It seems the last dredges of the Year of the Rat wiggled its whiskers and bit me while I was reaching for my suitcase a week ago. My lower back muscles have nearly crippled me.

My incapacitated back resulted in slow movements through the check-in side of the Hong Kong International Airport. I missed my flight. Two days later I welcomed the Year of the Ox with a clean house and a ride in a wheelchair to my Thailand-bound plane. Now safely in Thailand, I find myself unable to follow my backbreaking (literally!) training regime.

This upsets me. I think I am experiencing what I always thought was a phantom side-effect of those fitness freaks who crave exercise. I am antsy to get out and run, but my aching back protests even at the thought of walking.

Expert advice is needed so I decide to call my pal Elton Ng Chun-ting, sports physiotherapist at the Centre of Rehabilitation & Exercise Specialist and his advice is simple: 'Rest.'

'Any injury to the back could be a number of issues,' says Elton with a grave voice. 'There are a lot of reasons people strain their backs. You could be suffering from a disc problem or joint and ligament issues.'

More exercises, I laugh to myself. I log on to see a series of pictures of Elton performing different stretching and strengthening exercises on the floor and with the dreaded Fit Ball.

'You need to rest,' he says. 'When you lay on your tummy, try to do arm extensions to mobilise the back. In the horizontal position, the back is normally relaxed. This exercise will help.'

The picture shows a gentle rise of the upper body into an arch that I am advised to do twice a day for two minutes.

'I think you should rest up and see how you feel,' says Elton. 'If you are all right, then walk or run. If wary, then just rest and come see me next week.'

Then he lays it on me. 'Even if your back was well, you only have a few days left to train,' says Elton candidly. The boat has sailed on my drive to push up my mileage and I am crushed.

'More training at this time won't make much difference,' says Elton. 'If you are up for running, then run. Heat, repetitive arm extensions and massages will help.'

I thank Elton and decide to heed his advice. It's a good thing I'm in the epicentre of massage therapy. I hobble my way down to Tanaporn Massage House in Thong Nai Pan Noi beach where a traditional Thai house is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Owner Tanaporn Gilliland is a gracious Thai host who has opened her house to business since 2006.

This Zen-like atmosphere is broken intermittently by my whimpers of pain as my massage therapist, Tip, grinds her elbow into my muscles. Her repetitive strokes and acupressure bring me much relief from the cramped muscles of yesterday.

She speaks to me repeatedly in Thai and there is no need for translation. The mothering tone speaks for itself: you should take better care of yourself; you shouldn't drink with this back; how did this happen; you need to sleep more.

'Your back no good,' she murmurs in English amongst the Thai. 'You need to come see me. Tomorrow. Two hours of Thai massage. Ask for Tip.'

I nod my head as she pats my hand gently. I have hobbled back twice and soon, I will be right as rain. This ninth week of training started with 14 days left to the big day. Thanks to my strained back - it has been quite an adventure to even get out of bed in the mornings.

During week eight, I clocked in 40 kilometres and a 16km run - which will sadly be the plateau of my marathon training. This week, I have taken leisurely strolls on the beach to keep my feet peddling. Each day, I estimate I have clocked in about 20 kilometres.

The most surprising factor: I miss running. I guess it's like how I miss Kevin. I miss his demanding cankerous nature that drove me to the edge which paired perfectly with his generous larger-than-life personality that touched the many family and friends around him.

In the past as a cadet reporter, I was often running around for Kevin. These days, I'm running a half marathon for him.

Gone walkabout

With running out of the question, Anneliese has had to settle for long walks of: 20km

Age: 29 Height: 173cm Weight: 65kg (-2kg) BMI: 21.7 (-0.7) Fat: 28.5%