One year on

ajr@ralton.net

In 2015 I ran about 30 marathons (PB 3:36) and moved into middle distance triathlons. In 2016 and 2017 I did some Ironman (PB 14:14:14 yes really) with marathons and decided to back off in 2018 and resume in 2019. In 2018 I started getting excruciating low back pain and electric shocks sensation in my right leg and started tripping and falling. On my return to endurance training in 2019 intending to do more maras and tris training was hard; Paris mara took me some 4.5 hours and I was in trouble. Long story short my last run in 2019 was the marathon element of the Outlaw tri (GB) in July (cycling element cancelled). Towards the end my right leg kept collapsing and I was limping permanently.

 

Somewhat vexingly I had the low back pain checked out again and again and the medics said I had some wear and tear (I was 51 in 2019) and gave me the impression I was over reacting. Even though socks were a problem on my right side. It was my sports therapist who in 2019 said I should have my right hip x-rayed.

Guess what – right hip toast – ball rammed and seized in socket. No. go ices to make and the RTHR was in February 2020 (just before Covid .. lucky). Now almost one year on I am getting back into shape. Swimming (when Covid possible) is good, cycling is coming on and my long run is 10 miles. My old pace is gone never to return but so what? I can still run. 11 m/m isn’t bad for a bionic hip. It never ceases to amaze me that a failed hip can be replaced and I can do so many of the things I used to do.

My surgeon did not want me to run again but, hell, I’m 52 and not finished yet. I have decided to take the risk of wearing the new joint out but look at the benefit to the rest of my body (and mind) by fitness. Also, I am thinking that once revision is required the time will have come to stop running.

Good luck everyone who returns to running/ sport. Safest option is not always the best or indeed the safest holistically (healthy heart surely trumps revision risk).

Covid permitting, I am hoping to do a middle distance tri in August!

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    • February 2, 2021 at 1:29 pm #19315
      ajr@ralton.net
      Participant

      In 2015 I ran about 30 marathons (PB 3:36) and moved into middle distance triathlons. In 2016 and 2017 I did some Ironman (PB 14:14:14 yes really) wit
      [See the full post at: One year on]

    • February 3, 2021 at 6:10 pm #19317
      WedgeC
      Participant

      Hello AJ and thanks for your inspiring story and spirit! Many of us – hell most of us – relate and appreciate it!
      So I’m curious when you say “your old pace is gone, never to return“ I assume you are you referring to your 3:36-ish marathon days?

      So I am curious… Why do you say that and what do you think you could achieve again? Or is it really just too early to tell?

    • March 1, 2021 at 6:31 pm #19412
      Hip Brother Tom
      Keymaster

      That’s the spirit ajr! Don’t don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing. Keep it up and I hope the new hip technology outlasts your expectations!

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