3 July 2016
These days it’s usually me standing on the sidelines and Commando running but today was supposed to be the other way round. The role reversal didn’t quite go to plan though. On Thursday night, when he was out hill running, Commando injured his ankle. Suffice to say it has been a frustrating couple of days. Rest is not a word in his vocabulary and the more I went on about rest, ice, compression and elevation the more fraught the atmosphere in our little house became.
An injured runner is very similar to a bear with a sore head, or some other large, caged wild animal. Somehow we’d managed not to come to blows and I even got one lot of ice on the ankle and a compression sock. Sadly, neither had much effect while he was still walking around ‘doing things that have to be done.” It couldn’t have come on a busier weekend. On Saturday we were supposed to go to Fareham for another spot of parkrun tourism and today there was also the small matter of Race For Life.
With the new camera I’d had high hopes of Commando running round taking pictures of me power walking the six mile course. He could hardly walk without wincing in pain though, so that was never going to happen. Even so, he insisted on hobbling along to the Common with me, even if the walk from the car to the start line was painful, slow and almost ended up with him getting run over trying to cross The Avenue.
We set up camp on the one small strip of dry concrete we found and sat people watching. Then it was time to line up. All the runners were at the front, while I, feeling rather inadequate, was relegated to the back with the walkers and people in fancy dress.
Thoughts of Commando waiting around on the field made me push my pace for the whole six miles. It wasn’t long before I was overtaking some of the slower runners who’d started before me. One at a time I picked them off. Mostly I never saw them again. Heading down The Avenue I got a wave from Kylie coming back the other way. One group of four runners played tag with me, overtaking and being overtaken. At the nine kilometre marker I passed them for the final time and felt secretly pleased when I reached the finish without being overtaken again. Commando was on the finish line so there was one photo of me crossing the line. Even if I say so myself, I didn’t do too badly for a mere walker, finishing in one hour thirty minutes.
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Your time is very impressive. Four miles an hour is a very fast walk. Sorry to hear that Commando’s injured again. Walking’s a lot safer than running 🙂
Four miles an hour isn’t bad over a six mile walk. I’m quite a fast walker when I need to be, although a lot of the time I dawdle. Injuries seem to be an occupational hazard for runners although I’ve had my share just walking long distances too.
Most impressed at your six mile effort, you must be pleased.
I’m pleased to have raised a little money for such an important charity.
You seem to have become the queen of the races but doing things for charity is always good.
I hope the ankle is better now.
It seems to be nothing but races at the moment. Sadly the ankle is still injured. I think he’s damaged his ligaments.
That would be a shame!
It’s better than it was but he still can’t run. I’m trying to get him to a sports therapist to see what can be done.
Well done you, you must be very pleased.
Sorry to hear about C’s injury, hope it doesn’t keep him out too long.
Love your photo of the chapel framed by the flowers.
Lisa x
I haven’t done Race For Life for a while but I was glad to raise a little bit of money for a worthy cause. The Summer Social was great fun, even if I did fall asleep 🙂
A fun departure from your usual walks, Marie. Poor Commando! He has had a bit of bad luck lately with injuries. Hope he listens to you and is on the mend. Love the tug-o-war shots and the tiny spitfire in her fancy hat!
The ankle is getting better but not fast enough for his liking. Listening isn’t his strong point at all. It was a fun afternoon though.