Mum on the Run

Monday – Recovery

A random plod through Drumcondra including a lap of All Hallows and another small park. Felt sluggish.

• 3.3 miles

Tuesday – REST

Should have been an easy few miles but back was feeling a bit stiff so opted for a rest instead.

Wednesday – Graded Meet

Back wasn’t feeling any better so booked in to the osteopath and felt instant relief after some acupuncture and a couple of clicks. It was short-lived unfortunately and the discomfort returned within a short while.

Ran the 800m in Santry anyway as I felt a bit better after a warm up jog and at this stage there were no real warning signs that it was anything other than a bit of stiffness that could be run through. Lined up in the C race and was hopeful of getting if not a PB then something fairly close to it after 10 weeks of Track Fairy training. 79 seconds for the first lap and feeling ok. On target for a PB. Effort was high now and I was passed by two runners but didn’t feel at all like I was slacking off or that the pace had dropped. Maintained a good effort to the end even though the jelly legs hit with about 200m to go. I was surprised and disappointed with the end result of 2:51.xx :eek:. A positive split by more than 13 seconds :eek::eek: . That’s so far off where I should be I had to admit that something wasn’t quite right. Coach (who had been watching) said she thought my gait was very much compromised and thought it looked like a disc issue. Feck .

• 2.1 miles total (tarmac, track)

Thursday onwards … REST

Looks like I have a bulging disc, which is not as bad as a slipped or herniated one (which I had before) so I can count myself lucky.

I have made it very quickly through the various stages (denial, anger, depression, bargaining) to acceptance. Been here before, done that, so I know what to do and I’m not going to be a numpty. This time :rolleyes:. So there will be no running until I have been pain free for at least a month AND until I have settled into a good S&C routine which will involve a minimum of 2 classes or sessions a week. In the meantime I have been prescribed some awesome drugs which will be a comfort to me .

TOTAL WEEKLY MILES: 5.2

Month 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
January 154 141 101 86 0
February 127 134 109 75 0
March 151 114 124 109 0
April 121 127 129 101 24
May 127 133 95 81
June 110 110 86 72
July 139 181 2 101
August 91 208 31 37
September 136 133 83 43
October 144 155 93 64
November 147 170 107 69
December 105 113 119 94
553 1515 1666 987 585

hillsiderunner wrote: »

Sorry to hear that, BG . I'm sure you'll do a great job with the strength training. Maybe get yourself a box set of something Scandic for the month ahead.

Thanks, Hilly! I'm going to do my very best with the S&C and learn to love it :pac:. Can't wait for the next season of The Bridge but not sure when that's going to be on air. Any recommendations ?

Wubble Wubble wrote: »

Sorry to read this G. Hopefully the fact that you've been in this situation before will help. Rest and recover well.

Thanks, J. Yeah I think it will. And I've caught it much earlier this time (before it went into full blown slipped disc) so hopefully the recovery time won't be as long.

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Oh no really sorry to hear that G, after all your hard work too! Wishing you a speedy recovery & you'll be back stronger & faster in no time.

Thanks AM. I plan to take my rebuild seriously . Will see where I am when the drugs wear off (:D) and take it from there!

nop98 wrote: »

Oh no, such a pity after all those track-fairy weeks. Recover well

Thanks, Nop! The Track Fairy weeks won't go to waste I'm sure; I just think I need to be stronger to handle them. Maybe I should just slink off quietly to the gym bunnies forum....?

diego_b wrote: »

Sorry to hear that BG, best of luck with the recovery!

Thanks, D. And congrats on your recent successes, great to see you on a PB roll.

hillsiderunner wrote: »

May not be the best person to ask as TV-viewing on my" improve" list for many years (I have the 5series box-set of Love/hate on my shelf for 3years now .... and I *want* to watch it). Did watch the first series of the Killing and loved it, also have enjoyed bit of "The Bridge", but I'm sure you've seen those. Saw some discussion of something called "The Legacy" recently, sounded possibly interesting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legacy_(TV_series)

Put those feet up! (once the strengthening is done of course)

I did start watching The Legacy and was enjoying it so I will dig it out again. Up to date on The Killing, Borgen, Trapped, Wallander. I really watch way too much TV. Maybe I should deny myself an episode until I've done my S&C requirement for the day

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Bummer G wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thanks, A! Although I will have a lot more time for post-parkrun coffee and cake now. Every cloud ......:)

Neady83 wrote: »

Really disappointed for you BG, so sorry to hear that especially as you were going so well.

Good to get an early diagnosis though and get started on fixing the problem. All the S&C you're going to do will stand to you in the long run. My brother has just come back from something similar and he's running faster than ever.

Thanks, Neady. Always good to hear of others' success stories. Thankfully my diagnosis is more positive than originally thought so while I'm determined to rehab properly and rethink my plans for the year, I'm unlikely to be away from running as long as I feared.

Younganne wrote: »

Ah no, so sorry to read about the back BG. Especially as training was going so well. Rest up and you'll be back flying around the track in no time.

Thanks, A! I'm happy I have a plan even if it's not the one I orginally thought I'd be following for the summer. I'm looking forward to following your track exploits .

Saturday 6th May

Look how far you've come, you filled your heart with love
Baby, you've done enough, take a deep breath
Don't beat yourself up, don't need to run so fast
Sometimes we come last, but we did our best

These lyrics have been going around in my head for a couple of weeks now, familiar to no one I’d say unless you’ve kids under a certain age and have been forced to watch Zootropolis 20 times :rolleyes:.

Ok, so it’s not Shakespeare but it has been resonating with me and supports my gut feeling to take a bit of a step back and stop pushing myself so hard. Just for a little while though!! It is time to rebuild myself and go back to basics so I’ve put a 4 week plan together that focuses on walking, S&C, breathing (really :rolleyes:), swimming, stretching, Pilates, foam rolling, sliothar massage (:eek: ) AND, all going well some structured walk/jog intervals on grass.

Every day needs to start and end with crocodile breathing (yes, it’s a thing) and some specific back stretches. Today also included a walk (3 miles), 3 sets of bodyweight exercises (squats, press ups, multi-directional lunges, plank, side-plank and glute bridges) some stretching and some getting to grips with my new sliothar and its trigger point release capabilities.

Sunday 7th

Great start to a beautiful sunny day at the Phoenix Park watching the hotly anticipated smackdown between KennyG and Murph at the Irish Runner Paced Mile. Fantastic running from both, getting significant PBs and looking strong from my vantage point at 400m to go. Reports available here and here.

I was further inspired later in the morning to hear of BG Jr’s massive PB at Junior parkrun. Turns out she had a bit of a smackdown of her own with some of the boys in her class .

Suitably inspired I headed out for my first attempt at a jog/walk (physio approved and even so erring on the side of caution). I walked for a mile or so then did 4 x (30 secs jog / 4.5 mins walk), then a bit more walking to cool down. So a massive total of 2 minutes running. So thrilled to be able to do this pain free and happy to keep things conservative for the next 4 weeks.

Annie get your Run wrote: »

What's the purpose of the crocodile breathing? Congrats to C on her PB!!

This gives a good explanation. I'd never heard of it before last week but it's so simple to do and hopefully will help relax the muscles around the thoracic spine and allow for easier movement. Time will tell I suppose!

C very nonchalant about her PB :rolleyes:, oh to be 5 again!

Monday 8th

Just a walk this evening followed by 1 set of S&C exercises before I was called in for me dinner .

Tuesday 9th

Took advantage of a free month’s membership to any of the DCC leisure centres to join Ballymun and went for a swim this afternoon while BG Jr was outsourced. Haven’t swam in about 6 years so was pleasantly surprised to not drown. Did 1000m in total. Don’t know if I’ll be thrown out of here for giving the breakdown, sure let me know . So it was 8 x 25m to warm up, 2 x 25m backstroke, 5 x 50m, 2 x 100m, 4 x 25m ‘sprints’* and 4 x 25m to cool down.

*thankfully couldn’t see the clock to time these so I’ve no official proof of how slow I’ve become.

Later on I did a whopping 4 x 1 min jog with 4 mins walk recovery and a bit of a walk either side.

Wednesday 10th

Another walk. For someone who dislikes walking I’m doing a lot of it .

Thursday 11th

Rest, not that I needed a rest but just had no opportunity to do anything.

Friday 12th

Walked the full loop of St.Anne’s on the grass and trails, throwing in 4 x 1.5 min intervals.

TOTAL WEEKLY (RUNNING) MILES: 1.5 :rolleyes: including walking miles 16.9