I'm back in the game!! Week 4 = Done!

Morning running pals!

Well, after a week of denying that I'm on the IC when in fact I was, I cautiously went out for a little test run this morning. I felt a little tightness in my thighs for the first minute or so, but that soon went completely, and given that the doc said not to worry too much about little niggles that go away when you run, I continued on, but I would stop if it started to hurt.

To cut a long story short, it didn't start to hurt, and I did my final 5k run of week 4. I got out really early (for me), as in, I was back and having breakfast by 8am. I think the app I use went a bit mental at one point, as it said I reached a speed of 4:07/km, which I certainly didn't. I blame the smoke from the Saddleworth Moor fire, only a few miles away!! Although the data is a bit unreliable clearly, I think I ran at about 6:45/km based on how long I was out and how far I ran, which for a first run back after injury, I'm very happy with.

I should mention too that I wasn't pushing it at all, but I think now that I am pain free, my speed naturally improved, and despite the fact that on some runs I struggle at about the 2k mark, I was at 5k in no time, not feeling tired or out of breath, just happy (and hot).

Bring it on, week 5!

Neil

p.s. Thank you everyone for all your wonderful support over the past week. You are all fantastic!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

Ahhh pleased to hear you are back to running pretty pain free. I’m just welcoming week 4 in tomorrow and great to see you are paving the way for me. ☺️ Well done Neil, 💪🏼💪🏼😬

[Hidden in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thank you. Honestly, it felt so wonderful to get back out there. Nice weather if a little hot even at 7:30am, the route was beautiful, I felt completely at home and in my element.

All the best for week 4, you'll do just fine, I know. Reading your running posts is really encouraging for me, and keeps me well grounded. You're doing great

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Neil. 😊

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Woo hoo! Great news, Neil. I know how good it feels to run again after time out, and you know, your legs will benefit from a week of rest, they really will. And I am double proud of you for getting out early, too.

Enjoy the glow, and take care of those legs of yours! Lots of water and maybe some agonising but delightful foam rolling. 😂

Sadie-runs xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks dear Sadie! I'll be good, I promise I still don't think I've got the hang of foam rolling, so I'm off to watch some more YouTube videos!!

And yes, I do agree about the water, and I have had plenty of cool water today, but I've also had it hot with a tea bag having been dunked in it, and some milk added!

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Well done, glad to hear you are back out there . . . lets hope with both stay off that IC from now on

[Hidden in reply to orangeguy]

Thank you, yes, it feels great to be back running. I have missed it so much, and it's only been a week. There've been times this week when I just felt lost, particularly the times when I would normally have been running, although given the heat, it was probably a good week to have off.

So glad you are back up and running too, and your foot problem seems to be easing.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know that “lost” feeling. 😕

[orangeguy Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, its no fun on the IC, think we all hate it 😕 This weather is certainly challenging, I'm an early morning runner normally anyway, thats my best time but I know thats not the same for everybody.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Well done Neil...pleased to hear you're ok and back out running towards your goal!😊xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you! It’s so good to be out there again.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Well done, I agree, I think the more we relax and just let the run take us, the likelier it is we speed up naturally. ... and so glad you arent in pain too..

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank JuJu! I love it when the run takes over and I stop overthinking it, I tend to relax then, which is certainly good for me mentally, and probably physically too.

[pianoteacher Graduate10]

Glad you're back running - sounds like a good one too x

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

Yes! Thank you I’m hoping to do the 5k run of next week tomorrow morning...

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Week 5.....bring it on! You're doing great!

[Hidden in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you! I don’t know about doing great, but I’ve not given up yet

[Hidden]

Well done that lad! And your actual speed was pretty respectable

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick, I was happy with the speed, though I think Pacer might have been having a dicky fit!!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Well done Neil!

[Hidden in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha! It was fun, and soooo great to be back out there

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Excellent news Neil, so pleased for you and good to have your running posts back!

[Hidden in reply to Lorijay]

Thanks I shall do my best to keep running and posting, along with trying to avoid the injury couch!!

[Guesty26 Graduate10]

Well done bud glad your back, i had a 2 week sickness bug, set backs are there to test our resolve and youve got plenty stick at it your on your way again 🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏽‍♂️

[Hidden in reply to Guesty26]

Thank you! Sounds like you’ve been through worse than I have, I hope you are recovering ok. Keep those fluids up!