Fitness

Thanks to a prompt from Colostomy UK, I discovered that today is National Fitness Day – “the most active day of the year” – and with a run already planned on my training schedule, I was all geared up to take part.

It’s been six weeks since I took the decision to start running again and it’s been great to be back out running on a regular basis. I’m taking things relatively easy with 5k/10k runs at varying paces and the odd trail run. So how have things been going?

After 16 months of dealing with a chronic Ken Butt wound, both physically and mentally, it was time for me to try running again regardless of whether the wound has healed or not. The wound was constantly on my mind and affecting me mentally so I needed to try and find a balance of managing it whilst getting back into running.

66 days for Ostomates to walk, run, and dance their way to 66,000km. That is the new challenge launched by Colostomy UK to help promote fitness for those that have undergone stoma surgery.

First Crohn’s stopped me from running, and then a stoma gave me a new lease of life. Now, the ongoing issues with the Ken Butt have scuppered things again.

Last year saw the inaugural Lundy Island trail race take place and as soon as tickets were available I quickly signed up to ensure my place on the limited space boat to the island.

I had signed up almost a full year prior to the race so had plenty of time to get excited about visiting an island I had heard about but had never visited. Due to it’s location it’s not a place that’s particularly easy to get to without a bit of planning an effort. The race would be a a perfect way of visiting the island and seeing the entirety of it.

Prior to surgery, and prior to the last Crohn’s flare up, I used to enjoy entering races. Crohn’s would quite often get in the way but I managed it well. With the surgery undertaken and a rough idea of how long it would take to recover I set myself a target of completing a race, and supporting a charity in the process.