The return of 5k parkrun

There was a sense of normality this morning as Eastbourne parkrun returned, the 1st time since March 2020. Having recovered from Ledderhose through radiotherapy and then used my new found health combined with a LCHF diet I got fit and started running. 

Since 2015 a large part of that running has been parkrun. The great thing about parkrun is that anyone can take part, it is free and almost everyone is happy to see everyone else. I have done well over 100 parkruns and including junior parkrun (a shorter event for kids on a Sunday) have nearly completed 100 volunteer stints as well. Given the evidence showing a lack of outdoor transmission of a certain condition it has been disappointing (but understandable) that it took parkrun so long to come back.

parkrun is wonderful for your fitness but for the sense of community and mental health. You make so many friends and get fitter at the same time. It was wonderful to be back running with all those familiar faces even if things were slightly different. 

                   

 

9 years post radiotherapy

It is now almost 9 years to the day since I finished my 2nd week of radiotherapy, you can read more of my background here.. That was back in 2012 (obviously) and how things have changed since then, though we do have another Olympics about to start. 

I still reflect that is crazy how much has change, not just that I now have an 8 year old daughter but with the Ledderhose and things. Thanks to the radiotherapy I have gained my mobility and am not just able to walk pain free but run pain free, well with no pain from the fibroma, running can still be painful. Although standing for long periods of time can cause issue we still work our way round Legoland and have a great time. 

Thanks to Low carb I have lost weight and am a keen runner. I am really excited that parkrun is about to return in England looking forwards to work my way up from the 150 I have completed so far and I am nearing 100 volunteers as well. With lockdown easing I am looking to get properly back into my running and would love a proper crack at my 10km PB early next year. 

I am hoping to do some more Ledderhose stuff soon, more to come on that in another post or two. I am potentially looking to do a follow up survey from the one in 2014/2015. I have learnt a lot since then around survey design, what I would want to focus on and I have learnt so much in terms of data analysis and that side of things. Still just an idea at the moment. 

Another thing I would like to do is a literature review, although I have been keeping my eye out for ground breaking papers I have lost touch a little and would like to see of there is any exciting Dupuytren's or Ledderhose news I have missed in the last few years. 

Really this post was just to get the ball rolling, to say hi I am here and that I will be looking to post a little more again. Maybe tomorrow I will do a post parkrun post, so happy that things are getting back to normal but I don't want to get into that.