I wrote back in January about being a little despondent about where I was with my training and fitness, injuries were getting me down and I wasn’t really getting anywhere.

I was injured, then I wasn’t then I was injured again. it was very frustrating but I was continually working with my physio and trainers in the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry towards getting stuff done, no matter what was working or not at the time. Their key advice is to come out of an injury stronger than you went into it.

I’ve been swimming, I’ve been doing a lot of S&C (Strength & Conditioning – weights to most of us!) and I’ve seen a big change in my body shape, strength and a little weight loss too.

Way back last year I had set a goal to run in the Malta half marathon as my return race but with the recent achilles injury was advised against it, better to get 100% fit and wait, than race at 90% and lose the rest of the season. Well, as many of you know, I like to take the advice of others onboard….

Off to Malta we went (thanks Liam & Nina!) and I was 99% certain I wasn’t going to run, but once we arrived, the bug bit again and I started to think, maybe I could do it! Looking back, I brought my full race gear, it was always in the back of my mind that I was going to compete! Decision made, the draw of another medal was too strong and off I set at the back of the 3500 strong contingent, fully convinced on walking the thing. Probably.

It got a bit crowded, so I decided to jog a bit out of the crush, I felt good and it was mainly downhill so I kept going, a couple of walk breaks later and I crossed the line in 2:38 – miles outside a PB, but considering I hadn’t run an inch in the last 9months or so, I think I’d call that a result! One thing I noticed was that with no watch, no planned pace, no goals, this was one of the most enjoyable runs I have done – just get up and run for the sake of it – I’ll do that again.

I was pretty sore afterwards, I was worried I’d done more damage to the achilles but nearly a week later, its all good I feel strong & ready to go again.

Those who know me will know that I find it easy to pass on advice, sometimes where its not required! but having given two talks last week on my story & goals, it is time to take some of my medicine, time to set some goals and move forward again, knuckle down, work hard and I might even enter a race or two!

Thanks to the lads in the Sports Surgery Clinic for getting me to this point, especially @LeoTiernan for kicking my ass over the weights and my physio Barry for patiently keeping my body close to working at full strength. Theres a lot more to do but we’re getting there now.

I’d also like to commend Maureen on running her 4th (5th?) half marathon, she trained hard and sensibly when under a lot of pressure at work and finishing at just under 1:56 got another PB for the half. well done, you’re putting me to shame!