It’s three months since my ankle surgery and I am so excited to be starting to run again, albeit very slowly! It’s been a long, slow process getting to this stage and being cooped up indoors all day like a pet was starting to drive me stir-crazy.
In my first session I was only allowed to jog for seven minutes! To many, this wouldn't even count as a 'jog', but for me it was huge. Starting from the bottom is tough but in a way it's strangely exciting. It's a nice feeling each time I tie up my trainers and head for the great outdoors. Every day, I notice minor improvements; my breathing gets better, my legs become lighter. However, I am under no allusion regarding this journey, it's going to be a long, hard process.
I started jogging again on the anti-gravity treadmill two months post-surgery which has been invaluable to my progress so far. It allowed my body to go through the motions so to speak, although at a much safer, lower body weight than pounding the concrete streets. Before I started training I managed to get up to running 15-20 minutes at 90-95% of my body weight which allowed me to transfer to the great outdoors a bit more easily!
I have had to take almost a year out of the sport and many of those months have been impact-free so returning to the ground again is taking some getting used to! However, I am excited to get my teeth stuck into this new challenge. And it is most definitely a challenge! I would say this is easily the worst shape I have ever been in but again, it can only get better from here. I am very determined to regain fitness and that's a huge motivator.
The Olympics are next year so there's no time to dwell on the past. It's done, I need to remain in the present and keep focused, taking each day as it comes. Every decision I make now, is with Rio in mind. I cannot afford to make any mistakes, no matter how minor.
Everyone gets the same opportunity to make an Olympic team, unfortunately for me, that opportunity has been made a little more difficult after having been on the side lines for 10 months. I am still confident in my ability to get back out there and running again, I just don't know what shape I will be in when the qualification date arrives.
At the moment, I'm taking each small goal accomplished as a victory - no pain, walking again, Aqua jogging, cycling, running on an alter G treadmill and building from 60% to 90% of my body weight, and now finally running outside, on the ground! Every single one of these steps has been vital to my progress and mark small milestones along the way. Appreciating this allows me to celebrate the minor progress rather than worrying over the pressures of next year.
The surgeon has done his part and it's now up to me to determine my future.
