First swim completed, looking forward to next one

So, not much to say on the training front, however I am pleased to say that I have now completed my first swim (post operation) and after a shaky first 100m it felt great.

I moved down a couple of lanes to Lane 6 (slowest) where I was well looked after by the ladies there. Everything felt a bit tight for the first 100m or so, I almost felt my wounds (internally) were pulling. I was advised by the Coach and Lane 6 Club Buddies to shorten my stroke and focus on a bit faster arm turnover than my normal longer relaxed reach. This seemed to help a lot and the wounds were not pulling so much.

After the warm up and a few hundred metres of easy swimming I started to relax and enjoy the swim and a bit of physical activity. I ended up swimming the full hour and even logged 2,000m on the Garmin.

My walking has also increased in intensity and distance with a few nice hill climbs over the South Downs.

Unfortunately my Garmin still registers 'No Status' - I need a couple of runs to kick it back into life.

So, the plan is to keep swimming, maybe twice a week and continue to increase the walks to almost hikes or slow jogs.

In the first week of September after I have seen the surgeon I hope to get the green light to properly run. More importantly I need to know the news of my cancer (or hopefully, lack of it) - confirmation of severity, likelihood of spreading and did they think they get it all!

I will keep you posted - looking forward to the day I post my training plan for the week.

Off to the hospital - removal of catheter

I am not blowing my own trumpet and I know it is very early days but even I (Mr Optimist) am suprised with my recovery progress.

It has only been a week since my major surgery and although I am definitely looking a bit 'black and blue' my catheter has just been removed, my plumbing seems to be working well (so far, so good), my appetite is good and my energy levels are stable.

However well I feel I have to give my body time to heal - think of it as tapering back to a big event. Otherwise I risk reversing all the recovery gains. Slow and steady!

So what has the next few days look like - I reckon I will increase my movement (mostly via walking) from 1 to 5 km. That's it... nothing exciting but starting to build a base before I re-introduce swimming (first) followed by running and cycling. The Doctors recommend 3 months before getting back into the saddle - I hope I do a little better than that, however let's talk one week at a time.

What else is going on

I am sitting in my lovely garden thinking that normally (well, less so for last few months) I would be swimming with the Club around this time or catching up with my cycling buddies for a coffee and chat after the swim set.

I still enjoy being part of a local triathlon Club - in fact it has now been over 10 years since I joined and it has been very much part of my life for what feels a long time. I also intend it to continue.

My life has has a great number of twists and turns over the last few years - in 2014 I unexpectedly lost my Dad to cancer (he was a great friend as well as a wonderful father). 2015/16 were also difficult as I set up a new business and struggled through the end of a 20-year marriage that ended in divorce, me selling the family home and then trying to move on with my life.

Since then I met my lovely Lucy, who shares a passion in wellbeing and cycling, and finally after nearly 3 years of dating (lots of driving to Tunbridge Wells) we have brought our families together (not easy) and set up our new lives in the pretty village of Hurstpierpoint.

Sport and triathlon has always been there, albeit not to the level of previous volume/intensity - I will have to update you on my PB at Challenge Roth (plus running with the wonderful Chrissie Wellington) and my off-road ultra running events (50/100 mile).

For now, a weekend of chilling. Would nice to record a couple of easy walks on Strava next week.

Feeling black and blue

So it's Friday, 4 days after my operation - I continue to be pleased with my progress, albeit I am very black and blue - more discomfort than any major pain.

Mobility is as good as can be expected - we have a lot of stairs in our new house (4 floors!) and so it is a fitness test just getting up and down. I have been a bit breathless on occasion (something I am certainly not use to - quite humbling in fact).

I have removed all the bandages from my wounds - quite a few cuts where the robotic hands/devices entered my body. My belly is also quite bloated as they have to force air in to help with the view of all your organs.

In summary, not very pretty but on the upside progress is being made.

Just got to make it through the weekend then on Monday I turn off the valve to the catheter to see if the plumbing works..... If that all goes to plan, then Tuesday the catheter comes out and I start stage 2 of the recovery progress, hopefully with a bit more activity.... baby steps.