This time last year I tripped and had a bad fall while descending a rocky path in our local woods. Fortunately, an overreaching long stride with my left leg broke the impact. The good news was that I didn’t hit my head. Less good was the bruising on my back and a painful bursa on my left Achilles which refused to heal.
Over the last year, I’ve run whenever the pain has allowed, resting when the bursa is sore. As a result, my weekly mileage dropped from mid to late twenties to early teens. It culminated last autumn in pulling out of Centurion Running’s excellent CW50 at 26 miles due to the soreness and my awkward gait.
At times I have been frustrated with the lack of running and maintaining my mojo has been hard. I started to wonder whether I’d ever run another ultra.
Finding other ways to move and build
I decided to invest the time not running towards improving muscle mass. Looking back at my 2023 failed Dragon’s Back attempt, I think my lack of overall strength was a key factor and with the march of time, I am conscious that my muscle mass is declining. So, I joined a strength and conditioning class two times a week at Ian Eistenstrager’s One Community Gym, combining landmine and bodyweight exercises. I love the sessions – Ian cultivates a really fun atmosphere. Over the years I have dabbled with weights but found exercising at home a chore, whereas now I look forward to the classes!
Then I went one step further and joined a boxing class at the same gym. I had never boxed before and was daunted at first, but the people are terrific and you focus intently on what is happening around you, either sparring in pairs or doing intense workout sessions on the different punching bags. Learning something new has been amazing for my mind and self confidence – you need to concentrate and remain focused. It forces you to be in your body and in the moment.
Last winter I swam at least once a week in the sea-filled Clevedon Marine Lake. I’ve written before about the benefits of cold-water swimming, and over the last week I have spoken to two other year-round Lake swimmers who like me, are missing the cold-water buzz now that the water is 16+ degrees. I’m not complaining about the good weather and mild spring we’ve had, but lake swimming will be a once-a-week affair until the autumn and colder water returns. In the meantime, I’ll turn back to trail running and the beautiful scenery to secure my endorphin fix.
I reckon I am 90% through this injury and have started looking to find a potential event for later this year and a big one for next year, which fills me with complete joy. I’m mulling over another 100-miler. It’s been almost nine years and I’m not getting any younger, but I’ll test the water with a 50-miler first.
So, what I have learned?
To hang in there when the chips are down. Going back to my very first blog, the essence of Life is a Sine Curve is life reflecting the seasons. We have the power to change the length of each season and its severity, but Spring will always follow Winter and so on. So, live in the moment, scenario plan so you are best prepared for problems and downturns, and roll with the punches when you can’t. But never, ever give up.
Enjoy your running folks!
–Andy
Life is a Sine Curve 