* Training Updates Below

Yep, despite a broken knee in October, I intend to get fit to run the British 10k in July 2009 for the charity. (I'm the fat bald bloke on the left in last years race).

For those that may not know, I suffer with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and despite my own success in combating the illness it is still with me every day. Fighting the illness is a battle of constant mental and physical endurance as anyone with the illness will testify. Three years ago I quit my life in London to setup and run OCD-UK, a charity for people affected by this debilitating illness and that is whom I am running for to raise money.

On Sunday 12th July 2009, I will join thousands of other runners to run the British 10k past many of London's central landmarks. The race starts at 9.35am outside the legendary Hard Rock Cafe on Piccadilly. The route will take runners past central London's world famous historic and iconic landmarks. London Eye, St Paul's, Pall Mall, Buck Palace.

This may not seem overly difficult, but not only am I recovering from a broken knee but I was born with Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (clubfoot) when I was born (apparently I share this illness with Steven Gerrard) and which is why some of you comment on me limping sometimes, this does not affect me on a daily basis, but when I walk long distances my foot does blister quite severely, so I will also be fighting this during the challenge. Despite all that, I am determined to complete this challenge, not just for the charity, but for myself.... it would help if I was running for a large wad of dosh for the charity!

Please help me, help OCD-UK, please sponsor me today :-)

Many thanks for your support.

Ashley

UPDATE: March 2009 I am not able to run yet, but for the first time since October I can walk unaided and take steps on the stairs without straightening my leg or leaning on the hand rails.

UPDATE: 2nd April 2009  On Tuesday I walked the 2-3 miles to our support group venue unaided without crutches, but still not yet able to run. Today though whilst walking to the Post Office I took the opportunity to do a few brief jogs. Just a few meter's each time, but to see how my knee holds up. I did not feel any pain, but it was not at all comfortable. I found that the impact on my bad knee jolted, but not pain as such and to compensate I was putting strain on my good leg, I was tensing that one up and just a few meters made my good leg feel very tight and tense.

Not giving up though, run, walk or crawl I will complete 10k unaided.

UPDATE: 22nd April 2009  Today I donned my shorts and running shirt for the first time in month's, and certainly the first time since October.  I jogged about 1-2k, and was able to jog for maybe 2/3 of that, walking inbetween and I did not feel as 'out of breath' as I thought I would, but more training most vital before July. My knee was feeling the impact and I kinda felt myself limping on that side when I was jogging if that makes sense. I also felt if I stopped to walk for a minute or two, starting to jog again felt stiffer at first. Despite these things, I feel positive.

UPDATE: 27th April 2009  Well that has made me think.... had a routine check of my knee today with a consultant (seems to be a different doc every time), and she told me that I now have a higher risk of arthritis in my knee because of the break, so I should not ski, nor run. Although she did say make it a onetime deal, which is fair enough, so another year of running and I will officially retire lol.  I intend to ignore her on the advice not to ski either, no point living if you can't enjoy life and those of us with OCD will tell you, when there is an opportunity to have some fun and enjoy life, we have to grab it and enjoy it because this illness gives us very little chance to do just that most of the time.

UPDATE: 10th July 2009  - Well it's run weekend and I can't even manage to get to the pier on my evening jog and that is only 2 miles away so goodness knows how I will go Sunday.  I have ordered a knee brace to support my knee impact which I hope arrives in time tomorrow morning.  Wish my luck :)

UPDATE: 16th July 2009 - I did it!  It was such hard work this year, because I was waiting for a couple of other charity runners, we started at the very back of the 27,000 pack, and that meant as we went round the atmposhere was not there, very few runners around and less people cheering. We did it though, in a time of 1 hour 25 min... and without any water being available all the way around!