A Quick Post

In less then 3 days I should of had the operation that has stopped me doing what I love doing again - Running!
This blog has died of death this last year but I'm hopeful it will spring back to life soon.Its been over 12 months since I have done a race and 16 months since I got injured.
During that time I have enjoyed taking photos and less enjoyed riding my road bike - over 3500 miles of getting seriously pissed off!!
I would like to say a big thank you to Nick Ham who sent me emails offering advice and encouragement - a true gent!
I would also like thanks Tom Paget who stumbled accross this blog and sent a couple of wonderful emails just last week. Tom has had the very same operation that I am having and has really settled my mind and given me a much needed boost.
I'm going to post some photos that I have taken this year but before I do must mention that Steve B is still falling on his arse every time he steps foot on the fells and Steve Angus will be forever known as the most ugliest bloke that has ever won Lakeland 50!
At the very bottom of this post I have added a link of some of the things I have done on my bike this year - courtesy of me old running mucker Nick Ray.

link to my bike skills below

http://youtu.be/7ZmJtYaUTa0

Gilmore Groin

Today it was confirmed by a Dr Clark in Gateshead that  I haven't got a Gilmore Groin problem......I have TWO!!
Both sides need operating on which is going to get carried out on November 5th.

I cannot put into words the relief on my part - I will over the next few weeks blog more about this injury but after been told by 2 GP's to  pack in running and another to stop to see if it gets any better you can understand how happy I am.
I am so glad that at last I have been diagnosed with a problem that ONE doctor refused to admit that the injury existed.

Onwards & Upwards

(hopefully more running and less photos)


..also big congratulations to Keswick AC on reaching the National Road Relays at the weekend.

Its like buses

Rolling back the years


Doesn't win a race for years then two come along together

Still 45 mile to go

5 weeks after winning the Karrimo trail marathon he only goes and wins the Lakeland 50!!


Reet pleased for you Steve.

Steve Angus wins again

Well its been seven weeks now since I did the Fred Whitton Challenge and I'm going to try and describe it over the next few lines..

What the hell was I thinking!!
112 mile over some bloody steep Lakeland passes!
Felt totally out of place!
Realised I'm a fuckin numpty on a bike!!!
Will I do it again?
Hope not!!

That is all I've got to say on this matter.

So four months of no running.
Had MRI scan 8 weeks ago and after waiting for the promised results in the post which never came I finally phoned them up to ask if they wanted to share the results with me.
Apologies were given (consultant away on 3 week holiday) so consultant secretary read them out for me over the phone. Nothing amiss with lower stomach.
I asked "what about the groin?" she answered "they didn't scan the groin area!!!" 
I'm speechless.
I finally ask her about the possibility of Gilmours Groin, that the consultant and I chatted at length about 8 weeks earlier. She knew nowt about that but promised she would post the results/letter out to me straight away. That was 4 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for it!!

For 2 days I moped about the house feeling sorry for myself.
Eventually I think"fuck it - Im goin for a run"!

I announce my intentions to the family.
Daughter looks up from laptop and then carries on.
Wife rolls her eyes
but son says "hang on I'll come with you".

Son has been running on the roads for a good bit now but never shown any interest on the fells and im chuffed to bits. I ratch the mudclaws out of the shed and we both head out to Pooley Bridge for a run up Arthurs Pike, about 6 mile. It is all runable when your used to it and I think son might struggle.
We set off at a slow pace keeping my stride short and easy. Son surprises me and runs it all easily. We rest for a minute at the cairn taking in the view. We jog back down together where I keep my stride short again so not to stretch to much.
That short run did more for me In one hour then not running at all for four months. I felt brilliant - sore- but brilliant. I decided at that point that I was going to start running again, not fast - that hurts - but at a relaxed pace.

Since then I have ran 3-4 times a week, some days hurt more then others but at least im doing more running then biking and that cant be a bad thing.........its a lot bloody cheaper too!!

Finally massive congrats to good running pal Steve Angus who rolled back the years and won some trail Marathon t'other week. 

Nowt New

In a vain attempt to try and keep this blog vaguely interesting and on-going, I am posting a post basically about nowt!
Still not running, tho I did attempt a couple of easy fell runs a couple of weeks ago which has resulted in much pain in my lower abdominal and groin region.
I had a ultrasound scan which proved there was no Hernia and been to see a specialist in Hexham (NHS) who is sending me for a MRI scan at the end of April.
Gilmore's Groin was mentioned and I was surprised to hear that the NHS do operate for it - they cut the nerve to stop the pain!!- but before they entertain that idea they want me to stop running and cycling for a full year, to give things a chance to heal naturally.
Im hopeful the MRI scan will show something so at least I know what is causing the pains and will help my head too - its annoying not knowing what it is and how to go about fixing it.

I have been packing my case this week for a 2 week family holiday in Mexico and it will be strange not getting up early and going out running exploring the local area first thing in the morning before the family stirs.

The cycling is not going that well neither- I don't really enjoy it that much and have averaged 100 mile per week since Xmas and with The Fred Whiiton 2 weeks after I get back from holiday Im in no way fit enough for a very long day in the saddle. Not looking forward to it at all and if Im lucky enough to get round it without mishap the bikes going into storage....forever!

So that pretty sums up the last few weeks. I have cycled out to a few fell races and took photos and have enjoyed that - I will continue doing that until the day comes I can run pain free again.
I hope you all have a good running year and I will only post again if something exciting happens or Stevie B decides on having a go at the BGR.

Now for the photo bit

The king of mountains

Skiddaw from Derwentwater

Castlerigg stone circle

one man and his dog in priest hole cave below Dove Crag

Rob Jebb leads the field at Causey Pike

with Nick Ray hot on his heels!!

from lowther church

Causey Pike

Ullswater from Pooley Bridge

scamp on Blencathra

The return of Stevie B

Some of you who have read my blog from the time of my BG training will be familiar with Stevie B.
He was with me for much of my training and has a reward I would rip him to shreds on my blog.
I never forget the time when we set off to do the first 2 legs in under 7 hours. It was foul winter weather and he bailed out on Clough Head and went down to the car and drank my tin of coke.
I got to Dunmail and my car was there minus the coke!!
During a 4 hour fell run he would be on his arse at least 5 times and on the day of my BG there's a good photo of him sliding on his arse down Seat Sandal!
He could never get it into his prehistoric skull how important it was to take it easy on the climbs and would often run them which made me run them too - quite a good thing for getting hill fit for racing but not for a 24 hour challenge.
He was always great company and in fell races we would always try and beat each other which would often spill over in our training runs.

So why am I reminiscing about old times?
I got a text of him last night asking if I was up for a bike ride.
I know he is quite useful on a bike but with me doing well over a 100 miles a week since Xmas I figured that I should be OK.
WRONG!!
He friggin murdered me and had to wait for me on every climb!!
60 miles that included Kirkstone and Shap Fell.
I was glad when he got a puncture, for it gave me a small rest.
It was a horrible ride with the wind in our faces for most of the ride. We had a blizzard and hailstones too.
I have no doubt at all if he was doing the Fred Whitton he would get round in 7 hours....easy.
Me? I be glad just to get round.
One thing it has done is let me know just what I have let myself in for.
I'm having troubles with speed wobbles too. Had one today coming off Shap Fell, but I think this was caused by the side wind.
Thats 5 in the last 5 months though and they bloody terrify me.
Another problem I'm having is my weight.
When I was doing 50+ fell miles a week in training I could eat what I liked.
The problem I'm having is that I'm still eating as if I'm doing fell miles and has a result I'm well over 13 stone now!
Injury update- just the same and STILL waiting for a ultrasound scan. I'm fairly sure if I was a drug addict or  someone  obese I would of been seen to by now. Rant over.

Stevie B on his arse- again

I like to ride my bicycle.......

Last January I had ran 190 miles in training and raced in two fell races.
This January I have JOGGED 28 miles and WATCHED two fell races.

I'm in despair regarding my injury. I have spent over 200 quid at physio and not feeling that much improvement.
In desperation I visited the doctors again and asked if I could get referred to a Groin Specialist.... she is going to send me for an ultra sound scan. Suppose its better then the hip x-ray they sent me for last time!!!
The groin problem I have had since the BGR but I have been able to manage it myself. The bigger problem is in the lower stomach - almost like a muscle tear but becomes very painful if I over exert myself. Sometimes it hurts to get in and out of a car or lie down in bed. The physio thinks its all connected with the groin.
I have found a groin specialist in Bradford but at 190 quid for a consultation im holding back for a little longer.

To keep me sane and I have been cycling to the odd fell race to take photos. It allows me to keep in touch with my fell mates and also helps keeps me a little bit fit, but nothing is a substitute for running.
I have entered the Fred Whitton Challenge so at least I have got something to focus on. Not sure it was the right thing to do after seeing them hurtling down Kirkstone pass last year!!!
Im still enjoying reading other folk blogs and hopefully this blog will start being a RUNNING blog again soon, but in the mean time I'm afraid its still a photo blog.

Ullswater

Martindale Hause

cycle miles

Blakes winner Ricky Lightfoot

Carl Bell chasing Kim Colinson

congrats

Bassenthwaite

River Lowther - Askham

Kirkstone

Snowy Blencathra

Ullswater