2012 Brief Review

At the start of 2012 I was really excited as the Olympics were coming to London. But I was extremely frustrated as I still had a big full leg brace on as a result of dislocating my right knee cap at work.  However, after encouraging Mark and Roy, two blokes from work, to take part in the 2012 challenge there was a light at the end of the tunnel and this caused me to do some training and get my arse in to gear.

This blog update was meant to be short, so for once I will keep it that way. The Olympics came and it was special. Then they went. Then the para-lympics came and this too was special then they also went. I suddenly realised that I had a marathon coming up and started training hard. Too hard. Being the wrong side of 40 meant when injury struck, hip flexor, I  couldn't recover quickly enough and the marathon was out of the window.

Since then I grew a tash for Movember as support for my mate Chris. He came to stay for a week in December and got me back running again. These last few weeks I have had some lovely runs and found my mojo again and the joy of getting muddy, very muddy and wet and yet having a great time running on the trails and roads near home.

So next year is looming very quickly and I have a few goals in mind but not too sure just yet. But I will keep you all informed of what they are when I finalised them.

Garmin Review of Last Year - (all activities)

Total number of activities - 124

Total distance traveled - 808.19 miles

Total time spent training - 83.59.40 (hrs.min.sec)

Elevation Gained - 7870 m

Average Speed - 9.6 mph

Average Pedal Cadence - 82 rpm

Total Calories burned - 71,702

The Truth Is ..........

This was a little mantra that I started when I went out for run today and it is all about accepting some truths and then getting down to hard work to do something about it.

The truth is I went for a run today and I was in pain.
The truth is I used to run with fluidity and style.
The truth is I now run in pain and no grace.
The truth is I'm unfit.
The truth is I'm overweight.
The truth is my thighs rub when I run.
The truth is my upper body wobbles on impact of each stride.
The truth is my lungs were burning and gasping for air.
The truth is today I ran 3.96 miles and felt worse than finishing my Ironmans.
The truth is I wanted to walk.
The truth is I didn't walk and am so pleased with myself for not doing that.
The truth is I have a marathon in 12 weeks.
The truth is I haven't done enough training but I'm stupid enough to still do it.
The truth is I love biscuits, cakes, chocolate and crisps.
The truth is my trousers and shorts are tight.
The truth is I refuse to go up a waist size.
The truth is I prefer to be in pain for a few weeks and loose the weight.
The truth is I'm 42 now and not as fit as when I was 22.
The truth is with hard work I can be fitter / slimmer than I was at 22.
The truth is I will complete the marathon.
The truth is it is going to be painful and hard to get fit again.
The truth is in a sadistic way I am looking forward to my fitness 'journey' I'm about to embark on.
The truth is I am never going to let myself 'go' again.
The truth is I'm saying goodbye to unfit, un-energetic me.
The truth is after only one run I feel my mojo coming back.
The truth is that I will loose my mojo, enthusiasm again.
The truth is I will get it back again.
The truth is I've typed it and published it so now I need to act on it.

That's it. That's the truth.