Well, I'm back! It's been many weeks since my last blog post but upon the suggestion of my Son I will attempt to put into words the things that have happened since my last communication.
The truth is that post operative complications put my running aside as I had to spend my energies getting well and awaiting the result of a biopsy which was taken several weeks after my operation. The biopsy has shown that the tumour had been successfully removed and that there was no residual abnormal cells left behind. I have to have another Cystoscopy at the end of November and the at 6 monthly intervals to make sure there are no changes to the bladder wall.
Meanwhile since the middle of September I have been getting on with my life and particularly my running.
Taking the first steps was hard as the general fitness I had achieved had all but disappeared and it was almost like starting all over again. Luckily I have kept some notes on training as memory wouldn't be accurate enough!
For the first week or so the daily schedule was walking with the odd short burst of slow jogging. With me getting into oxygen debt almost immediately this left me feeling somewhat down.My persistence eventually paid off though as the recording of my training/racing since that time will attest.
Wednesday 19th Sept 3 kilometre jog.....19 minutes
Thursday 20th 3 k 18.05
Saturday 22nd 4 k 26.53
Friday 5th Oct 2 k 10.27
Monday 8th 3 k 17.02
Wed 10th 5 k 29.08
Friday 12th 3 k easy
Sunday 14th 5 K race (WAMC) time 26.52 & 103rd from 293 athletes. first in age group (60)
Tuesday 16th 7 k Easy jog as it's been many years since running that distance!
Thursday 18th 6.3 k easy paced
Sunday 21st 5 k race (WA Masters) with a time of 25.40
My rapid improvement has been way beyond my expectations as I was being hopeful of a time around 27.30 by Christmas I'm almost two minutes quicker than that already!
My average times for 5,000 metres when I was in my late 20's was 17.15 with a PB of 15.40 It's taken a while for me to come to terms with the fact that I'll never be that fast again. Joining the WA Masters Athletic Club where one competes with athletes of a similar age has helped me separate then (1970's) and NOW.
Next week I will be competing in my first track race for 32 years when I step up to the starting line for a 3,000 metres. Later in the year and beyond I hope to be able to re- live old times again and front up for that most gruelling race of all, the steeplechase. All this is providing I keep my health, and that's not for me to decide, unfortunately.
Stay Safe..
