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Thanks For The Support

 

Just under ten years ago, as a 16 year old lad I had a big decision to make. At that time was juggling a fairly promising career in football with the athletics, and both were going really well. I was playing county level footie at the time, was offered a place at the Everton academy and it seemed destined that was the route I was going to go down. I had to make a choice, it was getting silly, some days I would race in the morning then play a match in the afternoon, or would often play a match in the evening and then go out for a run afterwards to de-stress. One thing was clear though, I wanted to do a sport where I was in control, where I could get out what I put in, and one where if it went bad- then it was my balls on the chopping block. I decided to drop the football, played my last match and never looked back and this week, although you wouldn't believe it- My decision has been justified.

 

One reason why I chose athletics and in particular endurance running was the atmosphere and friendliness within the sport:  the people who are around you. People who pick you up when you need it, don't kiss your ass but say "hey come on, stop sulking and crack on with things", people like you- the people who have read my blogs over the last few months and supported me- with words of encouragement none more so than this week.

 

After the race last week I was downbeat and gutted. I know it's only a sport and there are people who are far worse off than us sulky runners, but it doesn't stop things like that from hurting. I absolutely loathe dropping out. It's that point in time where both your and your body have failed the test, thrown the towel in, pulled onto the hard shoulder. When I got home from Madeira on Sunday, I had some soul searching to do, but more importantly I had to work out what had gone wrong.

 

To cut a long story short, I had basically over-trained in the weeks leading up to the race. The warning signs had been there, I had even reported them in my blogs, but in my ignorance- chose to dismiss them. There were days where I felt battered and run down, but being naïve I chose to carry on trying to increase the workload. It's a fine line in athletics between doing what's right and doing damage. Rather than feeling fresh for the race, I felt fatigued. The legs were tired and in need of a couple of lower mile weeks. Another warning sign that I had ignored was days of constant nose bleeds. Two weeks ago I had a period where every day, on every run I had a nose bleed. I would finish the run splattered in blood for 5 days in a row. I just thought it was the warm weather, but it turns out, after seeing the doc this week, this would have been linked to high BP, tiredness causes this, just like a higher than average heart rate shows either excess fatigue or illness.

 

The last 10 days I have backed right off and reduced the volume of training and intensity. I wanted to get the legs back and now starting to feel fresh again. After all the support and kind words I received last week under the blog, one piece of advice I valued more than any was the people who told me to get back in the game right away, jump right back on the horse keep going, so that's just what I did. Wednesday night after a day at work I got home and thought, "Hey I fancy a race tonight". Flicking through fixtures I found a 4 mile road race just up the road from where I live in Telford- a great, well organised race. I threw the flats in the car and went and raced. It was just what I needed- a chance to race with no pressure, no stress, just hard from the start. The course was muddy, waterlogged and hilly but I loved every minute of it.... I got the running bug back. The aim now is to get back on track with some shorter stuff and get ready for the Trafford 5km. With some great performances recently by the British lads, I think its time I got my track season started to see where I'm at.

 

I just wanted to finish by saying thank you again to everyone who takes the time to read these blogs, but more so to those who posted words of encouragement and support last week. You re-assured me that being part of this mad sport we call running is the best place to be......because of the great people that help make it so welcoming and worthwhile.