Ooops. Dropped off the radar as it were. Life has been a wee bit on the hectic side, though in truth there was a stage where I endured (and I mean that most sincerely, folks) an enforced rest from running. The good news… I am back, and I am back with a vengeance!
So what have I been up to? Surprise, surprise: running. Or not. Had a good start to the year, ran my ninth half marathon on my 57th birthday, supported a friend through her second 10k, missed the BEST marathon in Ireland, spent too many weeks away from running with a partial lung collapse. EH? A WHAT? Yes, it seems the ‘flu (the real one, not the man flu), a chest infection followed by two colds, all one after the other and with almost no time between each, caused big problems and the middle lobe of my right lung collapsed. Cue a concerned GP, numerous x-rays, a CT scan, a LOT of rest combined with boring, mind numbing sessions of hill walking and power walking on the dreadmill. Happily, it managed to re-inflate itself, and after almost ten weeks I happily donned the gutties again. However, my first run out (huge thank you to the very patient Alyson) was a nightmare. Absolute rubbish. Could not breathe, legs were like tree trunks – actually felt like I had run a marathon, not 5k! Disappointed was not in it! However, I live by my motto (Believe in yourself, magic will happen) and with effort, and belief, I am happy to say I am steadily recovering well. Two 10k runs last weekend, including a race, a steady 5k with an increasing pace at club last night, and more miles to come this week. I feel so much better being able to do what I love again.
Folk often say to me ‘if you are not actually running, you are helping’. True. Parkrun, 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon… they all need volunteers to help make it happen. It’s a genuine pleasure to be able to get out there and support others however I can, and volunteering at events really is fun. One series I thoroughly enjoy is the East Antrim Marathon Series, run around the roads (and copious hills) of Carrickfergus and Greenisland in (occasionally) sunny East Antrim – hence the name. I had hoped to run a half marathon earlier this year with EAMS but sadly had to withdraw when my lung problem was identified. Bit tricky running with part of one lung not working – rattly, uncomfortable and not at all efficient. Also missed out on joining EAMS in their ‘Willy Wonka and the Ooompa Loompahs’ dress up at the Belfast Marathon in April. Gutted. I love dress up in a run. I did get to dress up a bit at the excellent Rabbit Run in aid of the NI Children’s Hospice, organised by my much respected and good friend Martina. One of my favourite runs, that one is. Also proud to have been able to support some truly AMAZING folk at the Energia 24 hour Race in Belfast, too many to mention but shout out to Louise Smart, Tim ‘The Legend’ Redmond, Christine Murray, Oggie Winters and Helena Dornan. Run constantly for 24 hours. One circuit, just short of a mile long. Mentally and physically punishing beyond words.
Which leads me to my latest dress up. This one went to a whole new level. Never mind the Christmas pully at parkrun. Never mind the purple wig, or the superhero suit at the King of Gullion (steepest race anywhere – 1800 feet in 3 miles). Nope, this one was ‘different’. Never witnessed as many photo calls. Also never been subjected to such terminology as my big running buddy and guide Tim shared with me – well, he was wearing a similar outfit to mine. BUT, I hear you say… what did you wear? Where did you wear it? Prepare yourself. I accept no responsibility for the images that appear below, or any adverse affects they may have. We wore Hawaiian dancer outfits. No, not guys outfits. Girl’s outfits: skirt, flowery bra, flowery wristbands, lei, flower headband, and blonde wig – with pigtails. Britney had ‘her’ first outing at the ‘flat’ (no, it was NOT ‘flat’) Mourne Mini Marathon 10k organised by our friends at 26 Extreme, whose motto is ‘We don’t do easy’. Boy, they lived up to it. The allegedly ‘flat’ 10k started by going uphill. A long uphill. But why were we (and our cohorts Laura and Christine) dressed in hula outfits? The Mourne Mini is a ladies only race – and we ‘gatecrashed’ (though at the invite of the event sponsors, Active Financial). Tim and I were not the first to dress up as ‘ladies’, and I am sure we will not be the last. This year another intrepid chap also dressed up, rather sportingly in a lovely blue bra. Now some of the photos have surfaced, it is clear my enforced rest has allowed a few pounds to find a new home on my waistline – that is currently a work in progress and WILL be fixed in short order! This was my first race since the half marathon on my birthday, back in April, so I was not expecting too much. Quite pleased with a finish time of 1 hour 10 mins, which included short rest walks for me to sort my breathing and to allow Laura to rest her hip (an injury picked up running a half marathon some time ago). Great fun, and a lovely way to return to the race scene.
So what’s next? Well, I have Cookstown Half Marathon to look forward to this coming weekend (and that one is also not flat), a race that boasts a truly huge medal – looking forward to lifting one of those. Organised by another person I hold in great esteem, the excellent and very supportive Eamonn Sheehan, who actively promotes and encourages inclusive running – alongside this old blindy will be the lovely folks that make up Team McClean, who run with a Hoyt running chair.
Before that I have a final route check of the 10k route at Running Blind, the unique running event where participants run… blind. Yup, blind. Run in pairs, one in a blindfold, guided by a partner for one lap, then swap over for the second lap. Guide Dogs Northern Ireland are joining us this year with a family fun day and barbecue, and it promises to be a great day (as long as it doesn’t rain!). So grateful to the folks that have supported the journey to this event, especially Active Financial, Graham from Commercial Spare Parts in Portadown, and the many folk in the background who have assisted in so many ways. Special shout out to Courtney Smyth, a truly inspirational young lady who ran the Armagh 10k with me last year (also not flat) and who kindly agreed to feature on this year’s finisher’s medal. Courtney was my guide runner at Armagh, and has encouraged and supported an untold number of folks through the Couch to 5k programme. This year’s Running Blind medal is a fitting – and lasting – tribute to this very inspirational young lady.
You can find more info about Running Blind at our website: www.runningblind.org.uk
So now I am back on track, Monaghan 10 miler awaits on August 13th, and training for Dublin Marathon in October – one of the ‘bucket list’ races for me, especially as it ends at the park I played in as a child. This old boy is not down and out just yet – I am going to be completing my Ultra next year, come what may. My health has not been great the last few months, but remember… believe in yourself, magic will happen.
Catch you soon. Somewhere. Probably in running gear. Or supporting others on their running journey, no matter where, the distance they are running, or their ability.
Oh, before I go… wee shout out to my buddies Pádraigín and Patsy on the arrival of Rian Padraig on the 22nd July, weighing 9 pounds 10 ounces (I am still ‘old school). With superb running parent like his, I have no doubt he has great future potential!
Running blind... the musings of an old, blind runner 