This week has been an awkward one for running. After a weekend run last Saturday that saw knee niggles towards the end I strapped up my knee using a support sleeve and enjoyed the rest of the weekend. Sunday saw a family walk over one of my run routes which made a nice change to go slow and take a couple of pictures - the knee seemed ok (ish)!
Come Tuesday I was planning a morning run but postponed it to the evening then did a short run to make sure the knee was ok. I could sense that it was not quite right still but it had stood up to the test.
Then overnight I had a cramp in my calf - one of those ones where you sit bolt upright out of deep sleep shouting aaarrrgh at the top of your voice and jumping to the floor as quickly as possible. Still feeling the results of the cramp two days later I decided not to do my scheduled run.
With knee and calf going on I wondered whether I would even make a weekend run. I realised at this point just how much I would miss running now if I couldn't do it and that got me thinking about some of the wise words that people on this forum have said over the last 10 months that I have been a member. In particular that we should enjoy our runs.
There will come a time I am sure when the body finally says enough and the running will come to an end. But let's not bring that time any nearer by risking injuries to ourselves. Enjoyment can be many things, the feeling of elation when you have ticked that extra minute off and a new PR, the achievement of running up that hill or running a new distance but let's not forget the enjoyment of just being. Being outside, being free, being on a run.
Today I headed out to try a run hoping my knee and calf would be ok. I opted for a Hobbit run again so I could reduce my distance if needed but I also had in mind to do 8k if possible. I also knew that if ok I would enjoy it and I did. Enjoyment did not mean the run was easy - the enjoyment was because I was running. Today I listened to my body and to the advice, I cautiously ran my distance being more careful than usual to place/kiss the ground and keep it slow and steady. Today was not about speed or form or anything other than putting one foot in front of the other.
In the words of Hill Street Blues - Let's be careful out there youtu.be/Jmg86CRBBtw
Written by
Richard7
Graduate10
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Well said Richard...glad your knee held out, 8k is a great distance too!
We used to watch Hill Street Blues...👍👮too..😊x
Don’t put the niggles down to being an older runner. Why should a time come when you stop running. I heard recently that someone doing that 10k London run thing was 103. Young runners get injuries and pain too. My left knee has been a problem since I was 19 and I can never run without supporting it. You’re doing so incredibly well. Keep up the good work x
Thanks Flick .. maybe I am a fatalist, realist!! Time will tell. No plans on giving up any time soon .. only just started! The point is to enjoy it and make the most of it.
It' s good of you to remember. Well ... I worked steadily through the programme for a second time without any real problem and graduated. Since then I've done a few 30-35-minute runs but am finding it hard, to be honest. Often I get out and after about 10 minutes feel overwhelmed at the task ahead of me. It is as much mental as physical (tiredness also plays a major role).
So instead of stressing about whether I can "succeed" in running 30 minutes I'm now doing the nhs strength and flexibility programme. In three weeks' time I'm accompanying some of our classes on a four-day sporting activity break and I don't want to appear a complete plonker (I retire this year), so the pressure is on!
I hope all this isn't more info than you bargained for. It was kind of you to ask.
The Strength and Flexibility program sounds interesting .. I might take a look .. stamina is my weakness and I know I have a flexibility issue with my left leg. Good luck with the program. Don't give up on the running though, even if you just go out for 15 minutes but I know what you mean, perhaps you go out too fast. I have posted before about not enjoying my runs but enjoying the benefits .. I think I am beginning to enjoy both.
The sporting activity break sounds like a challenge.
Thanks Ted. I hope to be able to run for many years now that I have discovered it. I am sure when my knee is better I will try to bolt down the road again .. temptation is too great. But with a bit of luck I will add a touch of sensibility to my runs too.
I am not a medic,but I cannot believe how much stuff there is to know about our bodies,that both positively protects us, repairs us, but can damage us also if we are not savvy.
Not surprised now,how for example, Sir Rodger Bannister, broke the 4min mile.🤔.He wanted to be remembered as a nurologist /surgeon more than a runner.🤔He certainly must have known all the good stuff about how we work.
Hope you are good Richard and well done on your 8k.👍
Your right about enjoying this gift we all give to ourselves.
There is no point to any of it without enjoyment.💫🏃♀️🏃♂️💫
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If you listen really carefully...
Off the IC - very carefully !
A slow, steady and careful return
Let's concentrate on the fact it was sunny
Finally out there again!
