Back on the Trails: After some bad... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Back on the Trails

LittleNell83 profile image
14 Replies

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 :)

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LittleNell83
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14 Replies
roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

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

LittleNell83 profile image
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 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

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 profile image
LittleNell83 in reply to linda9389

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

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon in reply to LittleNell83

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

Aldlib profile image
AldlibHalf 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 profile image
LittleNell83 in reply to Aldlib

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

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatHalf Marathon

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

LittleNell83 profile image
LittleNell83 in reply to SaskAlliecat

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

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 profile image
LittleNell83 in reply to

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 profile image
Lavender1962Half 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 profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf 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 profile image
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

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