Since I stopped being coached by Robert at Pyllon I've not been running much at all.
I used to run 6 days a week with 2 speed sessions and a long run. Now, I'll run maybe twice a week and I've not done anything over 10k in about a month or so.
Since the Perth 50k in March, I've had a bit of a pain in my lower stomach muscles, it's hard to pinpoint the exact area but it only shows up at the start of a run and then after the run if I try and sit up or sneeze! This isn't a painful pain, but I'm very aware of it and it's sort of stopped me from wanting to run.
I can go to the gym, do a full hour hard session, I can go bouldering and twist and turn all I like, no issues. Go for an easy run and the niggle is there.
I don't feel the niggle if I walk, it's specifically if I run.
So I now do gym sessions on a Tuesday and Saturday and on a Thursday I do a strength group session. I'm loving it. I sometimes run down and back but that's about it.
On a Wednesdays and Friday I go to The Climbing Hangar, which is a bouldering gym and I have a co-working space there too so I arrive early, get an hour climbing done before I go upstairs to my work. It's a great space. I have thought about running to and from the bouldering gym but again, the fear of the niggle is always in my head.
It's got to the point now that my left hand side is just full of issues so I decided to go to see someone about it. In short, my muscles are as stiff as a cast iron bar. Everything from my shoulders down to my ankles. I need a bit of work. I've got a regular appointment setup now to see the therapist and hopefully, with a bit of work and continuing with my flexibility and mobility sessions, which are part of the Thursday strength class at Synergy Group Fitness, I might get rid some of these issues. Fingers crossed.
Because I'm running less, training less and racing even less than I was before, it's left me thinking about this blog and also my instagram account. They were both dedicated to my running. Do I keep them? Do I just use them to write about life? I really don't know just yet. I don't blog very often but I do like blogging so I'll maybe do more "thought" blogs, rather than specifically about my running. I'd love to hear what you think. Drop me a message on instagram / X (@scottishrunner)
For now, I'm going to my gym sessions and cycling a lot more. I cycled to the office this morning which took about 20mins, which is probably about the same as driving, which is crazy!
I'll continue bouldering and of course, taking Toby our dog out for long walks at the weekends. I'm basically just enjoying not training and not having the pressure of having to run. It's all about balance.