Panic sets in!

It was all going too well. I had reached the 10 mile mark. I was over the moon. But it all went downhill from there.

For the past two weeks I have been pretty much forced to rest and do nothing, due to a back injury. This came after getting a vomiting bug that also stopped me in my tracks for a few days.  

Apparently my back is out of alignment and I have to just bear with it, which is not good at all! I was absolutely gutted when I got the news. You’d think that I was told I couldn’t run anymore ever - and that’s exactly how it felt. 

Everyone just told me to rest and I would be okay, but I was so disappointed not to be able to run my 11 miles. I think it must be addicted if I missed getting up at 7am in the morning for a long run, or maybe a bit mad. Or both.

This is a recurring injury, so I kind of knew when I started training that it could happen. When it did, I was devastated. 

But, I’m staying positive and not giving up: I’m hoping to be back training this week.

I didn’t realise just how important running was in my life until I was told not to do it. I suppose that’s a good thing - it shows how far I’ve come since I began training. 

So roll on Saturday, for my 12 miles!

I really can’t wait to put my runners on and get out there and if I can get two or three short ones before the weekend, I’ll hopefully manage the 12-mile mark and get back on track.  

Of course, I am a little worried that I won’t be able for 12 miles now, and that the past two weeks will have slowed me down and halted my training. 

I know I only missed two long runs, one of which was only eight miles, so its not really that bad. But I have missed a lot of short ones to build up my miles, so I am panicking a bit. 

I know everyone keeps saying not to worry and that there is plenty of time, but let’s get real - there isn’t, is there? The marathon is only 11 weeks away this weekend.

Okay, I am definitely starting to panic. How will I be ready in 11 weeks to run 26.2 miles? 

Everyone says the rest will be good for muscles but I’m a bit sceptical. Let’s see how this week goes. 

I suppose I had better say thanks to my chiropractor, Bobbie Kestler  and physiotherapist, Micheál Lynch, both of whom had to listen to my moans about not being able to train.

And I was not a good patient. I really didn’t want to listen to them, especially when I was advised not to run at all. But they’re the professionals, so I’m going to have to listen. 

In the meantime, also on their advice and that of Marcus Howlett the Race Director for the Tralee International Marathon I have been stretching and swimming a little to help keep my muscles working. 

On the plus side, as I wasn’t training I have returned my social life to its previous standards and have been out celebrating Christmas early. 

So here’s hoping that I will be back on track this week and next time I write the blog I will have completed a half marathon - as according to the training schedule I will run 13 miles on Saturday 29th December - a good end to 2012.