IC - diagnosis confirmed…..😢

[JonathanP]

I mentioned last week that, 3k into a planned 10k run, I'd had to take avoiding action following a close encounter with a woman and her dog and had felt a twinge in my thigh. Foolishly I thought it would clear and continued to run, until 25m further on a more serious twinge brought me to a halt and I then had to walk/limp home. 😢

One week on, the problem has eased slightly but running is definitely out of the question! Luckily our GP surgery encourages self-referral to NHS physios, so having completed that online, I phoned up this morning for an appointment - first available 20th December. Oh well….

I had said I would be happy to be considered for any cancellations and an hour later(!) had a phone call to offer me an appointment later today - how's that for service!👍

The physio confirmed what I had already guessed - a hamstring tear. Some rehab/strengthening exercises were provided, along with a stern warning that running too soon could lead to a further injury. Likely timescale for resumption 4-6 weeks - very frustrating.

I had been hoping to wear my '50 parkruns' t-shirt for the first time last Saturday but it will have to be volunteering only, for the next few weeks…..

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Oh nooo...sorry to hear this Jonathan😑..I hope your time on the IC passes quickly. Its not fun on there, but having some exercises to do keeps you proactive, and reading others run reports helps too.

Take care and heal well.😘x

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks BBR - I've just seen your post about your fantastic news and as someone who's already getting twitchy after one week without running, you seemed to have coped really well with seven!😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I've been a bit grumpy... is your injury painful..xx

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

No - unless I try to walk too fast, so I don't!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Oh no what a shame. Delighted you got a cancelled apt though or you would have been out of a ton for months. Take care.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks GTB - yes, every cloud has a silver lining!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

So great to hear your surgery has a self-referral to physio option, and even better you got in quickly! Just imagine how much worse it might have become if you'd tried to run again 🙈

Awful to hear the outcome however and I feel your pain and frustration. 👎🏼 Being denied the thing we want to do is just the pits.

However volunteering at PR is a great way to keep up the enthusiasm, social aspect and a positive attitude. 😊

Fingers crossed your recovery goes to plan 🤞🏻

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks JoJo - I guess it will help my journey towards a 25 volunteer t-shirt!😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear that JP. 4/6 weeks sounds like a long time. I will

spare you any platitudes!! What is so worrying is that so much damage can be done by something so simple. I imagined that the leg strength we have all built up by now would make us pretty resilient. Now I feel we are all just a forced wrong step away from IC! I guess all you can do is stick to the rehab programme assiduously and work on areas which are not affected, Stay strong 💪

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC - yes it was quite a shock but I wonder now if I had been neglecting my hamstrings! I won't make that mistake twice.....

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Spot on: come back stronger than ever 👍

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Well done to the NHS for getting you seen. Sorry to hear that you’re on the IC, but at least you know what it is and have exercises to strengthen it while you can’t run.

I reckon a volunteer in a 50 shirt will inspire some that never volunteer to don the high viz too!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UNM - I hadn't thought of it like that!

[Sp81 Graduate10]

Oh no 😬

So sorry to hear jonathonp.

Volunteering sounds like a good plan to stay involved, it’s fab news that you got seen by physio so soon. Crossing fingers that the next 4-6 weeks go by quickly for you and that you mend well xxx

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Sp81]

Thanks sp81 - fingers and toes duly crossed!

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Glad that you said you would take a cancellation if there were any . Obviously it would be better if you didn't need it at all.

I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you enjoy volunteering at parkrun. 😊😊🤞🤞

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy - I will, but not quite as much as running!😜

[grumpyoldgirl]

ouch! Good thing you were sensible and knew when to stop. You can't beat yourself up for running a few metres, we all get sudden twinges that disappear after a minute or two. You can get through the next few weeks, at least it's an excuse to stay in the warm!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks GOG - yes it's a minefield, this running business!😀

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Oh obblocks, so sorry to hear that JP. Hope we'll see you around and about some time soonish. Was it a St Mary's physio you saw?

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thanks UTS - yes it was St Mary's, I had someone from there for my back problem last year and found them very good .

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear this Jonathan - but on the plus side, at least you now have an idea of how long you will be out and how to support your rehab. I had a really nasty calf tear three years ago and was out of action for quite a while. I heeded my physio's advice however and have never had any further problems with it (wish I could say the same for my left knee!!😂). Good luck. 🙂

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra - yes it's good that I have a clear plan, now I just have to stick to it!😋

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Ooh so sorry to hear that Jonathan. We are very lucky that Portsmouth has a great physio team and the self referral system is really good. It’s good to get an early diagnosis because you can then plan accordingly.

It’s a shame your are on the IC but its a good way of getting towards the purple shirt now.

We’ve got the golden baton coming to southsea this weekend so I’m hoping my visiting niece might get to take it back to East grinstead.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy - I couldn't believe my luck getting a same-sex appointment! I had an email about the baton coming to our area too - fingers crossed....

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I think auto correct attacked your reply 🤣🤣

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Ha ha! Oh well, easy come, easy go! 😀

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

😂😂

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Oh that’s such bad luck, heal well and enjoy your rest time

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks WandS - I'll make the best of it!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Sorry to hear that JP - hope it’s not too long before you’re on the mend. In the meantime you know that 50 T-shirt is going to look good as you volunteer!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks OGR - I think it will have to go on top of my coat given the current weather!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

😂

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

I feel ashamed that I didn't make a physio appointment when my hamstring when 'ping'. What a sensible example you have set. Here's to a straightforward healing process. Happy volunteering! 😊🌸

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61 - I think I was too worried about doing further damage if I didn't get some professional advice 😀

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I had meant to add that I did, though, speak to a retired physio friend.

[uncle_wiggy]

Gutted for you JP, rest well & come back carefully but stronger 👍

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thanks UW - I plan to!😀

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

How frustrating but am glad that you got an appointment so quickly. Good luck with the exercises, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll be having a little festive jog soon.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thanks SM - yes, 6 weeks, that's Christmas Day isn't it ?😋

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Ohh no, how frustrating. It's too easy to pick up injuries and they take too long to heal. Volunteering is the way to go for a while. Are there any local events on? Volunteering at some events earns you free entry into the next one 😍. Try to do other exercises if you can - that feeling of taking back some control can help. Other than that, follow your physio's instructions and I wish you speedy healing.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda - good idea on the volunteering. Yes, I'm already doing back and hip exercises so will add hamstring into the mix👍

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

Bummer 😕

Well done on the speedy appointment though.

Heal up soon

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thanks Maddee - bummer indeed!😋

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Oh no! Sorry to read this Jonathan. These pesky dog owners 🙄 have no idea sometimes. I do believe they’re the ones who should go to obedience classes and not the dogs 😕

But great service from the NHS and at least you know what you’re dealing with. The time will pass and you’ll be out running again before you know it. Just remember the IC is temporary but running is forever 🏃‍♂️🙂

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. Mind you, it's not just dog owners - half the population seems totally oblivious to what's going on around them when we swoop up on them like ninjas!😋

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Haha tell me about it 🙄

[johnm12 Graduate10]

Sorry to hear this and hope you recover quickly. Parkrun 50 eh? very impressive. See you back running soon though!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to johnm12]

Thanks John - yes, parkrun has really become a weekly fixture for me😀

[alisonx Graduate10]

Oh Bugger! So sorry Jonathan😣. Its amazing a simple maneuver can do such damage! At least there are +& - here. Obviously not being able to run is a very big - but really pleased you got seen so quickly and have a plan, hopefully you will be healed and able to go for a trot on Xmas day

Good luck on the recovery x

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to alisonx]

Thanks Alison - yes, if it hadn't happened to me I wouldn't have believed it ! Xmas Day is in my diary😀

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Pffft! Sorry to hear this, Jonathan, but very pleased you got to see a physio so quickly - what a stroke of luck.

I know that time out from running is so frustrating but don’t despair - adapt. Can you swim? Do upper body strengthening? I have found that keeping some activity in my weekly routine really helps me deal emotionally. 👍 And Parkrun volunteering is fab! I started doing this when last on the IC, and it really cheered me up!

Do all the exercises your physio recommends religiously, safe in the knowledge that you will heal and be up and running again in time. We all get injured from time to time, it’s annoying, but part of being a runner I guess!

Speedy healing.

Sadie-runs x

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie - I'm not a swimming fan, but I am still able to take gentle walks so the plan will be that together with my existing back & hip exercises, supplemented by those recommended by the physio. Plus lots of patience!😀

[theoldfellow]

Bad luck Johnathan. I've been there with Hamstring- but that sounds like a bad one. Don't be tempted back out when it feels better, it will just set you back a further few weeks. When you feel better start the exercises, not the running. Your physio will advise.

I hated helping at Parkrun the first time, it really galled me that I couldn't run, but now I find it almost as enjoyable.

Prayers for a speedy recovery.

🙏

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

Reply below!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Thanks TOF - I'm able to start the exercises gently now so that's good . Prayers gratefully received!👍

[Run46 Graduate10]

Phew, thank goodness for the cancellation or I reckon you'd have been running on it as soon as it eased off a bit 😉

I'm wanting to say patience is a virtue, enjoy your rest but I reckon if someone said that to me after being told I had to have 4 to 6 weeks off I'd be telling them to sod off with their bloody patience 😆, so I'll just say I hope it goes super fast for you 🤞👍

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Thanks Run46 - I think you have it about right!😀

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Very frustrating Jonathan. Do try to stay away from running until you are healed. I speak as someone who rested a medial ligament injury for 4 weeks but then repeatedly tried to run on it, when it should probably have been left for at least another month or two. The result was it took 6 months to get full movement back, and I lost a minute/kilometre in pace that I have never got back. I will never know whether I would have recovered better if I had waited until I was properly healed.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks for the advice Coddfish - definitely a cautionary tale ....

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oh Jonathan I just saw this. I’m so sorry - but I’m happy I wasn’t the “woman with dog” who caused it when I came down to Portsmouth! 🏃‍♀️🐕

Let’s hope it heals quickly. Is there anything you can do to cross train as well as your exercises? Tears are tricky things aren’t they? 👎

Happy volunteering in the meantime. I’m not sure how many you’ve done, but how about going for a nice 25 teeshirt to go with your 50 running one? 😀

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky - no I'm sure your dog walking is much more decisive than hers was! Not a great gym fan but walking is ok if not too fast, so will stick to that and exercises.

Did my 7th volunteer today but hopefully not a further 18 before I can run again!😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Oh gosh I hope you don’t earn your 25 teeshirt too soon either. Much as volunteering is fun, you want to be back running again asap. 🏃‍♂️ So carry on walking and doing your exercises and I’m sure you’ll be up and at ‘em again before too long. 🤞