* Mile 22 *
Mile 22 in a marathon is the point where you are suffering badly but you know the end goal is near only to focus, believe, concentrate and trust yourself.That is my dilemma, though I will never run another marathon. Injured with 7 months, no race since end of November, but I’m on the recovery trail. Nearly there but not quite. Finish line in sight but a lot of misery yet to go through. I’m at Mile 22.
Purpose of this article is to empathise, support, listen to and help fellow injured runners. We can all tweak a muscle and be back in two weeks but a long term injury is devastating. This isn’t self pity for me, it is an effort to help others who feel alone and isolated when they are out of action.
I know many of you love running and how it is an integral part of your life, to help give balance and support for your own physical and mental well-being. When you are out of action obviously the time spent exercising is lost but the 24 / 7 benefit of running is totally taken from you. That affects you every minute of every day. Take nothing for granted.
I’m a different person from who I was late 2024. I haven’t ran with another person on a training run or in a race with 7 months…. ps thanks to a few beautiful people who did walk / jog parkruns with me. I’m in your debt.
It does change you and it takes a huge mental effort to keep going. You lose touch with training partners and other race participants. That lack of social interaction can be the hardest. The phone stops beeping. I found writing these posts tough but beneficial.
Jaysus, I have done volunteering, stewarding, general support just to keep in touch but it isn’t the same thing.
I have walked cliffs, footpaths, goat tracks, Kerry roads and Spanish beaches. I have cycled the Greenway most days. For the matter of public record, I was even umpire at a GAA match. Good to get back to my real roots.
Can I get back to where I was?
What if it happens again?
Why doesn’t my tshirt fit?
Why do the new running shoes for Christmas still look perfect. They should be worn out and dumped by now?
Was the ball over the bar or does it need Hawkeye?
Are they going to rename the Midleton – Youghal Greenway after me considering the amount of time I have spent walking and cycling on it?
I’m OK thanks, feel free to like or share but maybe think of your own friends who may be injured and suffering. They would like a contact.
Have a good weekend
#pwr
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Barleycove Beach during the week |