Since my injury last summer I’ve gradually been stepping
up my training over the last few months, and am currently up to around 50 miles
a week. I’ve recently started putting in
one or two sessions too – 1km and mile reps on the road, as well as the
occasional few miles ‘tempo’ within a run.
Now, at last, I feel like I’m beginning to train ‘properly’ again and,
most importantly, I’m enjoying it. I can
sense some progress in my fitness and that is motivating me to want to work
harder. I must admit it was a bit of a
struggle to get back into the routine of training again at first. Much as I wanted to be back out there running
again, there were also times when I questioned whether I would ever get back,
and there was even a part of me that wasn’t sure whether I really wanted to. But perseverance really does pay off and now
I’m relishing the fact that I’m able to run again. And besides, I've just been sent three brand new pairs of trainers from my kit sponsors, Mizuno, and I can't let them go to waste can I?! I’m now also sufficiently motivated to start
reintroducing all the little ‘extras’ back into my routine too – Pilates, core
stability, stretching, physio exercises, and I’ve found another Sports Massage
Therapist to take Les’ place until he’s able to resume his duties again!
And talking of Les - some more positive news is that it
appears his initial diagnosis of bile duct cancer was wrong and, whilst he
still has cancer, it has now been confirmed as lymphoma. This has a much better prognosis and we both now
feel a bit more optimistic. It’s a funny
old world that we should be relieved about a diagnosis of lymphoma!! Of course there’s still a long way to go,
with 6 months of chemotherapy ahead, but at least we feel there is now a light
at the end of the tunnel, and something to aim for.
I’ve likened the next 6 months to an ultra race, only
this time Les’ and my roles will be reversed!
There will be ups and downs, but I know from
experience that by staying strong through the low points you
can work through them and come out the other side to
also experience times when you feel good. And I will be there to
help him, just as he’s always been there for me in training and racing. I will be his 'support crew' and help him in
whatever way I can, physically or emotionally.
We need to break the next few months down into stages and
just concentrate on reaching the next 'mile marker'. The difficult
times are always made up for when you successfully reach the finish line. For
me, even a massive blood blister on my foot, or a brutal 5km climb at the end
of 100k, or trying to run up Polly Shortts with not an ounce of energy in my
body, were all worth gritting my teeth for in the end. We can do this
together, Les.
I must admit there was a time after Les’ original
diagnosis, last November, when I wondered whether we’d ever go to a race
together again. I didn’t know how long
it would take me to get into any reasonable shape after my injury to line up on
a start line without risking further damage.
And Les’ prognosis at that time was seemingly being measured only in
months. However, things started to look
up for both of us and I’m pleased to report that we managed to go down to Eton
for the Dorney Lake 10K just before he started chemo a couple of weeks ago.
For those of you who aren’t aware, Dorney Lake was the
venue for the rowing events at the 2012 Olympics. Whilst a cold and dismal Saturday afternoon
in February was a far cry from the incredible atmosphere of the Games, it was,
nevertheless, inspiring to run at a venue where Team GB had taken so many
medals, and where the five Olympic rings still have pride of place above the
starting pontoons. As I jogged round on
my warm up I kept thinking “Wow, all those famous people were here; all those
amazing performances took place on that lake!!”
As for the race itself, well it actually went better than
either Les or I were expecting. Despite
a strong, cold wind blowing across the exposed lake, my finishing time of 40:14
was the best part of two minutes quicker than we were hoping for. And to top it all I finished 1st
lady too! Whilst it was only a low key
event it was a wonderful feeling to be back in a race situation again, made
even more special by the fact Les was there to share it; with my win being the
icing on the cake. All credit to Les for
getting me back into a state where I am able to race again.
So now I’m feeling re-motivated and raring to go - let’s
just hope my body continues to hold out and that there are more races to come.
