Absence

[Jonno34]

Having been quite a keen contributor here earlier this year I seem to have tailed off. I am going to try to correct that. With the help of the wonderful folks on here I attained Half Marathon status back in March, for a chap who was tachycardic walking 50 metres a few years back that was quite a feat. I had come up through the C25K (still not hit 30mins 5k), through the bridge then onto the HUHM Spring event. After that? Well it did not go completely to pot BUT I lost my mojo, I had no incentive or goal and whilst I have still been running, I have been in the doldrums.

Recently I have been more incentivised, I have a running buddy or two, I have started to shed the 10k I put back on and extend my distance. I did a 10k event in showers a couple of weeks ago, my first real wet run and yesterday I went out in quite heavy rain and did a 15k.

According to Strava I have done 341 runs now and 1999.3 kms and so far have only had 1 face plant. I did come ever so close yesterday though. My target was 15k and around about 12k, I think, we stopped briefly to remove a wet layer as the sun had come out, not long after the restart, probably a little stiff from the brief stop and not back into my stride I stumbled on a bit of raised concrete. When I say raised I think if was about 5mm! This lurched the top half of my body forward and I was at 45 degrees with my legs desperately trying to correct it. It seemed to happen in slow motion and I can clearly remember my thoughts. 1. This is going to hurt (hands out in reflex) 2. Those block paviours will be like sandpaper. 3. Collarbone impact 4. You've got this, no you haven't, yes you have etc and a few other thoughts to whilst my brain desperately sent signals to my already tired legs to work harder to catch up. Eventually I saved it. I must have gone 20+ metres by the time I was back upright and I could really feel the effort in my legs.

I cautiously finished my run, made a point of stretching well afterwards. Yesterday evening I was very stiff, way more than usual and I can only put it down to the supreme effort in saving the face plant.

Just thought I would share the experience. Now I think my mojo is returning I hope to contribute a bit more.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Good to see you back here, and wow - great save!!!! xxx

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Great to see you back Johnno! Nice save too! If I had a dollar for every faceplant I’ve done, I’d be able to get a fresh pair of Hokas!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow, good save! I’m not sure I’d have so successful. 😅

Welcome back! 👏👏

[Jonno34 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It really was touch and go

[nowster Metric Marathon]

For me it's tripping over things I don't see in my bifocal spectacles. Or like yesterday, stubbing my toe. (Not fun in minimalist toe shoes.)

I've had two faceplants so far this year: one from a raised plate on a metal walkway in a canal tunnel and the other from a tree root. The latter one embedded gravel in my knee and the palms of my hands.

So far I've always been able to dust myself off and continue the run.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Lovely to see you back 👏🏻😁

Jolly good save! Really gives you a jolt though! Yes, I fear falling on tarmac etc more than trails as it's so much less forgiving! 🙈

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Well done on rediscovering your mojo! Love the cartoonesque description of your non face plant - phew!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Good to hear that you’re getting your mojo back. Must admit, I’ve been finding it a bit of a struggle to get out there recently.

Nice save! Reminds me of earlier this year when I overcooked it at the top of a downhill section then spent the rest of the slope trying to stay upright. Somehow managed to stay on my feet but it was too close for comfort.