I am a runner and ex-commuter-cyclist. Looking for some rehabilitating exercise for a knee problem, I stumbled accidentally into the beginnings of the fixed-gear fad of the mid noughties before it became comical. I used to ride to work 3 times a week 35 mile round trip on a fixie. So I still have a couple of cheap steel road and track bikes with hand built wheels (built by me
). There's also the full-suss MTB that I paid £1K for in c2005, now only used on high days and holidays.
In 2009 I hit a pothole one dark morning, came to concussed and lying in the road with a split helmet and torn rotator cuff in my shoulder, so cycling was off the cards. When headaches had subsided and shoulder recovered enough a few weeks later I took to running and haven't looked back.
I did the 10k, half, then marathon progression thing before turning to trail and then fell running. I'm most happy running through the fields or on the hills well away from anyone.
Equipment consists of: 4 pairs of road running shoes, 3 for trail, 4 for the fells, most in various states of disrepair but I use them all until they fall apart beyond repair.
I had built up to running 45 miles per week, often being out for 6-8 hours on the fells at weekends.
I never usually have injuries. However I have barely run since start of Feb due to an ankle problem. I miss it so much, it's my joy and sanity and keeps the weight off.
walk !!
