can't just sit, vegetate and  lose the fitness I have worked so hard for in the last couple of months.
So as you can see, it's not "plain sailing" when trying to reach this level of fitness and we all have these struggles no matter what distance you are training for.  Hopefully by sharing my stories with you, catheter and all, it will give you extra motivation to work through any challenges put in your way.  Stay focused on the prize, stay safe, fit and healthy.