Sunday 10th February - Week 4 - Back On Track..

Hello Followers!

So, we are now into week 4, this was a big week for me as i had the all important appointment with the Shoulder Specialist on Friday which would hopefully be where good news would be delivered about my road to recovery.

The week has been a little mixed, 3 great gym sessions - Cross trainer one handed, bike and stepper can all be great ways of racking up good amounts of time and distance without too much 'bounce' on the shoulder. These workouts, combined with some simple leg work (weights and circuit style) gave me the confidence and good feeling needed to remind my self what needed to be done long term to not only recover but get a shift on with my Ironman Schedule.

On Wednesday, on route home from the gym, i was able to give a short jog a go:
http://app.strava.com/activities/39947932

Funnily enough, it actually worked out one of my quickest pace:KM since using STRAVA to log my runs/rides! Not too uncomfortable too but needed a sling to stop my shoulder bouncing.

As i said, its been a mixed week as with every gym session and feeling of 'right, im back on this now' has been followed by a downer such as ordering Dominoes, or going for a meal out.
Its a tough one for me as in the past, all of the training and working out has really been to not only keep me fit but to allow me to eat what i want, when i want! I love food and unfortunately dont have a great natural metabolism, if i dont exercise i put on weight! FAST!

I think, when you are at work and occupied too you dont think about eating so much crap, but being at home, always needed to 'pop to the shop for biscuits' or getting a 'Greg's' for lunch is sooo easy!

Friday rolled in and the appointment with the specialist loomed, would i need the op or not?
Basically, if a 1 was a sprain and easy to fix and a 6 was a total smashed sholder and also easy to know what to do, my shoulder was in the 3 area  and NO ONE knows what to do with them! Can they heal on their own or do you operate! there are risks and benegits with both options and my guy decided to go with the physio and rehab route - but no promises that somewhere down the line it may need operating.....fingers crossed, if it does, after the 8th September!

So, armed with the knowledge that i now have a date for physio where i will be given a range of exercises for it to stop the muscle wasting away, the confirmation that i am ok to do 'non load bearing' cardio work and the great donation made by Dan Rhodes this weekend i was ready to go home and form a plan for my ongoing training.

This will consist of an early am jog - increasing in distance and time as my shoulder heals and then more high output interval training on the machines in the gym in the evenings 3 times a week, plus the leg and core weights i have been able to do too.

In the rain and the cold i was out this morning, not a huge distance or time but with my home made arm rest i was out....it felt sooooo good!

http://app.strava.com/activities/40386240

I have not stopped being amazed by the support and donations i have received from the very off! It has been great that throughout all of this i have not been a week yet without donation!

Thank you all and here is to a new week! Catch me if you can!

Sunday 2nd February - Week 3 - No Pain, No Gain

Hello Followers-

Week 3 is upon us all, by now id be hoping to report on runs of over 15km, rides of near 60km and some pretty hefty pool sessions too - BUT - as you know, thats kind of on hold at the moment.

Its been a funny old week, i have had many intentions of getting to the gym but even the few power walks i have undertaken are still causing my shoulder somewhat of a dull ache!

I know i should take the advice and fully rest but it is starting to drive me insane.

There is not a huge amount to report on to be honest, the swelling has gone down, the bone is well and truly still sticking out of my shoulder and i just cant wait to find out what the specialist has up her sleeve to get this mended.
On thursday i took the decision to quite the painkillers (a concoction of Ibuprofen and some kind of codine, paracetamol mix) which has resulted in me feeling a little better mentally but quite sore, although i must say that long periods of taking ibuprofen do bung you up! owch! (too much info maybe??!)

On the plus side - it is great to see that not all hope is lost, a GREAT cash donation made by Richard O'Driscoll at Aquatic World in Cardiff has helped me to realise that people have not given up on me or started to ask for money back!

This week promises to be more upbeat and in my next blog i hope to report something more interesting!

A few people have asked - What happens if i cant do it? What will happen to the money? Can i wait until your mended to decide to donate?

Answer: I will be ready!
If i am not for some drastic turn of events (like another shoulder injury a week before) then i will look to put the money raised (if funders are happy too) towards a similar challenge that i could do - for example  if i cant swim anymore i will do the Lands End to John O Groats Challenge on my bike then however many days it takes me to cycle ill run a half marathon that many days in a row! (thats an example by the way!)

Anyways, keep sending me your positive energy and ill be back up and running in no time!