Nobody said it would be easy...

...I mean where's the challenge in that?

I've just been diagnosed with Hypermobilty Joint Syndrome. It's a pain, like literally, but it's helpful to know.

Throughout my life, I have just accepted the grinding, clicking and inflammation in my joints. My shoulders and hips and jaw have been the worst, with my jaw actually dislocating on a couple of occasions. We all have our aches and pains and just tend to soldier on right? After all it could be a heck of a lot worse!

Unfortunately though, my hips are so ridiculously hypermobile, that my body does not seem to know when it is operating out of range and I suffered an extremely painful injury. I have spent the last month recovering and cross training with swimming and physio. A similar thing happened when I used to kick box and I ended up with a very nasty muscle tear, which saw me out for a long time. The good thing is that I now know what is going on and can adapt accordingly. It is frustrating perhaps, but I have to accept and work with what I have. Like I said, it could be worse!

I am as ever, extremely determined and after a whole month off running, finally felt ready to go to my running club's "Club Night" on Monday. They run several groups of varying pace, so I decided that the "Steady Pace" group would be ideal for a return after injury. After all, I had recently been gifted THE most amazing thing, a brand new pair of Brooks Ghost 12 running shoes and I have been staring at them longingly, dying to give them a test run out!

I WASN'T disappointed - they are a DREAM, literally like running on air... I am totally in love with them, what an absolutely amazing gift and beautiful gesture from such a kindhearted person. I am so grateful to every single person who is supporting me in so many ways from fundraising to moral support, it means the world to me.

The club run itself was very encouraging. I had been so anxious about whether my hip would be ok, but I have definitely gone about it the right way by resting and having professional treatment and advice. Having ADHD as well as autism means I can be somewhat impulsive and really suffer at the hands of boredom or when physically inactive; thankfully though a couple of good friends recognised this and helped to guide and keep me focussed and sane whilst healing.

I took it easy on the run and so far so good! There is no shame in slowing things right down when it is needed, I took the positives from it and it was so good to be back out there - I do love those little endorphins working their magic!

So, since Monday's run it's been rest, daily physio exercises, and then I'll try another little run tomorrow. Gently does it Deena, you only have one body!