Update

It has been a while since I was on here, and A LOT has happened so here we go...

​Firstly, and probably the most important part, is that I CAN FINALLY SWIM AGAIN!!! When I found out that I needed an operation, the doctor told me that although this operation will considerably improve my shoulder stability, that I may not get back to the level I was before and I may even struggle to swim at all. 

Obviously, this was a huge obstacle for me and made it a lot harder to make my decision, but I have met many people who have struggled with injuries yet still been able to carry on competing.  

I also knew that having my arm permanently dislocated from my shoulder socket for any longer would mean problems with tendons, muscles etc later on.  Therefore, I took the risk of having the operation as I knew nothing could be worse than continue competing with the pain I was in before as well as my times worsening each month.

​Now, almost 3 months later, I have returned to my swim club (which I havent swum with for 8 months) and I have just been able to get my arm over the water when swimming front crawl!  This is a HUGE step in the right direction for me, because at last now I know that as long as I get my strength back, I will be able to compete again. 

There is still the possibility of not getting my full rotation of the shoulder back, but for now, I am happy with how it is going!    Next task: getting a wetsuit on!

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The bike - I haven't been able to go onto the road because my shoulder wouldn't have been able to reach the bars and hold me up.  Last week I was finally able to get out onto the road, and just in time for the nice weather!

It was lovely to have that freedom again with the wind blowing the cobwebs away.   Although I could only do about 17ish miles before I had to cycle home holding my arm to my chest, I would say that was a good start! 
However today I went out again on the quiet country roads of Hanningfield.   I felt so much stronger and was able to ride for longer and enjoy it more.   I got up some good speed and didn't ache as much.

​I still cannot go on my TT bike because I can't get my arms onto the bars or arm rests in the correct position and to be safe (see picture below, this was taken before the operation).  It puts an awful lot of pressure on my shoulder being in this position and I wouldn't be able to control the bars, brakes or gears,  or concentrate on the road enough.
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I am hoping it happens soon as I NEED TO GET ON THAT BIKE!

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Finally, the run - I feel like I am finally getting back to the speed I was before.

This was the first discipline that I could start training for after the operation because I could use my sling while I ran, but now that I have been training without it for nearly a month, I can easily say that I sometimes forget that I actually had an operation! 
That is what I have been waiting for since February, training like I've never had an operation - I love it!
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And just in time for my first ever 10 miler on Bank Holiday Monday.   
​Good times ahead, I just hope it is in time for my Europeans and Worlds.  

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