Back from the brink…
The Plague Strikes
I haven’t written a running blog in a while because I got hit by the plague… and I mean really hit. Three weeks of barely moving, not leaving the house for the first eight days and only managing about 40 steps a day. Considering how well my training had been going, it was brutal. And to say I’m properly bummed about it would be an understatement.
Back on the Trails (sort of)
I’ve managed to get back and do a couple of runs, though I’m still not 100% back to normal.
Last weekend, I tackled a race in Devon. It was supposed to be 16 miles. Instead… thanks to Storm Ingrid (?) and a wrong turn at the start, we ended up doing just over 12.5 miles through mud, flooded streams and wind and rain that felt apocalyptic at times. Everything was soaking wet, the wind was relentless and if I’m being completely honest, there were moments when I just wanted to lie down in a puddle and cry.
Walking poles helped, yep, I was THAT person that day, and I walked a lot of it. BUT it didn’t break me which was a huge relief. Being ill, I could literally feel my muscles dissolving, my cardio dropping through the floor, I felt like all of the work I had been putting in had simply vanished overnight. To make it through those miserable miles and pop out on Sunday morning actually not feeling too bad, was a huge relief. Tired, yes. A bit stiff, yes. But not set back.
Spring, Challenges, and Inflatable Animals
Now, it’s time to look forward to spring training. I’ve slept through the worst of winter weather (silver linings where we can find them, right?) and I’ve got some fundraising challenges to keep me motivated.
Speaking of which… you get to vote for me to run in an inflatable chicken or horse costume at the end of February. Whatever gets the most votes wins. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see that? All you have to do is donate £10 and say which you’d prefer - the chicken or the horse.
Easing Back In
This weekend, I’ve got a two-hour long run planned. I’ll be taking it steady, easing back in and hopefully not adding injury to plague recovery.
Wish me luck, send thoughts and prayers and if you feel like giving me a little boost, dropping some pounds into my fundraising pot would be amazing. You can do that right here 😊