There’s Always Hope

I’m now on my 9th week of no running and am desperate to get back out there! For a few weeks I enjoyed being at home, having full evenings and being a couch potato. However, being so used to exercise this wore thin pretty quickly! Despite my good intentions, I haven’t been out walking as much as I might have. Walking the streets on dark evenings doesn’t hold much appeal. However, over the last couple of weeks I have tried to make more of an effort to do some exercise with a combination of metabolic and weight workouts, and the odd walk, hoping to preserve some small modicum of fitness, and also serving to lift my mood.

I’ve been extremely grateful to have parkrun throughout this period of injury, enabling me to keep in touch with my running friends and maintaining the desire to get back out there. I thoroughly enjoyed my role as Tail Walker at Crathes parkrun, a beautiful woodland course and was delighted to have someone walk with me in addition to my husband who did his first ever parkrun, albeit without crossing the finish line as he doesn’t have a barcode. Today, I walked Hazlehead parkrun, choosing it over the Aberdeen parkrun, as I love the trails there and felt it would be a more enjoyable walk.

Interestingly, when I’m Run Director I’m genuinely happy for anyone to come along. It honestly doesn’t matter how slow (or fast) you are, so it was strange that today when I arrived I felt some trepidation around walking. Would the volunteers have to wait just for me? Would anyone else be walking? With parkrun having renamed the ‘Tail Runner’ as ‘Tail Walker’,  and being very aware of the whole ethos of the event, it was unsettling that I still had this concern.

That aside, it was lovely to be at Hazlehead for a change, and a boost to see familiar faces, some of whom I saw just yesterday (a work colleague) and others that I’ve not seen for a wee while. Willie, the Run Director, gave his briefing before I made my way to the back of the field. I was happy to find that I was not alone there and I had company and a blether for the first mile. After this, I was alone, my companion having passed her baby over to her mum returned heading towards ‘home’, running on the rest of the way alone,  and I picked up the pace to enjoy a brisk walk. Here I saw my friend, Hilary, on return, up visiting Aberdeen for the weekend, another lovely surprise.

At the turn I was greeted by a friendly marshal who asked if I was a Run Director from the beach – I am. Then I enjoyed the morning sunshine, again passing along the top of the golf course, and passing the tail walkers who were enjoying their morning sortie, comfortingly in no great rush.

Heading back towards the park, the temptation to run was just too much, so I opted for a strategy of one minute run, one minute walk, probably looking somewhat ridiculous to the morning dog walkers, dressed in my hill walking trousers and down jacket. It was a great feeling though and I lived in hope that I wouldn’t suffer too much later as a result. Finishing, I was greeted by the familiar faces of Hazlehead Run Directors, Tony and Willie, and enjoyed a good chat with on an interesting array of topics! I promised I wouldn’t disclose any further.

Looking ahead, the underwater treadmill at Total Endurance beckons on Tuesday. I’m very excited to be trying this out for the first time. This was very generously gifted to me by a running friend who thought my need was greater than hers. The kindness of the running community over these last weeks has been truly amazing and so appreciated, with folks giving encouragement, friendly messages and offers of support on the road back from injury. Thank you all!

I’m really hoping that I’m coming out the other side soon. My sore foot has now been x-rayed and the good news is there does not appear to be anything really nasty going on. A bone spur seems to be at the root of the problem, creating severe inflammation. With any luck, an injection next week may provide the cure, as I’m told that my feet are flexible and in pretty good shape otherwise.

Wish me luck! Any tips on returning to running gratefully received!