Back on the Trails

[LittleNell83]

After some bad chaffing from the Serpent Trail, I set off last week for a long training run for in preparation for the Great North Run in September (justgiving.com/fundraising/... for which I am raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity in memory of my aunt who died 15 years ago this September. Couple of km in I had a small bite from a horsefly on my right hand.. Fine, clean and creamed the bite straight away and took an antihistamine and continued on. The run takes me up some small hills around Alton and, first time in ages I was enjoying it. I managed one of the hills non stop and was singing away for a bit running through a field arms out enjoying it. Saw a deer and 8 different species of butterflies 🦋 in the golden sun which shone off the fields.

Through Farringdon to Chawton then into Alton. Exactly 10km. All good and the bite on my hand was small.

Next morning, the below happened and emergency appointment. The swelling meant I couldn't move my fingers properly or grip. The nurse told me it was infected so antibiotics if the swelling reached beyond the wrist, ibuprofen, elevate, steroid cream, anthisan and drink gin and tonics were the advise.

By lunch the swelling was beyond the wrist ☹️ but stocked up on alcohol free gin and tonic which had quinine and weekend was given to relaxing and recovering. The photo was taken after the swelling started going down.

Roll on yesterday. 11km all running and my Avon So Soft arrived which is meant to be a good insect repellent. Coupled with a normal one. Also used the so soft as a moisturiser. Humid run-I don't normally sweat much but last night was soaked. And I was running with Kylie Minogue and Anton du Beke for company. Got home, no chaffing or bites.

Victory declared. Still got 2 more days on antibiotics but I will get there and not give up.

Rain today but that will make it cooler for the next runs hopefully

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Ooh nasty! They advised you to drink gin and tonic? Awesome 😄

[LittleNell83 in reply to roseabi]

Yup. Gin and tonic and a day of work to rest the arm properly 😂🍸.

Apparently the horseflies are nasty this year and causing problems.

Nell

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh my! That looks super painful. Dangerous business this running. Glad to hear you won the battle and got yourself a good run - you deserved it 🙂

[LittleNell83 in reply to linda9389]

Thank you. Hopefully on the bike you out pace the biting flies xx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to LittleNell83]

That is EXACTLY what went through my head as I pedalled off this afternoon 🤣🤣🤣

[Aldlib Half Marathon]

Ouch! The Skin so Soft is excellent - I think it’s better than DEET and if I remembered to put it on before a trail run it would be even better lol. I hope it works for you! Must stick up on gin for medicinal purposes too 😜

[LittleNell83 in reply to Aldlib]

Definitely, and bonus as it helps with the chaffing as well

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Ouch! Glad to hear you are on the mend though!

[LittleNell83 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you. Now it is just a bump and thankfully stopped itching

[Hidden]

Nasty! Horseflies are getting as bad as the Blandford fly this year. I think this is the third time I’ve read about a runner being bitten and landing up in A&E. I’m glad you’re on the mend

[LittleNell83 in reply to Hidden]

Ah, luckily not A&E this time. Our surgery have a triage nurse who you can see in the day. It is a good system

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

That’s a lot of swelling! I’m glad you’re on the mend. I didn’t know about the medicinal uses of gin,

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Oh wow LN what a horrid looking bite. I’m so relieved it’s subsided now. I never think about putting on bug spray for running I must admit, and I must have been lucky not having been bitten *so far*.

Maybe I will, as I do react to horsefly bites sometimes, the worst being in Munich last summer when I was bitten multiple times resulting in large yellow oozing pustules on my legs. Horrific and soo itchy. 😩 I love a G&T or several though ....... 🤔

[LittleNell83]

Those bites sound horrid. Normally I come up in a bump, which sometimes go odd (hence running with bite cream and antihistamines) but this was odd for taking overnight to go up and very hot to touch.

I am just that lovely and delicious they always bite me.

Nell