So this is really an update to the last two posts. In the post "Then and now" I talked about my joint pains and how I am on full time medication to manage the pains. I also spoke about how the pains are not as bad as they used to be. Some other health issues caused me to discuss my tablets with my doctor. The result of the conversation was that I agreed to try and manage without taking them. I could still take other painkillers as and when required. That was over two months ago. I have managed better than I ever thought I would, and in fact have only needed painkillers on a couple of occasions. I recently returned from my holiday to Menorca. This is often a painful time due to the hilly terrain, not to mention the beach steps. Previous years I have taken painkillers almost every evening. This year I ran up and down those hills, I trekked up and down the rocky coastal paths and I even knocked fifteen seconds off my time for running up the beach steps, clearing 181 steps in 100 seconds flat! I didnt take a single pill! What a turn around! Definitely nailed the "Stronger" part of my mantra.
What about my other goals for the year? Well its not gone quite to plan. I completed the obstacle course in a respectable time of 1hr 30mins. We finished 411th /12th/13th out of over 1000 participants (despite me suffering an excruciating calf cramp on an obstacle near the end). We were happy with that and Darren and I are looking forward to doing it next year.
Having done the course though, I identified where I need to improve for next year and so I started working on my strength and explosive power. I had until recently confined my efforts to the house gym but decided to make up the anti and take it outside. I found some things to climb and jump over. Unfortunately I didnt even survive one session! I tripped and fell whilst jumping over a small fence and ended up tearing a muscle just to the side of my knee. That was the week before the Race for Life! I somehow still managed to run it but was not able to go for a record breaking time, finishing in something like 43 minutes.
That injury as well as other health issues had caused me to scale back my efforts somewhat. I'm on the mend now though and intend to set new workouts and a running plan within the next week. Watch this space!
