It’s a bit of a disappointed update from me today. The Great North Run is a week on Sunday and I was all geared up to go and have a great time. I’ve been recovering from IT band issues and it’s all gone well apart from the very occasional flare up. Literally two or three bad runs in five months. Unfortunately, this morning’s run was one of those. No obvious reason for it. Up to now, I’ve been running better than I ever have done and I was feeling really super fit and ready to go. It’s just clear that I need more time to be totally sure that my knee will behave. It’s now such a rare thing to happen but the trouble is, when it does, there’s nothing to do but walk and it’s too much of a risk to chance it happening on GNR day. I really don’t want to finish hurt or not finish at all. This seems like the most sensible course of action. Sensible isn’t my natural happy place but I know this is the right decision.
I’ve looked up one of my favourite pieces of advice from Oldfloss …
When the situation changes, when something throws us off track, we simply have to try, to take some gentle deep breaths, let the shoulders drop, and...
Acknowledge, Accept and Adapt .
So the goal stays but the time frame changes. Watch out next year’s Great North Run…I’m coming for you. For now, lots of cake and some lovely, no pressure runs.
The picture is from an evening walk a few nights ago. I’m hoping for a few more of those lovely sunsets to cheer me up!
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MissUnderstanding
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Im really sorry to hear this.That is just so disappointing for you but you know that you are doing the sensible thing . As you sat you don't want to make things worse and end up on the IC.Take care and, most importantly-eat cake 🎂
Thanks so much! Now it’s had a little time to sink in, I’m sure I’ve done the right thing. It’s so nice to have so much support. There will most definitely be a lot of cake!
Oldfloss is a very Wise Bird and that is wonderful advice (I shall take note!). That is an amazing picture, I hope you find many more evenings like that to enjoy.
You are so right about Oldfloss -we and very lucky to have her! I’ve been out to yoga for a really good stretch and driving home the moon was stunning. Even when things don’t go the way you’d like, there’s definitely something good to lift the spirits. Thanks for the good wishes ❤️
🍏Beautiful photo to counteract the. disappointment … but oh yes the GNR will wait & you are doing exactly what you need to do!! You too along with Oldfloss are a wise & special lady who will inspire many to take the sensible option. Praying for good recovery and soon! Xx
Thank you so much and I totally agree with you (as usual!!). I’ll be taking it one step at a time and hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m back to where I’d like to be. At least it’s likely I can keep running and in some ways, it’s nice not to have the pressure of an event even if it’s sad to miss it. Will keep you posted! ❤️
Wishing you all the best MissUnderstanding and thinking of you. I'll be there next year to say hello and you'll look back then and be proud of looking after yourself 🙏
I’ll really look forward to next year then! Thanks so much for the good wishes. It’s disappointing but it’s great to have the reassurance that I’ve done the right thing from so many people I really respect. Much appreciated! ❤️
Not good news but you are doing what needs to be done...you will get where you want to be and you will absolutely, rock it !!!
I am smiling to myself now, because I posted on S and F just before checking posts... and my thoughts were on a goal... and I looked here...and we were on the same wave length!!!
I’ve just read your post-wow! Great minds really do think alike! I love it!
It was a beautiful evening walk when that photo was snapped. The runs will wait if they need to. There’s still a lot of joy to be found even if it’s not quite where expected.
Oh MU how very disappointing for you. You’re definitely doing the right thing though; imagine running the race and pulling up very injured, possibly for a long time? The GNR will be there for you in 2024. Keep smiling 🥰
Thank you so much! The smile is back (if a little battered around the edges!) after a bit of time and some nice treats at home. Really appreciate the good wishes ❤️
So sorry to hear this. Such a difficult decision to make but only you can feel it and know what’s right. As we always say here, the run will be waiting for you when the time is right. I’m possibly thinking of next year’s Great North Run so maybe I will see you there.
I think you are being wise too MissU.If you were meant to run your event everything would be feeling right. Your knee is saying something to you, and you have listened.
Much more disappointing to risk further injury in race conditions.
After a disappointment like that and a wise decision made, there has to be cake and long slow runs. I am sorry though that you had to make the decision, as you say 2024 will be waiting for you xx
So disappointing when you have trained so hard and were looking forward to such a great event. However, the training is never wasted, you are in a much better place than you were with your fitness and GNR will still be here next year. Enjoy the no pressure runs x
Thank you! As I was walking home, I was having a total pity party about all the work I’ve done to get ready but as you say, that totally isn’t wasted. Thinking about where I am now compared with when it happened shows there’s been massive progress-I just need more time. It’s a shame this event didn’t work out but there’ll be next year. Thanks so much for the support ❤️
Oh no. You seem resigned to putting it off but if there is any niggling desire to run could you see a physio for advice. IT band vulnerability is often because other parts are overworked. A good massage and some advice "could" get you fit for the GNR or at least confirm there's no option but to pull out.
Thanks for the suggestion-really appreciate a different perspective. I’ve had a lot of input from a physio since this first happened during my last half marathon. My first thought when it flared was to ring him and see what he thought. I was quite a long way from home (three miles) which showed me what it could be like on the day if I had problems. I haven’t run beyond ten miles this time in training and on one of my longer runs I’ve had some grumbling right at the end. Newcastle is a loooong way from home and the through of six hours in the car after having to pull out would be utterly miserable. I think if it was my local half marathon, I’d give it a go but this is a bucket list dream event for me and I want to be able to go and really enjoy it instead of worrying whether my knee will let me down for two hours and crawling over the line. So I think with everything considered it’s the right thing to defer until next year but I really appreciate the thought provoking reply. Thank you! ❤️
What a disappointment for you but it seems that sense has prevailed thank goodness. Definitely need to listen to your body your knee has spoken Take it easy and enjoy those slow short runs and evening walks.
Thanks so much! Part of me really wanted to just tough it out and get over the line however I can but in reality, that would be no fun at all, especially because there’d be no good reason for it. Next year will be better I hope! ❤️❤️
Hi MissUnderstanding This is disappointing for you. However you have definitely decided on the right course of action. The GNR will be waiting for you next year to welcome you with open arms and you will be amazing. It’s good you’re able to get out and gently recover.
In the meantime my dear friend lots of cake and Chablis must be the order of the day…….🎂🍾🥂. Smashing photo👍😂😂🥰🥰🫂x
Thank you! I’m sure that the goal thing was from “Running towards your goals” on the Nike Run Club app-one of my favourite guided runs. It might have been another one! There are so many good ones. The knee is feeling fine (strangely!) but it’s the unreliability that’s the killer for this year. Next time! Really appreciate the support ❤️❤️❤️
Your comment above about '6 hours in the car after having to pull out' is the absolute strongest reason for deferring this run. IT pain is horrible and sitting in a car will make it even worse if you have a flare up.
Treat yourself to doing something you enjoy on GNR day so you have a great time instead of dwelling on what you could have been doing. When you finally get to do it you will really appreciate it
I totally understand the disappointment, as I also have deferred until next year with the same problem. Acceptance and being sensible is definitely a hard thing to do, but we will both be there next year. Enjoy a lovely weekend with your bubbly 😊
So sorry you’re in the same position. It’s miserable but I’m absolutely sure you’ve done the right thing. Hugs for the disappointment and optimism for next year. Will see you on the start line! Really hope you can do something nice on the day too ❤️❤️
You're so sensible and a great role model MissUnderstanding I thought my IT band problem had resolved but 6 hours in traffic on Thursday (picking youngest up from uni, there and back with no walking all day) meant Friday I was in pain again. Lots of stretches and painkillers helped enormously. I'd planned to do Parkrun this morning but thought of you and decided it can wait. If you can forego GNR I can definitely give Parkrun a miss.
Oh no! So sorry you’re suffering too. It’s really miserable. Hope it settles soon. I wonder if mine was set off by a long car journey. I hadn’t really thought about inactivity as a trigger but you’ve got me thinking now.
Luckily,mine has calmed right down again. I did a horrible self massage using a spiky ball and that’s been really effective in loosening everything up.
My troubles started when I was sitting on a boat for days on end, hard surface, no exercise at all. In the beginning I could barely move, so glad I didn't just give in to it.
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6 months progress report ....be happy that you can 😆
Getting into my stride 
Time to be sensible!
