Another joy

After some more treadmill running, I ventured out for another 'outdoor' run this evening. No frills, 2 mile plod around the streets near home, however this run did have a special element to it... When I was running well and long distances regularly, my daughters always used to nag me to take them with me. Being so uptight about training etc, I always used to say "when you're older, you can come..." and then that chance looked as if it had gone forever when I was forced to stop running. Tonight, I took my eldest daughter Beth with me and we both loved it. Feel very lucky I may have a second chance at this element of my running. Anyway, another 2 miles in the bank!

Wow...3.5 years later!

It's over three years since I have run. I tried a few times to run over that time, but all attempts resulted in limping home after 2 or 300m with knee pain. Happily since then I have fallen in love with cycling. This has both kept me fit and allowed me to get out into the hills for some freedom. But I have missed running. Recently at the gym, I have tried a few treadmill runs (something I hate) just 'to see' and it has felt OK. So today I bit the bullet and ran about two miles on road again just 'to see'! Felt great. No knee pain at all. Ridiculously out of condition as cycling uses different muscles, but it felt good! It was hard not to run at my old pace (which for the moment is entirely unsustainable!) but once I settled down and accepted it would have to be a jog (!) then all went OK. I think I will reinstate this blog. Not in the hope of returning to ultra-marathon running - that boat has left the harbour - but just in the hope of one day being able to pop out into the hills and run 5-10 miles without worrying about knees. That would do me nicely! Right - think I'll go for a cycle now! Who'd have thought this would one day be a little victory?! :)

All over....for the moment

Now awaiting a bone scan, but the horrible fact of the matter is that UTMB is off for me. I still can't run a mile without swelling and pain in my left knee.

It goes without saying that I am completely gutted by the way this year has turned out, but I am trying to be philosphical. My life is blessed in so many ways. Although running is a big part of it, it is not all of it. And I will run again! Just got to have some serious time out while we get to the bottom of what could be wrong with the knee.

So this blog will continue to be very quiet for a while.

Thanks for stopping by and GOOD LUCK with your running.

Phil

Still Waiting

Still waiting on the results of an initial x-ray, which I should get on Friday. Frustrating times, but I am keeping as positive as possible. Doing lots of cycling.

In the meantime, maybe you could vote for my primary school's blog in an online competition?! Vote Otley All Saints. Thanks!

Lying low

I wanted to say a big thank you to those of you who have been in touch to ask me where I've been over the last few weeks. It's really nice to know people notice when you go AWOL!

It started when at the beginning of the Easter holidays when I put a new kitchen in my house. This was hard work (see the photos!) and took a couple of weeks all in. During this time I could only snatch the odd run here and the odd hike there.

When the jobs were done, I was despereate to get out and went out for two quick hill runs in succession. Now I'm paying for it big-time. My left knee has flared up and I'm not quite sure what's the matter with it. It isn't sore exactly, but it swells up when I try to run on it further than 4 miles or so.

I'm going to the doctor on Wednesday (that's how bad it is!)

So wish me luck. I can feel myself getting heavier and grumpier by the minute. August isn't that far away :(

Here's my kitchen anyway!

Nice 7m trail

Lovely 7m trail run which provided a very welcom distraction from DIY, work and poorly children :)

Club Run

Perhaps the last headtorch club session for a while (at least at the start of a run)as the clocks go forward next wseekend. Ran with Chris and Andrew a hilly trail route up the Chevin of about 6m. Felt good tonight.