Not literally, in fact I’d prefer if I was so busy I’d no time to myself but I have had time to reflect on where I am right now and to be honest, things aren’t all that bad! Its mental as in, I’m in control.

We’re about 10 days on after the operation and I promised that I’d keep things going on the blog. Again, its more to keep me focuses but I do have to say thanks to everyone for the kind words after last weeks post. There is nothing like feeling the love to keep ones spirits high.

I’ve tried to stay positive. Sometimes it feels a bit forced but I do think it is important to continually look for a silver lining or bright side to every situation. I truly believe that there is an opportunity to learn from everything that happens to us, it is just up to each individual to interpret circumstances. Sure, I’ve had it rough but my circumstances pale into insignificance compared to what other go through on a daily basis and ultimately it’s not what hits us that defines us, it’s how we deal with what hits us.

In my case, given I’m not training for a while leaves me with time each day that I would have been in the pool, out for a run or on the bike – There’s an opportunity now to fill that time with something I’ve long wanted to do but been too scared to take on and that’s go back to college. I’ve enrolled on a part time certificate course in Sports Psychology, which is a discipline that I’m really interested to earn about. I can take information from the course and apply it to many different areas of my life, work, personal sporting arena and if I can use what I learn to help others then that’s a benefit too. If I can’t train my body, then I’m certainly going to train the mind. The last exam I completed successfully was the Leaving Certificate, so EEEK!!

In other news, injury wise there is not much to report. The scar is healing well and I’m certainly recovering pain wise, though I have no doubt the 10 tablets a day I still take are doing their job! I sill have little or no feeling in my lower right leg and there is no improvement in gaining any control of the foot.

There is something going on with the scar though, I have some fluid discharge that is a little concerning. Ive been to see the GP who has called the surgeon, lets wait & see how that pans out. They’re the experts!

But you know what, I’m not in any position to complain really. There are others in far more serious positions than me. I can bring the dog to the park, I’ll soon be allowed swim again and as time progresses the prognosis for recovery gets better so really there is no point in wallowing in negative thoughts, there is always something positive on the horizon and that’s what we should all strive to aim for.

Event wise, I am still bitterly disappointed in missing out on things like the Gread Dublin Bike Ride, The Dublin Marathon and of course the New York Marathon. There is no getting away from the fact that I wanted to do these events and now I can’t. As I mentioned last week I had set a few goals to work with these races and I’m sticking to these goals. I’m keeping a food diary to assist with losing weight. Losing weight without exercising is no easy task but keeping a note of everything certainly does focus the mind. I’ll admit that my efforts in the first week may have been ‘lax’ but there’s no point in getting to November and wishing I had started now, so there really is no tomorrow, just get the ass in gear and get on with things now.

I’m going to presume that my Physio isn’t reading this so I can safely say that I still harbour a glimmer of hope that I can at least walk the 42k in New York, but what shape I hit the start line is in my own hands. No one else controls this except me so there is no opportunity for excuses.

Finally I’m getting back to reading again, too much time in front of the TV does no one any good and If I can sit down and absorb a couple of chapters and learn from others I’m going to do that. Currently I’ve finished an autobiography of Chrissie Wellington, a multi World Championship winning triathlete. Bottom line from Chrissie is keep smiling, don’t let your competitors see your weakness, let them get worried wondering why your smiling all the time. I’m also reading all of Gerry Duffys books again, all three of them – His first, Who Dares Runs is still my go to book for a quick chapter and I can remember the interview on Newstalk that introduced me to the man that ran 32 marathons in 32 days. That interview has had a lasting impression on me from before my time on OT. Ultimately, Gerry teaches that with mental and physical training along with strong personal belief, anything is possible. Finally I’m giving ‘Born to Run’ a go again, It’s as difficult this time around as when I first picked it up but everyone says it’s a great book so lets give it another shot! If you’ve any sporting or motivational book recommendations then let me know in the comments below!

That’s it, hope I haven’t bored you and talk to you. next week!