It's been a hectic week at work, which has basically meant no running for me since Sunday, and as Sadie will tell you, I've been itching to get back out there. I nearly didn't get out there at all today due to the stupid gale force winds and horizontal torrential rain we've had up north, but I jumped at the chance of a gap in the rain, eager to try out my legs after all this stretching I've been doing.
I went out with the intention of doing 5k but realised I wouldn't have time to run 5k, warm down walk, shower, and get to the physio by 4pm, so I did 4k instead. What a difference though! The pain I've been feeling in my quads and hamstrings seems to have totally gone. Last Friday I was struggling to hit 7:00/km, but today my first k was in under 6 minutes. I could even tell during my warm up walk that it was going to be good, I was practically bounding along the road, eager, enthusiastic, like a little puppy. No I didn't pee on any lampposts before you ask.
It was VERY windy though. This helped me on the first half down the canal, but on the second half it was in my face and not helping at all. I didn't care. I was having fun, happy that I could still run. I am still a runner. Somehow!!
So quick cuppa (very important), shower (also important!) and off to the physio. He told me the stretching I'd been doing had paid off, which I was really chuffed about, and decided it was a really good idea to mess about with my piriformis. No, I'm not quite sure what one of those was either, but I do know that he did trigger pointing which I have actually heard of before, which basically involved jamming his fingers really hard seemingly right inside my leg. However it did the job and released all the tension there, and now I feel brilliant!
He also gave me some stretches to do which should help my posture. Apparently the constant VDU use at work won't be helping, so this will help to un-arch my back a bit.
So all in all, a good day. I had fun!
Thank you all for your support. I thought my fledgling running career was over for a minute there, but I feel like it's back on track.
I am back indeed, and thank you As with all these things, it's a journey, but a worthwhile one! Unfortunately we're into autumn now, so not quite sure how often I can get out... but when I can, I will. If I get 2 runs a week in I'll be happy. I feel I am gaining the tools to keep me running now, which is honestly great!
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Any possibility of running at lunchtime Neil ? It’d be good to get away from the computer screen too. That’s what I’m planning to do for winter.
Yes, I have been telling anyone prepared to listen, “Neil is itching to get out there again!” 😁 But seriously buddy, it put joy in my heart to read this, pure joy! You ran a 4K with no pain! Hoorah! And the stretching is sorting you out! Double hoorah! Sounds like your physio knew what they were dealing with, eh? Of course you are still a runner. Of course! A spot of bother never ends that my friend.
Don’t talk to me about the piriformis. My sports massage guy sorts my mine out by digging his elbow in my butt cheek, leaning his full body weight into it (bearing in mind he is a beefcake body builder), and wiggles it about. AGONY! 😥 But sorts it out a treat.
Now. Keep up the stretches and build your distance back up slowly. Or not - maybe just run whatever distance you fancy for the funs for a while; that’s so important.
Thanks dearest VRB! I'll be out on Sunday for sure, 5k I think. I would have done 5k today but I ran out of time. Let's hope it's less windy.
Elbows in butt cheeks? That sounds quite intense!! I actually have really enjoyed the physio sessions I've been to so far, it all felt very positive, and I really appreciated that.
As always, thank you for your unwavering support, I really appreciate it xxx
Yay! Great to hear you're back and that it was pain free as well 😁
I haven't run for over a week (pulled hamstring) but have been religiously doing all the stretching and strengthening exercises that were recommended to me. Great to hear that's made a difference for you and very hopefully it's going to work for me too x
😕 Sorry to hear this, PT. I pulled a hamstring at the start of the year, and it’s so frustrating. Rest and gentle stretching will sort it; patience is the real cure. I wish you a speedy recovery. xx
PT be careful when stretching sore hamstrings. I once made the mistake with mine that stretches would do the trick. I now understand you should first let them heal. Then begin gentle stretches only, building from there. Hopefully yours are now improving 👍🏼
Thanks Millsie I've got a recovery plan from one of the coaches at running club and that's exactly what it does. No stretching was allowed until walking was pain free - that took about 4 days. I'm following the plan to the letter as I think otherwise its just going to become a recurring problem x
Thank you Yes, the stretches have been great so far... I have more to do now. I fear that in a couple more weeks the stretches will take so long that I won’t have time to run!!
Pleased your back Neil and well done on your run today👍. I’m hoping to get my third run of the week in tomorrow. Three this week only because I’ve been on annual leave. However I’m working then off for four days as next weekend is my weekend to work,so I’ll get hopefully another three days running under my belt.😀😀🏃♀️🏃♀️
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Thank you Peggy. Annual leave is great for running, isn’t it? I’m off the week after next, hoping to get some nice long runs in
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Yes it is. Mind you the way the weather is with Callum in our sights I do wonder if I will get out.
So happy to see you back running Neil, those exercises seem to have done the trick. Build up slowly again and you’ll soon be back where you were. 🏃♂️🏃♂️🤸♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️👏👏
Glad you got your pririfomis sorted - not sure I’d allow a near stranger messing with mine! What is it anyway?
But you’re back. Yay😊😊😊
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I think it’s deep in your bum cheek flick 😉
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Definitely wouldn’t let them near it then! Especially not with my granny running knickers on😳
It’s great when the stretches etc pay off, well done for persevering. I sit on a ball at work which has really helped my core strengthen and given me a much better posture. Worth a thought if your company allows.....
Great to read this Hidden ...aww, I had visions of the lovely little golden Andrex puppy padding along while I was reading this...all giddy & excited!! Sounds like the physio is working, ooo, being prodded can work wonders!!! Glad you’re back out there & continuing to be a fab runner...how funny? I thought my running days were over too!! 🙄 first little niggle & we’re worried to death!!! Keep it going fella, this northern wind won’t last long & def won’t put a stop to us fighters!! 👏🏻👏🏻😉💪🏻🏃♂️🏃🏼♀️
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As with all these things, it's a journey, but a worthwhile one! Unfortunately we're into autumn now, so not quite sure how often I can get out... but when I can, I will. If I get 2 runs a week in I'll be happy. I feel I am gaining the tools to keep me running now, which is honestly great!
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
