Lockdown Larks: A Non-Running Update

[Sweder]

An update (of sorts).

No running, of course. None. Those days are behind me, as confimred in posts passim. I still volunteer at Seaford Beach park Run, and last Sunday was to be found lurking under a purple beret just across the finish line of the mighty Moyleman. The 10th year, 9th edition overall and the 8th official running of the race.

These days I'm most likely to be found cycling the streets of Lewes, fighting the flab on two wheels.

I was sea swimming for a time. In 2022 I managed 362 days, dragging myself into some pretty chilly waters at an ungodly hour. I got pretty good. Last year I opted for more warm-weather outings, until, in summer, I developed breathing trouble on the front crawl stroke. Concerned, I knocked swimming on the head and got in touch with my doctor. He couldn't figure out what what was going on and farmed me out to some specialists at the University of Sussex Hospital.

Several invasive procedures later, including camera up and down various pipes, and I have a answer. I have a paralysed hemi-diphragm. No, me either. Apparently, the large muscle that drags our lungs down into our body cavity to help them inflate works in two sections: left and right. My left side no longer functions; it's stuck in the 'up' position, possibly permanently.

I've been referred to a respiratory specialist, where no doubt more tests awaits. In short, this is a rare condition, and not one that anyone can assure me is entirely resolvable.

For the time being, I'm operating on something close to 1.25 lungs. Just as well I'm not running, really.

Take care of yourselves. These are the salad days.