It was unfortunate that the 2 events I was working towards this summer are happening within a week of each other and so it’s very frustrating that some sciatic pain threatens to jeopardise them both.
Next weekend I’m defending my UK Veteran Backwards running title and up until a couple of weeks ago my training was on target with weekly backward runs of either increasing length or intensity coupled with structured forwards track based training for the first time in my life with Radcliffe Athletics Club. All was going well and I was sure to improve on last year’s time but as I can’t currently run forwards let alone backwards at speed I don’t know what I’ll be capable of doing next weekend.
The other event will be my first full distance triathlon at Salford. It’s unfortunate that this is just a week after the backwards run but I really wanted to do both local events. I have gradually lowered my expectations to a point where survival and completion is now my only aim. Our family ‘Staycation‘ at the end of May put paid to any sea swimming and beach based aquathons (there were to be 3) to improve my strength and speed in water and then a busy spell at work has ruled out open water swimming on top of everything else I’ve been doing. I have however enjoyed some attempts at total immersion swimming so I have found my time in water more relaxing and perhaps I have become more efficient rather than quicker.
The cycling has not improved either. I’ve had fun on my Saracen Hybrid hack picking off (very) odd KOM titles since I’ve started using Strava but I’ve stayed off the road bike. It has let me down with punctures and rain has prevented another couple of outings but just 1 ride upon it through what has been a pretty good summer is a bit pathetic on my part. I’ve concentrated on running in various forms and maybe the backwards stuff has been a distraction. My recently revised target was to improve my 10k time, be the fastest I’ve ever been in my life and be happy with giving it all in just the last 3rd of the event. This is in jeopardy too. I haven’t even done a 5k Parkrun over the last few months as I’ve enjoyed Saturday mornings running in the hills. I ran a quick 10k to work on my 42nd birthday (with backpack) and having run a 10k on my 18th birthday too I noted that I was quite a bit quicker and if I were to continue at that rate of improvement could break the world record on my 112th birthday.
And so to the right pain in the arse that is sciatica, although its actually the left not the right in pain. Currently there’s a constant ache in my left buttock which runs down my leg to below my ankle. I do, however, prefer the constant ache that increases with certain movements to the sharp pain I’ve had in the past that suddenly shocks you when you do something to aggravate it. This is the third time I’ve had sciatic pain in some form and last year my low point was when I was caught out whilst panning for gold at Legoland. This time vigorous Saturday morning activities with my wife seem to have upset it. The kids have been enjoying squash lessons and drills on Saturdays at Fairways Lodge in Sedgley Park and at the last session before a summer break they were encouraged to bring their parents along to join in. I was paired with Catriona in a game where one person placed a squash ball in the corners of the court whilst the other tried to retrieve and return them to the “T”. I was doing the placing and although my back didn’t fail if felt over worked and this compounded the sciatic grumbles I had felt through the previous couple of days. We have camped 3 nights this week which have neither helped nor worsened my condition. It seems to have deteriorated since returning to a proper bed.
I’m really annoyed and frustrated that for the 2nd time this year I haven’t been able to exercise and unwind whilst off work and again I have made the mistake of drinking instead to console myself. As of yesterday I have cut it out completely and I’m turning to drugs instead (Ibuprofen).
It’s too late to improve, whatever will be will be, and after the Salford Tri I can forget about road bikes, multi-discipline stuff and PBs. I’ll cancel my gym membership and will stick to running, exercising with the kids (who are increasing their interested in football and squash) and maybe do an occasional relaxed open water swim. I might also look to pilates and yoga to protect this veteran into his old age.
