Positive news!!

Hi. Today I saw a very good sports therapist.
I have 2 pelvic floor execises to do - one on a fitball.
Already I can feel the benefits of using my core muscles.
I sit on a chair now where i can upright.
It is helping and my calf is getting better.

My garden is amazing.
Potatoes, parsnips, courgette, cucumber, suede,carrots, parsnips, peas, rhubarb, spring onions, cauliflower etc. They taste amazing - far better than shop bought.

Today has been wonderful.
The chronic fatigue is at bay with multi vitamins and minerals.
I am kayaking next week.

Bethany.

New Hope!!

Hi. Good news today.
My calf muscles are fine - no tears etc.
It is my back. The muscles in my back are too big and strong and my abs and pelvic floor are too weak. This means I lean forward with my bum out, trapping nerves that go to my calves.
The answer is to sit up straight and do abs exercises.
Hooray - i may be able to run soon!

I also went kayaking today on Mooragh Park Lake.
It was fantastic - smooth and sunny.
Getting in and out of the kayak was a problem.
Fortunately I did not fall in.
I did get wet legs and feet from paddling - need shorts next time!
Hope to do more of it - only £3 per half hour.

Good day today - I feel happy!
Bethany.

A bit of hope tomorrow!

Hi. Seeing the island's sports doctor tomorrow about my injured calf muscle.
He has an ultrasound scanner.
I hope to have a diagnosis tomorrow.
If not I am seeing a sports injury therapist on Thursday.

It is so frustrating not being able to racewalk or run.
My calf is fine on the flat and downhill, but not uphill.
I have not tried running on it for 2 weeks when I ended up at A&E.
I pray it is not serious and I will be able to walk the challenge in September.

Bethany

Southport Flower Show

Hi. Yesterday I spent a day away - well a full day.

The force 8 gale in the Irish Sea meant our 7 hour visit to the UK turned into 10 hours!

I arrived with Ernie at 11am after a queasy, bumpy sailing.

Trust me to run out of seasick pills the day before we set sail!

We found the coach - eventually - and began our trip to Southport.

The flower show was amazing.

The highlight were the eagles and vultures.

We met the Hopwood's and enjoyed Pimm's with them.

We headed back to Liverpool at 5.30pm.

We ate tea at Rigby's before ringing the bells at Pierhead.

The boat left at 10pm. I slept on the floor.

The crossing was now calm.

I fell asleep for 3 hours to wake up at Douglas Breakwater.

We were back home - it was 1.30am!

However the photos will tell you it was good - well worth it.

A lie-in was all that was required!

Sleep and more sleep.....

Bethany.

A&E today.

Hi. Saw the consultant this morning.
He said it was not compartment syndrome.
I am not really sure what it is.
However he has referred me for physio.
How long the wait for the appt will be I do not know.
My leg feels fine so 3 weeks more rest.

Saw my nephew this afternoon - he is lovely!
We played in Onchan Park and had an ice cream.
His ear infection has cleared up and he is cheeky and happy.
Oh what it is like to be 20 months old!

Went swimming and was the first Mount Murray member to go to the 'Meet & Greet'.
I met the boss, Jason, and had some buffet.

This evening Ernie helped my friend with her computer.
We got it working, but we need a few bits and pieces for it.
She has a printer but no CD software for it!

Off to bed.
Up early tomorrow - Southport Flower Show for the day.
Cannot wait.
Hope to meet the Hopwood's when we are there as they are going too.
They live in Crosby.
Lots of photos tomorrow.

Bethany.

Chronic Compartment Syndrome?

Hi. Well the chronic fatigue may be SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) so my SAD lamp is on.
Also Rory said I may have calf muscle pain as my muscle may be too big.
Having looked on the Internet, I probably have chronic compartment syndrome.
My calf muscle is being squeezed in its sheath.
I have huge calf muscles and the pain when the muscle contracts, when running, is phenomenal.
I may have to have an op to release the muscle and stop blood vessels and nerves being damaged permanently.
I will talk to the A&E doctor tomorrow.
Why was it not diagnosed last week in A&E?

Bethany.

Chronic Fatigue!!

Hi. Well it is official - I have done too much.
I have chronic fatigue syndrome. No diagnostic test except I am knackered.
However I am not going to take this lying down - literally.
After a sleepy morning, I went swimming to get my endorphins going.
The Mount Murray pool is warm and I tried to stretch my sore legs.
It was so good to get my heartrate up again.
I intend to swim every day.
I still hope I can get myself better to run or walk in 5 weeks time.

Think positive,
Bethany.

Coming to terms with injury.

Hi. Not good news.

My Dad tells me to take 3-6 months off to heal my leg.

He should know as he is a doctor.

I will re-assess my leg in 4 weeks time.

I need to do the end to end challenge for my sanity.

Can I walk it?

If my calf will last to the end of September, I will take time off.

Perhaps e2e 3 times in September with Rory.

Then e2e 10 times next July.

I am looking at kayaking to exercise without leg involvement.

It will make me stronger.

Then i may be a better athlete.

I wish.....

My garden, however, looks fantastic.

Look at the photos - amazing!

Bethany.

Disaster!

Hi. The worst thing has happened.
my calf muscle is strained and I cannot run.
I am resting for 4 weeks in the hope that it recovers.
I hope to amend my forthcoming challenge and walk it.
It is a real setback and I may have to do something other than running.
I would like to try kayaking and rest my leg.
I am proud of what I have achieved in running over the past 6 years.
i hope to channel my energy into something new and gain a world record.
I also hope I can run / walk again soon.
Pray for me!

Bethany.

My calf - not good!

Hi. Ran 5 miles this morning with moderate calf pain.

Why?

Sickness and then this!

A long slow recovery....

Hi. Well it is 9 days since I became ill and 2 doctor's visits.
However the recovery has begun and each day now i feel better.
I ran a mile yesterday.....yes, Bethany ran just one mile.
It took 11 minutes of exhaustion.
However 3 miles today took 30 minutes and was great.
My legs felt fantastic! Arms though were heavy.
Relaxing with Eddie Izzard now.
One day at a time.....

Bethany.

So exhausted......why?

Hi. Well I have not run since those 30 miles.
Last Sunday afternoon the exhaustion hit me at the NSC whilst taking the race results up to the computer room - 22 steps each time.
I made it to Evensong, thinking I was drunk!
Then a week of exhaustion and going up and down.
Twice to the doctors to be diagnosed both times with Gastric Flu.
Gastric Flu? It does not feel like it.
The gastric bit does not feel right - and the flu bit is missing. What?
I feel ill in the mornings and well in the evenings. Why?
I hope it is not ME.
I feel a fraud - using sickness to get attention!
But this is not me. I want to be running. I like that attention.
I am the one exuding energy - the life and soul of the party.
Not comatose on the settee.
Ernie has been wonderful looking after me. He is a gem.
Please God - let me get better. Let me fight this exhaustion. Let me run!

Bethany.