I suppose this is a blog/history up to this point.
I have always loved sport. Through the majority of my 53 years on this planet, I've played football, cricket, hockey, golf, squash, tennis & cycled. You name it I'd give it a try, well apart from swimming as I've got the ability to float like a house brick!
Just after my 50th birthday I fractured my wrist whilst playing football. My consultant informed that I couldn't play again for at least 3 months. What to do now to keep fit in the meantime? I thought I'd go for long walks but on my first attempt after about 5 minutes I got bored, so jogged a little & then walked again. I was an ok sprinter in my youth but anything over 200 metres wasn't for me. Too much like hard work I thought. My excursions out walking, developed into longer periods of running, until I could run 5k, albeit not very quickly.
How have I done that? I hate running? But only now I didn't! I was addicted, got the bug, hook, line & sinker. I kept training trying to run faster or longer. I got a buzz from my slow improvement. I was now a runner! I steered clear of races, scared of embarrassing myself, always been a bit self conscious. Then an illness in the family changed my mind. One of my close relatives was diagnosed with Myeloma. I decided to raise money for their charity and in October 2015 ran my first 5k race at the Bournemouth Running Festival (UK). I absolutely loved every second. The support from the crowd & encouragement from other runners was amazing.
I was now obsessed, scouring the internet to find other races to run. I found myself running regular 10k races, it was an achievement just for me to finish but I noticed my times were slowly improving. I decided to push myself and entered the Norwich Half Marathon in April 2017 running for MacMillan Cancer.
During my training its then I noticed I had a problem. I'd got to about 7-8 miles in my build up when I started getting pain in my left buttock. I recall one cold winter night having to hobble 2-3 miles back home as I couldn't run. At the same time, I and others noticed I was limping when I walked. I went to see a physio and they thought it was piriformis syndrome. From this time I was having regular treatment to stretch the muscle & spent many an hour rocking backwards & forwards on an tennis ball. The pain didn't improve but I could still run but I noticed my limp was getting worse. I even had some acupuncture session which seemed to help. I managed to complete the half marathon in a very slow and painful time. I decided to see my GP as I'd now had this pain for 6 months plus, with no sign of improvement. I was duly sent off for an x-ray. At the start of May 2017 I got the news I had advanced OA in my left hip & the right was quite worn as well. I was devastated, quite selfishly really, as in the great scheme of life it is insignificant. I carried on running, though I was conscious I was eroding my hip even more. Naproxen followed with limited success. Getting in & out of my car I looked like an inactive 90 year old, only improving to an inactive 85 year old when walking.
I got referred to my local hospital who offered me a hip replacement which meant no more running for me. I'd heard about BHR and managed to get a second opinion with a Mr Nolan in Norwich in October 2017. He said I was a good candidate for the procedure, relatively young & fit, so I went on the waiting list. He was amazed I was still running with condition my hip was in. He was right, after seeing him, I only ran once more, an interval session that nearly killed me. I hung up my running shoes, hopefully temporarily. So whilst being on the waiting list I've turned my attention to my exercise & road bike. I've grown to love them, though they are a running substitute. I've been working hard on my core strength in the hope it will help in my recovery.
I now sit here five days before my procedure. I am going to exercise right up until the day. In fact I've managed to squeeze in a 25 mile cycle event two days before the op
I know the recovery will be difficult and frustrating because I know I'll want to do more than my body will allow me.
I'll try and keep you updated with my progress. I would like to end by wishing everyone on here good luck and best wishes on their individual journeys. Much love Graham