45. Training over Christmas

Mile 42 – Flat and quiet.

Just as races sometimes get in the way of a nice hard training session, so does the holiday period. Would it be alright to go for a long morning run on Christmas day? It would rather assume I’m not helping prepare the dinner. On the other hand, a lot of people go to Church or parkrun.

In the past I would aim to complete a half marathon some days before Christmas to give me confidence for a marathon in the spring. Then I didn’t have to worry about putting on a stone before starting training again in January. I’m not at that stage at the moment, nor do I have such ambitious plans for 2024. Yet.

Last weekend we went for a Sunday afternoon stroll along the seafront in Brighton, where we were greeted by a break in the clouds over the Rampion Wind Farm. It was a cold wind, which was something of a theme for much of the time we spent outside this week.

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During the UCLH physio call on Monday morning we were given some extra, harder exercises and options. This week included: the “Fly” (holding weights and lifting the elbows); “Hands Up” rotating the shoulder; and the “Clam” with the heels up off the floor. The physio gave me some advice for harder options on each exercise and she was very pleased with my progress, which she can afford to be, given that she doesn’t have to live with me.

Picture the scene: you wake up and it’s still too dark for you to want to come out from under the warm duvet. There is no sign of your husband and even when you eventually venture downstairs you can’t find him. Later he comes in the door, out of breath and proudly announces that he has already finished an hour of exercises and another hour of cycling / couch to 5K / has walked eight miles over the Downs. It’s exhausting but not for him. See, there is always Sue’s point of view to consider.

While having lunch with friends in the freezing cold and windy outside courtyard at the garden centre (thanks for putting up with it, Martin and Emma!) Sue articulated at length the struggles she has with living with an early bird fitness fanatic and I can only suppose she was talking about me. She had a similar conversation the next day with her friends who also sympathised.

On the other hand, I have a doctor and a physio extolling the benefits of exercise and I have told all of you about the keep fit routine via my blog, so I feel some pressure to perform.

As a compromise, I’ll take a rest on Christmas Day.

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I am keeping up with the Couch to 5k programme. Halfway through my third run of the first week, I realised I hadn’t started my watch, so I took a longer route (about four miles rather than three) and played the session through twice. This morning I started the week two programme with 90 second runs and two minute recoveries which is again just the right level of effort as I try to build my stamina.

I noticed that the hair on my legs has now fallen out. It’s funny that it has taken all this time to go, while I lost the hair on my head much earlier and more dramatically. My legs now look as if I’ve shaved them which is of course ideal for cycling. 

As for the head, there is a thin covering all over now. I think it looks darker when viewed in the mirror, but the consensus seems to be ‘grey’.

So overall I’m feeling very well although I have had numb toes on occasions. I notice it most when my feet are warm. It is likely to be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, damage to the nerves, which I have been watching out for all through the chemotherapy. It hasn’t seemed too bad whenever the doctors have asked me in the past. It’s not stopping me from walking in any way but I’ll mention it when we start the chemotherapy again in January.

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We will be spending Christmas Day at home on our own this year, so have been meeting up with family beforehand.

We are really looking forward to next week including day SCT +100, when we can finish isolation, return to normal and sit inside.

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‘Tis the season to be moody and black and white so I took a trip to Shoreham to take some photos. I was playing with my “Big Stopper” Neutral Density filter which cuts down the light to allow long exposures, making the waves smooth and blurred. While I was there the low clouds that had been there all day moved away dramatically.

At the most recent camera club competition (images submitted online) I scored another 20 for the B&W view of the BT Tower. Here it is alongside the original photo.

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We have come a long way in the last year, from when I was in constant pain, unable to sit – able only to stand or lie down. Thanks to all of you who have sent messages of support and helped me through it. You made a huge difference, especially during the hardest times.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanks for reading and take care.