It’s been a while. My last official race, Run Melbourne, was way back in 2022. Since then, life happened, and race entries just didn’t. Whether it was a lack of interest or a lack of fitness, I found myself in a running drought. But after a long hiatus, it’s finally time to get back to the start line.
I’ve got some big long-term goals, but to get there, I know I have to start small. The first step was simple: get the kilometres back into my legs. Things were going well until they weren’t.
Suddenly, I was dealing with nagging hip and calf issues. I know my body well enough to realise when something isn’t right or just isn’t improving. A visit to the physio confirmed my suspicions: a hip impingement. It’s a hereditary issue, like a bone spur, that’s likely to be with me forever.
But here’s the thing: I won’t let it derail me. Instead of giving up, I’m calling this a “side quest.”
With an action plan from my physio, I’m not back to square one. My training is being modified, and I’m making adjustments to my strength workouts. The goal isn’t to stop altogether but to work within my limitations. It’s a mental and physical challenge that can only make me stronger in mind, body, and soul.
In 230 days, I’ll be on the start line for the Five Peaks Trail. And I can’t wait to finally break this running race drought. The journey is different from what I expected, but it’s still moving forward. And that’s what matters most.