Yes once again I've been remiss in updating this blog. Since the Cork City Marathon my recovery had been going well. I took it relatively easy for the first week or two. But because I really feel that I didn't push myself over the full 26 miles I think that it didn't take as much out of me as a 'proper' marathon would. (if you can follow me!)
I immediately started planning my next 'target' race. Obviously a marathon was going to be on the agenda but I also wanted to give the local Cork to Cobh (15 mile) race a proper go once again and possibly challenge my PB set back in 2009. So how could I do both??? Then I realised the the Dingle Marathon will be held on the 1st September which would leave enough recovery time before the Cork to Cobh race on the 7th October.
I also realised that the Dingle course is a hilly one so a really fast time wouldn't be on the cards but something around 3:15 to 3:20 should be an achievable target.
So......Plan hatched!!
Or ..... so I thought!
After a respectable 15mile run on the 1st July my training schedule was off to a flying start. Plenty of time to fit in some longer runs and long interval sessions. Or so I thought. On the 2nd July real world issues struck with a bang and running took a back seat. I did manage a comfortable 8 mile run last weekend but on Friday last, as I was heading out for another comfortable lunchtime run, the wheels came off my plan.
For some reason my back went into spasm which turned out to be a herniated disc in the L4-L5 region. As there was no obvious cause it is likely (in my opinion) to be due to a progressive issue of sustained poor sitting posture combined with a 'soft' core. The 'core' issue is one which I've suspected for a while but not done anything about!
Visit #1 to the Doctor on Friday evening 50mg difene, 5mg diazepam and 500mg paramol (all 3 times daily) plus bed rest!
By Sunday pain hadn't eased so Visit #2 to the Doctor reconfirmed diagnosis but replaced the paramol with the stronger painkiller solpadol (i.e. more codeine). More bed rest prescribed plus up to a week off work (not something I'd planned for!!).
The drugs seemed to do the trick as there is no longer any pain (providing I don't move my back too much!).. maybe the muscle relaxants have also relaxed my brain!!! :)
So today I also went to the physio (it must be serious 3 medics in 5 days ... that's unheard of for me!) who (just in case I was in any doubt) reconfirmed the diagnosis but she thinks that it isn't as serious as first feared. Limited mobility is now the order of the day but sitting is limited to 15minutes (not good when my job involves sitting at a desk most of the time!). Things do feel alot better tonight (I can even reach my feet to tie my shoe laces and walk to the toilet unaided) so there is hope! Apparently, I can do some light swimming too and more physio is planned for early Friday morning so I'll have to take it from there! I wonder if this disc issue and my recent groin issue could be related???? That's one for the professionals!
As you can imagine my Dingle marathon plans are currently on hold. If I do get to do it I will treat it as a just a long run and any time sub 4 hours would be great. Cork to Cobh in October is still on my target list though!!!
I did sneak out to the International Cork City Sports earlier tonight though.... my girls were running in the U9 300m so I couldn't miss that! They did OK, not quite on the podium but a nice run all the same; they got to run a lap with Sonia O'Sullivan with the Olympic Torch and they got her autograph too. It was great to see the event well supported with many of the big named former Irish Athletes / Olympians there e.g. Sonia, Eamon Coughlan, John Tracey, Mark Carroll, Liam O'Brien etc etc and some of the current names too Rob Heffernan, Ciaran O'Lionaird, Olive Loughnane, Joanne Cuddihy, Maria McCambridge (who missed out on marathon selection despite running the 'A' standard) etc. This is a great event and long may it continue ... I can still clearly remember Yuri Sedyhk settling the world hammer record there on July 3, 1984!
Roll on the Olympics!!!!!
A blog about my ongoing attempts to delay the ageing process......
4 comments:
Ouch! That sucks, you're not having much luck with injuries these days.
You could of course always drop down to the half-marathon in Dingle.
could do... but if I'm going to make the trip it will be the full or nothing. There are more local HM's.
jesus that's awful brendan. could happen to any of us, the problem may not just be triggered by a physical problem but could be a personal stress issue (family-work etc). t used to happen to me. i suppose rest up and wait till you get better. don't know if running a marathon is a good idea tho. don't know what is in the air these days but hearing about lots of people getting injured.
thanks Cathal. Just one of those things I suppose... the joy of being in my 40's!! :)
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