Light at the end of the tunnel?

I went to see my GP yesterday, not expecting a great deal which is pretty much what I got. ;-)

That said, he did make a few useful comments about muscle problems causing nerve compression and that it was less likely to be a disc prolapse. Unfortunately there's about a 17 week waiting list to see an NHS physio and whilst I could continue to see my own one privately, it's an expensive business.

My thanks to Andy & Brian for there helpful (if not entirely encouraging) comments. ;-) I've not given up hope of running the WHW yet but if I do withdraw I will definitely either support someone else or marshal. It's great to be able to give something back to the race and I've always enjoyed being involved with it as I was in 06 when I was supporting Mad Jim (& running with some hobbling git called "Mark") and in 07 when I was marshalling at Lundavra. Fantastic experiences both times.

My latest plan is to try a little running (again). I went out last night for a couple of miles. Still painful but bearable for that kind of distance. I'll rest today and try it again tomorrow. If I can do this for a few days without aggravating things, then I think I might be in with a chance. If however running makes things worse, I'll probably take myself off to our local Spinal Centre and see what they have to say.

Things do seem a little easier today so fingers crossed that a gentle return to running may be the best cure!

No news is bad news :-(

Well, things aren't really any better in my neck of the woods. Still got my sciatic pain that's preventing me running. I probably could find some cross training that would maintain my fitness but I want to run, not cross train!

My physio did some massage and manipulation and whilst it's improved certain aspects of my mobility, it's done very little to improve the pain. I've decided (somewhat late in the day perhaps) to go doctor bothering later this week and see what he has to offer.

I don't hold out much hope of a miracle cure but I feel I ought to check out all my options. There's an off chance that my GP might know a reputable chiropractor and I wouldn't be averse on this occasion to giving a "quack" a go at my back.

The thought of not doing the WHW race this year has crossed my mind. It would be a relief not to worry about playing "catch-up" and possibly doing myself a further mischief. Also, having put in at least once decent run on the WHW, I not sure I want to do it "just to finish". If I'm going to invest the time and effort I want to do it well.

Meanwhile I'm looking forward to meeting the newest Consani who arrived on the 21st.

Still alive!

Golly it's been a long time since I've posted! A lot of reasons but mostly down to a severe lack of running. :-(

Back in November I hurt my back and that cramped my style for a while. I was just getting back into it when I caught the lurgy going round and just didn't have the energy to run. Then, at the end of December, I aggravated my back injury by carrying a double mattress upstairs and that stopped me running altogether.

It's not been all gloom and doom though. Early in the year we went Skiing for a week in Courchevel, part of the "3 valleys" area in the French Alps. A fabulous resort with so many runs I swear that with a Three Valleys ski pass you could ski all day every day for a week without repeating yourself.



I'd only really got just beyond doing snowplough turns on a previous 3 day skiing break but this time the combination of good snow and growing confidence meant that I came on a lot and had a great time. So much so I can hardly wait until I go skiing again! Not quite up to black runs yet but getting happier on the reds and hopefully *next* time, I'll have the confidence to tackle those too. S*d this running lark, I think I'll be a skier instead. ;-)

I know it seems odd that I could ski when I couldn't run but it was indeed the case. When walking (or trying to run) I was hobbling but with a pair of skis on my back didn't bother me at all.

I've been to see my physio who reckons it's a touch of sciatica and gave me a few stretches to do. He also told me not to run (which I agreed with at the time) but by Thursday, without any skiing to take my mind of not running, I couldn't stand it any more and struggled round a 3 mile jog. Had pain all the way round but then, not running doesn't seem to have helped either so who knows which is best. All I know is that I don't mind the pain as much as the inability to run and if I have to run with pain, so be it.

I'm kind of resigned to this year not being a PB year for the WHW race now as I feel I have such a mountain to climb to regain fitness. Part of me would almost rather defer my entry as I really don't want to run the whole of the WHW for a so-so time. If I'm going to put in all the training effort, I want a good time, preferably a PB!

Still, there are still months to go and it's way too early to throw in the towel so if things start improving soon I'll give it my best shot.

Meanwhile, on tenterhooks waiting for news of the youngest WHW finisher!