It is with great sadness that I have to announce that, due to my sustained ITB injury, I am no longer able to complete my running challenge. Although I am in recovery and building both my strength and fitness it is not going to be possible for me now to be able to run the remaining races. I am very sorry for this unfortunate turn of events but I risk doing further damage if I continue and need to allow my body to heal properly and fully before attempting the level of training required to complete a half marathon, especially in the challenging climate of the Gambia.
I am not beaten and I will recover. And I will carry on next year with a new running challenge in order to finish what I started. Hopefully, with all the lessons learnt this year, I will be in a far better position to complete whatever challenge I decide to set myself. I know that it will end with the Brufut Half Marathon as completing this race is now a personal target, as well as a way to raise money for the Bantaba Project.
One interesting thing is that I am now fully consider myself a runner! Not something I ever thought I would become and there are many ways someone may identify themselves as being a runner. How do I know that I am a runner? I am wholly jealous of anyone able to run when I cannot! Who saw that on coming!?!? There is a level of acceptance required with running, a break through point where it doesn't become evil anymore and becomes enjoyable, even when it's hard. I think I reached this point at the end of February when I went out a did a 6 mile run after work on a Tuesday.. and loved it!
Thank you all for your support so far and please keep reading for what happens next xXx
Maybe next year I can come to Africa with you after all!
ReplyDeleteYou still tried and took part in!
Well done for everything you did, and will continue to do :)
xx