9 Weeks To Go

Well, I've had a rough couple of weeks. After running 10 miles at a speed obviously too fast for me to handle I have suffered. I tried getting back on the treadmill last week but my legs were just giving way so had to switch to the bike to keep up some form of exercise. I was supposed to be aiming for 12 miles the following weekend, but without being able to do any running I felt it was far too great a challenge to attempt. I allowed myself a contingency week in my training for moments like this so I decided to take a rest week. It was my sons 6th birthday so I had a busy weekend anyway. 

On the following Monday I was feeling a bit run down but got on the treadmill and just ran for half an hour, my ankle was feeling a bit niggly but wasn't very painful just hurt when I bent it. However after half an hour I was ready to stop I felt exhausted. On the Wednesday I was still not feeling 100% so just did 20 lengths in the pool as I didn't want to aggrevate my ankle any more. Feeling suitably tired I went straight to bed. I woke up in the night with severe heartburn so got out of bed to get a glass of milk. I then had to rush to the bathroom to be sick. The last thing I remember is being violently sick in the toilet. Then I woke up on the bathroom floor with my husband asking me what had happened. I must have blacked out and I was bruised all over from hitting my chin and chest and arm. I went to the doctors who listened to my heart and suggested an ECG, routine for any unexplained blackout. 

Feeling fine the next few days I figured I could still attempt my 12 miles. If I didn't do it this weekend then I would be behind my training plan and it would all go to pot. So I made sure I ate my porridge on Sunday morning, got ready, did my stretches then set out. I could feel my ankle but with anything I felt it just needed warming up and would feel fine soon. However after a mile it was getting worse, every impact was really sore and felt myself almost trying to avoid striking it. Defeated I stopped and limped home. 

This was the worst possible thing that could happen. I burst into tears when I got through the door, after everything I had been through I felt I could still go out there and achieve but there was always something stopping me. I'm so angry and frustrated right now, I can't afford to have another rest week. It means my marathon aims are set back and looks like I'll be walking it like I said I would in the beginning. Totally gutted doesn't even cover it, for the first time in my life I actually want to run. That night my ankle kept me awake, every time I twisted it it hurt, it obviously didn't do it much good with the impact on it. 

Next step I have to rest my ankle! And maybe get it checked over by a physio to know the quickest recovery method. I'll still be exercising but it will be on those horrible elliptical trainers or swimming. 

Bummer.