Putting things in perspective

It's been 7 weeks since I pulled my hamstring completing the 53 mile Highland Fling.  Fortunately it happened in the last 20 metres but unfortunately I am still unable to run.  I was scheduled to take part in an 70.3 Ironman next week but have had to pull out.  My first and hopefully last DNS (did not start).  The organisers have been very understanding and postponed my entry for a year which means I save my entry fee.  But I haven't been sitting still as I only have 13 weeks till my next challenge, The River Dart 10km swim and 2 of those weeks will be on a cruise where the opportunity to swim won't really be practical.
My training, until my hamstring heals, will be swimming, cycling and yoga.  On Wednesday I swam at Tollcross for the last time before it closed in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.  I was delighted when one of our group who is a swim coach complemented how my swimming was coming on.  It's always nice when your hard work is recognised but as a result I did a couple of extra sprints and later on I could feel my hamstring.  I'm booked into the physio on Thursday as I need to know what is causing the discomfort as I am doing what I've been told.
On Friday I went open water swimming and did 6 laps totalling 2,700m without stopping.  I felt comfortable in the water and the previous zig sagging was reduced although not completely.  I have to build the metres in the coming weeks as 10km is a big challenge.  After a tiring week I wasn't surprised to get a low score with an amber light on my HRV monitor so today I went out on my bike for 70 minutes mainly to work my hamstring.  Looking at my heart rate readings it's obvious that I'm tired so I've made the excuse it's Fathers Day and put me feet up, after my chores were finished! It was while resting I read in the Scotland on Sunday about Gordon Aikman, a 29 year old who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - literally a death sentence, he has less than 2 years to live.  Reading how he is handling it puts everything into perspective.  What an unbelievable attitude.  So I'm going to stop getting frustrated over a muscle pull and remind myself just how lucky I am to have my health.  Life can be snuffed out in the fraction of a second so make sure you make the most of the seconds we have and give our loved ones an extra hug tonight.