Le Petit Jog

Waiting, then testing my knee out after a further two weeks off running felt like the right thing to do.  But the half mile jog from the car park down to parkrun start told me otherwise and more time was needed.  That's OK. Frustrating as it is, one thing I have learnt about running (and I need to keep telling myself) is to be patient. Listen to your body and come back slowly from injury.   Fast forward another 10 days and I'm doing a GP surgery.  I'm always conscious when I'm running late that patients are waiting.  But sometimes, some patients need more time, and thankfully most who are waiting are understanding.  Again, one thing I've learnt doing medicine is being patient - never let haste get the better of good clinical decision making.   So, I'm running late but I can't find the next patient who my computer is telling me has been here for some time. I'm in my clinic room downstairs. They must be in the other waiting area upstairs....

There's been lots happening. Forget the knee for now.  Various ducks are being lined up and the grander plan is coming together nicely.    'Who are you fundraising for?' people ask.  'You can't do this and not fundraise', they say.  Well, I'm doing it for two charities with the hope to build some momentum up to the big event.  More on the other charity in a future blog. I want to focus on this one for now: Claro Enterprises Claro Enterprises is a fantastic charity that was set up by local farmer Chris Brown, to get people with mental health illnesses into a work environment to improve their mental (and physical) health. It operates as a commercial workshop making goods for businesses, which enables those with long term mental health conditions, to function in a voluntary real work environment.  This holistic approach to health is right up my public health street.  Chris is an inspiration to many - a member of my running club, parkrunne...

My knee is improving.  Too much strain on my medial collateral ligament from doing some lunges with weights incorrectly,  twisting my knee inwards, the physio tells me.  Exercises; rest from running; and some cycling for aerobic training.  My mind wanders as I cycle up How Hill, towering above Fountains Abbey. I'm in train with a buzzard again. Has it followed me from Shropshire? It's a sign! I haven't even written, never mind started my LEJOG running specific training though yet. 4 weeks since I pressed GO.  I'm not doing very well am I? The clock at the bottom of this page is counting down.  Tick. Tock.  15 months seems like an age but it will be over in a flash.  I have to use the time effectively to have any chance of succeeding.   But Procrastination is my middle name.  I'm reminded of how I wrongly used to try and convince myself that the act of buying a revision book would give me the knowledge to pass an exam....