Post op and training plan

So its been 5 days since the op and recovery is going well. I've gone from immobility to walking OK. My right thigh is one big bruise in a range a beautiful colours and I have stitches in a place that needed a particularly steady hand from the surgeon (I'm glad I didn't think too much about that before hand).

I have to walk a little everyday before my stitches are removed on the 27th and then I might go for an easy swim and cycle at Centre Parks over New Year. I will return to gentle training on the 9th if everything goes to plan but I am aware that the docs did say 4 to 6 weeks. I'm not sure why. If my stitches are out and the wound has healed, what harm can running do. Especially as they are encouraging me to walk everyday to improve circulation.

Anyway, I am having to concentrate really hard on my eating. Its so hard. There is a giant tin of Quality Street on the side, loads of cheese in the fridge and Panettone in the cupboard. I must be strong.

I'm staying focused by doing my ironman training plan. I have a book called "Be Iron Fit" by Don Fink which seems really good. There is three training programs, Competitive, Intermediate and Just Finish. I've gone for the middle one, Intermediate, as it seems reasonable for me.

The first 10 weeks (Base) averages out as 8.5 hours a week, the 2nd 10 weeks (Build) averages as 11.5 and the final 10 weeks (Peak) is 13 hours. It looks doable on paper, probably different in reality.

Operation

Well, that's that. All done in a day. The ugly varicose vein has been stripped out and I'm all bandaged up and full of opiates.

I have to say, Chelsea and Westminster hospital is excellent. Exactly how you want a hospital to be; well organised, clean, new, uncluttered and very friendly staff.

I now have 2 weeks in compression tights, then stitches removed followed by 2 more weeks in the tights. Then it should all be better. I did get a variety of answers to my "when can I run" question. 3 weeks was the best answer and 6 the worst. I guess I just play it by ear.

Should I ride in Wales?

I have the Autumn Epic planned for the first weekend in October but I'm really unsure whether to do it or not. It was my first Sportive and I was really looking forward to it until recently. I am now less than 50/50.

I have done one cycle since the Etape so I'm undercooked. I don't have the use of the car so will have to take the train to Worcester and catch a lift with Ed who is borrowing his mums car. This will mean a late return home on Sunday.

Cycling is just not on my radar at the moment. It seems I can't love running and cycling at the same time. Especially now that I am fully committed to my teacher training course which is taking a lot of my energy and time.

Another excuse is that my training for the marathon is well underway and with less than 13 weeks to go, I do need all the long weekend runs I can get. Really not sure what to do.

Tonight's recovery run went well. The 4.9 gentle miles felt good.