a weighty problem

3.09 miles in 30.36mins
9mins 54 secs per mile

Bloody hell it was hard work. I always find running at the end of the day (well, 5pm...) much harder than first thing in the morning. But really???

I think my greatest challenge with this (apart from the fear of more stress fractures, and bone spurs/arthritis making my right big toe rigid and excruciatingly painful) is that I am carrying about a stone in extra weight. No kidding. I'm not enormously overweight, but the fact is I have gained a stone over the past couple of years (perhaps a bit longer). While I know at my great advanced age of 50 I can expect to be gaining a few lbs here and there, I have been dealing with my stress, depression and so on by eating and drinking far too much. And now I'm paying the price.

'So, lose the weight' I hear from the web.
Of course I know I have to lose weight. It's tough. I have dieted before and never kept the weight off - never, if I'm honest, even reached a target weight. I have low-carbed, meal-replaced, and driven myself to anorexic levels of calorie counting (actually I did achieve a target weight of 100lbs doing that but I know now I nearly slipped into anorexia proper)
I still have issues around food - for me it's about comfort - feeling hungry makes me very nervous, as if I don't believe I'll be able to cope with the slings and arrows that everyday life throws at you. Any emotional feeling makes me want to eat and drink to excess - either good or bad feelings, doesn't matter.
I have delved into 'the Beck Diet Solution' and it is genius - it deals with 'dieting' rather than promoting a perfect diet.
I will attempt to go for the 5:2 intermittent fasting option again - previously I have lost about a lb a week but have given up due to emotional complications...

I know if I want to feel like myself again (not the 'old' me - that person is gone, I want to feel like I am the best person I can be - for myself) I need to shed some lbs even if it's just to get back into the clothes languishing in my wardrobe because they're fat too tight.
Sounds easy.
Will  running play a large part? Part of regaining my self-esteem is that I will be 'a runner' of sorts. Probably not the of the 1/2 marathon stripe, but of the '5-mile of a weekend and a shorter run in the week sort' My motivation for running is because it makes me feel better, feel positive, not because it might help me lose weight.
Running while you're firing on all cylinders is amazing.

And next week I will be running along the seafront in Brighton - inspired by 'running like a girl' by Alexandra Heminsley

And that is the end of the longest blog post I think I've ever done

A run

It was OK
I didn't need new kit, I didn't need it to be flat or sunny or especially early or late.
I didn't go fast at all apart from down the long straight rd just before the end - sefton park rd - 1/3 mile - and I wanted to get my average pace under 10 minutes per mile. Why that mattered - well, it doesn't. But it's a nice round number to be under...

3.7 miles, 36m 48s, 9mins 57" per mile

The last 1/3 mile was a killer.

But I did it. Despite being now 'disabled' and entitled to free prescriptions.

a new world

This is a tough one to write.
I know I have a lot to be grateful for in my life - I'm not starving, I'm not scared for my life, I have a loving family.
But sometimes I wonder how evil I must have been in a previous life to deserve the challenges that sometimes come my way.
I've been through difficult living arrangements, tough employment situations, a stress fractured foot... things that test your resilience and seem insurmountable at the time - but looking back puts things into perspective and you appreciate the good things.
I was hoping that I was heading for some good times as I feel I've been dealing with a lot of crap over the past 2 or 3 years - I felt there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Then on Thursday last week I blacked out on the way home from work and ended up in A&E being treated for epilepsy.
I'm probably going to be on drugs for the rest of my life; I can't drive for a year (A whole flaming YEAR) and it happened in the co-op: I had to get rid of the coat I was wearing in case anyone recognises me in it.
I feel humiliated, embarrassed, my muscles ache where they went into spasm, I have bruises on my arms where the needles went in. I just don't want this to be my life from now on.

I know it's no big deal in the scheme of things but it's something I now have to deal with and already the driving ban is hitting home. I already felt as useless as a peri-menopausal woman can be - and this just is the icing on the shitty cake.

But. I know it's important that I keep myself fit and healthy to give me any chance of getting the better of this and making sure I can drive again. So I have to run - Nell McAndrew seems to think it's a good idea and she looks great:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2974716/How-woman-learn-love-running-yes-TV-presenter-Nell-McAndrew-s-new-book-tells-started.html

So I am feeling very sorry for myself but I know other people have far worse things wrong with them - things that could actually kill them so I should shut up.
It just seems totally over the top to ban me from driving for having 2 seizures in 2 years. I am still a better driver than some of the numbskulls trying to negotiate their way around Henleaze...
The drugs I'm on have a terrible possible side effect which could be lethal - it's a skin lesion thing which sounds a lot worse than the fits imho.

So I am in a slump now. Is it wrong to enjoy the attention of the ambulance people - they were so kind and made me feel safe. Everyone at A&E was very nice. But I'm kind of on my own now I get that - I just have to suck it up and make sure I don't make things worse for myself.

Hey ho.

Slow.

3.71 miles
37m 18s
10m 4s per mil
Slower then ever before - also I am heavier than I have ever been in my life.
Issues: right big toe - I have done a fair bit of walking over the last 2 days and so my toe joint is very stiff - happily (weirdly) running doesn't seem to affect it quite so much. The knock-on effect though is that my right foot feels stiff and odd I guess through compensating for my dodgy toe joint.
Left hip - bit of a squeal but nothing too drastic.
Breath - very little on the hills
Stomach - I feel nauseous, like I have just eaten a huge meal. I have eaten today but not for a while - and last time I ran on empty I still had that feeling. I guess it's cos my newly extended stomach requires more oxygen to sustain it and so it makes me feel sick. Not pleasant and I should look on it as inspiration to lose weight.
Why else would I run other than to lose weight? Well, to get fit of course and to put off being old and unfit. Although I am pretty much there. I would like to be fitter and slimmer than average. That's all.

The jogging life for me

Well, there is really no excuse not to get out there and run,. It does me more good than harm (I have to believe that...) and even though my back is not 100% it doesn't stop me running. Well, jogging. A fast saunter, really...
37m 46s
3.8miles
10min 3s per mile
It's better than nothing.
In reality, I am getting on which means that recovery always takes longer. Also I am putting on weight and it's getting harder to shift. And my cretinous, arthritic big toe means that there is extra train being put on various other joints.
What 'getting on' doesn't mean is that I have to give up.
So really, until I cannot put one foot in front of the other I should keep on running, and if anything up the mileage and even consider doing the Bristol 10k at the end of May - it's something realistic to aim for isn't it.

Happy New Year

Well, it's been a tough start to the year - I have had the worst cold I have EVER had in my life. It ended up with a chest infection which obviously stopped me running for a long time - but also I was coughing so hard I have done something fairly major to my lower back. It's always been a bit weak but I have never been so incapacitated by pain. Made me very unhappy. And very, very unfit.
But yesterday I decided it was better enough to have a run with the option of cutting it short.

The stats speak for themselves - never have I been so slow (or so wobbly...)

28m 28s
2.8 miles
10min 7s pe rmile

The long road to running begins again...

No big deal...

 Just went for another run last Friday - no mapmyrun app to garner stats, just me and a useless ipod to listen to the radio (it nearly deafened me as the signal came and went...) and I ran the usual route up past the prison, past the moggery, looping back along coldharbour rd, glos rd and the sefton park straight...

No big deal then. Felt very ordinary, no pain, no drama...

SO THERE'S NO REASON WHY I CAN'T DO IT 3 TIMES A WEEK AND GET FITTER IS THERE

I have been for a run

Of course I have been far, far too busy to actually get off my bum and go for a run - so very, very busy...

This is a lie

Today was the first time I've been running since the last post. Not very impressive is it.
Except in the preceding weeks I have turned 50 and yet I still went for a run.

3.72 miles
36m 20s
9m 45s a mile
not the worst ever - but every time I go for a run it's a run.

Another Tech Fail

OK get these stats:
4.88 miles
37.19 mins
7min 39secs permile

I am an elite athlete...

In truth I don't think the the gps thingy had quite homed in on my position and so it possibly gave me a very flattering reading at first - in fact the first mile and a bit was run in a pace of a shade over 3 mins a mile... Still, it was quite amusing. Not very amusing, but a little

It was tiring, it was OK - my left hip hurt which I think is due to lack of mobility - I really must do those stretches I was given some years back - I'm sure they will work...

In all it was a good idea to go for a run - I do feel better - if knackered - for doing it.

5" run

Honestly - 5 seconds. If I'm listening to redux I have to make sure it doesn't disappear when I leave wifi so I start and pause the mapmyrun thing, get the sounds going and then I start mapmyrun.
I didn't start it. I was getting concerned when I didn't get an update 1/2 way through.
Hey ho.
It was the same route as last time at I guess about the same pace.  So I'll assume it was all that.

Concerned about my stomach - it felt like it was full of lead. I know I had a bit of a hangover this morning - but it was about 4pm when I ran so that should have gone. I guess it's just that I am very unfit.
And my left hip started aching - too tight I guess - I need to stretch.

Bad times

4.02 miles
40.43"
10min 7secs a mile
I ran round the downs and it was stupidly hard work. I did the 5:2 diet for the first time this week so I guess there was an issue with energy but it's ridiculous. I am so unfit it's embarrassing. Is it an age thing? I stand no chance if it's to do with age. So should I continue? I want to feel OK about doing a 5-mile run, that's all. I guess if I'm ever to run 5 miles in under 45 mins I'm going to have to work really hard, and I don't know it I've got in me to go down that line.
I did enjoy running round the downs though - far nicer than round the streets. It was the 1/2 marathon today and I kind of know there is no chance I will ever do one of those again. Not that I'm that bothered tbh.

Sometimes I impress myself

3.56 miles
9mins 48 pace

Sloooow but at least I went back out there for the first time in a million years and did a run. It was hard work. I am very unfit for running. I know that means I have to run more and get fitter, simple. I may even treat myself to some new running kit. Oooo, yes!


SHOCK UPDATE
About 30 mins after I finished running, it's started raining. I am blessed.

I am a jogger, not a runner

Not that the whole jog/run thing is important but this morning I tipped into the 10+ mins per mile category. I brought it back, but for a while I was down there with the joggers...

stats:
3.13 miles in 30m 45s which is 9m49s a mile. It's also 323 calories which just about cancels out the huge hunk of cheese I had after breakfast.

It's no way to carry on is it

almost not worth the effort...

On 28th July I ran 2.8 miles in 27min25 - 9min 40 per mile

It's really not very impressive is it? At least I went for a run. Which I haven't done for 11 days now.

Not very impressive

baby steps

Slow baby steps at that...
3.52 miles at 9min 40 a mile
I was trying to make myself feel better by believing  the 1st half was mostly uphill but frankly I think even 9mins 30 is a way off for me as yet - too fat, to unfit. Something to work on I guess - although it makes the likelihood of the 5in45 challenge a little unrealistic. That would mean a 9-minute mile (5 of them in fact) which is a tough ask. I know it's nothing to most other people but I have to accept my limits and run because I enjoy it and because it keeps me fit - and you can do it any time and it's a good way of seeing new places. Many reasons to run. Really very few reasons not to - hurty feet/knees/hips - blisters, fractures that sort of thing. I have accepted I'm better running in the supportive shoes not my beloved merrell minimals. Perhaps when I'm much lighter and stronger and fitter I will return. I feel like my ideal shoes would be some with support on the front of my foot rather than the heel as that's where the rolling and weakness comes in... That and some which aren't 1/2 a size too small... And wear socks.
Rambling now
Which is a fair description of my running style. :)

2 runs

1.41 miles @ 9min 58 and 2.6 miles at 9min 30

Really quite happy with those runs... The second one I think I could have gone further but I didn't want to push it
I'm quite surprised I'm still doing 9mins 30 pace as I feel slow (I know it IS slow, I'm not deluding myself) but I hope I can keep up this improvement. Must run more than once a week I guess.

Injury news - nothing to do with running but I've pulled a muscle in my hip - I think it's the abductor - it hurts when I turn corners or go upstairs anyway. It's stopping me walking and cycling today but I guess it'll be ok in a day or so. It just hurts and I am fed up with being in pain from injuries...

Not there yet...

I'm not exactly throwing myself into the return to running am I? I still have an idea that some sparkly new clothing might make all the difference, but I am fooling myself
I have a bad back which doesn't help - but all such things are connected...
I hurt my foot cos I was running a bit twisted which meant I cycled more than walked to work which exacerbated the (possible) cause of the bad back which is that my saddle was too high so that when I was going uphill, at the bottom of the pedal my lower back was twisting slightly to get the power on...
So, if the saddle height is the cause of all this, it would explain the stress fracture, the hurty foot and the bad back.
If this is the case, then everything is solved. If only everything in life was that simple...

I'm back!

Well, kind of... If you can call 0.94 miles 'a run' then, yes, I'm back...
:-)

5 minutes

I ran for 5 minutes on the treadmill this morning. It felt good. My foot still has a small lump which I think could turn against me again so I'm not going to push this recovery. I reckon if I do 5 minutes on the treadmill every time I go to the gym, then this will strengthen my foot and all that goes with it and I will be back before long
The long road to running starts here.
Again.

fingers crossed...

My foot's stopped hurting today. I just noticed this morning that I hadn't winced
:-D

Limp

Well, I'm still not back running, but I think it'll be soon...
I am getting very bored of being in pain with every step. Sometimes it hurts when I take the weight off it (barefoot, especially) and sometimes it just kicks in during a step. It's better in birkenstocks.
Thing is, to avoid the pain of walking I have to use my hurty big toe more.
I feel life is not being fair at the moment.
Oh I know there are far worse things that could happen, but when I try and do everything right and I still end up injured I feel unhappy.

enough is enough

It's now 18 days since it started hurting and it's still hurting. Oh, to be honest, on some days the pain is a different sort, in a different place, but it's still a pain...
The physio got my foot back on straight so I can now put it flat down on the ground. But  I think that might have increased the irritation on the nerve or something. And now there are shooting pains going into my ankle.
I've booked into the doctors this afternoon so perhaps they might be able to shed some light on it. Perhaps they will tell me to get the weight off it for a few days - that'll be interesting. Anti-inflammatories, that sort of thing.
Hey ho. I think I'm fairly confident it's not a stress fracture.
And that's the good news...

16 days later...

...and the pain is still there
I'm going to see the physio in an hour or so, but that's not going to cure it. Hopefully it'll straighten me out enough to stop it happening again and I can resume running with confidence...
In the meantime it's bloody painful. I keep thinking it's worn off then I walk funny on it and it's off again. I would be very happy for it not to hurt at all for a while...

emotional level: glum

Good news, bad news

Good news -  I ran more than 5 miles this morning...
5.18 miles at 9m35s a mile. Happy with those numbers

Bad news - I have hurt my foot. I feel it might be serious in the sense that it could stop me running in the future. I have hallux rigidus in my right big toe joint. It's painful - very painful - at times but until now it hasn't affected my running.
I think there is a combination of factors here - one is the big toe joint not working well. This forces me to run a little on the side of my right foot which obviously puts a strain on other bones and joints. Not good. Also my shoes are a bit rubbish - they have lost their grip (I can believe it's the way I'm running which makes my feet slip on the road...) also I have quite sweaty feet these days and with no socks on my feet are sliding around a bit. I guess when I feel brave enough to run again I'll try socks and see if that solves the problem (s)

I feel very unhappy about this. If it is enough to stop me running I will feel crap. I live with runners and they are gleeful about running further, faster, more heroically and I feel really pissed off with them. I am never going to be in their league obviously but if I can't even keep going for myself then it's going to take a lot of adjustment on my part.
I am angry.

A first

This morning I broke all expectations and went to the gym - then went for a run.
It makes perfect sense of course - while I'm off work for a while, I need to keep up with the fitness - and actually spend more time on getting fitter. So I cycles up to the top of blackboy hill and my lovely gym, then ran round the downs and cycled home. And it wasn't as awful as I thought it might have been...  It was hard work and I had to walk up the cross-country section, but apart from that - this is how it panned out:

4.63 miles in 44m29s
which is a less than impressive 9min 35secs a mile.

Good enough for an overweight middle-aged trout?

Get me!

I have just run at lunchtime at work. Blooming amazing.

It took 70 mins from desk to desk which is ok - there is no excuse not to make it a regular thing, frankly.

Stats: well, the first one which came up in the headphones was for a 9'07" mile which reflects the fact it's pretty flat at the start. But I did the cross country bit and the hill just defeated me: I actually had to walk for a while.
So overall I did 3.02 miles at 9'28" a mile - so not too shabby really.
And I'm just really pleased that I made the effort - OK it's alovely day and I'm sure if it was raining I would not have gone. And it is such a kerfuffle getting changed, cycling up there, running, shower remembering keys - headphones - phone etc etc - but I expect it's done me a power of good.

What have I done?

It's kind of the opposite of unleashing a monster - I've tamed a placid lamb...

Running yesterday in the beautiful clear crisp morning sunshine was the nearest it gets to being a pleasure. (Note to self - I need a different route: even though the daffs are coming out I feel I have done that run so many times...)

Stats, though, don't make for happy reading
4.3 miles
9min 47 a mile

9 mins 47 seconds to run a mile - quite the slowest I've been for a while.
Excuses: the day before we'd spent in London walking. Walking for miles and miles. In shoes with paper-thin soles (shoes are now in recyling - much as I like them they've had their chips) So my feet were none too great and my feet are my achiles heel (you see what I did there...)

I am definitely going slower and slower. At this rate the 10k will take me... (pause to calculate...) over an hour. That's poor. Last time I did it was under 56 mins. surely I can aim to go that fast this time?
Or is it the taking part, the fact I'm a fatty old bird doing it, enough?

I don't know.

I do know I hate this ageing thing cos everything you thought of as being anything like permanent turns out to be anything but...

A new approach

I have decided I can't pretend to be a runner. I am a jogger. My natural pace is about 9'30" a mile and I should be happy with that. When I try and push myself is when I get blisters and worse. So I am going to be happy with my natural pace and take the benefit from going at that speed. If I get faster along the way then that's fine. What I want to avoid is the feeling that I'm failing if I can't run as fast as my v fit boyf or 18 year old stepdaughter. Not going to happen.

stats then...
4.27 miles
41m 18s
9m 40s a mile. Slow. But I did it (and I still have aching calves so I'm glad I didn't push it any more)

Whether this new approach will continue I have no idea, but I think I will be happier if I run this sort of thing 3 times a week. And by doing that I guess I will be faster.

It's a start...

4.32 miles
9.25mins/mile
40.42 mins

It's been really terrible weather recently but I managed to avoid a massive deluge by about 5 mins :D

Is it cos I am so unfit that I struggle with energy for these runs? There comes a point about 30 mins in when I just run out of puff. I even had a bit of breakfast this morning so it's not that. And one of the main reasons for running is to lose weight so I wouldn't be happy to up the calories when I only used 444 this morning.
How annoying is it that running uses about 100 calories a mile... You would have thought it would have been a lot more than that.
But no.

But hey ho - I have been for a run and it didn't kill me. Perhaps it truly is a start and this is where I train up to a regular 5 mile circuit and then for the 10k in May. I would really like to do that in under an hour and ideally under 55 mins which was how long I took to run the last one. It will help if I've lost a bit of weight by then of course but I guess the best training is just to get keep going out there and running.

pushing it now...

Well, at least it was a run. It's been a long time since the last one so I went for it a bit. It was a nice morning - cold but really sunny. Perfect.

stats - 4.45 miles in 40mins 37 secs
9mins 07secs a mile - pretty good for me

So the big question in my mind anyway is - can I get to do 5 miles in 45 mins? On paper perhaps I could. Perhaps I am kidding myself.

I thought this was supposed to get easier...

3.8 miles at 9mins 11 a mile.

Not a bad pace but bloody hell it was tough. I know I've put on weight and it's really taking its toll.
I need to get out 2 or 3 times a week for any improvement to be made (but it's soooo cold out there I find it hard to get motivated)
I also have to believe that it's doing me good. I have a feeling that it's not helping me at all - not to lose weight cos I don't run enough plus there is the issue of injuries which I'm getting quite paranoid about...
I guess I just need to get over myself and get on with it. It's hard work, of course it is, but once I get up to a comfortable 5 miles at that pace I can begin to bed it into my regime. (why I can't do that NOW I have no idea)

Wheelspin

I finally made it out onto the tough streets of St Andrews - only to find them covered in a thin layer of frost. It was a lovely morning and the chilliness was quite nice - but it was really hard going. I was tiptoeing around and kept losing my footing.
But I made it! With possibly the least impressive stats for a very long time.
It's quite remarkable the difference it makes going slowly - it feels much easier...

Stats:
3.6 miles
36 mins
I reckon that's 10 mins a mile...

So at least I have ended the year with a run. And I have kind of promised I will run on New Year's Day. It's the start of a year dedicated to running and getting fit.
Possibly.

ow ow ow ow ow

3.92 miles
35min 17
8.59 mins/mile

so, yay, I have cracked the 9 mins a mile thing - but at what cost? there is the usual feeling of achiness - but also I have lost the top layer of my right little toe to a huge blister. Not happy. Perhaps I should think about socks. Except I need larger shoes...
First world problem.

Ow

Calf pain in 3 - 2 - 1...
Tomorow is going to be painful. But it's good to believe I can do the 30-odd minute run without excuses.

3.87 miles
35.25 mins
9.09 min/mile - i guess that's 9mins 9secs...

wow -  I can do almost 9 mins a mile - which leads me to believe I may one day do the 5 in 45..

Is this the dawning of a new era?

I went for a run yesterday. There was no fanfare, no bunting, just me, the road and a chill wind.

I ran a reasonable distance in a reasonable time and today I feel my calfs are aching but nothing too bad - no achilles pain, no broken metatarsals, no blisters.

Obviously this means I'm not trying hard enough, but in my book it means I have no excuse not to start running regularly and trying for my arbitrary target of 5 miles in 45 minutes.

stats
3.81 miles
34' 40"
9m 06" a mile

I do hope this GPS is accurate as I seem to be getting faster according to it, but I don't feel like I'm running any faster.

I also must get something other than podcasted radio plays to listen to... although I have a fear of running out of things to listen to and suddenly I have to concentrate on the running...

Whitstable

Yay
I like running next to the sea. It was cold, windy and wonderful. I'm sure if I was there all the time it would pall eventually but for the few times I get to run there I love it.
I was inspired by G saying if I didn't take my kit I had to accept it and not regret - but if I did take it I had to run no matter what. Luckily it was a fantastic morning and off I went.

stats (cos I was running with the app)
3.49 miles
32m 6 secs
9min 12 a mile. (seems very fast but who am I to argue with technology.) (It was also so cold perhaps I went faster to stop from freezing)

treadmill twenty

Nifty title, huh.

I did a 20-minute on the treadmill and went, I think, 2.45km. Not exciting but the longest run I've done in a while.
This weekend I'm off to see chums in Whitstable so there is the prospect of a run along the seafront. I am a bit nervous about it considering the lack of practice I've been having recently - but I should never pass up the opportunity to run alongside the sea. 30 mins, that's all...  

Progress??

1.50 miles
14.05 mins
9m24s per mile

I ran after a gym workout seeing as I was up those parts anyway - and it was awful.
I have never felt so unfit. It was a huge struggle and I walked part of the way (but paused the mapmyrun app which is why I'm still under 30min miles...
so:
1. I am unfit and have to decide to train more
2. mapmyrun app is very good - it's GPS so no more stupid measuring of maps
3. I need to put some running music on my phone or download some 15-minute dramas...

I guess it's all a step in the right direction.
And I'm glad I made the effort to go.

another treadmill mile

Well, same again really. I got as fast as 11.1km/h whatever that means* and ran a mile.
At first my achilles was very sore, but once it was warmed up it was far better. But still a bit sore.

I have a theory now that when I bust my calf muscle I stopped using it properly and this has led to over-use of my achilles on that side. So, I reckon I can stretch my calfs, build them up a bit, stretch my achilles a lot and hope for the best.

A mile isn't going to get me anywhere is it...

*6.89722mph**
**8min 41" per mile. :)

It's about time...

I decided I have to get going on this running thing again - and the thing that's stopping me (other than feeling overweight and unfit) has been my achilles. So I went to my lovely gym and did a mile on the treadmill.
Really don't like treadmills.
But once I got warmed up (as if cycling up there and doing a weights session wasn't enough to warm up...) my achilles felt ok

Since the last time...

No more runs. My left achilles really hurts.

I was going to run this morning but even as I tried to jog over to the car (I was going to go round the downs with a thought to doing it from work) - and my achilles hurt so much I knew it was stupid to go for a run.
And I feel so fat - despite the 16:8 which I've been doing for a few months now - I still weigh about the same as I ever did. I know I overeat and drink too much wine - but ffs this is me standing still, not shifting an ounce.
What with that and the arthritis in my toe I feel ancient. Fat and middle-aged. And I have the world's troubles on my shoulders to deal with as well.

Fuck it - I'm going to Boston for a coffee and a bacon sarnie.

Long run

5.42 miles
bother - didn't stop the clock properly.
how incredibly annoying
I think I did 5 in 45. I believe I did 5 in 45. I really think I was back in about 43 mins... Oh how I wish I had stopped the clock.
grrrr.

Route - I was dropped off on the downs so I did a circuit and came back.

Niggles
left achilles - I have to make sure I get my heels down as I run. I concentrate on using my knees rather than just my feet. I hope it's working.
Left lower back - it's really quite painful. I might even go back to the osteopath. I guess getting into yoga more regularly will help as well.

But I've gone further than for a long long time.
And it's very hard work

PB

ok it's hardly earth-shattering but it's remarkably satisfying to see the clock tell you you've hit the target you set yourself...
Which was - drum roll - to do the kellaway run in under 32 mins

31'55" tadah!

niggles - left hip very stiff. left heel/achilles a bit sore.
I think I'm generally surviving though.
I thought as I huffed back home that I kind of haven't run much since I started going to the gym - I reckon I've put on weight - as in muscle! - plus flab which makes running so very much harder work. So if I'm going to pick up the running I have to shed the weight. Which I'm doing by upping the running miles...

grunt

I guess this is the real world.

A 33-min run, nothing special, out of breath at the end, feet a bit achy, left hip a bit hurty, 2nd left toe a bit blistery.
Nothing. Special.
Except that it has been done. And it was done in the evening. So, good for me.

If I am ever going to hit my 5 in 45 target I'm going to have to up my game somewhat.
I think the first thing to do is get a 5 mile circuit or 2 worked out and drag myself round those, before trying to up the speed. I think I will get there - unless I feel as pooped as I did along sefton park rd this evening earlier in the run.
It just feels like I have a mountain to climb at the mo. How I ever ran a 1/2 marathon I have no idea. It's what age does to you...

2 runs. Yes, 2.

I actually went for a run at lunchtime. It's got to be the future... Apart from the slightly over an hour aspect which might not go down too well, but I think I can swing it - but the major downer is the Bright Red face. Puce. Beetroot. Whatever the colour is called it took a good while to calm down and return to human hue.

I have just come back from another go at The Loop. It took just under 33 mins for 3.5 miles. Have I got it in me to do the 5 miles in 45 mins I promised myself I would do by the end of May? It's going to take some training... And my calfs are very very tight now...

Hang on - I am amazed I am so slow. That is very depressing. 9 mins 25 secs per mile.
I know I can go faster cos I was having a go every so often, but it's really hard *whiny voice*


I'm so not cut out for this am I.

Hard

I did that loop again and bloody hell it was hard work. Pre-breakfast, post a winy night out so there's an initial problem. Also I haven't got any running muscles. And I was at a yoga class on Thursday and the achiness is kicking in now - very tight hamstrings, me.
So there's the excuses - but I am so proud of myself for doing the full loop - I was only going to do 20 mins or so but there I was, 15 mins in and half way round.
I am so on it.

One inspiration is Jamie McDonald - he's running across Canada - 5000 miles with no back up. He is utterly barking but he's doing it. He's up against all sorts of problems like injuries, freezing cold, baking heat and loneliness.
His videos are well worth looking at:
http://www.jamiemcdonald.org/

Another thing - I rediscovered my robi plug-in radio for the ipod so I was very happy listening to beloved radio four all the way round - but by the time I finished, the battery was flat. It absolutely kills the battery life. Also it's previously killed the actual  ipod so perhaps it's not the best. But the radio feature on the ipod is utterly useless.

So that's it for me - very pleased with the fact I've done it - now I'm assessing my pains. My right foot, the one with the arthritic big toe, is a problem. My whole foot aches and I'm wondering if I should get to a podiatrist for some exercises to get round the problem. Also my freakishly long left second toe is rubbing against the show. I may have to get a larger size... That would be annoying cos mine are perfectly OK. I also need more running tights cos obviously now I'm going to be running every day.
Ha.

But honestly - support Jamie

getting there. possibly

I ran around a loop yesterday, rather than the 'round the houses' route - and I think I went a bit fruther than usual (I ought to measure it I guess) I ran for 35-40 mins I think which is good for me.
I have to walk a little at the end cos my left calf was tightening up and I felt it was about to pop. Which is a bad thing. It feels OK today though.

3.66 miles - possibly the furthest I've run in a loooong time

Well done me!

smug ish

Been on holiday for a week in France - beautiful, rural, flat France
Went for 3 runs of about 25 mins each. It was lovely.
I wore normal Merrell walking shoes - to run in! Kerrr-azy -  I know. I got a blister in a new place but that's about all.
I love barefoot (ish) running

3.2 miles, 30 mins

Not earth-shattering but I am very pleased with myself
Especially since I was in the minimal shoes - yay!!!

niggles: left hip, left second toe going wandering somehow, bit blistery
right foot a bit stiff, frankly.

but that's about the sum of my troubles which is good.
now I need to have the confidence to go further afield and try to build up to a 5 mile circuit which is the aim. I've read so much about too much aerobic activity does you no particular good. It's certainly not the best thing for losing weight - oh no - I have to cut down on calories to do that.

hot as June

Well, 21 mins later and I'm having a freezing cold fizzy water - lovely.
The run was very very hard - I am very unfit.
Still in my old shoes, and my calf is a little achy now. Perhaps it's time to use the flat ones again. I will run again this week sometime and have a go in them. Perhaps 10 mins. Perhaps I can't use the flat ones at all, I just feel like the padded ones are so huge and clumsy.
Hey ho.

good news, bad news

Mostly good news.

I ran for 20 mins this morning and it was fine. My calf was feeling tired but nothing scarier than that.
The bad news: I was running in my old trainers, the ones with loads of padding.
I was still trying not to heel-strike (other than going downhill...) and a bit of me thinks that the shoes only helped a tiny bit.
So perhaps the next outing will be in a minimal shoe and see how I get on.
But - yay!!!!

the 10-minute rule

The plan now is to run for about 10 mins at a time - ie to avoid the inevitable pain. Hopefully this will strengthen the bits that need it and I can build on that.

So I set off for 10 mins and managed 13 - but my wretched calf was aching from the get-go. It didn't get any worse, but I'm not happy about it.   :( (see, unhappy)

This is getting depressing now

I was excited about going for a run this lunchtime at work (I know that's a bit sad, but it's part of my rehabiliation into being a runner again)

But I only managed about 15mins before the calf muscle went again.

I thought I was doing everything right - running with the whole of my foot going onto the ground (not flicking off one side of my foot) I wasn't going too fast (no danger of that ever) and just enjoying the feeling of being out running on the downs in the sunshine

But I'm not allowed that little amount of pleasure; I'm not allowed to reclaim the feeling that 'I am a runner'...

I know I'm over-dramatising it all, but ffs give me a break. Am I just too old now? Is that it? Other people run into their 80s why can't I even get to my 50s without seriously wondering if my time is over?

At the risk of sounding like a stroppy toddler - it's not effing fair.*
I want to stop wanting this.


*a very sweary stroppy toddler

Missed one...

shin splints.
Not holding out for shin splints of course, just thought I'd cover all bases.

I'm back at the physio about the calf stuff - it's the old problem of being mightily twisted. And not in a good way.

But at least if that is the problem it can be cured :)

btw
I went for a cycle/run around the downs on Monday. I managed about 25 mins before the calves became unusable...

The full set

achilles trouble - check
stress fracture - check
industrial sized blisters - check
IT Band syndrome - check

I'm sure there's something else...

oh yes - pulled calf muscle - check

Bugger the thing.
There I was, happily running across Horfield Common, taking in the view of the enormous new hospital. I was working out if I had got to the furthest point away from home (and could therefore look forward to starting the return half) when my right calf muscle went  pop. It was horrible. My leg was suddenly unusable - heavy, weak.  Annoying.
So I had to get home.
It hurt just as much to walk as it did to run so I invented an embarrassing, flat-footed, limping shuffle home. Where I am now, sitting down and it's really aching.
I was going to walk into town but I think that's probably a no...
ffs
I so want to get back into running and yet it seems that every single bloody time I go for a run something starts to hurt.

The google doctors are saying it might take a minimum of 2 weeks.
I am so fed up of this.
I don't want to run faster each time, or beat other people. I simply want to keep fit and  lose some weight. I'm not competitive, I'm not trying to run a marathon. I just want to be able to run for an hour or so without fucking up my body.
What is wrong with me?

Blister

Top of right little toe.
It really hurts
But at least I did it on a run a couple of days ago

it's not ground-breaking, but...

at least it's only a week since my last run.
I did the same route and it was ok - apart from the cold. I should have worn gloves. And a warmer top. But I did get warmed up eventually.
5 sections
1. up to glos rd by sainsbury's
It was fine other than the chilly bits
2. up to Kellaway
getting into a stride a bit now but the hill at the end is challenging. The worst part was where my ipod ran out of juice and I was left alone with my thoughts until the end of the run...
3. kellaway to glos rd
getting breath back, nothing too bad but glad it's the 1/2 way point
4. down glos rd to Ashley Hill
I have to make sure I'm looking ok for this bit as there's always someone doing the walk of shame and they still look better than I do. By now on the previous outing there was a hip pain - not today. :)  This time it's my right foot aching and cos it's downhill slightly there is pressure on my feet. But it's livable with.
5. Ashley rd/sefton park and home
I need to make sure my right foot's not taking too much hammering - I think I'm running a bit too much on my toes and try to go more mid-foot strike and I think this is the future. It might also lessen the effect  on my calves which threaten to be agonising later on.

I'm very glad I did it - and before breakfast, too, which allegedly means more fat-burning which is No Bad Thing.

Now to up the frequency and distance. No pressure...

First time for a long time...

...not just running but running for more than 30 mins!
Get me.

33' 35"
3.55 miles/ 5.71km
567secs per mile
9 mins 27 secs per mile - not very impressive but there were hills and I am very fat.

I'm glad I did the route past the prison, along Kellaway and down Ashley Hill - at least it gets me away from schlepping round St Andrews which is a bit of a bore.

But now I know what I'm up against in terms of getting fitter and faster - and I have to up the mileage to 5 miles which I think is doable although I was struggling towards the end - but that of course is what this exercise thing is all about...

Will I ever do another 1/2 marathon? It seems really unlikely right now - perhaps a 10k this year? I'm only just 1/2 way there though...

I'm not back...

IT Band problems again.
Can. Not. Believe. It


This was drafted about a week ago - it's got a bit better since then, I'm not having to hop downstairs for instance but it's definitely getting better.

Chilly

2.65 miles, 25 mins
9mins 26 secs per mile

Not exactly an earth-shattering pace, but I guess the fact I've done it is more important than impressing anyone...

aches and pains
slight blister on right instep - painful but hopefully it won't get any worse - bring on the scar tissue...
also, left hip - an old niggle. I wonder if it's worth going back to the physio at Moti to get some idea of stretches or exercises...

Well, I am having to bite the bullet and get going on the Summer fitness plan. How well it's going to go is open to speculation. I'd like to think I can crack it. I need to.
  

I'm back

2.93 miles, 27 mins
9mins 12secs a mile
I've still got the old magic...

ok my right foot is achy when I run but that's about the worst of it, so it's not too bad.
I'm unfit of course, 1/2 an hour is about as far as I want to go for now - but I will build up on it and go longer/further...

So I need to get a 3-mile route planned as I'm bored of heading off round the same old circuit, filling in the time to make it up to 20+ mins. It'd be a lot better to have a long circuit so I can't give up 1/2 way round and cut it short. Scary.
And yet I used to run 6 miles reasonably happily. Was I thinner then? A bit. Certainly fitter. Will I get back to that state - quite possibly

Perhaps it's time to treat myself to new running kit (and ditch some of the horrible old stuff...)

20 minutes

And that's all I can manage, really. It was hard work and 2 days later I'm still aching. Plus I have a stinking cold and a chest infection, probably not connected...
But at least I was glad to have done a short run. Now I have to build on that and eventually get up to 5 miles regular.
Might take some time.

Tis better to travel in hope...

...than arrive at a run in February??

or something

One run a month isn't exactly going to set the world on fire is it (not the world but perhaps my calves...)

Just can't seem to summon the energy/gumption to get back out there and start building up the miles again. 20 mins is pathetic, but I have to (re)start somewhere

Happy New Year

Well, I've done my first run of the new year. And it was a dazzling 20mins long.
20 hard minutes.
Out of breath and heavy legs
And, rather worryingly, today I have a slightly achy left foot. I only hope it's a under-use thing not a harbinger of something more breaky.

And I am going to have to buck up my ideas if I'm going to build up to a regular 5-miles...
Happy new year indeed...

end of 2012

Looks like I'm not going to get a run in before next year... it's 3pm on nye, so basically there is no chance. Plus it's foul weather (and has been for about the past 2 weeks) all of which adds up to me not having run for an awfully long time.

So I will have to find some motivation to get myself out there again next year.
Tomorrow...

Happy New Year!!
x

2 weeks

It's a bit of a long time between runs - even I can recover in less time than that... My excuse is that I had to work last weekend and so the running disappeared.
Yesterday's run was OK - the weather was fab - bright and cold - ideal for running.  Mind, I was struggling by the end of the 30 mins and I only did a shade over 3 miles so I have a long way to go if I will ever want to do another 1/2 marathon.
Getting up to 5 miles would feel like an achievement....

Injuries 24 hours later:
1. aching calfs but nothing too bad
2. an instep blister, right foot (haven't had one of those for 3 years. Perhaps socks would be in order...)
3. weird pain in left foot around the break, but I'm hoping this is a settling in / adaptation sort of pain. In yoga the other day I nticed my left toes were a bit higgledy piggledy compared with my right foot so I guess I still need to make some adjustments.

The best advice really would be to run more I guess...

Oh the pain...

...and the mud, sweat and almost tears...

I ran around the downs for the first time since I broke my foot. It was OK. It was also very muddy.

My calfs are now very sore but the rest of me os ok - achilles, feet, legs, knees... actually my knees are not good. Age and running.

30 minutes of hell

So, yeah I've done another 30 minute run - but it was truly hard work. And I have a feeling that tomorrow my calves are going to be burning.
But it's a start...

Cautiously Optimistic

Yesterday - after putting it off for an age* - I ran for over 30 minutes. Not much over 30 mins, but I had only plugged 20mins into the nike+

I am well pleased with myself.

Everything felt ok - after a small niggle of achilles heel at the start. I was trying to remember everything the physio had told me and it workd - arm-pumping was quite effective even if it means using up more energy. Also it helps prevents twisting which I am prone to.

So perhaps it's all coming together and I can pound the pavements once more with confidence.

*it's a confidence thing - I don't want to break my foot again, I don't want to hurt my achilles again.

Perhaps it's time to treat myself to more running kit!!!

Could today be a turning point?

Ran for 19'22" without collapsing in achilles-based agony.

It was ok. There was a bit of an ache there, but I was concentrating on trying to run on my left foot the same as on my right and also to not land too vertically on my toes, so I ended up a bit flat-footed, a bit heely, but I think it was OK.

And I covered 3.34 km which I have worked out very roughly as 9'16" a mile - pretty much the same as before. Not bad considering I'm so unfit.

Has the yoga helped? not entirely sure but it won't have done any harm.

So I'm back at the physio again tomorrow - wonder if I will finally be signed off. I kind of hope so. Much as I enjoy the attention, I think the £40 a pop is adding up and I'm aware of what I have to do in order to get me back on the road again

yoga

Well, I knew it would have to happen eventually - I've been back to yoga for the first time in months.
And it's good.

Painful, awkward, frustrating, but good.

It may be the key to getting back running as it focuses on stretching all kinds of large, deep muscles and joints, which have been my downfall.
Of course I have to commit to going every week (and doing some in between) and it's 90 minutes a session which gets a bit dull BUT it's a Good Thing to do.

I will be yogaing again this Thursday which is the day I'm supposed to be having a trial run to see how my achilles is faring, but that will have to wait til Friday.

Also I'm going to attempt the 5:2 diet lifestyle thing this week (and commit it to it until Christmas????) which is basically 2 days a week of extremely restricted fasting (500 cals) and normal eating for the rest of the time. For various reasons it's going to be extremely hard to carry this off, but I feel I need to do something to fight this middle-aged spread thing (I thought it was a myth - I was so terribly wrong)

Wish me luck...

the final stretch?

Well, I've been back to the physio and he's stretched my foot. Something to do with mobility in my foot I think, so he was manipulating the metatarsals, culminating with a 'hold onto the bed' followed by a fairly substantial yank.
No sniggering at the back.
My foot clicked and the slight lump under my 3rd metatarsal had gone.

This may be the final link in the chain of adjustments to get me back up and running. Fingers crossed.
10 days before the next run to ease my achilles (which is a little bit swollen) and then a final (?) trip to the physio.

My third toe now has a kink in it which I'm sure wasn't there before...

double dang

Went for a run in my old shoes - and the achilles problem started even earlier.

Something else for my lovely physio to sort out for me.

The knee pain he sorted out last time has been totally brilliant - I now don't have a knee problem

Just an achilles problem...

Resting and stretching until Monday's appointment methinks...

Dang

On Sunday I started out on a 20+ minuter - but after 15 mins I had to stop and walk.
Achilles and calves.
I was convinced my achilles were about to explode so walking felt like the right thing to do
Happily today (2 days later) they're not bad at all.

I will probably go for a run this evening - but in my old shoes. I'll be pleased if I can do 30 mins with just the feeling that I'm a bit out of breath rather than in agony of biomechanical proportions.
If I do feel OK I guess I'll continue to run in the old trainers (but toe-striking as such as possible) and go for diddly runs in the merrells to bring up my endurance. It feels like a step backwards to go back into the padded shoes frankly and I don't like it.

Is this right?

22 min run last night
4.22km
which means 8.4 mins/mile which is faster than I used to run before my foot broke and before I got into this minimal running thing.

Can this possibly be correct?

I guess I will have to do more runs to find out

I do feel good for having done it and - apart from feeling a bit tired in the muscle dept - it felt good to be running. Although 20 mins or so is about as much as I want to be doing for now.
Building up to 5 miles is my next challenge. Beyond that, who knows...

I am back with the physio on Thursday which might help sort out my runner's knee...

20 minutes

not too unhappy with a 20 minute run - did 2.32 miles which I'm quite happy about.

But today I have aching calves/calfs (carves?)
Hopefully it'll wear off and I can do another 20+ minutes tomorrow

Tailing off...

I have been on a run or 2 since that last one, but nothing recently. Perhaps my love of running was all in my head and I only missed it when I couldn't do it and now I can, it's lost its charm...

Whatevs, I think I ought to keep it up and get back into the habit.

Actually my knees have been giving me that 'runner's knee' twinge for the past few days so perhaps it's a good thing I'm not running. And that is a good excuse.

righteous glow

Have just pounded the mean streets of St Andrews for 11mins 36"
The weird thing is - it's my right foot which feels worse... not sure if that's to do with having weak and inflexible arches or what - but there is a definite difference and it's my right foot which is worse.

Hey ho - will try and go for a 15-min run tomorrow morning and from then aim for 3 runs a week building up to 30 mins. This week will be 15 mins, 20 the week after etc. I think that 30 mins will be good to aim for - after that I imagine that getting up to an hour will be will power rather than nurturing my feet and calfs. Calves.

Shhhhhhh...

... don't tell anyone but I went for a run this morning.

I know, I know: get me.

Well I consider it a 'run' but it consisted of less than a mile.
But it was OK.

Foot news: it's weird having to concentrate quite so hard on running properly but I think I got away with it. My foot does ache a little but in a different place - up near the ankle area - perhaps it's just the bone rejigging itself within my foot and it may take a while to settle. I will have to ask on Monday when I see the physio again

So, I shall await tomorrow with interest to see how hurty my calfs and achilles are but so far, so good.

Hurrah!

8 weeks

2 months since it was broken.

Most of the pain has gone but it's still not right: it feels like my bone is too stiff. I know they're supposed to be stiff. It just feels too long or something and it's in the wrong place.
Whatever, it's a bit hurty when I walk.

I go back to the physio next Monday and hopefully he'll put me back on track. You see what I did there. I'll get my coat.

Thing is, running's gone from my mind. I no longer think about it other than as a panacea to all the fat issues I have. There are other reasons for having fat issues but they're too complex to go into here. Suffice it to say, I'm relying on running to drop me a couple of dress sizes. 1 would be enough. And if I go hell for leather, there is a danger that I will end up doing myself another injury.
So I don't do anything, just to be on the safe side...

Broken

I went back to the GP last Friday as my foot was still giving me grief: right back at the start of all this the A&E doctor had told me to go back to my GP if it wasn't better in 3 weeks. That was nearly 5 weeks before.
So I had a second x-ray which showed it was indeed a stress fracture.

Which has reassured me in several ways:
1. it explains why it was so painful for so long (but not how something too tiny to show up on the first x-ray could cause so much pain for so long...)
2. it means there is a more predictable prognosis (I think) as in it'll take 6 weeks to feel much better (that's be Monday, can't wait) and probably 6-8 before running again
3. it is healing very well

It's still a bit swollen and isn't terribly comfortable when I walk (unless I wear the trainery shoes with insoles - how elegant...) but now I can visualise what's going on in there it makes sense and it is healing OK so it's not the end of the world.

Now I have to summon up the patience to return to running gradually, and the determination not to just give up and sit on the sofa for the rest of my life...

Perhaps, as motivation, I should promise myself some (more) lovely running kit!!!

:D

never has a blog been more aptly titled...

I am going to suffer when I get back running: I will want to just get out there straight back into the 5-miler runs.
But it won't be like that.
For a start I will be very unfit as I've done nothing to keep up my fitness. I had considered rowing machines, cross-trainers that sort of thing, but just haven't got any further than thinking about it.
And I know I will be very hesitant and won't want to risk this all happening again - perhaps that's wise. Perhaps I need to be cautious and take it very easy in getting back into it.
Perhaps I need to join a club for *shudders* beginners...
Perhsp perhaps perhaps.

Truth is I'm heading into the unknown: I have never been injured like this before. Twisted ankles seem logical and it's easy to know in your mind when it's ok to run again.
This is something else: because it wasn't an injury like going over on your ankle or falling and hurting your knee, there is the worry that I'm just going to end up in exactly the same place as I have been for the past month.
And it's one place I never want to come back to.

Getting better

I truly feel my foot is getting better.
But it's not there yet.
And I'm dreading how it's going to be when I start running again - will I be able to build up slowly (like about 5 mins at a time)? Will I be so fearful of it happening again I kind of make it happen again? Or perhaps it will be fine and I will just get on and become one of these heroically aged runners you see doing middling well in the road races...

recovery

If it is a stress fracture, it'll be 4 - 6 weeks before I can even think about running.

The latest thought was it might be something to do with ligaments or tendons. It's definitely not the joint, it's defintitely my middle toe. I guess it's nice to narrow it down

But I'm still hacked off about it. Yesterday I walked less than 1/4 mile and I was in pain every step of the way, and quite knackered with having to compensate for limping so much. It's made me feel pathetic and useless and I don't like that one bit.

But there is a definite improvement. One good thing to come of the terrible weather is that I can wear my winter boots which are supportive and probably help my foot quite a lot.

So I'm happy that it's improving, quite frustrated that it's taking (in my mind) so long and very concerned about when I do start running again, what's going to stop it happening again? I think I'm clued up as to how to avoid it, but it went so suddenly last time I don't believe I will never be 100% confident...

First physio session

I think it's getting better. It's a lot less hurty apart from first thing in the morning when I believe it's utterly shot and I will never walk again. But then I get over it and generally it only hurts if I walk too far on it or plain old forget and try to bound upstairs or something foolish.
The anticipation of pain is stopping me from using it normally, which makes everythng else tight and achy. Not helping.
I've had my physio session and have been straightened out quite a bit, so hopefully my feet will hit the ground flat in future rather than all curled up to one side (squashing the bones, causing the problem: see, it all adds up)  and I have a strapping on my foot to help my big toe joint hit the floor alongside the other toes, not 1/2 an hour later as it has been.
So, all in all, I'm feeling quite positive: when I will be running again I really don't know. I guess once I can walk without pain, I can build up to running on the spot etc. Oh, can't wait...

Alternative diagnosis

It could be 'metatarsalgia' Pain in the metatarsals. Descriptive enough to be plausible.
It explains why my foot doesn't ache a lot of the time, but not why it should come on so suddenly.
Then I think to myself that there have been times, mornings especially, when my foot's been really painful. So perhaps it's the 'algia...
Whatevers - it's getting a bit better now although walking is a pain, and I'd hoped to walk a bit this weekend. Might just have to put feet up and laze around instead.
I've booked in with the Physiotherapist at Moti cos he promised me he could mend me and get me back 'barefoot' running. So he is my new best friend.

Fractious and stressed

It's a stress fracture. Not the best news in the world frankly, but I will just have to live with it.
It hurts, but not excessively (unless I try running of course)
I have anti-inflammatories and painkillers which should do the trick of calming it down and all I have to do is wait for the healing process.
I am amazed at the way our bodies heal themselves - Ok there is a little bit of scar tissue here and there but if we never healed we'd all be dead by the age of about 3.
I just wish it was a little bit quicker. Like instant. Instant's good for me.

What have I done...

I will find out when I get to casualty I suppose.

What happened was, I went for a run on the downs yesterday, in the merrell shoes, and was going very well. It's a lot harder running off-road in those things but I honestly thought it would be good for building core strength, foot strength, everything really.
And for a while I guess it was working fine.

But, after about 1/2 an hour I felt a sharp pain in my left foot. A bit like cramp, so stretching the thing out should have done the trick, right?
But it didn't. And it's no better 24 hours later.

I have a feeling it's a stress fracture: it all adds up. (well google can make you believe anything can't it)

So this morning I"m off to A and E to see what's what. It does hurt although I can bend my toes. Stairs are a challenge.

And the ramifications? Well, if it is a stress fracture, then it's 6-8 weeks off the running. Not a problem in the depths of winter, but now???  I will have to replace it with something else - the upstairs at the gym has aerobic machines - rowers, stair climbers and the like, so I guess I will have to take up statics again. Work? Fuck knows. 'Scuse me, but it couldn't really come at a worse time.

Hacked off.

Still here...

...just not out running

It's only a matter of time.

My current excuse is the heat - spring has finnaly sprung and it's jolly warm out there

Felt like I was missing out on the Bristol 10k last Sunday but I don't think I would have been able to do it.

I really need to get back into this running thing to counteract the middle-age spread threatening to overwhelm me...

36 hours...

...is how long it takes for muscles to really kick in with their aching after a session.

I went for a run on Tuesday evening (in the Merrells, so I was asking for trouble...) and this morning my calves were stiff and aching.

But my achilles were - are - fine.

Does this mean I've made the swap? I can't run heel-striking any more, it feels too wrong (although going downhill is still an issue - I feel like I'm running like a fairy, taking dainty tippy-toe steps...)
So perhaps it's time to start upping the distance and duration until I'm regularly doing 5 miles. And then even thinking about a 1/2 marathon.

Argh!

It's like this...

It being Sunday I did drag my carcass round the downs - I actually cycled up there which is quite environmentally friendly of me, (the alternative being driving rather than running...)

It took 34' 37" and it was the vanilla version, no extra loops or anything...

So I'm glad I've been and I feel better for having done it - but it's not easy anymore. Not that it ever truly was, but I'm struggling to keep going for 1/2 an hour these days. Of course I know what the answer is to that, and I know I will have to force myself out more - especially as I'm being lured by the thought of another 1/2 marathon later this year and that will take over 2 hours...  *shudders*

Distance - about the same as last week - 6km 3.77 miles.
which is I think 9 mins 10" per miles. That. Cannot. Be. Right.
34'37  is 2077 seconds
2077/3.77 is 551 secs/mile
or 9 mins and 10 secs give or take.
I surprise myself at times...

(If that's true - I may be terribly terribly wrong there but if I'm right then I am chuffed into little minty pieces and it explains why I was so knackered... )
(Something tells me I've got a sum wrong and it's miles out...)

I know people who are doing the 10k next weekend - and that makes me sad and angry at myself for having let myself slip so deeply into a pit of gluttony and sloth. And there are several far more appealing deadly sins than gluttony and sloth. 

Ooh the effort...

34 mins and 3.37miles which is more than 10 mins a mile. There was a large hill involved as I was going round the downs. I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed. I'm never going to relive the giddy heights of doing the Bristol 10k in under an hour... 
Not unhappy with the fact I've been for a run. Slightly miffed about the knackeredness I'm now feeling. That was made considerably worse by spending 2 1/2 hours this afternoon digging the garden, but hey ho...
I did a yoga session yesterday which might account for the ache in my left hip. I hope that was the reason for it...
And now I feel like I need a long lie down.
Before running another twice this week of course. And 3 times a week for the forseeable...
 

How long????

I haven't set foot on the long road to running for an awfully long time now.
And the longer I leave it the worse it gets.
But I know the worst part is the getting going: put on the shoes, plug in the ipod and open the front door - after that it's easy
(If I can convince myself that's true I might stand a chance of going for a run at some point in the near future...)

Justified

After yesterday's enormous effort in running for 31 mins, I actually feel ok today. Legs not hurting, achilles quite benign.
Perhaps I can run further, longer etc etc and perhaps - just perhaps - I will get to use my smashing Merrell minimalist running shoes for something other than cycling to work in...

Oh, I must get a loose top to disguise the wobbly bits. More shopping-related incentives to run more!

puff pant wheeze

3.27 miles
30mins 58 secs
9.48 mins per mile which is about 9 mins 30 a mile - not too bad considering:
1. I'm still doing funny running
2. I haven't really run any distance for about 6 months
so really, I'm not too downhearted, except that I was so knackered and I felt like I'd eaten a huge sandwich just before setting off, but the fact is I hadn't.
I think I'm just very very very unfit compared with how I was running before
Also - I whacked my kneecap over the weekend and it is now excrutiating to go upstairs - I'm hoping it's only to do with the kneecap-whacking rather than any lingering problem with running

So - after a mere 2 and a bit weeks, I've done a run. Hurrah!!!

hot and sweaty

It's been very warm these last few days - for the end of March it's been positively balmy. So going for a run was only going to be a good idea in the early hours.
Like 9am...

I did nearly 35 mins this morning and it was hard work - hence the title of this post. And my right achilles is aching which is a bit of a worry, but I think it's a grumble rather than an injury, so I'm going to rest it until Sunday or possibly Tuesday

(this is horrible - I have drops of sweat running down my face and they're as irritating as te cat's whiskers when she gets too close...)

3 things I have learned from this morning's run:
1. my feet are bicycle wheels - they're only in contact with the ground at the very bottom, directly underneath - so the movement is to push back from that point and that brings my knees up like they're supposed to be.
2. my right leg is wrong: it's doing the old thing of trying to reach out in front of me with and that's what's causing the problem, I think. When I'm concentrating I can make it do it properly, and it makes it ache a bit which suggests I had been doing it wrong - perhaps I need to go back to the osteopath and get balanced out again. Or just do all those stretches I'm supposed to do...
3. Don't eat before a run. I had 2 veggie sausages and 2 poached eggs about an hour before I went out and it was too much too soon: about 15 mins in I could feel this food just sitting in my stomach waiting to be digested and being disappointed.

So I have an idea - this Tuesday I'm going to the dentist at 930 - so I'll go for a run first - I can get out of the house about 7am for 30 mins and be back in time for a shower and breakkie and then walk to work via the dentist. And I can do this twice a week - Tues and Thurs and walk to work those days cos I can leave later than when I'm cycling and stopping off at the gym. And I will run before I've had anything to eat.

And by the end of the week I will have lost 10lbs and will be a happy bunny.

Yay 
   

Run like the wind

Or a gentle breeze at any rate...

So I did another 1/2 an hour this morning - and I know it was that long cos I used the nike+ thing. It's far from being calibrated properly (8min 15 per mile - hello???) but at least it gives me a countdown for 30mins.

But I don't like running and waiting for the mins to be counted down - I am going to use the treadmill at the gym tomorrow and get it right. I do fairy steps now obviously.

But the run was ok. And I am going to keep it up and try to move up to an hour at a time and hopefully get the 10km feeling I used to have. If I can get there I think I should be able to lose weight and keep it off. And not knacker my knees along the way...

sometimes I surprise myself

Not often, it's true.

But I did run today - about 1/2 an hour - and it was OK. My right heel/calf is aching a bit but in an ok way, not feeling like it's about to pop.

And I am so unfit - there were a few hills in there and I was struggling. A lot.

Going between the toe-strike and heel-strike seems to be OK - I know the going downhill thing will be tough to get working once I'm converted. I had a thought that I might perhaps use the treadmill at the gym to get me going in the barefoot shoes - start with 5 mins perhaps and build up from there.

More time to spend trying to stop the march of time...

And I was trying to make sure I didn't run too long (or, more accurately, too short) a time and had to keep looking at the clock on my ipod. Of course once I got back I discovered there was a stopwatch and a time in the thing. Should have known that really.

28 minutes!!!

I possibly went about 3 miles - very slowly.

And I was in my old running shoes so I could change from one running style to the other - which was great on the downhill bits as I could land on my heels and not feel too slippery underfoot.

But it was bloody hard work.

I think I've lost fitness - running fitness at least - from not running. (Kind of obvious...) and 1/2 an hour was a killer.

But I think it was the right thing to do. I need to get running fit again and I know I'm barefoot running for about 1/2 the time - although the shorter extension for my calfs in those shoes is protecting my achilles, if not really improving my technique. I guess the thing to do is to put in the occasional 5-minutes on the merrell shoes every week or so and build up on that.

I called in at Moti in Bristol and they basically told me what I already knew but didn't want to face up to - that it's going to take a long time to get back to where I was before, running 10k on a Sunday morning.

But I will get there as the alternative is descending into fat-lassedness. Well, fatter-lassedness anyway...

Feeling braver

Well, the acute pain seems to have gone but I;m very nervous about going for a run. Even in the old, padded shoes.
But if I don't go, it will take longer and longer to get back into the running and any half-baked plans I might have for 10k runs this year will just wither and die...
So, the plan is... there is no plan actually, but one day very soon I will haul myself out there and see how I get on.
I really really hope I can turn into a barefoot runner, wearing my nice, minimalist shoes, loping gracefully round the roads of Bristol... (that last bit - probably a bit too much to hope for...)