WARNING... Floss ramble Really, REALLY long one too !!!
Here I am again.... still running.
After my last ramble...things have moved on... not far... and not fast. I got the all clear from my Physiotherapist to run again, on June 22nd; again, not far... not fast... but to run.
I have not posted since then, because I did not know how it was all going to shape up...and I do not want to be a whiner or a a whinger. I have had to begin again...more or less... the orthotics take some getting used to, and I have found it very tricky. Twinges here and there, and a really deep seated ache, occasionally, and trouble walking !
June 23rd...32:10 ...4.00 km
June 28th...6:42... 1.01 km
June 29th... 8:23... 1.25 km
July 1st...24:28 ...3.00 km
July 4th...22:46... 3.00 km
July 7th... 36:52...5.01 km
July 12th...37.31...5K
....and this morning... my longest run since the IC... 8K.. taken very, very slowly indeed.
I have been, for the last few weeks, exercising regularly and working the rest of my body to allay the fears which creep , unbidden into my mind...usually in the wee small hours.
So,this morning, with the voices of my friends on here, echoing in my head and your welcome presence at my side, I headed out. I was not sure at all. Friday's run had been okay, enjoyable, but, post-run, that twinge was still there... touching the top of my Achilles and giving a dull ache to the tibialis tendon. I iced, I massaged, I exercised... I walked for an hour or so like a really old lady, ( yes, I know I am )...! I rested most of yesterday.
But, today,the golden morning called out to me, a clarion call not to be ignored. My running gear was ready...the shoes just waiting , the prospect of a run by the sea, too hard to resist. So, out into the day... location sharing on... Mr OF at the ready for a rescue if need be...
A longish warm up with stretching, donkey kicks, et al! The sheep delighted by my antics and the lambs, sturdy legged and mischievous, looked eagerly at me.. as if I might provide some playful interaction...the mountains in the distance... heads shrouded in a grey silken veil of secretiveness... pink laced and mysterious... their hidden clefts and gullies unseen, until those long arms of the warming sun expose them.
And then.. time to run... breath held... senses heightened... listening, feeling, waiting...
Down towards Pentrefelin for a short way, a deliberate return, uphill, to make sure that the steady pace I had determined for myself, was adhered to. This was to be slow and steady even for me! Down the hill towards the town and the urge to fling out my arms and run willy-nilly, was almost unbearable..The castle, a constant in my memory... unshakeable, unchanging and untouched; A paintbox sky of blue and white and the sea, a sinuous, silken sheet, reflecting nature's palette, with flamboyant glints of sunlight. Down to the Esplanade... deserted and quiet... a single yacht moored out in the bay and the unlikely image of a person standing on the water...at least I thought so... until I realised they stood on a paddle board, statue like, waiting for the merest breath of wind... which never came.
I ran on... I felt fine... I was aware of my foot and my calf, but there was no pain; determining to keep it steady, rounding my heels and kissing the ground with my feet, so lightly, that I could barely hear myself running. Over and up towards the road and up and through a hidden pathway and then, again to keep me slow.. up the hill and along and down past the house which originally belonged to Lloyd George... now a care home. The narrow lane.. thick with hedgerow delights... the heavy scent of blossoms in the air, a sweetness to dull the senses, but soothe the soul; quotes from Midsummer Night's Dream popped into my head...learned by rote, oh, so many year's ago...
βI know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine...β
Today it was blackberry blossom, the harbinger of Autumn fruit... and the heavy laden heads of cow parley, ragged robin and the twisted ivy trails, caressing the trunks of the ancient trees. Humid and dense...down to the road again and towards Llanystumdwy. The thing about a run after injury, is, that I am so focused on whether it will hurt or not, that my breathing and every other bit of my running is fine... I am running with no issue, other than waiting for a pain that will come... or not.
Turning at the gate to Bron Eifion the Country House hotel.. I pause, fleetingly, level with a field, with sheep and a standing stone... where at the tender age of 15, the sheep were witness to a stolen kiss...taken in the sultry summer's afternoon heat, away from the prying eyes of the townsfolk, enjoying the Criccieth Show; so long ago and bittersweet. On I go... over 5K now, so do I stop? I do what I am always advising, I run and I listen to that voice which uses no words, and my legs still on tight rein, are straining to move more quickly; 6K is my happy place...my , I can run forever, place.... but I hold back and relax... my friends' words of caution ring in my ears... be sensible, if you do the run, take it steadily, and my dear Bluebirdrunner 's gentle voice is the loudest of all...urging me to be careful.
So, I was; back and down towards the sea... the salt air tingles in my nostrils, a relief after the hypnotic heaviness of the lanes, round the small estate, with a good morning, and a cheery wave to an old gentleman I see quite often. Windows curtained, Sunday sleepers and the restful air of peace; down and along the coastal path...tailored and trimmed one side, but with the burgeoning hedgerow, buttercups, butterflies, bees and brambles on the sea side; the soft murmur of the sea, beyond the hedge, unseen and soothing as I run the dusty trail, carefully placing my feet on the uneven surface, I really do not want a twisted ankle now. Reaching the first gate I stop... a quick breather and another re-grouping... a kilometre or so to go, shall I ? Yes... I shall...but here I must turn, retrace my step and along the lower esplanade of Marine Terrace... a quick photo stop and on... the steps back up to the road are not steep, they are not many, but I still walk albeit very quickly, up them, and then on and up onto Castle Square.
A sigh of relief... a downward stretch towards the lifeboat station... my feet and legs are doing what they do... I forget to listen... I just run...steadily and slowly... but I am relaxed... a few more folk on the green above the bay and along the Esplanade... a very short burst and the 8K is done.
I walk on and stretch and then stop and stretch again... I am smiling but very close, also to tears.
I did not know whether I would run today... I did not know whether I could run today... I have felt, quite a few times, over the last few weeks, that, even though I was cleared to run, I may not have been able to do it, and my runs to date have been short. Time spent injured, is odd and a worry for many of us,and the last few setbacks I have had, have hit me harder than I expected... even reassuring words from my Physio', do little to ease that fear.... the fact that because I am fit, I will recover... and that, β....even younger runners get these issues...β do not calm that niggling little voice that says, β...you won't be able to run any more".
And yet, here I am... I have run the 8K and I will run further... So.. that is one voice I will not listen to... and as many of you know... I have a favourite quotation ( one of my many)... and today seems perfect for it..
βThere will be a day when I can no longer run. Today is not that dayβ
As ever... you ran with me... thank you x