2021 - A Year in a Blog

For may people, 2021 looked as though it could offer a potential of a ‘post COVID’ lifestyle however January proved that perhaps COVID was a bigger obstacle then we initially thought. While this blog is certainly not focused on the large global pandemic, it has certainly influenced everyone’s sporting journey.

Q1 Jan - March

In August 2020, my partner and I moved to a new and beautiful home in the countryside, surrounded by fields and country roads - ideal for putting in big mileage.

January was a big start for me - a new home, a new programme and I had signed back up with my running coach Shelley. Like many people in January, things were going really well for my running, despite the national lockdown. As a secondary school teacher, I was teaching remotely, which required less preparation and marking than usual, so my lower workload enabled me to spend more time on running and rehab.

Moving into February, I really caught the bug and was averaging 40+ miles a week. My mileage was steadily increasing and I even finished the month on a horrific (but retrospectively enjoyable) 19 miler with my best friend, who decided to get us lost at every patch of mud (to which there was a lot).

My march was mostly tapering down for my 12-hour virtual Equinox challenge, where I managed to run 42 miles with from-home obstacles between each 5 mile loop (see Equinox challenge blog for more info). I was wrestling with an injury just a few weeks before so I was so happy to have finished my longest run to date.

Q2 April - June

As restrictions were lifted and events were opened up, I ran my fastest Half Marathon at the Dorney Lake event. Despite a big PB, it felt easy - as though I could push even harder. The week later, I was running the Jurassic coast HM and into May, I was back up running 40 mile weeks to prepare for the biggest event of the year - The Race to the King (RTTK)

While I was recovering between races, I started to really get into Wheelchair Racing on the running track. If I was waiting for my prosthetic to be fixed or an injury to settle, it was great to have the opportunity to pop on the track.

June came and I felt ready for the RTTK. Just days before, I was fitted with a new running blade to an existing socket, after asking for it to be serviced ready for the 56 mile event. As we started running, I felt really strong - as though my training had pushed me towards this event. However, just 8 miles into the event, my running blade unexpectedly broke, meaning that I had to run/walk/jog the following 48 miles. It wasn’t pretty but it was completed - the hardest challenge that I have ever completed.

Following on from the RTTK, it took several weeks for the blade to be fixed due to fitting issues.

Q3 July - September

As July hit, obstacles races had started so I ran the Nuclear event series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was my first obstacle race in about 18 months and I really enjoyed being part of the community yet again. Throughout July, I made the most of the open events - Tough Mudder’s and the ASICS London 10k event. Towards the end of July, my blade was still causing significant problems and I was struggling with an ingrown hair that just wouldn’t disappear.

August also was a month full of events, including my 75th Tough Mudder event weekend, which took place with 3 events over the two days. As I was running over 50 miles of obstacles that weekend, my blade unfortunately broke again. I can across a challenging choice to make - either risk the chance of permanent damage to my body and running blade and complete the full course or skip a section and finish it. I took the option to skip the sections with large amounts of walking to just focus on getting to the finish line safely.

As September hit, I was starting to get tired of events and unfortunately the community. Because of skipping part of my 75th Tough Mudder, there were members of the community who didn’t agree with my decision and therefore decided to separate from me, despite a strong 5 year friendship - I took this really very hard and started to really think about my place in the community. I finished off the season but was rifled with prosthetic and stump issues.

School started back in September and for once, I spent a lot of time teaching in my wheelchair. September was really about resting up and preparing for London Marathon, which I had kindly been given a space for by the charity LimbPower.

Q4 - October - Present

The first week of October hit and I wasn’t sure what my plan for that weekend’s Marathon was. Was I going to run it? Wheelchair it? Racing wheelchair it? Part wheelchair, part run it? My decision was made a few days before, when the ingrown hair that I had been struggling with for months decided to swell to the size of a marble. Because of this, I couldn’t stand in leg, leg alone run a marathon.

I ran the London Marathon in my wheelchair but had the most incredible time! Because I wasn’t worrying about a time or leg issues, I just really enjoyed the event itself - it was very emotional. I had so many positive comments from others and it was so inspiring to see everyone as I zoomed past for a 4-hour marathon. My hands and arms were battered but it’s definitely something that I would do again in a day wheelchair.

The last event of the season was The Great South Run, which I still wasn’t ready to run. Because of this, I organised to run it in my Racing Wheelchair - a real race where I was able to use my racing wheelchair…..it was so much fun! The other Racing Wheelchairs started right before the pro runners, which was such a fun experience - I can’t wait to do more races in my Racing Wheelchair!

Events died down and the last event on my list was Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon on the weekend before Christmas. By the time I had recovered from my ingrown hair, I had started to struggle with persistent colds which lasted over 6 weeks, perhaps linked to going back to teaching in September and both a low mood and physical condition. When I could train again, I felt as though I was starting from the beginning again. I started to feel ready for the HM but unfortunately caught COVID, which brings us to today’s date, where I have just 3 more days of isolation before Christmas.

Summary

This year has been quite a strange one. The promising start to the year has really shown me what my body and mind is able to achieve. With my current COVID situation, I am finding that I am very breathless but I am hopeful that by the new year, I will be able to run without too much worry. In terms of events next year, I have a few exciting ones booked and there is an exciting Para Spartan race on the horizon as well as another opportunity that i’ll keep you waiting for…..for now…..keep your eyes peeled!

I have really learnt the importance of looking after my own mental health and surrounding myself with friends who are there for you and for speaking out when things are pretty challenging.

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year - I’m excited to see what everyone is able to achieve in 2022.