2019 Reflections

So were into 2020 and I just wanted to reflect on 2019.  

My 1st reaction would be to say I am so glad it's over but I actually don't think that's right it was challenging at times don't get me wrong but it was also pretty good too. 

2019 for me was a year where I was forced to slow up, take stock and do a lot of thinking and some planning. 

For instance this blog and other such writing I was not sure or confident that people would want me to keep writing and going on.  But after speaking with people during the year and having my recovery tracked and published by Run Ireland was a massive boost and compliment one I am so appreciative for and this reaffirmed that people are interested in not just me, but actually what I write and the message that my writing puts out there. 

I remain committed to promoting exercise to people with Autoimmune diseases, this year has cemented this for me that exercise is a benefit and I remain committed to trying to get that message out there and to lead or demonstrate by example. So I think your stuck with my blogs for another bit, sorry. 

I then mentioned my plan to do Ironman Cascais and a lot of comments back to me was again can't wait for the blog so I am going to try to document again my training from January and each month again up to next September. 

I obviously did this same format for my Ironman Dublin attempt but this time I suppose the difference is I am going to try to be "normal" and not keep going on about my Arthritis. My goal for September and training up to then is to try to just fit in with normal fat dad's who all hit 40 and decide to take up not one sport they have not tried before but three different sports that they are shite at. 

I want to try my best this year, push myself more and train better. I want to be better, none of this finishing last lark. I don't know if it's possible to be honest but I am willing to give it a shot and for all you luck people, you can read about my exploits soon.  

I have also another project for 2020 that I am at the start of, and quite excited by it. Should it turn out the way I want it to turn out I would be very happy. 

I am going to try to have it done and out by the end of the 1st quarter of 2020. It's something I can't fully go into right now but it's been a project that I had at the back of my head for a while and then just before Christmas I got a light-bulb moment and the whole project just became clear to me in my head. 

So I have started this and the people whom I have spoken with about it all think it's a good idea so let's hope it is, watch this space for more details soon I hope. 

So what else happened in 2019. 

Well my wife said to me last January that she got a feeling it was going to be a shit year and that started to come true as my son was in hospital in January with emergency appendix , not a good start. He was fine but a dodgy start indeed

Then there was some other family stuff going on too which added to stress and strains but hey is that not normal in life ? 

I had my hip done at the end of February, this was a tough enough time as it adds strains on the family for support and stuff. 

Also the planning and making sure we were ok financially too just adds stress and as I've mentioned in past blogs stress is a huge thing in modern day life. 

I was conscious of getting back on my feet, back to work, back to earning etc. Work were really good in fact and allowed me to work from home for a good bit. So all was not too bad. 

The hip operation was a success. I really deteriorated from Christmas last year to the point where I could not walk any distance at all and I was in so much pain 24 hours a day. 

I was physically and mentally wrecked and I would say such a pain to live with or be around, the pain was not only in my hip it was my whole right side from my lower back, right down to my ankle. I was struggling to sleep and the operation could not come sooner. 

But the immediate relief was totally life changing I was myself again, I was sleeping and recovery was going good. 

I even followed the doctors orders for the first 6 weeks and did my walks etc and not pushing too much (only a small bit maybe). 

The only small setback was the scar didn't heal fully and I needed to scale back a small bit and take it easy for a few weeks, but this soon got sorted and I was done. 

After 6 weeks I was back in the gym, in the pool and walking about with no crutch.  

I obviously had written 2019 off in terms of races etc, but I had set a few small goals. 

1st was a swim I wanted to do for a few years but could not get to do it, this was the Glendalough swim. 

In Septemeber I did the 1,500mtr race and finished in 31 mins to finish mid pack of over 200 swimmers. I was delighted and not last either. 

Next was to get back on the bike, when I got my 6 months clearance from the doc I was back out on the bike, this time no hip pain nothing It was great and a lovely feeling. I even managed to get out with my Pulse Triathlon club on a few Sunday morning spins. I am going to concentrate more on the bike in 2020.  

My final goal was to get back to Park-run before the end of the year. I was so happy to get this done the first Saturday in December. 

To add to this a lot of my triathlon clubs friends decided to do the same one and were all there at the end to get me across the line I have to say it meant a huge deal to me. 

I was actually quite emotional that day, my friends, my wife were all there and to do it kind of put a line under the whole year for me I could move forward now. 

I am so lucky to have a lot of really good friends too, they help me get through a lot of hard times with some laughter and banter. 

I then managed to bag a 5k Pb two weeks later in the Aware 5k run in the Phoenix park. This was the best way to sign off 2019.

In 2018 I did this run and was in so much pain I barely made it back to the car park I think my time was close to 39 mins. I did it in 30.48 secs and didn't stop and was fine at the end, the difference a new hip and a year makes. 

So that's it, line drawn under the hip I now concentrate on training for September and Ironman 70.3 Cascais and training starts proper January 2020.

Other things have been good in 2019 too. 

My kids have been amazing this year each of them having their own problems and stresses and to see them come through has been amazing I am so proud of each of them. 

Hannah my eldest released her first song (available on all streaming sites, just look for Hana Kate). 

Then in September both Hannah and Jessica performed at the Barretstown Ball in front of a packed out RDS and totally smashed the song, they were amazing and in the end got a offer from world star Celeine Byrne to give them lessons to which she followed though with and they absolutely loved and appreciated the opportunity to learn from a world star. 

Each one did great in school and Hannah also got the course she wanted in collage and has settled in great. 

My wife and best friend, she has had a tough year with me and the kids and has been there for us at every step she is our rock and without her life would just not be the same she is amazing. I was so happy to be able to do my park-run with her there too (she just beat me too). 

I also became more involved with Arthritis Ireland during the year. My story was featured along with others in a book they released about people with Arthritis and how they manage it and get on with life. I must say it's a great read, it inspires me to keep going about what I do as there are so many wonderful and strong people out there in the world. 

So while 2019 was challenging it was great too I am looking forward to 2020 and getting back training and facing more challenges, finishing my projects and having fun with my friends and family.  

Finally thanks to all you for reading my ramblings over the last few years, to the new friends I've made via social media and those who follow me on Insta and Twitter I hope I keep you entertained and invested in my journey and I hope you enjoy my 2020 journey just as much. 

Ken.