Having been a long-distance runner most of my adult life, not being able to do long runs has been a real problem for me.
2004 I was out from runnning for many months when I first developed RA and it took me more then 6 motnhs to even have a painfree day. Then I recovered slowly and was back to doing Halfmarathons. A bit slower, then before but at least running.
2007 I developed knee problems and could not run as I wanted, but somehow managed to continue.
Then last year I was getting fit again and I developed a back injury. It took me all of last year wiht many ups and downs to learn to manage my back and still run. Turned out even the knee problem had been casued by the back problem, which is a postural problem. Now I can maintain my back if I do my back exercise religiously 3 times a week.
Early this year I did a 16km run and was so happy thinking I am back to "real" running, but 10 days later I got another RA flare-up which has been slow to recover and new joints affected. This had also affected me badly psychologically.
But now it looks like I am back to "real" running.
I still skipped the inaugural Sotokoto Halfmarathon here in nairobi, knowing I would be pushing it.
But when we had the annual Ngongathon I took part. This is one of the toughest fun races that exist. It is high altitude and goes right across the Ngong Hills (famous from the movie "Out of Africa"). about 16km either steep uphill or steep down hill.
My official goal was to prooof to myself that i can still do it which ever was, even if crawling. The secret, but seemingly unatainable goal was to do it in 2 hrs. My personal best some years ago had been 1hr 24minutes.
And I did it! I felt like I am just crawling up the hills, didn`t do much running uphill....Lol I had not been training uphill, to minimise the strain on my back.
But I managed to run in the flatter areas and downhill. I finished in 2hrs 3 minutes! Almost didn`t believe it when I was told my time.
The next 3 days I was not as sore as I thought I would be.
And the normal Hashruns I have done sine I have been doing good times. Last Monday I felt like I am not really running, but dragging my feet. And after the run a couple of people came up to me and commented that i am back to running fast! Wow this is sounding like music in my ears!
Now I need to slowly increase distance again. Because my next goals are the Halfmarathon of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon and next years Sotokoto Halfmarathon.
I know I have to take it very slowly and listen to my body, but I am sure now that it is do-able.

I want to try the Galloway method for training, where you run 5 minutes and walk 1.

Wish my success!