A month to go

With a month to go, I thought it was high time I updated the blog properly. Have got such a slow laptop I can never face it. I can do it on the iPad but can't load up photos and that's half the fun.

The cold from hell is now (touch wood) on the way out. It was a horrible one. Not bad enough to force me to take to my bed (although probably would have recovered quicker if I had) but still a nasty lingerer with a cough to rival that of a 6O-a-day smoker.

As I mentioned in my quick update, I had 4 rest days and then couldn't stand the guilt so got back on the horse last Friday. On the Saturday, I cut the planned 2.5 hour run down as I really wasn't that well but still managed 9 miles in a reasonable time. Paid for it on Sunday, however, when I went out on the Kingfisher ride. Just didn't have anything in my legs and, as most have or are training for Sprint and Olympic, I found the pace really hard-going. Didn't get dropped but just struggled. Rather than carry on with the extra couple of hours afterwards, I decided to call it a day and go home : (

This week was a bit of an improvement and even managed a swim which has been pretty neglected in the last couple of weeks. Have done quite a lot of turboing as Chris has been away and even dusted off the treadmill on Friday to do a brick. Brought back memories of last Winter and the garage wall, which became such a focal point back then, still looked exactly the same. As I was running, I started to think about life after Ironman. Have so many jobs that have been neglected in the last 15 months and the major one is sorting out the garage. We'd give Steptoe a run for his money at the moment!

Did longest run of the training programme today. 16.5 miles. Was OK although cold still hanging around a bit and I couldn't carry enough liquid or gels so the last hour was pretty grim.

Spend a lot of the time worrying that I haven't done enough training and today was no exception. In fact, seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about 4 weeks tomorrow. Part of me can't wait to get on with it but part of me gets engulfed in fear of the unknown. Have even started dreaming about it now and usually it's something like missing the start or something.

I picked up Don Fink this week to start looking at checklists etc and happened upon a page about fear. Think it's pretty apt this week. It basically said that there are only 2 types of fear: fear of death/injury and fear of embarrassment. I thought about it and there's nothing I can do about the first one. If it happens, it happens. For the second one, there isn't really any need to fear the embarrassment. Succeed or fail on 28 November, this journey has been a very positive experience in so many ways and my family and friends and especially my little girl will be proud of me, whatever happens.



Right, need to get my weary legs to bed. Not only did I run 16+ miles today but have spent all evening going up and down stairs putting Dora back in her big girl's bed!

Fine Lines

Just a quick one tonight. The last two weeks have proved that there tend to be fine lines in life. Especially the ones between preparedness and complacency and, energy and tiredness and biggest of all, fitness and illness (which I should have learned after the accident). Week 24 was a solid week and was feeling so good after my 70 mile ride that I actually started to feel excited about the race and start visualising race week, the race itself and the finish. I said to myself that all I needed was to stay illness- and injury- free. Clearly I hadn't bargained for the early onset of what I think could be a harsh Winter. Woke up on Monday morning with a tickle in the back of my throat and, by the evening, had a full-blown cold and chest infection. This week have had 3 unscheduled rest days and have been suffering. Rubbish timing. But, picking myself back up now and got back on the turbo tonight. 4 days of rest isn't the end of the world and better to get the cold done and out the way, I guess but still a pain and just hope it doesn't set my fitness back too much. Family all heading out to Coz to support me now so even more important that I make a good account of myself and put on a good show!

Envy

Feels good only having to update a couple of days' training. Had a good ride on Saturday all round the pretty Northamptonshire villages with Chris, Paul and Alice. We had been promised an Indian Summer but despite leaving at 11 and stopping for a while for a cream tea (clearly not into race simulation just yet!), the sun didn't appear once. In fact, it was pretty damp and gloomy. Did some cheeky hills here and there and think we did about 50 miles although difficult to tell as forgot to restart the Garmin at one point. Timewise, did an hour less than was on the programme for the week but I don't care. I'd sooner go out with friends for a shorter and suffer on the day, than spend 5 hours scared about cars not seeing me. I'm very lucky to have such supportive friends and family - while we were out, Mum and her friend, Marval, looked after Dora (and Gregor and Gabriel who were there too) and got back to a nice big slap-up dinner and X Factor (much to Chris's chagrin) and following the Ironman World Champs in Kona on the web/Twitter. Macca and Rinsta are just awesome. How quick were their run splits off the bike??? Both sub 3 and Mirinda sub 9 in 100 degree heat and serious crosswinds?! Also great race by Julie Dibens and our old team mate, Stu Anderson (who works full-time and put in. 9.17 and first GB age grouper performance). Had serious Kona envy. Never really occurred to me before as it's so out of my reach but how fabulous it must be to be caught up in that atmosphere.

Sunday, we travelled back home. Quick unpack and then it was out for the long run and finally the Indian Summer rocked up. Chris and Dora went on the bike and I ran and kept catching them up when they were feeding the ducks. Did about 12 miles in the end and in that heat, suffered a bit on the dehydration front. Going to have to get that cracked before Cozumel. Cannot afford to throw it away on the basics.

And so, to today and the other bit of my 'envy'. So, I've been thinking about pros a bit and how fantastic their lifestyles must be (as well as tough, emotional and frustrating at times). But pain and hard work aside, I bet their rest days do what it says on the tin. Mine started today at 5.30am, involved a nursery run, spent most of the day writing a speech and a PowerPoint for one of my bosses, did the weekly shop, cooked dinner, put Dora to bed, did washing and ironing and am now sitting down absolutely dog tired. Rest? What's that?

Hey ho. time to stop moaning, get to bed and get ready to start the merry-go-round again tomorrow. : )


Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Milestones

Can't believe I haven't updated the blog for 2 weeks. Seriously slack at this and with only 7 weeks till race day (keeping everything crossed, of course), I better get recording the journey again!

Recovered really quickly from the 94 miler. Next day was a rest day but carried on as normal on Tuesday and the only side-effect was insatiable hunger like I've never known before. I literally turned overnight into a human dustbin. The rest of the working week was pretty unremarkable and then, Saturday, we rode in shifts - boys first and then girls. Even though the boys got the nice weather (and we got a 3 hour deluge), they turned up with nasty road rash after Chris hit a rock at 35mph and Paul crashed into a hedge. Not good. Alice and I, despite the weather and ending up on lots of main roads, had a pretty solid ride.

On Sunday, I decided to try and re-enact a stage of the Green Belt Relay. Chris and Dora went shopping and I said I'd run along the towpath to meet them. Well, clearly I should have studied the map a touch more closely as I took a total wrong turn, ended up in waterlogged fields, dead ends and deep, dark woods. Oh and it rained from the moment I stepped out the front door until a soggy 2 odd hours later when Chris and Dora finally found me! Oh well, at least I got the miles in after worrying that I wasn't doing enough long runs.

The big highlight of the weekend though was passing one important milestone.....the point of the training plan I got to with Austria.

So, moving into this week and virgin territory, so far it's been good. However, I can tell by my increasingly short fuse, general weariness and rattiness and piles and piles of unironed clothes, that the Peak Phase is here with a vengeance. But, the other milestone of this week, the 50 days-to-go mark (today!) means that the taper is edging ever-closer.

Booked the hotel in Playa del Carmen this week too and am already jealous of Chris and Dora who'll be able to take advantage of the all-inclusive, 3-pool hotel while I wander around with my stomach in my mouth! Talking of Dora, she's been perfecting her "IRONMAN" clarion call this week. Think people back in Blighty will be able to hear her.

Right, to bed before a big ride tomorrow in Northamptonshire.

Back with Team Austria + 1

What to say about Week 21? Well, for a start, it was the longest weekly hour total since this project began. 13 hours 27 and with a killer week at work. Very pleased with that, particularly in Week 1 of the Peak Phase.

Did Tuesday's hour run on the treadmill which sounds boring but which was fine with my new audiobook to keep me company (bought to meet book club deadline which I still managed not to meet or attend).

Wednesday ran at lunchtime with my friend Kate who'd done her first Sprint Tri at the weekend and has become yet another convert! That night was swimming with the tri cub which was great....apart from the Victorian backstroke in the warm down which you can keep!

Thursday after I'd missed book club and finished work, it was a late night turbo session (bet the neighbours are seriously beginning to hate me) and Friday night did long swim whilst most (sane) people were probably down the pub or on the sofa!

On Saturday morning I got up early for my long run. Was a chilly but beautiful, cloudless September morning and did about 11 miles in 1.5 hours.

And then, there was Sunday! We went over to Essex on Saturday and had a lovely dinner with Jona and Susan. Then the next morning, Jona, Chris, Alice, Paul and I headed off to the 'Autumn Leaves' cycling sportive (while Susan, bless her, stayed at home looking after the girls). All were slightly daunted by the 'challenging' description in the race details but weren't aware they were referring to the weather! Just getting into the car to get there I had 5 layers on and by the end, make that 7!

We started slightly later as Jona had forgotten his helmet and shoes (!) but set out in trepidation. The ride was spectacularly organised with signposts all the time but it was so windy and the showers kept coming as did the rolling hills! We reached the first feed station after 2.5 hours and began to realise it could be a long day! Plugged away until the next one at mile 63 and then the weather really set in. It was hammering with rain so much that you felt like you needed wipers on your glasses and every time I squeezed the brake, water poured out my gloves. Poor Paul got a puncture about about mile 70 so Jona, Alice and I pushed on desperate to get to the end (and a cup of tea) while Chris stayed to help.

Finally, 7.24 hours after starting we all finished together having clocked 94.2 miles. Was an amazing feeling as my longest previous ride EVER was 56 miles. Despite the elements, was nowhere near as bad as I'd feared and we had lots of laughs along the way. I'm so grateful that all of them turned out in that weather to help me conquer my first Century (almost) Ride which has given me so much confidence about my ability. Chris wins 'legend of the day' award though for riding the thing on a fixed wheel with panniers having not ridden properly since last Winter! Nutter. Photos to follow but awesome end to a great week.



Edited to say: so lovely when we got back to Jona and Susan's. Dora came up to us all calling us 'Ironman', even me! One day, baby.

I hope.

Weeks 18-20

Been a while since a post but life's been hectic. Have still been on a bit of a rollercoaster as far as Ironman training has been concerned. Seem to either be on a real high or a real downer.

So the highlight of Week 18 was probably the 3.8k swim race. It was a 2 and a bit lap swim, all in the water but I did it in 1.10 which I'm more than happy with. It was slightly longer than the Thames Swim a few weeks ago and is the exact IM swim distance. Managed to do it in race mode too which I've never normally done in the swim but held off 2 girls and beat another on the run to the finish so that was good.

Week 19 was then a little bit hit and miss as we went away to Dublin for a long weekend. Managed to run over there


and also use a great gym which had an indoor running track overlooking Dublin Bay but no long ride that week.

Week 20 has been a lot more consistent. Have done pretty much all I'm supposed to with the exception perhaps of the swim. Open water is sort of closing down and I couldn't make the club swim this week. Did my long ride yesterday and had to cut it slightly short to get home so made up the shortfall on the turbo whilst watching X Factor so pretty impressed with the discipline there.

So, 70 days left to push. Still petrified on the roads it's fair to say but just need to keep my wits about me and keep thinking that I'm so nearly there.

The Slog

It's no secret that IM training 2nd time round with no race buddies has made the path harder to travel but probably the radio silence indicates another period of slog. Have been a bit more positive as had a decent race at Eton (more of that in a bit) and have seen a sudden running improvement. But, with the weather prematurely Autumnal, a few near misses on the bike and interminable saddle sore, I've had a few moments of wanting to throw in the towel. Rational me says I've come this far and therefore have to keep going; irrational me says it's only a race and is the world really going to end if I bail?

However, I'm a stubborn bugger and something inside my brain keeps telling me it'll all be worth so much more if I keeping pushing those little voices in my head away for another 87 days. After all, that is almost exactly the amount of time since my operation and that seems like yesterday.

So, the slog continues!

The race at Eton was supposed to lay demons to rest as I mentioned and all was going really well. Was really relaxed and no real pre-race nerves to speak of. Had a good swim even though they put us in the water and made us wait too long so I was freezing when I started. But, made a reasonable account of myself and was chuffed to be cheered by Dora and Chris and my friend from work, Louise, as I entered T1.

Pretty quick transition (for me) and then onto the bike for an 8-lap course (yawn). Despite the head winds, felt pretty good for the first 3 laps and was down on the newly-installed aero bars.


But suddenly the problem I had in the previous Eton race reappeared and a numbness started to radiate in glutes and quads. By lap 5, I was down at at average speed of about 11-12 mph and could see my predicted time (I wanted sub 1.25) slipping away. I didn't give up and limped round in about 1.36 so knew I had a lot to do on the run.
After a few expletives in T2, I headed out to hound down a few places and a sub-3 hour time and felt pretty good straight away. Could also tell by my heart rate that I was working pretty hard.



Was buoyed by a big cheer by the now-expanded support team and dug in to take back about 15 places in all.

Splits in the end:
Swim (1500m): 27.35
T1: 1.58
Bike (40k): 1.36.39
T2: 1.18
Run (10k): 48.39
TOTAL: 2.56.12
Position: 13 (out of about 40 odd probably).

Felt whacked after the race for a couple of days (must be my age!) but the rest of week 17 was ok. Did a brick at the gym on Thursday, followed immediately by a long swim. Also had a very pacy run on Friday and at the weekend rode twice (saddle sore cutting the first attempt a bit short) and another run.

On the up

I hesitate to say that as they say pride comes before a fall and I don't want any more of those! But, this week so far has been a better one than the last 5. Had a couple of rest days due to monster hangover from Alice and Paul's wedding and just generally feeling like I needed to rest. So, when Tuesday came and it was time to run, I went out expecting to make heavy weather of it. Whether it was due to the rest, the carbs or the Pimms, I don't know but suddenly I felt like I could run again!! Did an hour and every mile was in sub-9 minute mile pace which is the first time since the accident. Felt brilliant.

The next night was tri club and my swimming there has been poor to say the least during the last few weeks and very soul-destroying. Although I faded a bit towards the end, I kept up pretty well for most of it and even did a stint not at the back of the lane!

Last night I then did a turbo session and put my aero bars on to get used to them as I'll need them on the day. Was going at a nice pace and felt really strong.



Am a bit tired today though but fortunately it's light training today as am doing an Olympic tri tomorrow so need to conserve energy. The last time I did an Olympic tri at Eton, I went numb from the waist down on the bike and had to pull out. My first and hopefully only DNF. So, I have a score to settle.....

I love my Garmin

My Garmin has always been brilliant but it's even better now I have the heart rate strap to go with it. Pretty geeky but it means I can sit and marvel at my stats for hours on end should I choose to! What it's telling me today is that, since Tuesday this week, I've done 7.5 hours of training. What's even cooler though is that, as it is a GPS and as I also now have a speedo on my back wheel for turboing, my gadgets are conspiring to tell me that I've done a total of 91 miles of training this week..... in 7.5 hours. Wicked!

Good ride this morning with my friend and multiple Ironman, Jenny. Awful, awful saddle sore but so nice to be riding with someone, particularly of her pedigree.

Guess who's back?

Being nagged to update the blog. It was such an important part of the Austria training and made the whole project feel like it had a plan and ongoing checkpoints. I suppose that brings me to where I am today. I entered Cozumel while still riding on the wave of watching IM Austria and still really fired up. What's happened since, I'm not sure. I've been training and even racing but my heart's been in the wrong place.  Whether it's because it's just me on my own doing the race or whether down to some frustrations about my fitness levels post-surgery, it's hard to tell.

But, I'm working on turning the juggernaut around. Reading some motivational stuff (new mantra: I can. I will. I must) and making myself get out of bed even when the will isn't there.

It's not all been bad news. Did a 2.2 mile swim a couple of weeks ago from Hampton Court to Kingston Bridge. It took me 1.12 which I've got to be happy with 8 weeks after surgery. Not only is it a reasonable time (I was in top half of the field) but it is virtually the Ironman distance and the longest swim I've ever done.

Have also got a nicely spruced-up bike to ride which is lovely. It turns out it had cracked forks from the accident as well as cracked handlebars from some muppet putting the stem on wrong. So, in actual fact, the bike not falling apart during some nice downhill section during the last 4 years proves that I'm not completely luckless.

Week 15 of the training programme and the 'half-way point' and nearly at 100 days to go. Got to carry on recognising I'm in a rut and just pushing through.

I can. I will. I must.

Winning

Well, seem to be winning (or at least overcoming) in the fear stakes as went out riding last Friday and Saturday. Friday I've already recorded and Saturday was mainly based in Richmond Park which isn't traffic-free but isn't quite as scary as the open, unpredictable roads. Went with a colleague from work who I'm sure I slowed down massively but the time flew with company.

Then on Sunday went to Liquid Leisure with Jo - who is fast becoming an awesome triathlete - early doors and managed about 2k open water. Am still way off-form but shoulder didn't hurt so all good. Came back, quick change and back out to Kempton Park for the Race for Life. I was doing it with my NCT girls and some were walking and some were running. I had planned to take it quite easy as shins still slightly iffy. But, I realised that I hadn't done a 5k in a while and wanted to see what I could do so once we got over the start line, I decided to try and give it my all. Worked really hard and was properly anaerobic for most of it. Ended up in the top ten! OK so R4L doesn't record times and it's only for fun and a good cause but it made me realise that I would love to win races and that competitive element of my personality is probably what keeps driving me. It would be so amazing to be in the places or on a podium one day. Whether it will happen or not is very much down to whether I have enough in-built talent (which I question) but, as so many others have proved, what's just as important is attitude, the right preparation, motivation and enjoyment.

Did a turbo session last night which was really hard. What was nice about it though was that it was in the garden on a Summer evening. So so much nicer than garage in the dead of Winter. Something to be said for Winter triathlons (although maybe ask me again when the Autumn winds and rain are driving me mad....).

Bite 2 of the Cherry

OK so I've kept this a bit quiet so far as I came to terms with my decision but, on Friday 9th July, I entered Ironman Cozumel (Mexico) which is on 28 November. After the very public rise and fall of the last Ironman attempt, I was going to bin the blog and stay low key. The reason: a lot is at stake with thousands spent just logistically getting me to the start line. I'm still unsure as to what I'm doing but I know I won't rest unless I give it a go either. And I need the blog to help get me there.

Ironman Austria was both humbling, gutting and inspiring - all in equal measure. I think Paul summed it up by saying "it's a flippin long way, mate". I wasn't in a good place mentally at all times but handled it as best I could and, despite taking most of my kit with me, managed to stop myself throwing caution to the wind! Ironman deserves the utmost respect and rocking up with an unhealed collarbone, having missed 8 weeks of training, would have made mincemeat of me.

Cozumel feels weird. Still trying to regain fitness, still get a bit sore especially when running and have freaked myself by hearing about the 'Kona-like' winds. But it's done. Entry and flights and hotels paid for. Gulp.

This week's been OK. Was at a work conference at the beginning of the week but managed to get in the pool for a slightly more comfortable swim than the previous week. Also went running with my colleague, Matt, the next morning (felt it in the afternoon after lunch!). Wednesday was a double-header. Brick session in the morning with the turbo set by Chris again and then a 15 min run where I realised just how sore my shins were (eek). That evening braved it back down at tri club for the swim. Have lost a LOT of fitness which I already kind of knew but the shoulder did feel slightly easier.

Then on Thurs, an unscheduled rest day which I hate. But, the day ran away with me, we had a new fridge delivered and my Daddy came to stay.

Got up at 5 this morning to go riding though so hopefully made up for it in some way. Worked hard with efforts etc. Shattered tonight though.

8 months to build it up; 2 to lose it.

This week has been a toughie training-wise. As I've been given the green light, I've jumped back in where I left off but it's clear I've lost quite a bit of ground. Chris set me a turbo session on Thursday night and, jeez, my heart was virtually jumping out of my chest on the 'hard hills' (out the saddle for 3 x 5 mins) and the 'power revs'! Somehow got through it but never been so sweaty. Slept well that night!

On Friday ran our tried and tested 4-mile loop and managed to take off over a minute from the last time I did it 2 weeks ago so chuffed about that. Not quite so chuffed about my hour run today though. Admittedly, I had a busy morning and hadn't fuelled or hydrated enough but my supposed heart rate zone 1-2 run ended up being zone 3-4 as I was trying to run at a similar pace to pre-accident and the fitness just isn't there yet. Still, 6.7 miles in 1 hour 03 minutes running the whole time isn't too bad considering I'm still under 6 weeks out of surgery : )

Bionic swimming

14 July 2010 - check-up today with Mr Sinnerton. Great day and he said he was going to "send me out into the world"!!!! We discussed what is possible and advisable and it's pretty much anything bar big, heavy weightlifting. So, am free!!! 10 days after Ironman Austria is pretty gutting but what can you do?!

To celebrate, went swimming and there it dawned on me just how regressed I am. Front crawl felt very weird and uncomfortable but, then, I guess it would with a lump of metal in my shoulder. Suppose I managed just over 1k although not sure as wasn't focused on time or distance. Had to mix crawl up with breaststroke to ease the discomfort and got there but first time in my life I haven't really enjoyed swimming so hope that soon changes.

Steeling Myself

So, it's 3 days before Ironman Austria and things should be very different. I should be in a wild panic, feeling sick to the pit of my stomach and trying desperately to pack all my kit before heading out tomorrow. Instead, I feel sick to the pit of my stomach about what could have been and what was wrenched away from me on the morning of 8 May.

However, I started this race part of the blog with the words "challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes it meaningful".

And so, I'm going to try to take some positives out of the whole experience of the last 8 weeks. Before entering this race, I really had decided I wanted (and needed) to do an Ironman just once in my life. But having the opportunity taken away from me has made me want it all the more and to come back better and stronger than ever before. I also have learned to appreciate my health and marvel at how incredible the human body is. 24 days ago, someone cut into my body and inserted a 2 inch piece of titanium and 4 screws. Today, I'm a heartbeat away from throwing caution to the wind and just starting the race anyway. But, I know my body isn't quite ready and that starting the race might undo the progress I've made.

So, I'm gearing up to support 3 dear friends to have one of the most challenging/testing but also one of the best/most rewarding days of their lives. All the luck in the world Jona, Paul and Alice.
xxxxx

Under the knife

So, second opinion sought and got and off to have the collarbone plated tomorrow. Feel a bit like the last 4 weeks have achieved nothing as if I'd had it plated immediately, I could well be on the road to recovery. A lot of soul-searching has gone on since Wednesday but I am now resigned to the fact that the title of this blog has to change. After so many months of planning and working hard, it's a bitter pill to swallow but I hope this won't be the end of the story....

Anyone wanna see a broken collarbone?

Sorry not much of an update but had to take pics for my personal injury claim so here is the offending item (it's my left - your right, in case it isn't obvious).

Running out of time

Haven't updated the blog for a little while. Almost decided not to bother again but it's important to me to keep the story going. I fully believe I will one day be an Ironman. Today is 33 days away from IM Austria 2010 and it feels like it's really and truly slipping away. Had an appointment with the consultant today and although there was good news in that no surgery is required, he said he wanted to see me again on 16 July which is well after the race. He also say no training although then conceded and said I could do static bike, when I pressed him further.

Was really upset when I came out and Chris encouraged me to go to the gym which I did. Did an hour on the recumbent bike and it was just what I needed but the endorphins haven't lasted as long as I'd like and tonight feel down. Went on IM Austria event thread on the Tritalk forum and everyone was talking about the anticipation of the race and getting the race pack including the branded IM Austria bottles and it was like being crossbowed through the heart. Although probably silly to put myself through it, it is probably good practice for going to Austria which in all likelihood is going to be a torturous time. But not going is not an option. I started this as part of a team and will finish it as such too. In the meantime, I will still keep praying for a miracle and drinking my boneset tea until it goes out of fashion.

Highs and Lows

So my last post was a fairly upbeat one and I really felt on the mend. That was a week ago today. That night, I got into bed felt and heard a clicking and then felt pain rushing in. Felt terrible the next day, fine again Saturday morning (even managing a very easy spin for half an hour on the turbo) and then so rotten in the afternoon, I just had to sleep. Dad was here for the weekend and he felt the collarbone and was concerned that it felt very lumpy.

However, I also met an amazing guy on Saturday who turned up at my house with a bad of 'boneset' herbs that he just let me have. He's a friend of a friend from tri club who I've never laid eyes on before and who was so upbeat and encouraging about my ability to still do Austria that I started to believe him.

On Tuesday, a different picture started to emerge. I went to the fracture clinic and the consultant confirmed what I had kind of suspected - that the 'chip' fracture had displaced and that I now had a total fracture with 2 overlapping pieces of bone. My heart sank but pulled myself together, asked the right questions and together we made the decision to rule out surgery for the time being. I have been signed off work except for blackberrying and conference calls and the focus is on immobilisation. He has also given me a new sling which is far more supportive, I have also started a bit of light physio.

Otherwise, the week has been OK. It was Dora's 2nd birthday on Monday so that was lots of fun, some friends from work came for a visit, I did some retail therapy with Liz and we're getting ready for our holiday to Spain next week. Even though my plans to ride into the Spanish mountains have been thwarted, a break will be fab. This week also sees my brother out of Iraq and back with us and my friend Susan's hen do. So there's still tonnes to smile about : )

Pain diaries

Sat - accident. Pain scale 5/10 increasing to 9/10 when clothes removed
Sun - morning after the day before. Crippling pain in any position. Counting the minutes till each dose of Codeine. 9/10 most of day
Mon - as Sunday only with added cascades of tears 10/10 most of day
Tues - 8/10
Wed - bit better 7/10?
Thurs - much much better. Codeine at 7am and now, as I type at 21.45, still haven't needed anymore, have had no daytime nap and popped out for an hour or so this morning. Max 5/10 (when eating dinner with no cushion under elbow).

Also taken ownership of some Comfrey (aka knitbone) oil, oyster shell capsules (sorry Oysters, I'm a bad and selfish vegetarian sometimes) and am reading up on bone-healing nutrition. Gone is coffee and red wine (only had one glass, mind) as they are bone 'robbers' apparently. Also off to bed to aid the healing process.

Am down but am very much not out......