The runner, the injury and the knee

It’s cold, windy and snowy outside - I welcome you to come in and warm yourself with my blog.  Yep – 2 posts in the space of a week, I am as surprised (or perhaps you are disappointed) as you.  Let’s crack on…

Last post (http://pete-tizard.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/running-late.html) I mentioned I had run the Royal parks in October, well my most recent half was at Silverstone (famous motor racing course apparently) and was excited to be joined by fellow *FactSetters’ Olly and Jen (Go Team Mid-Markets!).  This was the first long run I had been on since recovering (kind of) from my shin splints (off for about 4/5 weeks) and was curious to see how I would cope.  Nailed it didn’t I!  We ran with the 1:45 pace guy and felt fine going into the last mile and completed this in less than 6 minutes.  I was happy about the day as avoided injury and the event itself was well organised – quick bag drop off area, plenty of loos (pits stops LOLz!), etc.  

The day also produced my best in-run photo (see https://www.justgiving.com/pete-tizard-london2012), the subsequent likes on facebook is undeniable proof.  Conversely it also produced my worst ever picture (post-run), let’s say I got caught up in the excitement of finishing.  If I reach my goal of £1,500 (2^nd plug https://www.justgiving.com/pete-tizard-london2012) I will publish this to the World.

It wouldn't be one of my posts without an update on the knee but not the other knee as that has been behaving impeccably.  I hurt the knee 2 weeks ago when sitting down in the pub post a long run with my buddy Adam (“Legend” “Boss it!” http://tashtag.wordpress.com/ ) – we stopped for water so it wasn’t karma punishing me or something.  There is now pain just at the bottom right of my knee cap.

These last few years it feels I have frequented most physios in London - I imagine when I walk into a practise they see £ signs flashing (one on either knee).  I don’t want to see a physio before the run but will probably be back in again after.  I ran on and was in discomfort (4/10 pain) but it has improved from what it was like.  I will aim to do core exercise every morning until the marathon and regularly use the cross trainer to keep pressure off the knee (& the other knee) to maintain my fitness.  When the marathon does finally come round, I imagine I will be drugged up with painkillers L.

I want to say a thank-you to Yuk Ha and her family for their generous donation.  Anyone who has the pleasure to have met Yuk Ha will realise what a special, kind and lovely person she is.  It really surprised me that you took the trouble to raise that money for me, I am very grateful and will always remember your act of kindness.  Thank you again for the support and I hope to make you and your family proud come the run.

That’s it for another week!  The next post will detail the thank you gifts (tat) you will receive for donating (3^rd plug https://www.justgiving.com/pete-tizard-london2012), an update on my latest injuries (standard) and something else which will bulk out the post.  Enjoy the shortened week ahead – huzzah!

P.S.  - This video will make your day https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wKNhCjA0pdU

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the said company…  J

Running Late...

I wrote this about 10 days ago but did not post as (surprise surprise) I got injured (the knee again) and wanted to see how this latest one unfolded.  Since I began this marathon training (post 26^th December) I have been injured more than I have been fit.  Bit frustrating as can’t keep to a schedule but the main annoyance is it has prevented me from raising money for RNIB (https://www.justgiving.com/pete-tizard-london2012 ) as I am always worried of having to drop out (see http://pete-tizard.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/pete-doesnt-run-london-marathon.html).  Anyway I am 5 weeks away from the marathon and am committed to running and can’t wait to get out there.  Anyway what follows was originally written (with hubris) on the 7^th March….

I’m back on the blog which I announce to a chorus of boos.  I’ve been away a while now and was for 2 reasons.  The first is because this drivel takes a while to write, it goes through several rewrites until I get to the polished turd that I end up posting.  Secondly (and more importantly) I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to make the marathon due to having legs made of glass.  I have suffered setbacks over the last 3 month training period (will go into that in a bit) but I am quietly confident that I will make it to start line with my buddy Adam (http://tashtag.wordpress.com/) on the 21^st April.

Hmm what have I been up to since the last post back in October?  Well I ran the Royal Parks which was alright – I did plan to post straight after (see one of my many unfulfilled promises – http://pete-tizard.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/a-post-about-running.html) but didn’t get round to it.  I thought the route was interesting and there was a large supportive crowd.  However the run itself wasn’t too good…  It started with me getting to the Kentish Town station too find it shut (bloody High Barnet branch), but I met a lovely Italian couple and shared a taxi to Marble Arch.  If anyone has been to a run before you will have noticed around race time you will see dozens of men “literally” pissing up against anything that is vertical.  Basically this happens because everyone goes a bit mental and overhydrates beforehand.  Well I made this error but unfortunately there was no secluded area to relive myself.  So I made an excuse to the Italians (“warm up run”) and sprinted to find the nearest portaloo – everyone was full and had a massive que.  This was memorable because was the first time I have “literally” begged someone to allow me to the front - it worked!  Anyway the run went OK – loads of people taking part so the first 5 miles I was sprinting to get past and meant the last 5 miles was tough as had spent all my energy <sigh>.  I would recommend this run if you want to take in the sites/enjoy the crowd but you would probably struggle for a personal best.

I was recently on crutches because of bad shin splints – yes I’m a warrior.  At one point I was worried that I would have to drop out.  A few observations, you need to be bloody fit to use crutches – I was on them for 20 minutes in my suit and my back was drenched in sweat (blamed it on the rain). The other thing was that people (and in London!) can be considerate, when swinging across a slippery square one business man asked if I needed help.  On the tube I was offered a seat, of course I politely refused and explained I only had shin splints which was met with a confused look.

The perplexing thing is that the more injuries I get the more I want to run.  It is that sense of not being able or allowed that makes it more appealing.  Running is my class A.  Recently as well my approach to running has changed, before I was all about time, PBs and pushing myself (“pain is just weakness leaving the body” bollocks).  Now I enjoy just getting out in the outdoors, running for the sheer pleasure and observing the people as they go about their bizness. 

This is the first (I hope) of many marathons, although this will be the last time I run and raise money for RNIB (https://www.justgiving.com/pete-tizard-london2012 ) at least for a bit.  I am now going to start going in to overdrive in raising money so you will get sick of the sight of me calling/texting/emailing/faxing/pigeoning/stalking/etc.  With so many generous friends I am confident we will smash the target of £1500.  Many thanks for donating over the years but one last donation would be greatly appreciated.

Usually I end by promising a post in the not so distant future.  I am not going to do this as no doubt will follow past trends and not deliver.  But I do hope to post more soon.  I leave you with a video (bleeeet!) of which I hope you get as much enjoyment as I did from - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PpccpglnNf0 . 

PS  - Please message me if you want to help me raise some money.  Will be looking to organise maybe a couple of things at work and also go chugging outside Waitrose etc. – it may not sound like much fun but it would be really kind of you.  Have a great night/week!

PPS -  https://www.justgiving.com/pete-tizard-london2012