Not pretty in pink

Sometimes when progress is slow it's hard to see the bigger picture. Despite being physically inactive, I've actively been trying to lose some of the weight I've put on in the last 8 months.  So far I've lost 5kg (11lbs).  Or 2 big bags of flour and a bag of sugar.  Slow progress but at least it's progress.

Over the last few weeks I've gradually been building up to running again.  Just a few more minutes on the treadmill at a time, wee bit longer on the cross trainer etc and have pushed my knee ever so gently.  So being able to run for a mile non stop at the weekend with NO side effects was hugely satisfying.  I still need to tape it but only for exercise now.  It's not pretty even with pink kinesiology tape but I don't care how it looks, just how it feels.

And it feels gooooood!!!

Puppies, pullbuoys and patella straps

Meet Emma, my future running partner.  She's 10 weeks old and cute beyond belief.  It's taken a wee bit of time but Lucydog has accepted her and life is fun and games at the moment.

This attractive piece of foam is my new favourite piece of kit.  I am still not allowed to do any weight bearing exercise and can only swim if I don't kick my legs.  But this wee gem wedged between my thighs means I can still get a cardio workout.  Months of relative inactivity means the weight has piled on.  But with a bit of WW points counting, playing with my pullbuoy and punching the living daylights out the punchbag means I've lost 2 kg in 2 weeks already.  Just another 8 to go to get back to my ideal training weight.

And yet another piece of kit I've been using.  It does help support the patella but slips out of place easily.  Looks like I need to start taping instead.  TBH I'll try anything to get back running and cycling.  Never thought I'd hear myself say that!!

Rest, rest, rest

Been told I must rest my knee or it won't recover.  How the heck do I do that???  It's my own fault for thinking that if I just cut back on the running/cycling it will get better.  It didn't.  I'm scared to count how long I've been out of action but the bathroom scales have kindly reminded me.  Pilates, weights and punching the hell outta Gordy's punchbag aren't quite doing it for me but better than nuthin!!

Rest, ice and stretching are awfy boring.........

Jumper's knee

Turns out my knee pain is probably jumper's knee aka patella tendonitis.  I'm having it x-rayed on Friday to rule out a chipped patella (ouch!!) and have been give some NSAIDs to reduce the inflammation.  And I've been told to see a sports physio ASAP.  The great thing about having a GP who runs himself means you're unlikely to be told "Don't run."

Hopefully a bit of TLC will see me back training fully before long :-)

To sleep, perchance to dream.......

Aye, chance would be a fine thing!! (with apologies to Hamlet) Right now sleep is proving an elusive activity so any dreaming is really day dreaming.  I suspect it's the lack of physical sweat inducing activity.  You know, that satisfying knackered feeling after a run or cycle that generally guarantees a decent night's sleep. My back is constantly sore and I'm actually getting my knee looked at medically. Hey ho, just a stumble but the goal is still the same. 

On the academic front I'm still aiming to get this flipping degree finished.  I had to drop out from the music course last year cos I fell behind when I was ill.  Luckily the OU let you transfer credit to the following year.  Unluckily, the music course is no longer running so I've opted for a course on Shakespeare.  Gulp!! It starts next week and lasts until October. Six essays and an exam at the end.  Double gulp!!!

And just to keep things interesting at the same time I've started a counselling skills course.  Four modules, one day a week over a year then hopefully onto the 2 year diploma course to become a qualified counsellor.  Not so much a case of day dreaming but planning for the future and a career change by the time Gordy leaves school.

Dreams, goals, plans.  Doesn't matter what we call them, as long as we have them.

Holes, schmoles!

Once upon a lifetime ago, I was responsible for laundering more mucky running gear than I currently do (although I now do cycling, swimming, rugby and TKD gear as well). I confess I may have been a teeny bit critical of the state some of that running kit was in and may have on occasion vigorously encouraged the owner to part with some of that clothing.  I might even have quietly disposed of some items on my own initiative.  Longer term blog readers will remember me posting pictures of said manky items and really old friends will remember the infamous London Marathon t-shirt incident in the 90s ;-)

So, here's the thing.  I get it now.  The above photo is my favourite winter running top with a couple of rips in the sleeve (I was climbing over a barbed wire fence, as you do)  The old me may have decided it was no longer wearable and recycled it.  But I love that top.  It's got a fine fleecy inner layer, extra long sleeves with thumb hole and it has pink piping in all the right places that makes me feel more svelte than I am.  So I'm still gonna wear it, with holes.  And my favourite leggings with the burst waist elastic!

But then I realised that's not all I can't part with.  I've got a few pairs of running shoes that I can't throw out either.  Once they're not good enough to run in they become dog walking trainers.  Once they're beyond that they become gardening trainers. 

And I've just realised I have categories for my pants..............

Hello 2012!

I can't remember where I got this from so apologies for not crediting it but I thought it nicely sums up my view on 2011. 

It's been a long tradition in my family to look back over the old year on Hogmanay and think about the highs and lows.  And on the surface it would appear that 2011 wasn't a successful one for me.  I didn't get to compete in a triathlon, I didn't finish Boot Camp, I didn't do my half marathon, I didn't sell the house and I didn't get a job.  I had whooping cough, then got an E Coli ear infection,  I developed a knee injury and my back is constantly playing up.  But a lack of success in these things certainly doesn't mean it wasn't a great year.

I love tri training.  I've said before, it suits me.  I can work round the injuries. I love my house so still living here isn't a hardship.  Someone will fall in love with it just like I did.  And as for the job situation, watch this space ;-)

Thanks to some great people I do see how wonderful my life is and will continue to be.  In 2012 I will continue to challenge and push myself in ways I never imagined I could.

Happy New Year! May 2012 bring you everything you deserve xxx