As a new feature to the website, members of Tyne Bridge Harriers will provide a personal account of what running means to them, and to those around them.
Kicking off this feature is Anji Close, aka ‘Face of the Race’, and as we find out from her blog, the path of a runner is never a smooth one.
A week of ups and downs
Anji
Having never done a blog before, I am aware that the following may numb your brain but as I’m hoping it will be therapeutic I decided to give it a go after a week of extreme runner’s highs and lows.
I’ve been struggling with injury since the end of February during which time I ran through a nerve problem in my right foot, only to pick up an ankle niggle in my left after one lousy return to club running in mid-March. I stupidly ran through that niggle too to do the 6TownsX2 charity half on April 1st, followed by the NT10k on April 8th, which ended in agony. I was diagnosed with peroneal ligament sprain on the 13th which in layman’s terms is a knackered ligament tracking from ankle, through the heel up into the calf. I won’t bore you with the in-between but I started back after three weeks out and felt great right up until my first 5mile run back just three days later, last Tuesday. Searing pain, back.
So, in the week I was meant to run the Sunderland 10k after they had chosen me to be one of their “faces of the race”, I am once again out and devastated. Like all runners, I don’t deal with rest or run-bans well and I went on something of a meltdown. My plan had never been to run Sunderland as a race given the long gap in training but I was excited to have a go at pacing for Danielle Rutherford on course to smash sub-60.
In the same miserable week, I found out that inspirational marathoner Claire Squires who sadly died at the VLM had the same heart condition as me. This contributed to the epic meltdown and for the first time I seriously thought about just jacking it all in. I joked to my friends about becoming a swimmer. I hate swimming loads. One of my closest friends sees running to “real runners” as something that is born into us, it’s not a choice, it’s something you just HAVE to do. But the series of disappointments, the pain, the dodgy heart, all led me to do a great deal of soul-searching, and I actually said the words “I’ve had enough”.
Fast forward to this weekend and I am so much more positive. I had the pleasure of spending time 1-1 with Steve Cram at the Marathon Of The North pre-show and he lifted me massively. He spoke to me candidly about my injury and talking to him and his lovely partner, ex-athlete Allison Curbishley, passionately about running reminded me that this really is something that is in me that I can’t just forget or give up on.
I spent today at the Sunderland 10k/Marathon Of The North and will admit to having several emotional moments, especially at the start of the 10k just thinking what perfect conditions they had and how much I would have loved it. But I know I’m part of a team now and this family needs my shouting and encouragement as much as they need people to run, and I’m so glad I was there. I am so proud of what ALL our runners achieved today, not just the pbs or the successes, also the few that had nightmares and just kept going. You all inspired me and reminded me where it was due that I can and I will be back soon.
“Determination Is Everything”
10 Responses
Great blog anji, nice one
That’s a fantastic article Anji, and puts into perspective how lucky we are when we’re fit and healthy. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a quick return to the club. Oh, how did you get on recruiting Steve Cram to the mighty TBH?
He wasn’t up for it, strangely! However, Allison did comment on the club’s growth and said we are a force to be reckoned with!
Thanks for this great article. The want to run is bred into us. We all know what it’s like when you can’t satisfy it due to injury. You will be back soon.
Thank you Caballo
Stick in there Anji, good to hear you’re staying positive. Thanks for the support on Sunday, hopefully will be able to return the shout outs soon when you’re back in action.
Thank you John, was ace to see you making it look easy as always!
Great blog Anji, we all go through bad times and times when we feel like giving up, but you know the thing about us runners is we don’t give up that’s what makes us what we are, be positive and you’ll be back soon!!!
Thanks Steve xx
Excellent read Anji. Sorry you’re having such a rough time of it at the moment, having also heard about your broken foot. I guess we get these awful lows to balance out the tremendous highs that the sport provides. Keep the faith and you’ll pull through and you’ll be back out racing with the club soon!