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