LONG TIME NO BLOG !!!!

So it's been a while since my last blog post,I said I would give you all a little insight in to what I have been up to.......

After pulling from the Euro's at the 45 mile mark due to injury I recovered pretty quickly and focused my attention on another 100km,which was to be the 'Night of Flanders 100km in Torhout Belgium.
I knew I was in good shape for the Euro's and injury prevented me from achieving my goal.This is why I sought out this particular race only 8 weeks later as my 'Irish Record Attempt' at 100km.
Richard Donovan made it all possible along with the ever reliable John Collins on support duties.
Long story short I just had one of those days that you only ever dream of. Hard training,good luck and very intelligent support crew made for the best 7 hours 3 minutes and 53 seconds of my sporting life !!

After this I took a nice family break with the missus and kids and then a week later it was off to the beautiful West Cork village of Courtmacsherry for a very scenic 36 miler. I managed to get the win and got one of the best welcomes you will ever get anywhere.I have since met many great friends in West Cork,which I now call my second home.Without naming too many names I do feel I have to mention one particular individual for his genorosity,friendship and support........ Thank you Bob Hilliard
This year Bob has named the event after me!!! To say I am honoured is a complete  understatement.
This years event on July 19th will also have a 10k and 18 miler along with the 36 mile ultra,and I would highly recommend it (obviously!!).

So what have I been doing since last July I hear you ask ??

Short answer is not alot !!

Over the past year I have been having alot of trouble with various injuries. I would get a couple of months of decent training in and then breakdown with another injury,and then another and another and so on.
It all finally came to a head in early march when I put a joint in my back out for no apparent reason. I was unable to walk for days and when I finally did manage to get about it was with great pain.Once this subsided after a couple of months it was the turn of my pelvis.

I knew something wasn't right! There was more going on with my body than I knew. I couldn't run a mile without having to turn back with a crippling pain!

Over the last fortnight after tests and scans I have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. Anybody who is unfamiliar with this condition,osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease which decreases bone mass density. In other words your bones become more 'honeycomb' and more prone to fracturing very easily.I always associated osteoporosis with elderly women and was in shock when I got the news.In truth it is more common in women over the age of 50 although it can occur at any age. There are a lot of varying factors which contribute to its developement,such as age,diet,exercise etc.....
A simple DEXA bone scan will determine whether you have it or not and also your risk of developing the condition. I would highly recommend fellow athletes to get themselves checked. I've found mine before it got too serious. Even though we all like to think because we can run long distances we are invincible to these sort of conditions,it's not always so straight forward.

On a personal note I will be out of action for a while and my sole aim at the moment is to get myself healthy again.When I have achieved this my sole purpose will be to get back competing against the best ultra runners in the world again.

Have a read of this if you get a chance

  http://www.irishosteoporosis.ie/index.php/expert_views/osteoporosis_in_athletes/