Don’t call it a comeback

LL Cool J sang that line in the most awesome of tunes, Mama Said Knock You Out. And, I know that opening a blog (which is a tad retro) with a reference to a 1991 hip hop classic (which is a tad retro) shows both my age and music tastes. I am proud of both.

The reason I say don’t call it a comeback is two-fold. The first for my return to blogging on this site. I find it is cathartic and a semblance of accountability bringing. The second relates to my running.

To understand the latter takes some explaining. You see, since I pulled up lame in the 50k National Championships in Perth at the end of March I have been tottering along.

I am calling it my Ricky Hatton break.

You know how Ricky used to balloon between fights, hit the booze & beach and simply not care about his athlete life? Well, I am not quite that bad but I decided after running at a pretty intense standard and level for nigh-on 10 years I wanted to just back off.

Training has been good during this period but not at highest levels I have ever worked and with no clear focus race to fret about. This was partly to allow both mental and physical recovery. Going time and time again is hard on body and mind.

I feel mentally refreshed and ready to go again. I will talk more about what the challenges I am going for later in 2024 and early 2025 are, but importantly I feel my body is ready to get back into some training again.

My hamstring which failed me in Perth has been fine now for a few months. Even as I got my 64th Tak ascent of the year this very morning.

Body wise I have an interesting challenge. I am at the heaviest I have been since 2015. Only by about 4kgs, but it is noticeable in how I look and feel. The aim will be to right that in the next few months. This is what I mean by the Ricky Hatton reference.

There are 4 key things I will need to focus on to get back to my best.

1. Nutrition: Not only eating within my limits but also back to healthier and highly nutritious foods. The salads, good fruits and veg and less pizza and chips. No coincidence this was after an All Inclusive holiday in Turkey!

2. Strength: I am not getting any younger and that means I need to take this evermore seriously. Less miles and more gym will be beneficial. I have joined the local gym and will be doing more at home.

3. Mental game: I haven’t run super-long for a while. I will need to resharpen the old noggin. Ultra running is hard.

4. Race craft: This can be done anywhere from parkrun to 100 milers but it is an important part of getting back in the game again. Also, a chance to reset levels to build from the current base.

I am going to record the progress and journey here. I will share my race plans and the warts and all approach as I lose weight, get fit again and find myself back on the race start lines. Ricky Hatton (which I realise is a tad retro reference) was brilliant at going down from the up. Let’s see if I can do the same. And I hope you enjoy following along. It should be, erm, fun!