A positive push

A week on since I went to the physio and I'm due back on Thursday. I am still getting a lot of pain in my shins so really need to concentrate on the exercises she gave me. To be honest, after I realised I couldn't do the run, I decided there wasn't any point in doing them. I'm missing running now though and really want to get back into it.

I think because I have felt such a lack of control over my life recently, I have decided to gain some back. So next week I'm doing something about my weight and therefore my self esteem. I was due to go out with the girls this Saturday just gone but declined on this occasion. The reason was because my lovely Step-Dad has been staying (and still is) so I felt it would be rude to leave for a night, but also, a big part of it was how I feel in my skin. I am totally not confident in myself and I've taken a hit since this leg issue. Also I felt I couldn't face anyone after cancelling my participation in the race as I feel guilt about it. I feel like I know I can't do it, but that people won't believe me and I feel I need to justify it which sounds like excuses to people. Does that make sense? So anyway, I've decided I need to take back control. I'm going back on the Cambridge Plan. I have had great results with it in the past. I lost and maintained the first round. The second time I done it, I had a consultant with no real interest in helping or advising. I really need that. I need the motivation and encouragement. I hope I have found the right person this time!

I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my life. I really want it. I want to feel better in myself and healthier. Wish me luck..or just send positive vibes. xx

It's been a while!

It's been a while since I last wrote and a lot has happened in between. Here is a list of runs I have done since my last post:

Date                             Distance                       Time


25/07/2015              Ran 7.03 km                   0:59:00

05/08/2015              Ran 4.68 km                   0:44:48

06/082015              Walk 7.00 km                  2:42:17

07/082015              Ran 5.06 km                    0:43:56

09/08/2015              Ran 5.06 km                   0:44:47

So when on my hols I ran pretty much every other day. This was a lovely run, right along the coast and up through the town and included up hills. I really enjoyed it. I got out really early in the morning before it got hot and more importantly, before it got crowded!

On the last run I have put above, my legs hurt during and worse afterwards. They hurt most of the day, even when walking. The following day I might have had a few twinges, but nothing too bad so when I woke up the next morning for my run, I didn't think about it until I started running. 10 metres down the road and my legs were killing. So much so that I had to walk back to the caravan. 

I was a bit concerned because I have had shin splints lots of times but these didn't feel like that could be the issue. However, I decided to rest them. 

So, I began my rest on 11th August. I got back off hols and still rested. However, still by week ending 23rd August my legs were still intermittently giving me pains and whilst just resting, walking, any time and no time specifically. At one point I woke up in the night and my right leg, (lower and to the left) was so sore that my pyjama bottoms hurt it if they brushed against it. So the other half rang up Bupa who we as a family have cover via his work, and after a triage call, they got me an appointment with a physiotherapist. So I went along there this Monday just gone and she prodded (which hurt), watched me run, looked at my gait,  my foot positioning, strength etc. She looked into my medical and family history and had a general of my legs and a chat. Oddly I seem to have a weaker right leg (pants at balancing, strength not good) and she felt scar tissue down the side that hurts.  My right foot has less mobility and my ankles seem to be weak. I asked her if I should do the Great North Run and she advised against due to the obvious leg pain and the very short time left to the race. So I suggested going for a trial run to test the legs. and then deciding from there. She agreed it was a sound plan and gave me exercise instructions for my legs. 

So, I went eagerly on my trial run and was buzzing when I got more than 10 metres. Even when my back started hurting I was not phased. I kept on. It was hard as I hadn't run for 2 weeks. Then at 1.8 km, my legs started hurting. I pushed on a bit further but gave up and walked back at around 2.4 km. Gutted. I made the decision that night that I couldn't take part in the run on 13th September. It was a hard decision and I feel really guilty about letting other people and myself down. I just can't risk further damage. Especially when we are as yet not certain what the issue is. 

That night my legs twinged a little but not too bad. The day after was worse, as was the day after that. I have another appointment with the physio next week and she said she may get me refered for x-rays to see if there is a stress fracture. We'll see what happens from there. 

So I am going to defer my place in the race till next year. I don't want to stop running because it has given me a new lease of life. I'm fitter than I have been in years. This time last year I couldn't run for a bus! 

So that's it. Bummer! But you know, it's not the end. Watch this space, I'll be back x