First step towards becoming a runner again

It has almost been one year since my last post on my blog. A year of struggling and realizing I might not be a runner anymore. After my last post I had a period where I managed to start running 3 times every week, I even managed to get a point where I could run approx 12 - 15 km.

At New Year I participated in the yearly race in Odense in the slowest time I've ever run this race, but I finished it. BUT shortly after I got a severe setback; during a training on a treadmill on Malta in January, I got a sharp pain right under my knee shell. Despite a longer break I decided to seek medical help

Last autumn I got a message from my medical doctor that I was just getting old, and should expect to live with the challenges I had. And since my training results improved during November and December, I decided to try to train as good as it was poosible. As long as I didn't have any pain, it was good for my health.

But now I had pain and no matter how much rest I gave it, I could not run longer than 1 km. So I had to get some help from a chiropractor.

After a couple of months of treatment without result, he ordered a MR-scan. Unfortunately it showed that I last Summer got a really severe injury playing soccer, right before my marathon from Slagelse to Skælskør. And this injury probably mean that I will never be able to run long distances again!!

Wow - I have always considered myself as a runner, but now it was like part of my identity was removed right away. It took me a couple of weeks to digest this information.

But I had to restart my "career", I just had to figure out, what kind of career... I have always wanted to do a full Ironman, so my decision to buy a racing bike was an obvious path.

So I took the decision to not run for 3 months to see if my knee would heal, and instead bike all summer.

And now I am at the point where I will start run a little again, to see if I can restart the part of my identity I call a "runner"

Improving...

2.8K - still in pace 8min per K ... and no problems after soccer practice this week... :-)

Small victory - but it feels great..

Sunday I ran 4.2K with my youngest daugther (42 min) and I have not problems with my knee afterwards..

So yesterday I took a chance and ran 2K slowly and still no problems...

Don't know if I should be glad or worried, but it did create some optimisme

Great race .... again!!

When you get older, you get wiser. You learn from your actions and mistakes. Today I learned something important - I CANNOT just watch a marathon as a supporter !!

Today, for the 11. time, H.C. Andersen Marathon took place in Odense. Perfect conditions - 12C, overcast, and almost no wind. And I must admit when the started the race at 10am, I felt like I was in the wrong place.

My neighbour started in his first marathon and he did a great job, and finished in 3h51m - a great time - Congratulations!!

But he was not the only one - Raymond Kiplagat Kandie finished in amazing 2h10m42s - one of the fastest marathon times ever run in Scandinavia. It was great to see him run the last lap on Odense Atletik Stadion.

In general a lot of good performances today - and I am pretty sure there were many personal victories.

My kids participated again this year in the MiniMarathon (4.2K) - all of them did a great performance, and I think they all had a great day. At least I think they'll have a good day tomorrow when they bring their medal and diploma to school :-)

BUT all the time I felt in the wrong place - something was missing. Being tired, the feeling of victory, the thought why you are doing this?, and the saticfaction of well executed training and competition.

PS Status of injury: doctor believes she has found out what it is - and that it can be solved with a simple surgery - lets hope that will be the case.. I ran the 4.2K together with my youngest daugther (in 42 mins :-) ) but I don't feel a thing and my knee is not swollen..  maybe I can start in the small now..

So I did it

... something I thought I would never have to do. I have postponed my participation in HCA Marathon and Grenå 6 hours until next year.

For some reason I feel guilty. I am not really sure why, but I have a feeling there is something I have to do. I'd really like to put on my running shoes - and take 12 K around the lake.

But my knee have another opinion of this. I still have no pain, it is swollen and doesn't feel right. I am sure I could run, but I fear it will just get worse. So I contacted my medical doctor again, and now we will try x-ray and scanning. I rellay hope it is a quick fix. .. and I am sure my wife hopes for this as well..

When I get back I will start build it up slowly, and I think the reward for a starting again, should be a new GPS watch, so I can track all the parameters :-)

Trying....

Motivation to come back to run is super high - ironic, when you can't run, the motivation increases. My injury is still a challenge and I probably have to realize that I will not be able to participate in HCA Marathon this year. It is simply to risky.

After medication I have tried slowly to build up the strength in my knee, but unfortunately it is still challenging me. And I probably have to get some medical assistance again.

I really miss running again, so I do hope that I can get this fixed....

Frustration

This must be the word that summarizes the last couple of weeks. After a slow build-up of running again, I got rid of the pain in my left knee. Actually it feels great.

BUT sometimes (almost once every day) my knee gets very swollen. And to my knowledge, with no reason. And then running becomes almost impossible.. Funny thing is that I have no pain.

So I went to see a specialist today - she claims I have an inflamation in my knee and I got some medicin to remove it. And no running and exercise for the next 10 days... *sign*

So my HCA MT is in danger. I am not in a great shape anymore and with only a month to start, I am probably looking at running/walking at a very slow pace. I still do intend to do the race - it is the 9th race in a row, so I'd would really like to continue to be there.. Even if it means I will have to do a time around 4.5hrs.