Category Archives: Injuries

Novemberathon, 15th, short, slow and sore!

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Another feeble day today. Didn't get the bike back yesterday so thought I would try a very short run today as the toe is feeling less painful today. Hopefully it isn't broken and just damaged in some other repairs quickly type way. It still bends a little too much in directions that it shouldn't but I can't imagine I'd be running on it if it was properly broken. 

I did 2.12 miles today but only at 10:20 minute miles which is rather slow for such a short distance (I can't imagine 3 months ago thinking that 2.12 miles was a short distance to run or that 10:20 minute miles was slow!). It was fairly uncomfortable but thanks to my new found friend ibuprofen it was bearable. I think I may have been compensating for the poorly toe as my right foot feels like it has taken more of a beating that my left (which is the damaged one!).   

Todays Distance: 2.12 Miles 

Total Distance: 104.77 Miles (29.81 Running, 66.53 Riding, 8.43 Walking)

Novemberathon – 14th, disaster strikes

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Last night I may have managed to break my little toe and possible the one next to it again, it think … they bend in way that they shouldn't normally which is never a good sign! I'm sure I should think of a great story behind it but in reality I tripped over the sofa (again) and today I struggle to walk let alone run. Still I have a challenge to finish so have got myself out for a walk today. Only 1.37 but and I may try for a short run tonight. Tomorrow I hope to be back out on the bike but I can't today as it is in the shop for a service. 

So a feeble day today so far, not ideal. 

Todays Distance: 1.37 Miles 

Total Distance: 102.65 Miles (27.69 Running, 66.53 Riding, 8.43 Walking)

Rehab & Goals

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So I've been out of it for quite a while and am veeeerrrryyy unfit, but I am now fully functional(ish) and need to get my fitness sorted so that I can enjoy doing the things I enjoy doing. I often struggle with the motivation to get out and do 'training' which in the long run has a negative effect on my ability to really enjoy the 'fun stuff'. I think we'd all rather be hooning down some sweet single track or dropping some sweet grade 4 than riding down a road or paddling on the Ouse, but the less fun things make the fun things more fun.

Anyway someone said the other day that it is much easier to get out and do the boring stuff if you have something to aim, so I suppose I need to set myself some goals. Problem is I don't know what to set. I'm going to do the Great North Run in 2011, but that is a long way off and won't push me to get out and do stuff. I'd quite like to do the Devizes to Westminster next year, but again it's a long way off. I need some short term goals to get me going and a long term plan of some kind. 

Here is what I have at the moment:

  • 23rd August 2010: All Clear Given
  • 2nd September 2010: Today
  •  - 
  •  - 
  •  - 
  • Easter 2011: Devizes to Westminster
  •  - 
  •  - 
  •  - 
  • September 2011: Great North Run

So something has to go in the gaps … any handy hints and tips from those of you who are good at training / motivation let me know!

8 months, 21 day, 3 hours & 31 minutes

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8 months, 21 day, 3 hours & 31 minutes … that is how long it is since I went to sleep and had a pilonidal cyst removed from my lower lower back (or butt to most people!). It's been a long while coming but today the consultant gave me the all clear to resume normal life! It's still going to be uncomfortable for at least a while if not always and I need to be very careful to make sure the area is clean and hair free but at least I can do stuff again!

Having not done anything for so long I am pretty unfit and have put on quite a bit of weight which needs shifting so it'll be steady away for a while until I get back up to full speed. I'll be out on my bike, back in my boat, back on my board and even dare I say out running a bit as soon as I can. I suppose I have the winter season to get myself bike fit for riding next summer and this winter is going to be all about my UKCC Level 3 in a boat. No races to train for running, not until the Great North Run 2011 anyway. Not sure how my skating is going to go .. Skaterbeach has been handed over to new management and to be honest that is the one I am most wary of as falling of my board tends to lead to landing on my ass! I've also started the task of putting my Blade 4.9 back on handles (rather than the VPS) so I can get out and fly it easier. 

Today was the day …

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… that I was hoping to get the all clear to get back to doing stuff, but alas it was not to be and I have to go back to the consultant in August to decide whether it is more surgery or back to normal life. 

6 – 8 weeks … my arse!

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The story of my arse is unfortunately a longer one that I had originally hoped it would be! I've had a cyst on my lower back since I was at university. I knew it was there because if I was ill or paddled on some particularly unpleasant water it would get upset and swell up a little. It never really caused me any bother and most of the time I wouldn't even know it was there. 

I was quite confidant that I had successfully diagnosed it as a 'pilonidal cyst' using the power of the Internet. At some point this developed into a 'pilonidal sinus' or got one, or something like that. This means it has a little tunnel out to the outside world. This lets it discharge any yucky puss that it has developed. Unfortunately it also means it is much more susceptible to infections. So not overly surprising that is what happened next!

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