I’m On The Comeback Trail….Again

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After two weeks out of action with a chest infection, I ventured back onto the roads again. I also lost three weeks over New Year with a virus so this really is my last chance at making the start line for the Belfast Marathon in early May. I’m already several weeks behind in my training programme so any more setbacks would realistically scupper my chances of being ready on time.

It was a beautiful morning, mild and dry with only a light breeze. I set out on a mostly flat 6.4 mile route which took me out of the village to the shores of Lough Neagh and then back again. I purposely set off at a slow pace as my target was to complete the run in one piece with no mishaps. There were no personal bests going to be set today. Such heroics can wait until I get a few more miles under my belt.

My only company on the outward journey was the occasional cyclist who whizzed past with a wave or greeting. Rural folk tend to always do this when we meet on the roads and there is a particular camaraderie between runners and cyclists. We are all in the one boat, using our spare time to exercise and enjoy the fresh air. City folk are less friendly, but I guess that is the same wherever you go.

At the turning point I stopped for a couple of moments to catch my breath. I was trialling a new smart watch Fionnuala bought me for Valentines Day and was still coming to terms with its various buttons and settings. It sure beat running with my phone, however, which I had been doing for several months in order to record my pace and mileage. In a way, it was liberating not to worry about mile splits and overall targets.

The return leg was slightly more uphill and I caught a stiffer breeze in several sections. I focused on keeping my legs and arms pumping and not stopping, no matter how tired I felt. Thankfully my stamina held out. I was slow but comfortable and my breathing was relaxed. There were no aches or niggles and as I entered the final mile I knew there were no concerns as to me making the distance.

I made the final turn towards the house and glanced at my watch to reveal a slow, but respectable, time given it was my first outing in a fortnight. I had risked running a bit further than I probably should but lived to tell the tale. The plan is to run again tomorrow provided there is no adverse reaction to today’s exertions. Another injury or illness is my worst nightmare. Here’s hoping it doesn’t happen.

Are you planning to get outdoors this weekend?

What are you up to?

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

52 thoughts on “I’m On The Comeback Trail….Again”

  2. Excellent first-trip back. Listen to your body and don’t let temporary exuberance lead you to down the path of slow return. A fresh coating of ice and snow are going to keep me inside today. I am hopeful that improvements in the weather will lead to a Sunday afternoon run.

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  3. We are definitely on similar training paths and it’s great to read that you are back pounding the streets again. :-). My calf injury seems months ago now, but I’ve not been out running. I’ve been having some massage to hopefully break up any knotty tissues. So, my plan is to go out tomorrow, though only for a short distance as I think I should build it up again slowly. Good luck with your run tomorrow, I shall be watching your progress with interest. 🙂

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  4. Loved reading about your marathon prep, and the Lord reminded me of this passage as I read….
    “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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  5. Well done you! I’m sorry you’ve been poorly, but sounds as though you’re on the mend. I’ve been sitting in a classroom all week so brain has been frazzled completely, so headed out for a long walk this morning to get some air. Please note ‘walk’ not ‘run’ …

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  7. Well done! I was going to go out and meet and mingle but the doctor has other plans. So today I get to go have a test to ensure no blood clots deep within my legs. So instead I will go shopping tomorrow. Yay!

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  9. It’s currently -3C here in my hometown. However it is Pokemon Go Community day so I plan to be outdoors walking for about three hours attempting to catch them all. I already completed my scheduled training runs for my marathon in April at the beginning of the week. On Thursday I was running outdoor and the temp was 19C. The weather in Missouri is insane! Hopefully your illness is gone. I ran a marathon once not properly trained and I wanted to off myself around mile 20. I was pretty sore for a couple days too! Not planning on doing that again!

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  10. I’ve started using my family’s treadmill for exercising. I’m not running yet, but I’m noticing that I’m feeling better than I was.

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  15. Good for you!!! Things are not well here. I was hoping to go out on the trails with my camera, but hubby is in hospital once again so….I hope your training goes well and you have no further setbacks.

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  16. I forgot to tell you, your blog is not showing up in my reader and I had to scroll back through mine to find the url for yours – are you still having issues with WordPress? I dislike this – I look forward to reading your posts.

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  17. I spent about 10 hour today grading papers for my class. I have about 40 more hours grading to do, so I’ll spend 10 hours each tomorrow and Monday (a holiday in the US) grading and be about half done. I did go out for a short 2km run during a break in the rain today, and I plan to do so again on Monday.

    I also have dreams of running a marathon, but my goal is to do it when I retire (about 2.5 years away). I tried gradually increasing my distance last summer after 40 years of not running, but managed to injure myself twice. During the school year, I’m just doing short 2km runs 3 times a week, not to get in shape, but to keep from getting in worse shape. I do also bicycle to work, which is a 3-mile ride each way with a 4% upslope in the morning and with a 4% slope to coast home in the evening.

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  18. Since we have more snow coming in today – and hazardous conditions outside I will be spending another weekend indoors. At my age I’m not into running like you but I do have a stationary bike I try to ride – especially when I can’t get outdoors. So ready for spring so I can start walking again.

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  19. We have a redwood forest not far from where I live, so I went to see that with some friends yesterday. It was so nice to get outside, even if we got rained on from time to time. I have realized that I need to be outside as much as possible – it makes for a much happier me. Way to go with your running – so glad you’re able to get back out there. Also, can I just say that I love that you say words like “scuppered?”

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