I was completely psyched up to smash the Freckleton Half Marathon on the 21 June, I wanted to run sub 6 minute miles.  This is near Blackpool, we spent the night with the kids about 5 miles away from the start, nice and relaxing evening, good nights sleep and nice breakfast, things were going great.  The race started at 2pm so we had planned to go to Blackpool for the morning.

I stepped out of the breakfast room and slipped on some concrete steps landing on my spine half way down the steps.  Not happy is a massive understatement!  My back was instantly sore which was to be expected and my left hip had a trapped nerve.  I tried some stretching and that was not helping.  I hobbled around the car park not knowing what to do.

We went to Blackpool as planned and every step hurt, I almost convinced myself I could not run as I could not hardly walk and I suggested to Rose that she could run in my number (transfers were allowed).

At the start free sports massages were available, I jumped on the table and had 10 minutes of treatment.  I then tried a few short runs with strides and although the hip was occasionally hurting I thought sod it, lets just run and see how it goes.

I ended up with a PB running 6:17 an average minute miles.  I stopped at every drink station to walk whilst drinking, about 5 or 6 times I would almost fall as the trapped nerve in my left hip would send pain through the leg.

That’s when my problems started, I tried a couple of runs but my back was totally seized up, climbing stairs hurt, standing up hurt.

I had a session with Eddie Fletcher which determined nothing was broken and deep massage was given as well as stretching advice.

I had a sports massage with Dan Gilbride and I went to see my doctor.

My next proper run was on 19 July at Bridlington (7 miles on the cliffs @8:04 min miles) so I lost 4 weeks training.  I ran the following day, I did 10k @6:54 pace which I knew was far to fast but runners can be impatient!  I was totally seized up again on Tuesday which made me feel stupid for having come back to soon and hard.  But I felt ok on Wednesday and I decided to take this as a rest day.

Thursday 23 July I ran with our super vet runners, Mick Page, Kev Newman and Phil Bussey – 8 miles @7:59 min miles, that was ok.

Saturday 25 July I decided to try a long run on Saturday after parkrun and I ran half marathon distance carrying water @6:55 min miles.  This proved to myself I had not lost much endurance.  Confidence and mental attitude are as important as any other factor so I l like to hit little targets in my training.

Sunday 26 July I decided to run a 10k, not lightning fast but I averaged 6:51 minute miles.  I ran a mix of pace from 6:25 to 7:25 minute miles.

Monday 27 July I ran on the TPT from Bentey and along both sides of the river don heading towards Conisbrough, I did not plan the run and ended up getting lost a few times and hitting shear cliffs etc, I ran 11 miles @7:42 pace.

I have basically gone from nothing to putting in 38 miles over the last 5 days, the back is doing great.  I have yet to test it with a fast interval session or a good hill session but I am pleased with my comeback and I now have confidence to quickly build up to my Marathon in less than 7 weeks.