So Near Yet So Far: Or My Running Year

[Birdlady64]

I started 2021 on a roll off the back of the HU Winter Speed Challenge, Group 2020 Distance Challenge, and (rather lame on my part) attempts at festive Strava art.

I signed up for LEJOG, with the crazy hope that I might complete it -running and walking – by my birthday in July. Taking part in the COGH Ultra Relay provided added incentive and was great fun.

A period of snow and ice curtailed all running. Then rain and snowmelt led to a mud-fest of biblical proportions, forcing me onto the roads, instead of my lovely woods.

Easter came and, instead of an egg, this unforgiving surface treated me to a gluteal tendinopathy, forcing me to pull up 5k into the HU Spring 10K when I was on for a sure-fire PB.

A visit to the physio and several weeks of glute strengthening exercises, and a walked works charity 10k and I’m back on the ball - and back in the woods again.

Then the unthinkable happens. Dad hadn’t been himself for a while, but nobody expected the eventual outcome, and certainly not the distressing circumstances surrounding it. Running took a back seat for a while, but when I did get out, the runs provided much needed headspace, comfort, and solace. There are two Strava segments in the woods named in Dad’s memory.

Late summer saw me experimenting with Jeffing. My times were getting quicker. A 5k PB was surely only a matter of time. But, at the beginning of September, my dear old back had other ideas.

An experiment with Chiropractic didn’t agree with me at all. The osteopath got me mobile enough for my 2 weeks away in North Wales, where the best thing of all was a further 2 sessions with an osteopath in Conwy.

Back home, a physio visit, and several weeks following the suggested exercises and I feel almost normal again.

But life has another couple of curve balls for me. My brother has Covid (thankfully only mild symptoms), so I need to find extra time to make sure Mum’s OK. On Mr B’s birthday, we learn that things are not looking good for his sister. The funeral will be in early January.

I want to run. I really need to run. I feel like I could run again.

On December 21st I started c25k for the second time. Following the plan will prevent me from doing too much too soon, and I know it works. I finished Week 1 on Christmas Day and hope to complete Week 2 on New Year’s Day. If all goes to plan, I will graduate again around the end of February.

As for LEJOG, I thought it was doubtful by the end of July, unlikely by the end of September and I admitted defeat at the end of November. I’ve reached Inverness today, leaving me some 120 miles short of John O’Groats. So near, yet so far…

But I’m proud of how far I’ve come, happy and grateful that running is still part of my life.

Here’s to much better things in 2022.

Happy New Year All! 🥂🥳🎉

[dijep Graduate10]

You've certainly a year with lots of upset but running is a theme threading it's way through. You might not have been able to run because of injury or "life" but it's been there in the wings ready to give you peace and time to heal when you are ready and able to lace up your trainers again.All the very best for 2022

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Thanks dijep. Running has been the one thing that's held things together this year.

Happy New Year to you and all your loved ones

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

It’s certainly been a year for you and through it all you’ve been here encouraging the rest of us and cheering us on, thank you for that and here’s hoping for some peace in your world for 2022

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you 🙏And I wish the same for you too

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate10]

Wow, what a year, Scottish wishes for a much better happier one in 2022. I'm really looking forward to the same. Have started back BTW and heading for wk 1 R3 tomorrow 🤞 (hopefully not too much red wine and whisky tonight😂😂. June x.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

That's fantastic, you're a week behind me then. Happy New Year June

Diane x

[nowster Graduate10]

That puts my tiny moan about missing out on reaching 1000 miles of running by 25km into perspective.

Here's hoping that 2022 is a little more kind to us all.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes let's hope that for everyone, everywhere

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

You’ve had a tough year for sure, but you’re still running! I’ve been off the grid lately, but not defeated. I’ve been unwell (thought I had Covid, but tested negative). Here’s hoping for a wonderful 2022 for us both. Happy New Year xx

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Hey Julia! I've been wondering how you are, hope you're feeling better now.Yes, let's hope for better things for all of us next year.

Happy New Year to you and all your loved ones 😘

[Fionamags Graduate10]

What a year you've had - I really feel for you. I'm glad that you find solace in running. Here's hoping that 2022 is a better year for all of us. You will be back on the Bridge in no time after finishing c25k!!!

[GailXrunning]

It’s been a very tough year. Be proud of your achievements and the tenacity to find your ways forward. May 2022 be kind to you.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Thank you 🙏A tough year yes, but it's part of life's rich tapestry and I guess how we grow as human beings

[Tillybeach Graduate10]

Hi you have had an eventful year with a lot of upset. I do hope 2022 is more calm and peaceful. I have been off grid for a while now but I have been running. I’ve learnt to realise what an emotional pull it is and I do hope your injuries are at bay and you achieve all your running goals in 2022 xxxx

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

Yes it is an emotional pull isn't it? I never would have thought it.I have to reign in the expectations I had last summer, but I'm just enjoying being able to get out there again for now.

Very best of luck for you and yours in 2022 - let's hope its kinder to all of us

[Roxdog Graduate10]

What a rollercoaster year it's been for you, so much sadness, also some great achievements.A new year will hopefully see things settle down, although of course you have another loss to deal with just now.

Take care of yourself, run gently and look forward to seeing your posts.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks Roxdog. A year of ups and downs for sure but running has been the one constant thing. Even when I couldn't run, I kept doing what I could, when I could, so that I could.

[RunSkippyRun Graduate10]

Dear Birdlady64, you put what running gives so well: solace, headspace, comfort - reasons to be grateful indeed. Here's hoping that the next year is kinder to you and that the running continues to support you.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to RunSkippyRun]

Thank you🙏

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Blimey, what a year you've had, i really feel for you, and your husband, as having, as you know, been through it myself, these past few years, and know, just how much running has helped me. Anyway, let's hope this year is better for you, and let's keep running! 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Aww thanks so much Peter. Yes, let's hope 2022 is a better one for us all.I missed my running and I'm really happy to have started c25k again.

Happy running !🏃‍♂️