After a couple of months of attempting to ignore the increasing ache in my upper right arm, a constant ache which becomes very painful with even the slightest bash or overstretch, I dragged myself along to the doctor a couple of weeks ago to be diagnosed with a frozen shoulder. I’d already done some research and thought it wasn’t frozen shoulder as the pain was mostly in my arm but as it’s progressed I realise he is probably correct. A choice between a cortisone injection and a referral to physiotherapy was offered so I chose the physio though I have to wait till late March for the earliest appointment. Meanwhile I’m doing some passive exercises in the hope of losing any further movement range.

From what I read on the internet frozen shoulder can take months, even years, to go through it’s usual 3 stages. The painful stage, which I seems to be in now, the frozen stage and the rehabilitation stage. Meanwhile I am consuming regular ibuprofen and paracetamol to stop it nagging me and to help me sleep so won’t be doing any particularly fast or long training for a while. I also have reduced swing in my right arm so have to stay aware to avoid running even more asymmetrical than usual. My legs still work fine though and my plantar faciitis has faded to a gentle reminder to keep up the stretches so at least I can still run.

If there is an upside to this it is that I can just get on with enjoying trail runs and shorter races without any pressure to perform. I’ve got 3 parkruns in this month, all very cold, all around the 26:30 mark – 3 minutes off my pb. I didn’t bother driving to the Wokingham Half as it was clearly going to rain and be cold so why put myself through it with no hope of a PB. There are several local races coming up: Wrap-up and Run 10k, OX5 Run, Brill Hilly 10k – these should be fun to cycle out to and plod round.

I seem to be fine for a few trail miles so hopefully I’ll be ok for the Compton 20 in April, there’s lots of variety and some inevitable (for me) walking to break things up. Similarly I’m optimistic about being able to do the Vegan Carneddau in June though I’ll need sufficient and comfortable right arm flexibility for the odd scramble.

Meanwhile those cats are settling in well. They can both use the cat flap now though unfortunately they prefer to crap in the nice warm litter tray. Molly continues to be a bit timid, the only time she’s been on my lap was when I was trying to eat a plate of teacakes, she does like to rub heads with Jane though. Honey is very affectionate, she loves a knee and likes to sleep on the bed which isn’t always convenient what with me already struggling to get comfortable. Jane has got them a huge scratching post in the hope of saving the furniture.