Walk This Way

Hi all,

Welcome to your weekly update charting the highs and lows of my challenge to run the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon 2014.

I feel that I should change the title of this blog from 'Running For Jonathan And Nick' to 'Walking/Crawling For Jonathan And Nick' but it doesn't have the same ring to it really, does it?

This week has seen confirmation of what I had dreaded for a couple of weeks. I had a meeting with my orthopaedic surgeon who told me in no uncertain terms that I should absolutely not run at all anymore as the osteoarthritis in my left knee is grade 4 at the front of my knee (almost bone on bone apparently) and grade 1 and 2 throughout the rest of it. He did a few routine tests, tried to get my knee into a couple of painful positions, saw me grimace and then shook his head. He asked me my age, tutted and then told me that I am facing a probable knee replacement within 5 years. I'm only 53!!! I will not let that happen. Anyway, I got tearful in the consulting room which was very embarrassing. The poor doctor had no idea why I was so upset. All he had done was confirm the obvious to me but my feelings of disappointment were quite overwhelming. I headed home form the hospital trying very hard not to cry, got indoors, saw Russ and then cried like a baby. What a numpty!!

After my feelings of self pity subsided (and after a cup of tea and a cuddle) I tried to understand why I felt so upset. I came up with two main reasons:

1) I am letting Jonathan and his family down

2) There is nothing I can do to put right what is wrong with my knee

Whether or not these reasons are justifiable is not for me to decide but it is how I feel.

Of course, the next day I was much more levelheaded about things and I decided to investigate my options. The doctor had said that exercise is crucial for people with my knee issue but is has to be the right exercise. So, I have rejoined the gym, signed up for some yoga classes and investigated water exercise classes as the local pool. I have been to the gym once, was very careful, and suffered no ill effects so that was positive.Weight loss is another issue that effects the pressure on the knees (obvious, I know) so that is something else I need to address..... not so easy when I have been eating the cakes I have been baking!

Jack and I are signed up to The Loseley next Sunday morning which is a 4k fun event with obstacles such as cargo nets and haystacks to overcome. I am going to attempt that because I don't have to run and it sounds like a hoot. Then we are signed up to a 10k run in December which I will not run, obviously, but I may walk if I am allowed to. After that we will see how the walking goes and how the exercise regime affects my knees. There may still be a chance that I can take part in the half marathon but walk it!!

On a sadder note, today would have been Jonathan's 30th birthday. When I woke up this morning that was the first thing I thought of. I'm sure he's having a party up there with Nick. Happy birthday Jonathan Jo.xx

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Russ and I are off to see 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on Saturday. Looking forward to that very much.

A xx

When The Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)

Hello folks,

I hope this update finds you all well and looking forward to the weekend. My weekend is going to involve a trip to Windsor Castle and an overnight stay in a lovely hotel which was the prize I won a few weeks back. I am very much looking forward to it. My weekend will not involve any running.

Staying true to my word, I have not run a single step for nearly 2 weeks. Frustrating in the extreme I have to say. The swelling of my knee has finally subsided and the pain has dulled to the occasional twinge but I will not be tempted to trot until I have been to 'the knee man' next Tuesday.

Charlotte has given me the details of a natural remedy that has got rave reviews. Her Dad has been using it and it has helped him. Being the hippy chick that I am, I am always happy to try the alternative treatments and remedies so I have ordered some of said remedy and I will give it a go. Watch this space!

Talking of Charlotte, it's her birthday today. Happy Birthday, Charlotte. I feel sure you will be celebrating in style! Have a great day/weekend/year!!

Now, for anyone who doesn't already know and with apologies for those who have already been bored with this news, Jack and I did take part in the Disability Challengers River Run last Sunday. I had delayed my decision about taking part until the morning of the event and I decided to take on the 5k walk. Jack took part in the 5k run.

The weather was abysmal. What started off as light drizzle soon turned to heavy, persistent rain that continued throughout the walk and the race.
Jack and I arrived nice and early and so picked up his race number and our shoe tags that would record our times.We returned to the car to prepare ourselves for the challenge ahead which included making a 'running' playlist for Jack's phone.

 The walk set off an hour before the race so I left Jack in the relative warmth and dryness of the car and made my way to the start of the walk. There were quite a few walkers, some doing the 5k and some doing 7k. There was a quick welcome speech from one of the organisers and then a really moving tribute to the organisation by a Mum of a disabled boy who had benefited hugely from the work of Challengers. The positive impact of the organisation on the whole family was told by this mum and I think everyone was moved by her passionate words. She spoke from under the shelter of a huge umbrella as the rain was now pouring down.

The walk then started. I had decided that, if I couldn't run, I was going to really push myself and step it out. I set off at a very brisk pace and kept that pace up all the way around. I was so determined to get a reasonable time that I eventually finished a full 9 minutes ahead of the 2nd person to finish. I was amazed to be honest and I took the organisers by surprise as they hadn't expected anyone to finish so quickly! I was  delighted of course. Delighted and very wet. The 'showerproof'' running jacket that was having it's first outing was completely useless. So much so that I returned it to the shop the next day and got a refund.

Then there was a bit of hanging around, getting progressively wetter and colder, and then the call came for the runners to go to the start line. Jack being Jack, wandered over wearing his Superdry casual shoes as he doesn't own a pair of trainers at the moment, and then he took part in the warm up before strategically placing himself at the front for the off.

Russ and I saw him off and thought we'd see him in about 30 minutes. Incredibly,  22 minutes later Jack appeared in the distance. We couldn't believe it to be honest. We both cheered him on to the finish line where his time of 23 minutes had given him 2nd place and a bottle of prosecco for his efforts. He was exhausted but really pleased with himself. It was a fantastic effort and who knows how much faster he would have run if he had had a pair of trainers!!

Between Jack and I we raised just under £100 for Disability Challengers which we are both very happy about. Thank you to those very generous people who sponsored us and encouraged us to do our best.

The next event is a 4k adventure 'run' incorporating obstacles and so on and then a 10k at the beginning of December. Oh, I do hope I'll be able to take part.

White Lodge have confirmed that I don't need to worry about Silverstone just yet. I am under no pressure from them at all to make a decision about taking part in the run which is great because it gives me loads of time to work on my knee and fitness and see how things go.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.

A x

Don't Give Up

Hi everyone,

I will attempt to make this blog readable and not too self-pitying but I can't promise anything.

This has been a very frustrating week for me. After the relative success of last week and my consecutive 5k's, the weekend saw me with my left knee feeling 'different' but not painful. I carried on my weekend as usual and drove down to the planned family get together on Saturday, had a lovely time seeing everyone and worked as per usual. On Monday my knee was the same, no worse, so I decided to run and see how things would be. The run was good...4,5k....but at the end of the run, as I walked back to the car, my left knee became painful. I went home, slightly concerned, so put ice on the offending knee and sat about with my leg raised until I went back to work. As each day has gone by, the swelling has not subsided. If anything, it's getting worse if I stand for any length of time. I can't bend my knee properly and I'm walking with a limp. My knee feels as though it's going to explode at any moment.

I have trawled the internet, visited a sports therapist and had advice from my physio sister. R(est), I(ce), C(ompression) and E(levation) has been the overall consensus.....and don't run anymore. I even visited the GP today who feels that the arthroscopy that I had on the same knee back in January for a meniscal tear may have tweaked some cartilage and that is causing the swelling. Again, her advice was the same, R.I.C.E. and stop running. I can hardly walk at the moment so running is out of the question but, crikey, it's damned frustrating.

Anyway, I have an appointment with my consultant at the end of the month and I'll see what the prognosis is from him. I feel another MRI may be necessary just to see the true extent of the damage to my knee because anything else is really guesswork isn't it?

So, I haven't run, or done any other exercise for that matter, for 5 days and it's driving me crazy. I have never been one for sitting around for any length of time but neither have I been an avid exercise freak so to be missing the joy of exercise is an eyeopener for me. Unfortunately, all the time that my knee is swollen, I can't do any exercise, not even swimming, without possibly causing more damage so patience is what is required and patience is not one of my strong points. I have made bread, cakes, stews and a tagine in an effort to keep busy over the last few days and I've eaten a lot of the mentioned foods and plenty more besides which is making me feel guilty and fat!

This Sunday Jack and I are signed up to run a 5k for Disability Challengers down by the river near Stoke Park. I have changed my application to the 5k walk but I'm not even sure I'm going to be able to do that at the moment but I'll make my decision on Sunday morning. There is also a 4k and a 10k with our names on that will have to be addressed nearer the time.

All of this begs the question.... will I be able to take part in the Silverstone Half Marathon 2014 next March? To be completely honest ,my gut feeling is no, not without wrecking my knees completely. However, there are ways around every problem and if there is any possible way of me completing my challenge then I will find it. The very thought that I won't be able to do it makes me want to cry. I am so determined to do this...for Jonathan, for Nick, for their family, for White Lodge and for me. I made a silent promise to Jonathan in December when I was sitting with him one evening and I intend to keep that promise if I possibly can. I know people will call me stupid, bloody minded, stubborn etc etc. Believe me,I've heard it all and more, but this is so important to me. I have also promised my husband that if I am told not to run by my consultant then I must do as I'm told so we will have to wait and see.

London Marathon....Mrs. Fish!

This photograph was taken as I approached the end of The London Marathon in 2005 or 2006 (I can't remember which year!!) Without a doubt, completing that marathon was one of the hardest, most challenging, best things I have ever done in my life. I was so proud when I collected my medal and I still have the t-shirt. If I don't have the chance to do anything similar again, at least I can say that I ticked off one of the things on my bucket list and raised a lot of money in the process.

I wish you all a lovely weekend. Enjoy what you do. Take care of each other.

A xxx

Run For Home

Hello again my lovelies,

I hope you've all had a good week and that all is well with everyone who reads this.

It's been an interesting week what with one thing and another but I feel I have achieved a lot. On Monday I went to visit two dear friends who I don't see as often as I'd like. I got to know Heather and Michael many years ago when I first started doing care work and we have stayed in touch ever since. Whenever we meet, I spend an awful lot of time chatting and the time goes so quickly. Whenever I leave them I always feel guilty for talking too much! But they are a wonderful couple and it is always a joy to see them.

Tuesday saw me with Sam in the evening. Last week he was under the weather. This week he was on very fine form and back to his usual cheeky self.

Thursday was an early trip to the physio as I have suprastinatus tendonitis ( I think that's how it's spelled) in my right shoulder which has been causing me grief for a number of years. I am on session 2 out of 5 and already there is an improvement which is fabulous. I no longer wake up with pain in my shoulder and I have more painfree movement in it. Hopefully this will mean that I won't need to have cortisone injections. I worked a night duty last night and I am working this weekend.

Exciting news of the week....I won a prize!! I have a voucher for a dinner, evening meal and breakfast for 2 in a hotel in Windsor with full access to the spa and all it's facilities. No time was wasted and you will be pleased to hear that our night away is already booked and I can't wait!

Back to the business of this blog though and the my latest running experiences. Last Sunday saw me run 5km. I had been swimming the day before and my knee was a bit tender so I stopped running at exactly 5 km so as not to do any unnecessary damage.

 Then, to give my knee a rest, I didn't run until Wednesday when I set of with Harvey in tow to the Hogs Back. I jogged 5.16km but I had to pause the running several times to go off in search of my stupid dog. He went off for a good 5 minutes and I have to admit to being a bit worried when there was no response to my constant calling of his name. Eventually he appeared through the undergrowth, face covered in mud and looking delighted to see me. I have no idea where he had been or what he had been doing but he was looking decidedly pleased with himself. I finished the run with Harv on the lead running along beside me.

Today I  ran again at the Hogs Back and again with Harvey. My left knee is feeling a bit strange these days (I had surgery on it back in January this year) and I am trying to be sensible. Whilst being aware of any symptoms, I am determined not to stop running....which I am adamant that I won't do and I don't think will happen. I have an appointment at the local hospital next week and I will see what the consultant says. My knee isn't painful and isn't made worse by running but it feels swollen inside and occasionally twinges.Anyway, with my dog dawdling behind me, I set off on my run. I had to keep a close eye on my running buddy so my time wasn't great but I managed another 5.25km which I am delighted about. Out of my last 6 runs, 4 have been 5km plus. That is a great improvement for me and proves that my stubborn streak and my determination are getting me the results that I am looking for.

I may not run again until Monday but if I wake up full of beans on Sunday with a need to go for a run then I will. However, tomorrow sees me working until 2pm and then a family get together in West Sussex which I'm really looking forward to. Sunday is our wedding anniversary...24 years which I find unbelieveable...and we are both working so we will celebrate it another time. AND Glastonbury tickets go on sale on Sunday and I am desperate to get my hands on them. Last year I spent all morning trying to get tickets and was not successful. I really hope that this year will be different. Fingers, and everything else, crossed.

By the way, for anyone who is concerned about my lack of name checks for Charlotte, she had to take it easy for a while because of shin splints. She is a hardworking mum of two and I have no idea when she finds the time to run but she does. She is back and running 5kms this week too which is fabulous.

Wishing you all a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

A xx