Lesson learned the hard way

2017 Review: Part III

CHASE CHALLENGE 10k

THE Chase Challenge 10k  trail run in August, was my downfall.

As with so many who enjoy running, I sometimes ignore those little niggles, aches and pains and push on regardless.

Sometimes it's ok, and you're fine afterwards. Sometimes, perhaps more often, you're not.

On this occasion, I took a gamble – and lost!

I had a niggle in my right hamstring, but didn’t want to drop out of one of my favourite off-road races. The location, near the county town of Stafford and nearby Rugeley, is designated Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Running on the Chase - with its mixed surfaces, hills, streams, forested areas, open heathland, varied trails etc - can be tough but uplifting. I had been looking forward to the event, despite slight reservations.

But you know what it’s like. On the day, the adreneline's pumping, there’s the atmosphere, the excitement, the compelling ‘pull’ of the run; that emotional force that draws you to the start line and fellow runners already lining up.

CHASE MEDAL: Unintended
last one of the year!

And then there’s that little voice in your head telling you things like: ‘go on, you know you want to!’

I decided to go for it! (Surprise, surprise!). To begin with, all was fine. The pace was comfortable. I love the feel of  rough, uneven ground underfoot, the sting in your muscles as you work up a steep hill, the magnificence of trees towering over you as you negotiate narrow trails. Then about three-quarters of the way round, disaster – an intense shooting pain that forced me to sit it out on a grassy bank for what seemed like an eternity.

It was great watching others run past – but how frustrating is it watching others run past?

After a while, itching to get back into the run, I rejoined the ‘flow,’ and literally hobbled the rest of the route. A concerned marshal asked if I was all right, and offered to help me back to the finish. I politely declined - after all, there wasn't that much further to go - and pushed on, finishing my slowest-ever 10k with a pathetic shuffling ‘sprint’ across the finish line.

I was pleased to have completed the run, but it was not the best way to do it!

CHIPS DOWN: Finishing time for my Cannock Chase 10k, 2017.

Since then, I have had to drop out of a number of events – The Kenilworth Half, Stafford 10k, Green Leek 10k and Rugby 10 mile, to name but a few – and have been undergoing physio.

It’s certainly brought home the value of those wise words: ‘Listen to your body!’

I take it as a lesson learned!

In conclusion, it’s been an enjoyable year, with some fantastic runs but with a somewhat frustrating - and painful - ending.

Key ‘takeaway’ points for me are:

1. Listen to your body - as everybody tells you to do!
2. Keep a better log. I started, but have admittedly been hit and miss. Need to be more methodical and consistent
3. Weigh up more carefully what events to enter. I’ve enjoyed every run I’ve been in so far – even the Chase Challenge, up to the ‘breaking point’ – but I guess you need to consider recovery times, and perhaps be a little more realistic on what to go in for.
4. More strength training in order to build, and sustain, stability, stamina – and guard against injury in the first place! 
5. People have differing opinions about the benefits of joining a club. Of course, there are those who prefer to 'go it alone,' and there's nothing wrong with that. But the thrill of running in your colours, especially when you're with other members, the sense of connection, of sharing the experience, of the support and encouragement you can give each other, can't be beaten. Being part of a club can also help you to structure your running, and work out a meaningful schedule over the year, giving you a sense of purpose, progress and achievement.
   
   To anyone unsure about joining, I would say 'go for it!' After all, what have you got to lose? If you find it's not for you, you can always leave. But there's a good chance you'll find yourself part of a whole new world which will give an added dimension to your running.

CLUB PRIDE: Proud to belong to the iconic Massey Ferguson Runners Club, which celebrated its 40th
anniversary this year. Picture by Leon Coppola, as it appears on the club's website.

Well! That was 2017 - now a new and exciting year lies ahead! Only this time I think I'll pay more attention to those little aches and pains!

Happy New Year everyone. Here's wishing you lots of satisfying miles in 2018!