A Short Summary.....

I can't believe it has been over a year since my last blog.
And I am still not running.....
However, I am finally emerging from a long, painful and sometimes miserable recovery period.  I have learnt a lot about myself in the process of all this, and I'm pretty sure I have come out the other side stronger (mentally at least!).

How to sum it all up in a few words...hmmm....

Since I ran the London Marathon in 2013, I have had four operations on my right leg.  Yes, I think that is a good summary!!  I'll write another post about the operations themselves, as there is way too much to include it all here, but it has been pretty life-changing.

One of the operations, back in December 2013, was essentially a controlled break of my right leg.  It is fair to say that I have still not fully recovered from that, but I feel like I might finally be getting there slowly but surely.  The operation resulted in metalwork in my leg which was supposed to stay in for around two years, however it became apparent five months or so in that it needed to come out ASAP as it was the likely cause of the significant pain I was getting.  I don't know why I thought this, as I should know better by now (did the wrist saga teach me nothing!?!) but I kinda assumed that I would have six weeks in plaster, a couple of months recovery and building back up, and then all would be good again and I could start back running.  Oooooh how wrong you can be!!!  I was going to physio regularly, and doing exercises to build strength, however nothing seemed to change, and walking was constantly painful - often unbearably so.

Being a bit of a stubborn (and impatient) soul, I don't think I did myself many favours, constantly trying to push the limits and not always listening to my body, but if I am honest I found the whole situation beyond frustrating, and actually really depressing.  Can you imagine waking up every morning knowing that every step you take that day on your right leg is going to hurt?  There were days where I didn't want to get out of bed, and often weeks where I barely left the house.  And most of the time, being in bed wasn't even much of a relief, because particularly in the first couple of months after the operation it was impossible to find a position where both my hip and my ankle were pain free.  Running is therapy for me, allowing me space and time to empty my mind.  When unable to run, going for a walk is the next best thing, guaranteed to improve my mood and make me feel better about myself.  Being unable to do either, at a time in my life where I really needed the headspace (moving house, significant unwanted and stressful job changes, and engagement and wedding in the space of a couple of months, coupled with the impact coping with injury and pain has on a person) has meant that there have been times when I have really struggled in the past year.

A typical physio session.......