The withdrawal symptoms can be quite profound. Naturally I’m talking about the withdrawal symptoms from running. Yesterday I found myself running again – after 3 weeks. Yes, three whole weeks. Three whole weeks. That is longer than I have ever been without running in the last 10 plus years, since I became a proper runner.
I have been encouraged by my hospital consultant who is also a runner and clearly recognises the value of running. He said it was absolutely fine to go running and I mentioned this towards the end of my last post. All I had to do was take it easy and solve the issue of the catheter.
For the catheter, I disconnected the leg bag and fitted the tap device to the catheter, then simply pulled on my running shorts and I was (reasonably) good to go. The consultant said this would be fine for 30 minutes of running as there wouldn’t be much urine building up in that time.
The run itself
I did my usual three mile run which includes the above lane as an extension to Half Moon Lane and then out onto the Busway. I saw my friends Dave and Julie, so I stopped and chatted to them for a couple of minutes. Starting after that little pause was quite difficult, managed to get a stitch which happily was only fleeting.
I knew my pace was slower than normal and I did find it a tad more tiring than it normally would. There was some discomfort in the nether catheter region but not too bad. My pace was about 9:30mins/mile which I suppose is okay, all things considered.
The main thing is that I DID IT. So pleased! Some 3 miles and not out of breath once I’d got home and was feeling I could do more. I told myself this ought to be the first steps back to proper running and it will be, just need to take it easy and build up the weekly distances gradually so as to prevent any injuries.
While I was running….
….I had all kinds of things running through my mind. Much of it was about my forthcoming retirement (about 10-11 weeks to go now). Right now I’m full of expectation, excitement, relief and also recognition that moving into retirement is, no matter how busy I will be, a definite move into the next phase of life.