Pain is temporary, glory is forever and chicks dig scars.

Saturday 12 April 2008 was the most miserable day of my (admittedly quite short) running career.

My husband Simon has already given some background information in respect of my broken leg. I’ve always been quite accident prone, but breaking my left leg in two places was a particular low point. The last two years of my life have involved a lot of pain, two operations and much effort trying to get my leg back to full health. I was patched up with the wonders of Swiss technology, a handful of screws and a titanium rod that ran down the middle of my tibia from my knee to my ankle. My limp was so bad that my sister gave me the nickname “Quasimodo” (ta for that Dannii). After my second op in April 2007 to remove the metal, my husband gave me the nickname “Frankenstina” (ta for that Simon). Unfortunately, both descriptions were quite accurate.

Simon has also mentioned the virus that flattened me recently. Up until that point, my training had been going quite well. I’ve never been a natural at any kind of sports, but I try hard and enjoy it – even if I do look stupid and finish last every time.

Being ill meant that I didn’t set foot in the gym or put on my running shoes for over two weeks. Boy did I feel it when I went back to the gym last week. Everything hurt afterwards!

Yesterday I went running for the first time in three weeks. I got a shock. I think I just expected to be able to run as well as I did the last time. I ached following my visits to the gym, my bad leg hurt and I couldn’t breathe. Half way through the 5k run (and this is extremely embarrassing to admit) I burst out crying and gave up.

After my pathetic attempt at a run I went home. Then two things happened:

1. I’m sure most of my team mates have been watching coverage of today’s London Marathon. Yesterday BBC News told the story of Buster. Buster is 101 years old and running today’s marathon. Buster recently completed a half marathon in four and a half hours. Buster is now my hero. Quote from Buster: “I’m not rich in terms of money, but I’m a millionaire in terms of my health”.

2. I thought of Ian. Ian was getting over his second major heart surgery when I met him. I never heard him moan or complain. His attitude was amazing. He just got on with it. Quote from Ian when I moaned about my scars: “pain is temporary, glory is forever and chicks dig scars”.

I felt thoroughly ashamed of myself and vowed to have a better attitude. I’m very lucky really. My leg will make (and almost has made) a full recovery. Maybe my leg looks like a patchwork quilt (not quite as cool as a shark bite), but it works and my legs were never that pretty in the first place anyway so who cares. I’ve been given the opportunity to do this run. It was always going to be a challenge and that is why the money that the members of team_atko raise in memory of Ian will be well deserved.

I gave myself a mental kick up the a*se. I went for a 5k run today. I finished it. It went much better.