I ran 100km (60 miles)
in March. Training has been challenging. There were tears when I first put the
training shoes on back in November. For the first few sessions I couldn’t run 3
km without having to stop and walk several times. I would get home exhausted
and deflated. My hips and elbows would be sore and I was tired. Why bother? You
may well ask. I suppose it’s a combination of things. It’s to prove to myself
that I still have it in me, that I still have the drive to achieve. That I can
be stubborn, determined and driven, when faced with a goal. A sense of
satisfaction. A desire to feel energised, able, fit and to rise above the
effects of Tamoxifen and surgery and scar tissue and to live a best life.
Running and in
particular races, have always filled me with an immense sense of fulfilment.
It’s a long and often arduous process from deciding to train, pushing on for
weeks and months before the glory of the final race day.
This time, I know it is
the journey and not the destination that is significant and of substance. In my
20 years of running on and off, completing five half marathons and various 5km
and 10km with effort but relative ease, this time, it’s proving to be tough,
demanding, strenuous and at times fatiguing. Training is allowing me to take a
far reaching look deep inside my mind and body. I am at all times mindful of
the aging process, (it’s five years since my last half marathon) I endure the
effects of the cancer drug Tamoxifen that I have taken for 4 ½ years, (mouth
ulcers, joint pain, memory loss, fatigue in varying amounts), I’m still conscious
of the scar tissue that runs from my mid chest to under my left arm which still
causes acute stabbing from time to time, the skin to the back of my armpit remains
numb. I consider all these obstacles in order that I can overcome the hurdles.
I listen to my body and rest to repair and reduce inflammation, even if that
means missing training for three days, I use my mind to push on and motivate
myself, I fuel my body with a diet packed with nutrients and protein to rebuild
muscle and elevate my immune system, carbohydrates to maintain energy levels, plenty
of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and avert fatigue. Training this
time, is teaching me to get more out of myself, to judge my recovery and to
make allowances.
If you were given a
brand new vehicle, the chances are, you would maintain it well, service it
regularly, keep the tyres inflated to the correct pressure, check the oil,
ensure it passes it’s MOT when required, keep it road worthy, you may even wash
and polish it from time to time or treat it to a full valet. The thing is, we
all started off with a brand new vehicle. Pristine, no bangs or scrapes,
generally speaking a vehicle that was in great working order that required
little attention other than putting in fuel. As the years pass it’s inevitable
that our vehicle becomes worse for wear, slows down, doesn’t perform so well,
breaks down, encounters the occasional accident, begins to show the scars, rust
spots creeping in here there and everywhere, we begin to neglect this aging
chariot, no longer serviced, hoping each year that it scrapes through the MOT and
that it can hang on a bit longer, no more incentive to fill it with the best oil, or to
fit the best tyres. But stop. What about those fabulous classic cars? “An older
type of car, one that is no longer produced, one that people like to own
because it has special features and looks stylish.” We are all capable of a
stylish, on the road, well performing vintage. Yes, of course it takes effort,
it may be costly, sacrifices to be made. It takes time, day, months, but the
benefits are huge.
And so I set about
rediscovering this vehicle of mine. My body. Aged, weathered, scarred, rusty. Hours,
days, weeks of training, fine body tuning. Looking to see which parts were
running smoothly, which parts needed attention? Muscles and bones to strengthen
and tone, a healthy heart to maintain, feet to attend to with a reflexology and
pedicure, skin care (be generous every day with the sunscreen) good nutrition
and attention to what goes in, easy for me in the summer months with a
plentiful supply of organic allotment produce and a love of home cooking. And
so, after much effort, this sluggish vehicle began to run faster, recover
better, rest well, shine and feel invigorated.
My goal of two half
marathons within three weeks was a big challenge but the journey to get to the
start line in the first place, was tougher.
The challenge now is to
keep in tip top condition while easing off the road miles. This vehicle will
not miss a service or MOT. This Classic will be staying on the road, tyre
pressure checked, air filter cleaned, oil changed. Ready for the next big road
trip in this adventure called Life.
