Wednesday 30th December

Not much training the last few days apart from treking round the sales in Belfast. My back has been very stiff with the lack of activity and too much lying around... Anyhow, I did 45 mins fairly easy on the turbo today to get myself going again. Need to work out a training plan over the next few days for next year.

Boxing Day

Well, big news - was allowed by the physio to take part in the Boxing Day 5 mile charity race as long as I didnt run it all - ie walk run so I did it and managed to get round ok in about 55 minutes. I ran the first mile and a half without walking then did 3 mins running and 2 mins trotting/walking for the rest of it. My back was a little bit sore but I worked on the forefront running/stride lengthening and feel great now. Beautiful sunny, icy day - and so glad to be out running again. Hopefully this is the start of my recovery now :-)

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!!! Another good half hour on the turbo this morning - off now for champagne and turkey :-)

Christmas Eve

Half an hour on the turbo this morning to work of a few calories in preparation for all the festivities!!!

Bit behind on blog - will catch up after Christmas

Monday 14th December

Turbo this morning on tired legs after yesterday. Short strenghtening and stretching session afterwards.

Sunday 13th December

No training yesterday as I was still sore from the strength training and where the physio was working on me. 1.5 hours on the turbo today on the big ring - working on my technique after reading a useful article in 220 magazine about foot motion on the clipless pedals which made a lot of difference to my power output. Good stretch afterwards and some time on the foam roller to iron out my sore bits!!

Friday 11th December

Well today was the big day with my supervised run! Started off with a lot of strength and then core exercises in the PT session and then onto the treadmill. Both the physio and PT were there. They immediately picked up that my running style was all wrong - landing on my heel with my right foot and forefoot with my left foot which is straining my back and twisting me. My stride length was also too short. So I then corrected all that and what a difference - ran for about half a mile with no pain and feeling very free. So a result! I am now allowed to run in a build up programme of 4 mins running, 2 mins walking to work on changing my running style and with the whole thing no more than 20 mins for a week or so. I am also allowed to enter the Boxing Day 5 mile run but to only run half of it and walk the rest. Very pleased!! Had a painful physio session after the run to free up my glutes and other tight areas.

Bought myself a copy of Runners World on the way home to celebrate.

Wish I had enough money for some Newton shoes - I think they might be the way forward for me....

Thursday 10th December

Yet another good turbo session this morning

Wednesday 9th December

Another good half hour on the turbo this morning

Tuesday 8th December

Half hour blast on turbo in top gear - very good!

1900m of swim sets tonight with the club. Good session but feeling a bit tired at the moment so found it a bit tough.

Monday 7th December

Pilates class tonight - either I am getting stronger or it is getting easier - didn't get as much out of it tonight.

Sunday 6th December

First cycle outdoors since Lough Neagh triathlon in August! Only 18 miles of which more than half were very windy so a slow average speed but at least it is a start. Back pulling a bit but thanks to the physio I am now trying to be aware of where weaknesses and imbalances are in my cycling - too much effort on my right hand side so need to work more on pushing with my left foot.

Onwards and upwards hopefully!

Friday 4th December

Half hour recovery session on the turbo this morning. Then physio session - she is still pleased with my progress although I am still very tight in my glutes. I am to start to run next week (supervised on the treadmill) for the start of a slow build up again. Nervous about the thought of it in case the pain comes back and I am back to square one again....

Thursday 3rd December

Very good interval session with the club on the turbo tonight - approx 50 mins of sets. Felt strong and only a minor niggle in my back

Wednesday 2nd December

Good half hour blast on the turbo this morning - starting to feel stronger. Just need now to get outside on the bike again.

Tuesday 1st December

Back at it again after a great trip to Italy. No training done but plenty of walking instead (and eating unfortunately!)

Half hour good tough turbo session this morning.

Swim session tonight with the club of 2175m - longer sets and I am getting stronger - no back pain at all either which is great:-)