2 weeks post injury

Well, 2 weeks post injury and, luckily for me, I can still wobble along the treadmill and pavements. With extra strapping and painkillers. A very slow, odd-looking, you - hope - you - won't - bump-into - anyone - you-know kind of wobble. A degreeably less painful wobble than last week.
Lots of stretching, exercises from the physio, weird yoga poses. I appreciate that injury is part of sport, and am so grateful that I will still be able to continue in the sport I love. The official advice is just don't run, at least for another 2 or 3 weeks : I just do not have it in me to not run, not yet. So, wobble I will. Not quite the trails / off road, yet : hopefully soon. Darn these dodgy ankle injuries. Wobbling continue.

Spine Race - I don't want this to beat me....

Well, many self pitying tears of frustration and soreness resulted from my failed attempt at the Spine Race. Mostly the feeling that I had disappointed so many people who had taken time and energy to support this attempt.

But, a few days later, and after a couple of wobbly attempts on the treadmill, I realise the good things from this week. There are many! I loved my (too few) spine days. Meeting up with friends pre race was brilliant. Being rescued from a checkpoint at 02.00 a.m., by friends who had driven nearly three hours to collect me - no one can ask for more in life.

Lessons in kit and self management abound. I relished being part of this : this race is superbly organised, a credit to endurance events.

Importantly to me at the moment, this injury will heal easily and I can still run. Planned races coming up soon has provided a focus.
Attempt it again? Never say never?

Unfortunately...

Unfortunately, had to pull out shortly after start of day two. Sprained ankle, too early in the race to continue with a hobble. Gutted but resigned.
Had a blast last couple of days with this race, love these pics Roz.

Already looking forward to the next big race, going to get my act together in a few days to start running again

Day one

Mountain Rescue checkpoint at Torside a quick stop for food and coffee and they are off again. I cannot believe how good they look and as one of the mountain rescue guys said if you were doing a 260 mile race you would want to do it with Rachel!! 

The Start of the Spine!

Sunday am was the start of The Spine for Rachel, it was a cold and cloudy morning but thankfully dry. After Rachel, not surprisingly, checked her kit on numerous occasions she was as ready as she would ever be and with Ed they headed to the start with the rest of the participants to begin this crazy race with all of the spectators in awe of all of them!!!

Every bit of kit!

I feel like myself and every bit of running kit I have ever owned are packed...

Exciting but terrifying

So, I think the final arrangements for this weekends' race start are finally in place - train times, meeting places, who will be where. I can safely say that I am excited and terrified simultaneously. I am still quibbling about kit - do I need a last minute dash to the sports shop, for what feels like the zillionth time. More food to buy tomorrow to fill drop bags. My kids are looking at the piles of bags and stuffed rucksacks lurking in the kitchen, with puzzlement and comments of? You're going to run with all THAT, Mummy? Yes, small child, well you may ask.

Carbo load? I've done nothing but eat since Christmas, managed to put on about 2 kgs in preparation for this.! I feel the size of a house, and less fit than a slug. All part of the prep, surely.

Well, it's icey here mid country, and cold on the toes just from taking a small walk. I cannot contemplate how it might feel, further North. Only the race will dictate if I have prepared well enough.

A huge huge thanks to Roz, who is taking much time out to come to the race start and will hopefully pop a couple of entries on the blog, if I've worked out the technical aspects of it. Thanks to Ed, your phone calls and input have helped share the worry of the race build up.I could not ask for a more laminated and organised fellow competitor to share this with. Also thanks to Pravin for taking time off to look after the kids and facilitate the opportunity to go away in the first place.

Here we go, guys.
We'll give it our best shot.

Spine Race : Number 150

All being well, and if registration goes according to plan, I'll be running with race number 150 this weekend onwards.
This week is about putting final pieces of kit together, sorting food into drop bags, and trying to keep any nerves away.
I'll try my best, that's all I can say.