2015 Running Thread Part Two

[Tiredemma]

.... apologies for lack of original title

4 miles tonight

1378.35

nobody's checked any recent shoes but there's nothing to see, just a bit of wear around the toe and the fabric upper disintegrates but underneath they still look unworn a few hundred miles later - I rotate my shoes anyway

did have a full assessment at the running physio last time I strained my calf, they are really thorough, not just gait analysis but a lot of measurements of muscle length and strength, joint motion, all that and I wasn't a candidate for orthotics or any change in running technique other than to try to involve my heels a bit more and to stretch my achilles

I can't do one calf raise on this leg at the moment

that's pretty much the sum of their advice last time once it had healed, I did them as prescribed as soon as it was better enough but am not sure they've helped - they obviously haven't!

I could try another physio, it's nice having a sports specific one though, also is discounted through the club. Am good friends with a general NHS physio so I could ask her informally.

Sorry Mitchy, I know nothing of any of that. Sympathies though.

I have been running a month now after not having done any focussed exercise for years and years. Thought I'd run through some positives and negatives.

Positives
Feel fitter and stronger generally
My breathing has got better SO much quicker than I expected - I am not gasping and wheezing any more, and recover far more quickly than I did at the beginning.
Some nice new kit
Once in a routine it's easy to stick to the routine
You forget the pain within, ooh, twenty minutes I'd say.
Can now run more or less 5km.
Have thought about style and making an effort to do something useful with my arms on hills and trying hard to stop splatting my foot down heel first.
Hip niggle went away as soon as I had bought the new trainers.
Weight has not dropped off me the way I feared. In fact I think I am looking kind of rounder and stronger.

Negatives
Still a crampy tummy occasionally (see fertilising the cauliflower situation from yesterday. Was somewhat better today though)
My LEGS! They are not nearly as strong as I thought they would be by now. I thought my problems would be mainly breathing-related but it seems that was the easy bit. The legs aren't finding it much easier yet. I guess I need to start cycling straight up hills and stuff and doing some other strength work. Within a short distance I am feeling it in the legs but just have to run through it. Maybe that's something to do with being down in a hollow and having to run uphill to get anywhere.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

3.2 from me today so 140.2

I have known different physio's to say different things...worth at least chatting to your physio friend surely?

12.03 from me
=152.23

I fell over at the end of my run
just outside my front door managed to trip as I paused my garmin, no idea how
I was sort of numb with cold and I slid out flat along the concrete as if prostrating myself

No damage except bruised knee!
I suppose the advantage of being such a short arse is not far to fall:o

well done for sticking to it Hester:o
I think once you get into a routine it becomes part of your life and you run as a matter of course
because you are a runner and a runner's gotta run:)

brilliant list of positives hester

and ouch, suzanne, your poor knee and pride!

have sent a little message to phsyio friend (PLEASE CAN YOU FIX MY CALF) I doubt the advice will vary much about calf strains though, I knew it was happening, I did cut back but there is a sort of inevitability about it - on the other hand am a great one for catastrophising and all this rest and elevation and ice might see it come right in time for Sunday

Unfortunately there is no magic cure for calf strains Mitchy. Physio can do some soft tissue work, tape it or use some ultrasound but ultimately strengthening and stretching is key to recovery. Only other thing is that often ankle/calf injuries can affect your balance making you prone to damaging them again, so adding some balance work can help.

No run for me today, but did my FBX and out on the skis again with the dog. Usually do an evening run while DD2 is in gymnastics but need to pick up DH from work as his cars broken down.

can you do a seated calf raise Mitchy?
something like this

(apparently they target the muscles differently)

ow no you've got to be kidding! no!

not that it doesn't look like a brilliant exercise for later, I will definitely save the link, thank you, is probably not a good one for right now!

I sound so ungrateful! I'm not, it's just too painful at the moment even at rest.

Oooh Mitchy I'm so sorry about your calf. I've got no advice at all, just ice and arnica oil which is what we use copiously in long train race preparation. I really hope it gets better, what a PITA just before your HM.
I'm not doing much better with my knee (meniscus/cartilage problems I think). At least I can run again now with not searing pain, but there is definitely something not right and my knee feels really fragile especially with all the ice around. Not what I need with 8 weeks to go until the bloody marathon - flights, accommodation and race all paid for too.
Sazorchard31 and Ohoneohtwo thanks for your advice on the ops...will look at maybe doing that in the summer again. 6 weeks for no pain is a small price to pay I guess!
Suzanne glad you didn't suffer more than some bruises with your knee (they are fragile ) and Hester I'm glad you are enjoying your running and the positive list is far longer than the negative one.

10 miles from me today, beautiful sunny day and I managed to get up to 12kph for the last 30 mins so a good time considering dodgy knee. Snow forecast for tomorrow so maybe running club and intervals will be cancelled...Runtothehills we are lightweights here with no mountains, or huge hills and it rarely snows!

ah, Ok I wasnt appreciating the acuteness of the current calf situation Mitchy, as you say maybe it will be useful for the 'keeping injury at bay' regime :)
( I couldnt help but admire his very thick lower leg musculature though)

Are you going to see anyone about your knee Anglaise?

Sorry you're in so much pain Mitchy Really hope calf gets better before the weekend.

3.1 from me tonight, great run and fastest run in a while.

This plus anglaise's 10 puts the total at 165.33.

Love your positivs list Hester, won't be long till no.negatives!

Suzanne no plans to see a doctor quite yet - I had an appointment booked for Saturday but the pain was less so I cancelled it. I'll see how I go this week. I'm loathe to go because if the doctor tells me to stop running for a couple of weeks (likely) I won't/can't because of the marathon training. Good thing is that I don't need painkillers now. I'm not keen on taking them before running because you don't know how much extra damage you are doing when you take them and don't feel anything.
Found this article which is useful (to me anyway!) as pain is very subjective and if you are addicted to running you will put up with a lot before stopping, sometimes not for the best.
Should I run or see a doctor?

165.33 +3.22 from me = 168.55

Sorry to hear about the injuries. Very frustrating, not to mention painful.

I'm very pleased by my run tonight for several reasons: I wasn't supposed to be running tonight and I snuck it in before DH went out, it was below freezing and I'm a wimp about running in slippy conditions,I ran faster than usual (though probably much slower than the rest of you) and it was MUCH easier than Saturday's torturous 5k. It's all good

Can I ask for some advice on trainers...I've currently got a pair of asics gt 2170 but they've run too many miles and I think it's time for some more.

I bought them from my local running shop and whilst the shop was great I can't afford (well don't want to) £100+ on my next pair when you can seemingly get good deals online.

Any suggestions?

I agree Anglaise it's difficult to know what to do, in the past I've seen physio's and osteopaths for lower back problems and was never sure if they actually did any good.
Sometimes the level of pain is not a good guide to how severe the problem is.
Seems like we all develop our own therapeutic practices and rituals to keep ourselves running!

Sazor, do you mean that you want a pair similar to the asics?

if so this site might help
www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoe-search

Ouch I hope everyone is feeling better soon.

I ended up having most of last week off as my tooth extraction decided to go a bit wrong ("dry socket", where it doesn't clot basically leaving exposed bone and nerves - I have never been in so much pain!) but after a few days of more dental treatment and sobbing and roaring into a pillow it is now healing and pain at manageable levels.

So, getting to the point at last, 2.5 miles at lunchtime. Hail and mud. Kinda nice actually!

On a kit front I really want some trail shoes but I over pronate (I think that's the right word - my left foot rolls in). I have trainers that are very supportive, any recommendations for trail shoes to stop my stupid foot wobbling all over the place?

Edith -
I have a slight over pronation. I normally run in asics GT 1000's which have been fine for me. I went back to the same shop and asked about trail trainers for over pronation, they recommended some asics fugitrabucos.

I bought them at the weekend on sale. Hoping to try them out today.

(calf already feeling SO MUCH BETTER ah my melodrama, where would I be without you! think have similar problem to this chap with ye niggly calves

?
Interesting article thanks Mitchy :)
starting to think that if I want to keep running I will have to devote all my free time to stretching, rolling and massaging my calves, and probably all the rest of my legs too just to be on the safe side!?

is impossible to know but am not sure it's made any difference - that advice is pretty much exactly how my physio treated/rehabbed my other calf last year? maybe was two years?

and I did the walk/run thing to get back to some kind of reasonable mileage, I really took my time over it, at every twinge I've dropped mileage - so went from 35 a week down as far as 10, or even just under, I've had weekly massages from my personal trainer, if I only stretch one thing it's my calves and achilles (on flexibility tests, such as the knee against the wall thing, my calves exceed average expected flexibility by many cms! but a lifetime of yoga so?)

but here I am again, maybe would not have got this far without all that. I dunno. I need a crystal ball to tell me whether it's better to do at least this next half marathon and see how that goes or whether there is time within the next 3 months to fully heal and yet somehow still be marathon ready, or if not ready then ready enough to give it a go

I need a Hester style list! on the plus side I've never had: shin splints, knee troubles (from running) IT band issues, runner's trots