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Mick n Phil's daily blog
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Hello everyone
I’ve had to evaluate things a little in life ….I don’t feel as fit as I did, my prostate problems over the last 3 months have left me far weaker than I could have imagined, ( I’m on medication indefinitely ) hot days are bad with it …My GP and consultant did warn me of all this, …I have been warned that plenty of fluid is essential …which I do drink anyway, but they warned me of people just don’t drink enough …
I really do want to run a HM with ease again ,and then conquer more marathons again, but I feel the full marathon is going to take some physical working at …without being or sounding negative, is this going to happen, I don’t know, it’ll take time to see
My son Phillip is now almost 23 , he’s bigger than me now and extremely strong, he’s a good lad, a loveable lad, but extremely hard work at times ….
At 53 now, I do now accept that my best days are behind me, as caring for Phil is somewhat draining some days, - so if I just run at fairly easy pace, and go with the idea of best times are gone, then I go with no pressure on me … I just want to run now and really enjoy it all, and perhaps IF there’s a possible good time on, I may go for it, or put reasonable pressure on it …then again I may not, and a favourite way of mine to not is to walk a little,
I have no full answers in my life, I just plod along form day to day and see what happens, I eat, drink and sleep well , - I do consider my self a lucky man to be able to do what I do..
I have people saying to me, “ I find it hard breathing running, let alone talking and laughing going along…
I find it enjoyable on route running, chatting, laughing, helping and advising others, listening to them, and then chipping in with something positive, to help them get rid of those negative thoughts …
Many people still E mail about things , asking for advice etc, - or say, how inspiring we were at race, I’m always willing to help them when I can, - if it help them change their life, ….
Fitness though has to be worked on, in my book, “ Little and often “ and build on it, physiology , mind relaxing, breathing , PMA etc , is all vitally important , as is preparation, fluid, nutrition, rest etc, … ok to me, it’s every day life, it has been for years,
3 months now with our new vehicle, ( the Ford Escort estate has gone ) we now have a nice wheelchair accessible vehicle, packing it for daily use is fabulas, I’ve mastered now the packing it just for myself and Phil to go running in, it’s really great, I can sit in back and change, ( out of any cold and wet, ) I have loads of room to arrange the baggage, and Phillip’s wheelchair just slips on and off the ramp …
Going fully laden with Mrs Mick as well and her electric scooter is going well, but it’s taking a slightly more knowing where and how to put stuff .. But I am happy with it ….
It’s weird travelling in a vehicle with so much room, there’s a tracking system right through the van for securing wheelchairs, at any point, it’s so well thought out by the mobility specialists it’s incredible, …
Physically it’s helping my back mend after years struggling with the estate car, and life’s much easier, but mentally I haven’t come to terms with it all, - in truth I’m a bit like a kid still with a new toy …
Stuff used to roll around in the boot and under the seats in the estate, as there with all stuff packed was just little room to put it, but now with room under rear seats everything sits nicely in bags, - Phillip has as ( mobility specialists measured for ), all the room in the world to stretch his legs etc, and I can sit in other side of back seat and feed him, out of weather - …
Summer camp will be upon us in 5 weeks, that will give me time to sort what goes where fully laden, and when we get supermarket shopping, there’s loads of room to put it - quite unbelievable I say myself in all honesty
Glad to see you are back running ! It sounds like the new vehicle really is life changing. Like many people I didn't realise the difference that having the right vehicle for your needs would make. I know I take my health for granted but I have really started to appreciate what good health actual means.....
Hopefully one day I will see you at a race somewhere
Lisa
Saturday evening 2 July, we took part in the Stratford summer evening 6 ...
because it was such a beautiful day, and Wilmcote is only about 3 miles via the back lanes, ( hilly and undulating in places), i had decided to run and walk pushing Phillip to the event, get there giving myself around 10 minutes to the off, a light vaseline first, a little fluid as i'd drank ample during the day, then as the race came by 200 yds down road, we'd followed at the back,... it was warm, it was fun.. i talked to a chap i used to run with many years ago, - then i decided to just ease the pace, as for over a mile it was an up hill drag, .. and i really was'nt in the mood to push the pace, .... i was feeling rather hot and bothered if i'm honest ...
then as race got to the final left turn with 200 yds of finish, we carried straight on for home, another 3 miles, - i was really warm and thirsty, we took our time , it was a perfect evening, in perfect rural countryside .. but i had little or no go or push in me, ... in actual fact it was just as my GP and consultant said it would be after suffering prostate problems...
we got home, were Mrs Mick took over Phil's care until bed time, i had a bite to eat, and a shower, i felt odd, really out of sorts TBH ...somewhat drained, and hot, ...the night was'nt brilliant for me, i was extremely thirsty ….
Today I have taken the day easy, .. What a difference to when I was running a marathon on Saturday and a HM on Sunday, or a HM s Saturday evening, and a HM Sunday morning, and running them with ease and comfort, and a fair bit of pace …
I do actually wonder just what the heck has happened to me
Deep down i know ure right, and i have to be patient about my about my return to physcical fitness and back to conquering longer distances ....
It is going to take a while, how long even i have no idea TBH, but i'm quite happy to take things easy, enjoy summer camp this August and have some light fun....and of course IF, or should i never run another full marathon, then ok !!- i cannot grumble about that, ....
Physcologically i'm really well and strong, but my body physically is not strong, my fitness levels are just not there ... my preparation is fine, as each and every day is preparation day for me, ( thats how i live ) , i dont pick or find a race, and think i have to prepare for that - i got over that years ago ....
i now just have to build my way back into things, .. and i think what will help hopefully is where ever we go , the Wheelchair now in the new vehicle is fully assembled and ready to go ...and the kit bags are much easier to get to - and like i said, i can also change in the vehicle in dry and warm and privecy if i so wish ...
well shall see ahh
Oh Mick- I had no idea you had been having problems. SO glad to hear about your new vehicle, sounds like the tardis!
Really hope you get sorted out soon and can find the physical fitness to allow you to enjoy your running with Phil again. Your advice to others is always inspiring and many find your experience humbling as you continue to stay positive in the face of adversity.
We can only guess at how this set back must be affecting you and I'm certainly sending you all my best wishes for a speedy resolution for you all
xxxxxxx
Hi Mick, I was circling past and dropped into your thread.
Im not going to go into detail. But I think you are great.
WV x
they are great saw them once at Clowne half marathon
Today, Tuesday about 6:30 pm inside the Strawberry Fields public house on outskirts of Evesham, just as we were leaving , so were four other adults - it quickly became obvious two were care workers and two were extremley venerable adults - … they must have been 40 - 50 year age group …
The man was ok walking on his own and was making his way towards the door, the lady, she needed much support, and an arm to hold her and guide her along, ….her balance appeared poor and she seemed to easily wobbley all over the place ….
As this poor dear sole got to within about 4 feet or so of inner door, she seemed to go into deep shakes and her balance completely went, ( fitting or what I do not know ) but her legs just went from under her ,and she was on the floor, totally helpless, totally venerable - …
The next few moments turned my stomach over , left me and my wife reeling in shock and anger ….
The staff a man of around mid 20’s , and a women 40’s I suppose, grabbed her like pulling on a dog lead, the woman just wrenched her up yelling - “ GET up , GET up, and GET up now “, DON’t do it again she said ….
She was then after getting on her feet, almost speed walked to their vehicle, to which they were put in…
The staff were hard and callous with no care or compassion what so ever, at the vehicle, all they were worried about was lighting up a cigarette and laughing and joking …
The male staff seemed to think it was all completely amusing, not at all concerned about the adults well being, - seemed like one big bloody joke to him …..
There was no marking on the vehicle of county authorities, but I noted make, colour, registration etc, ..
I’ve been n touch with Evesham police who are going to talk to me tomorrow, and tomorrow I’m also contacting Worcester CC Adult service bosses ….
Had it have been one to one, I’d have said it could have been a sessional worker with one person, so really not findable, but two on two I’d say residential or respite out to evening meal …
If they will treat people like I witness in public, what will or do they do behind closed doors , what we witnessed you just would not treat a dog like it TBH
but all i hear off people is " Mick , How's Dawn & Phil, " i mostly say how they are, .. but old me, who really gives a fuck, i'm sidelined more often than not .....
Ok, i'm good in health and a reasonable level of fitness, and people see me as the tough as boots marathon man...they dont seem to see that i have feelings as well, how hard i work at keeping my family together...
How much heart ache and mental pain i live with daily, seeing what i see and doing what i do ..my actions at times are seen as " uncaring hard exterior "but, what do people know about me ahh ...i tell you what
sweet F. A - thats what ....
I do often wonder if its all worth it TBH
You're doing a grand job of looking after your family Mr C.
How are YOU?
Today we ran High Wycombe HM in a satisfying 2:30 , considering being off sick for best part of first half 2011, and knowing Wycombe course well and how deceivingly undulating it is ….
It was our 10 th consecutive Wycombe HM and our 227th In all - ( with Phil that is ) ….
I was extremely disappointed though to discover once again that MK NSPCC HM was on same day, even though my preference is to Wycombe, we still very much enjoyed running both …
Today was really satisfying to finally meet Stevie G, Water Vole and K8 Greene, they really did make the day special …
Overall, we had a most enjoyable race, as usual the event organisation was perfect by all concerned ….
Our thanks to all concerned
After yesterday's deceivingly undulating HM at High Wycombe - and coming through it unscathed and in real comfort, i do have to say that i am absolutely chuffed, Pushing Phillip all that way, and over undualting and pity roads - and long drags ....
all the pre race prep, ok the new vehicle makes it easier, - but i still have to produce the goods - and post race stuff - changing , toileting and feeding , and driving home ...
Yes, i'm delighted - Times wise, well it did'nt matter
BOTF
Hi, hope u are well friend - did'nt we meet at Exeter hm arena one year before the race started ?
going up is tough of course, but you can lock your legs and body against the chair
going down is hard at times, can hurt like hell and yes i have a restraining strap i hold onto, but still ahve to go down with absolute caution
training for Chester marathon again hoping to go the whole way non stop in about 3h30
Hi Compo
yes were booked for that
got to test myself out on 26 miles soon - going around RH in September with a friend, to see whats in the tank,
HM's ,their as usual easy or on a bad day easy ish - but FM totally different game, so even i'm approaching with total caution
hope your well
Mick, delighted to get a mention on your thread...you must meet 100s of forumites over the weeks, so good to be remembered.
Got a handshake from Philip too which was nice!
Great work as ever Mick, doing a tough course. Tough for plenty of people running it alone, let alone doing what you do!
Can't imagine what life is like in the week for you, but the fact you find gruelling half marathons (at least) a release says it's gotta be tough!
Hang in there Mick, as next week is another race
yes, next sunday were at Gloucester AC's ( Newent HM ) another seriously undulating one - best there of 2:00
but TBH our running is the easy bit,
can run happily over 50 races a year - with little problem