This is a running blog. So you’ve probably come to expect posts about running. Here, instead, is a post about perspective and priorities.
My running has been touch and go lately, so I haven’t had much to post. I seem to be chronically injured with one problem or another. I’ve had plantar and achilles issues on my right side since March. Then I screwed my back up last month and couldn’t run at all for over a week. Now I’ve pulled something in my right hamstring.
So, basically, I’m unable to train consistently because I’m always injured. I’m doing about one serious workout every 10-14 days. That’s not going to help me do much at all from a competitive standpoint. Still, I try. But I’m also realistic. Between these ongoing setbacks and a three week trip to the UK during which training is going to be about 17th on the priority list, I’m no longer taking the Fifth Avenue Mile all that seriously. It may not be the year to do so.
And that is okay.
Really. It’s okay.
That race isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I.
My body is simply not cooperating, or when it is it’s doing so only grudgingly. I have to respect that. For whatever reason, serious training isn’t happening right now. So I’ll let it not happen for awhile.
I leave for London/Edinburgh in under three weeks. I will try to run most days, and I will endeavor to not advance from the mildly injured state I’m in right now to a seriously injured one. I hope to do some scenic runs while in Edinburgh. If I can do some harder runs, that’ll be great. But if I can’t, I can’t. I just want to have fun. I want to enjoy my time there. I want to watch the Women’s Olympic Marathon in London. I want to work hard, see a lot of shows, hang out with my cohorts and drink good beer.
Fun: Priority 1. Working Hard: Priority 2. Training: Priority 17. And that’s fine. Seriously.
Races Like a Girl 
Sucks to be injured all the time 😦 Why do you think that is?
Your UK trip sounds awesome. Will you really be in London for the olympic marathon? If so, I will be incredibly jealous.
I think it’s being 47, actually. Not much I can do about that.
Yes, I really, really will be (but just for the women’s race). I’m jealous of me too.
But the beer is shit in the UK. And it’s not cold!
Exciting that you can see the marathon. Look out for the Aussie flags. Say “g’day” to Benita, Lisa & Jessica when you see them run past.
Ooh, them’s fightin’ words, Ewen! I’m a fan of Newcastle (the ale and the football team), and one of the best beers I’ve ever had was in Cornwall (Heligan Honey). What you got, Fosters? Beh. But at least you do serve it cold.
Fosters is pretty ordinary. I don’t know anyone who drinks Fosters! Coopers would be one of the better large brewers. Plenty of micro breweries though – http://www.craftbeer.com.au/
What’s up with this healthy perspective on running? I think the Scots’ wit and sense of humor will agree with you, provided you understand what they’re saying.
It’s early dementia. The last time I went to Scotland all I met were expats from England. So the place has something going for it.