rginns blog

Well tonight I took out the last four of my stitches. Now it hurts, I think I've annoyed the nerves. It's also fairly itchy, but at least it doesn't look so grim as it did before. I can see new skin in the wound, although it's still very tender and will still take a few weeks. Anyway, for the time being running will have to do. The latest escapade was Cadshaw again. G-man wasn't free, then he was free so I met him at the layby at half five. We started out and in a change from previous runs took it very easy on the initial downhill to avoid the dreaded stitch. We went round the reservoir in the same direction as before and on the way back G-man took a lead, with his quicker pace. took it easy on the hill again, then increased the pace near the end - I finished in 40:29, nearly 30 seconds off my last effort, so I am really pleased. G also took time off, but a bit disappointed not to get under 40 mins. To do it in that time would probably be possible actually... time t

Well, this running lark seems to be getting its claws in. I am starting to recover a bit quicker than I could before and although it's only been 3 weeks, I can already see my times improving and feel fitter as well. I suppose if there's any silver lining to be gained from fucking my hand up, it's that I would never have started running if it weren't for having an enforced period away from climbing. Speaking of which, it's healing nicely. I've now got the wound uncovered and it's fairly ok, except when I knock it. Wednesday saw my doubled over in pain though after trying to open a car air freshener. It sprang back into my hand. Anyway as long as I don't knock it, it's fine. Sooo, tonight I arranged to meet up with the G-star for a run. Cadshaw was the choice of the day. I got there at about half 5 and G got there a bit after. we set out after a few minutes. The last couple of times I've been out I've managed to give myself a stitch, which on

Tonight I went over to Jumbles reservoir to check out the run. On the way, it pissed it down, and it was looking unlikely, so I popped into my brother in laws so he could help me refit my laptop screen, plus reload CS4 which has been playing silly buggers. Once I'd done that, it was still raining, but less so than earlier. Still, I opted for a short run... I headed down to Jumbles and started out. The run starts out pretty flat on the start of the way round, the route is easy to find, and the path is pretty good. The puddles were rife though, and there was much jumping in/around and through them. I got into a rhythm and was enjoying the run. Once it drops back down into the valley, the uphill steps/slope are an absolute killer. really sapping. Anyway, I managed to get round in about 18 minutes 20. Not bad, although it was a very short run. managed to average 11.2 kmph, so I'm really pleased with that. Here are the stats: Distance: 3.4 Km Ascent: 80m Time: 18:20 mins spee

Well, Saturday saw a revisit on the Winter Hill run. This time instead of doing the road rotue up to coal pit road it was the Lanky version from Brownstones to the mast and back. I got me hair cut and then headed over to Brownstones. G was late leaving work, and held on in spite of getting there earlier than me, and we started up the hill. After a few minutes I picked up a stitch. The pace started off well, but when I gained the stitch I might as well have stopped. Which I did. After much pain, and run-walk-running we reached the mast after about 27 minutes. I dare say I slowed the pace considerably. Anyway, The way down was the same as my last Winter hill run, which was done in 23 minutes. This time however we shaved 2 minutes off, doing it in just over 21 minutes. The pace downhill was good on the road, but I still think it could have been done faster as the stitch was still giving me grief. Pleased with 48 mins up and down though, I'd say it was still quicker than last week, in

Well today I wanted to get out running as it has been a few days since I've been out...running. The last run was a bit far, so I picked an 8k route around Turton and Entwistle reservoir. I got to Cadshaw at about 5:50 and started running at 6 sharp. At first, the run was good, ran past the quarries, round the bend and down to the river. Then kept on the path round the reservoir. Really flat. Then on the return, I got a stitch about two thirds of the way round. By about three quarters of the way round I'd managed to run through it, and eventually I got round to the hill. In spite of really wanting to stop and walk, I pushed through and didn't. The final hill isn't actually too bad and it eventually relents. The final section is just a flat plod, fairly pleasant. I've come to the realisation that I hate running, when I'm running. But afterwards, I feel great. It feels like punishment, but strangely satisfying. anyway, todays stats are as follows: Distance: 8000m T

So it's been a week since slicing my hand up like it ain't no thing. Tonight I saw Dr. Sister in law who said she'd take my stitches out for me. The hospital said to only leave them in for a week, but to be on the safe side, she took the first stitch out to see how it would fare. Although the wound is healing nicely, because of where it is, as the evening wore on, the wound started splitting from where the stitch had been taken out. Not happy. If it's this delicate just on one stitch removal doing normal things like using a knife and fork, how long is it going to be before I can properly crank down on it?? I opted to leave the other stitches in, and monitor it. If they start to scab over or get embedded I'll remove them myself as fit, but I might as well leave them in for the time being as they seem to be the only thing holding my hand together. It could be a good few weeks before I can climb properly. I'm almost glad it's raining...

Well this weekend I've been on the pork life a bit more than is reccomended. I met Stephen for a drink after work on Friday which ended up being a 3am session, then a leaving barbecue for Ju who is shortly off to Australia meant virtually all of yesterday was spent eating and drinking too. Today I was feeling pretty unhealthy, so I decided to change things. I've been meaning to go running for a bit as this is pretty much the only cardio exercise I am capable of doing until the hand heals. A trip to a sports shop was in order. When I arrived I was met with a gleaming wall full of running shoes of all shapes and sizes. After furtively rummaging for a few minutes to find a pair of a suitable size I picked out two of the whitest trainers money can buy. I proudly presented these to the till and bought them. With the first step over, I needed a route. G had suggested a run from Brownstones over to the mast on Winter Hill as a nice one to do, so after a brief look at the OS map the de

Well it's been 3 days and the scar is starting to fuse nicely. Looking at the scar, I'm not too hopeful on projections for healing. 3 weeks at least, possibly longer. I walked home last night from work as I'm not too safe changing gear with one hand. It took me 1 hour 45, I was quite surprised it took so long, but it was a pleasant walk in any case north of Westhoughton. I hadn't realised what nice countryside there is there. You really get a sense of place when walking that you don't when driving, I should do more of it. Apart from this, I've decided to start back on the core work and also keep the right arm as strong as possible with weights. Not much more I can do really, except running. erm, yeah. maybe.

I'm typing this one handed this evening having just got back from two and a half hours spent in A&E. I've recently taken up wood carving and was using a small but very sharp carving knife. At the moment I'm carving oak, which is very hard and tends to need a lot of pressure cutting. Just as Crimewatch was starting I slipped and managed to slice open the palm of my left hand from just below my index finger to the base of my palm. In spite of copious blood spillage (one and a half tea towels full) the much better half managed to get me to the hospital to have it stitched up. So here I am, 9 stiches later. I think climbing is out for a couple of weeks at least... although slightly up and it could have been a lot worse. I'm glad it went nowhere near my fingers. In a slightly gory note I hadn't realised how much fat is in the hand, I could see globules of the stuff at the bottom of the cut. grim.

This week just gone I have been down to Brownstones 3 times, primarily to try the pond traverse, various success. I can now get from the start right over to the rock-up move to the big hole about 2m from the end of the tricky wall by the pond. This is one problem just to keep on at. It'll get done one day... Today I was planning a trip after the luftwaffe picked up our European friends. Brownstones it was again, and as soon as I got there it started to rain, quite heavily. Not deterred, I waited about and it did get better. I spoke to a guy who was leaving and he said it had been on and off. I tried the pond traverse and slipped off, twinging my left wrist, but managed on one occasion to get to the point I'd got to the other day. Then GCW+troops came along. Briefly had a look at the mantelstrug dyno, which in true Lanky style is a SANDBAG. Then it started raining again, so it was time to de-camp up to the top end to look at Pigswill. As it was pretty wet, I opted to leave my ma