Rock and Or Roll

It has been quite a frustrating week this week. I've had more injury niggles which have been preventing me doing all the runs that have been scheduled on the training plan and making me even more worried about the marathon than I already was!

After my long run last weekend and the pain in my knee, I knew I was in for a bit of trouble; but not being able to complete a 5 mile run on Tuesday was a big shock. At this point in my training, running 5 miles is a short run and my Tuesday runs are primarily just for getting my legs going for the rest of the week. This week however, I couldn't even complete what I had planned and even had trouble walking down the hill to home (at which point I had to walk on tiptoes down the hill to prevent bending my knee as it was far too painful!).

Once I had made it home, the pain subsided and didn't cause me any problems, so I did what any person living in this technological age does... I asked Dr Google!

A quick Google search later, I had diagnosed myself with the flimsy problem of "runner's knee" - A generic term for knee pain cause by a variety of issues which arise as you increase your mileage - Go figure! Following my reading, I investigated things I could do to help, which included foam rolling and icing the problem knee: Two things well within my capabilities.

I also sought advice from a parent at school who is a physio and he was able to tell me that my problem is in my IT band, which is creating friction when I run : ergo.. PAIN! But the good news is that I can try and manage it through the foam rolling, sports massage and taping.

My very attractive pink Rock Tape!

So that is what I am doing. I have invested in a foam roller (which I might have fallen off whilst screaming in agony the first time I tried to use it...), had a sports massage (which has left me battered and bruised!) and purchased some Rock Tape (which is a borderline miracle!).

On the whole, I am feeling pretty positive now. I have listened to all the advice I have received and I am working very hard at listening to my body. I am doing the exercises to try and stabilise my IT band and I am sure that mine and The Fiance's taping technique will improve with practise.

Today was supposed to be an 18 mile run, but with the issues I have already mentioned, I had to cut it short to 11 miles. This was a difficult decision, as I am not known for giving up, but I know that it was the right thing to do. I had planned my route to give me plenty of options for cutting it short and heading home, but unfortunately my knee gave out at one of the farthest points. Normally I would have pushed through, but seeing as I need to manage whatever is going on with my knee, I need to be a bit more careful.

Now as I go into next week, I will be continuing to experiment with and perfect the technique of using Rock Tape and hope that consistent strengthening exercises and foam rolling has a positive effect.

Please help keep me motivated by heading over to my Just Giving page and leave me a donation and message! Things are really starting to get tough and the extra boost really makes a difference! 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-kitchingman

Operation Knight in Shining Pyjamas!

It's been a little over a week since my last post, and so I've managed to do a fair bit of running. Unfortunately, I also managed to pick up a not so fun sickness bug from somewhere, but alas, that comes with the territory of being a school teacher! 

As I mentioned in my last post, I was heading out for a 14 mile run last Sunday, which I was hoping was going to be easier than the previous 14 miles that I completed in the snow and ice! Thankfully, the weather prevailed, Storm Eric kept his distance and I was able to complete my run in a more respectable time and felt like I had really achieved something. A definite lesson in self belief and perseverance!  

This weekend posed its own challenges however. As I already mentioned, I came down with what seems to have been a 24 hour bug on Thursday, which completely sapped me of any energy and left me unable to eat anything. Needless to say, Thursday's 7 mile run was cancelled; as was my working day on Friday. 

Not going into work is something that I really hate; not only because I have the typical fear of missing out, but because I know that it puts extra work onto other people and of course, I don't get to see my classes and be involved in all the lessons I had planned! 

Friday was no different. I sent in my lessons for other people to teach and tried to sleep off all the aches, pains and nausea, whilst wondering whether of not it was yet 'safe' to try and eat a slice of toast. (At this point, it is important to state that as The Fiance was away with work, I had no food in the house. Shout out to Mother Dearest who came to the rescue, delivering paracetamol, bread, satsumas!)  

Thankfully, by Friday evening I managed to eat a little bit of dinner, which combined with a good night's sleep, seemed to sort me out! And not a moment too soon - I have a goal of 100 parkruns to achieve! It was steady, but I went and I did it and it felt okay. Which was just was well, as I had a bigger mountain to climb on Sunday! 

Sunday was the latest in the "Furthest I've Ever Run" series. 16 miles. And boy, did it feel like 16 miles! The weather was great, perfect running conditions: I ditched the thermal leggings for the 3/4 length capris and was ready to go! The route was planned, I had my Camelbak of water on my back, my energy shot blocks in my pocket and my trainers on my feet. What could go wrong?! 

I shall tell you what could go wrong.. I could set off without my knee supports. Disaster! 

It was only at the first knee twinge, around mile 4, did I realise my mistake. All the usual thoughts crossed my mind. "It will probably be okay?" "Maybe I should give it a go without them today?" "But remember, you've never actually run this far before!" Logic (or fear) prevailed and I called The Fiance with some slightly odd instructions.. I needed him to locate the knee supports and take them to the end of Knox Mill Lane and leave them on the road sign, where I could run past and pick them up on my way! Luckily, my message was received and understood and "Operation Knight in Shining Pyjamas" was a go! 

As the run progressed, I was infinitely grateful that he ventured out in his PJs, as my knees were really beginning to feel the strain. 

I met a friend at around mile 8 and she joined me for the remainder of the run, which was nice. Two and a half hours is a long time to be out running by yourself! I was especially grateful to have her with me at the end, when my knees finally gave up! 

As soon as my Garmin announced we had reached 16 miles, we stopped running, and my knee just stopped working! The last 100 metres back to the house seemed to go on forever! 

Luckily it all seems to have settled down by today! Ready for tomorrow's 5 miles! 

Please remember to go to my Just Giving page and leave a donation and keep me pushing through all this pain! 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-kitchingman

Wet and Wild Wetherby parkrun

Another Saturday morning, another parkrun! The warnings were all there before I went to bed last night: Fountains Abbey was cancelled and Harrogate was looking doubtful. But still, I set my alarm, hopeful that my plans for hitting my 100th parkrun in 5 weeks time wasn't about to be derailed! Unfortunately for me, the news on waking up was what I had feared - Harrogate was also cancelled!! A quick search on Facebook informed me that Wetherby was going ahead, so I jumped in the car and off I went! 

Having never ventured over to the Wetherby parkrun before, I didn't quite know what to expect. Now I do... At this time of year,  you should probably expect mud! It was definitely a challenge, what with the gale force winds, a bit of rain and all the mud, but I did it and I am still on track for the big 100 in a few weeks time! 

Needless to say, I wasn't the only Harrogate parkrunner who had made the journey over to Wetherby this morning. During the pre-run briefing, the question went out: "Any visiting parkrunners?" Many hands went into the air and there was a loud chorus of "Harrogate!" in response to "Where are you from?" 

The experience of visiting Wetherby parkrun this morning was really enjoyable and as usual, I found myself making friends at the beginning - Classic parkrun! We also caught up at the end and had a chat. Both of us being Harrogate parkrunners, we were used to the 3 lap format of Wetherby, and had actually run very similar times this morning so it was nice to have someone to share the parkrun ritual with even if my usual crew were M.I.A. We also shared some of our running experiences and discussed my upcoming marathon. I welcomed his advice, and he was very honest about his own marathon experience. We agreed that respecting the challenge of a marathon is vital and that the training is not to be overlooked! 

I also took the opportunity to speak to my new friend about why I am running the marathon and what The Trust does for Stu. This is something I have to do periodically, and not just to try and get people to sponsor me (even if it may seem that way sometimes), but because by articulating how important this charity is in my family's life I am able to dig that bit deeper and run that bit further or faster than I thought I could. I'm doing this for Stu and to say thank you. So when I come and chat to you about it, which I inevitably will, please  listen and offer words of encouragement as they mean so much and really do keep me going! 

The rest of the weekend holds more running (of course!). Another 14 miles tomorrow, which I am hoping will feel easier than last weekend's 14 miles, which was accompanied by an unforgiving coating of ice on all of the paths. This is the excuse I am using for why it felt so difficult anyway! I will therefore be going along the same route as last weekend in the hope that I can see and feel an improvement in more favourable weather conditions! Although if Storm Eric keeps doing his thing, then I'm not sure just how 'favourable' the conditions will actually be! 

Wish me luck! 

OR... 

Head over to my JustGiving page and leave me some sponsorship and a message of support. It's been a while since I had a "Someone just donated!" email and I would love to see a few more coming in, small or large; they all make a massive difference to the lives of the people The Trust support. 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-kitchingman