Running, progress and injury update from me

[316neil]

Hey there fellow intrepid running friends!

I keep meaning to post regularly... I really do, but I can barely keep up with Strava let alone HU these days. You are still all my running family though, so I thought I'd update you on what is going on with me.

Current situation is having reached the heady heights of 13k again in early October, I must have gone out with a slightly tight calf, and the result is that I'm once again sitting perilously close to the IC, requiring an occasional sit down on it. I'm assuming based on stuff the physio has said, that it's something to do with a trapped or constricted nerve somewhere causing muscle tension, because the issue comes and goes somewhat. Sometimes I've been able to run 7 or 8k without issue, sometimes it gets tight at 2k. I just think it's my middle-aged body complaining that really it would rather be back on the couch with a cup of tea!

So... what have I been doing about this? Well I started having some sessions with the Personal Trainer who works at the Physio practice I use. Brilliant guy, complete sadist though. That's going OK actually, we've been doing a lot of core strength stuff, and he's a bit of a stickler for technique, which is a good thing. I've been mastering the art of the plank, though as yet I can only manage 3 reps of 35-40 secs, but it's a start. Banded clams are apparently a thing and I'm reasonably good at them, especially since I now realise it doesn't involve elastic bands and seafood! I do 3 sets of 20 on one leg, then the same on the other leg. I could alternate legs, but doing one then the other gives me more of a workout. All this core stuff has apparently gone some way to correcting my heel strike issue, all of which makes for safer and more efficient running. I have a love/hate relationship with core, I enjoy the feeling afterwards, but during it is difficult and boring. The bigger battle for me is to stop procrastinating and just get on with it!

High points though for me, over the past few months have been reaching 13k again, a 10k PB of 1:04:04, a 5k PB of 28:22, and my first run of the speed challenge on the HM forum, where I managed 400m @ 4:38/km. Probably not the wisest thing to try whilst recovering from injury with hindsight. But so much fun!

Thank you to roseabi for encouraging me to post here, and also to all my friends on Strava for being awesome and supportive!

p.s. You have no idea how hard it was to find a picture of something that looked a bit like a clam with a band!!

[Goforitmama Graduate10]

I sympathize, injuries are the pits!

Your posts are always interesting, thank you.

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Goforitmama]

Too right they are, but I think they help us to grow stronger in the long run. Thank you for saying my posts are interesting 😀

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great photo and sounds like a fantastic personal trainer. Great effort.be careful of these speed trials. Happy running

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you Grannyhugs , yes, I had to dig deep in the bowels of the internet to find that one! Yes, the PT is going really well, plus he also does sports massage, and by that I of course mean controlled torture. But he's really good at both, and my physio is great too, and they are at the same practice so they can actually work on a joined-up plan for fixing me. All good really!

But yes, I'll be careful. It's just... running fast is soooo much fun!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Yey!!! I am so glad to hear from you Neil...you must've heard me thinking about you the other day?!!! Now I know why, you've been busy getting all sorts of PB's!! You have come such a long way Neil and I'm glad your running is still cracking on..be careful though...I know what you'd be like on the IC!! Core work is hard..and boring but I love the day after because I can feel I've done something!! Looking forward to hearing more from you x

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Aww thanks Mummycav , I really appreciate that. Yeah, the IC isn't so much fun is it? I'm just longing to get back at it properly. 5k on Weds made me realise that a) I've lost some fitness and b) my calf still isn't fully right, but at least I can still run, and to be fair the 5k did have hills, so I can't complain too much.

Hey this makes me realise how long it is since I've been active on here... your name has the word "Ambassador" after it. That sounds impressive. Does that mean you get to walk round the forum carrying a carefully balanced tray of Ferrero Rocher? 😂

Thanks for your comment Bev, means a lot 😊

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to 316neil]

Yes, you have been a stranger 316neil ...I'm not having it!!! I will come and find you if you desert us again!!! I have been granted Ambassadordom (!) ...I feel very lucky to have been asked, not really sure what the qualifications needed to be but I am enjoying it and get to do important jobs like The November Quest and other exciting things...whilst balancing my Ferrero Rochers on my silver tray!!

I mean it from the heart of my trainers Neil...I have missed you...some people are conspicuous by their absence and you are one of them x😊 You wont get one of my Ferrero Rochers if you don't behave!! Well, I might just wang one at the back of your head to remind you we're still here!!! 😂😂😂

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Wang! 😂😂😂

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Now Bev and I are from oop north. We know how to wang. I'm guessing you southern lot just don't know proper wanging technique 😂

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Awww that's a nice thing to say Bev, albeit in a slightly scary way 😂 Next time I'm passing your neck of the woods I shall watch out for low-flying confectionary! Seriously though, thank you.

I'm glad you are enjoying your HU role too, and I hope they are paying you hansomely in Ferero Rocher at least! I will try to post more though. I don't often think like I've got anything worth saying to be honest, and the last thing I want to do is drag people down with my tales of woe from the IC.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

My injury dips were in February and May. Mainly about calves but a minor issue( cured in one excruciating visit!!) behind the knee too. Since then🤞no trouble and I have been doing 80k + per month. All of my daily exercises have been about “knee and below” strength; hardly any stretches involved and no shellfish were harmed in the process 😊. I guess all physios have their own formulae (or perhaps I get off lightly on account of age!!). Main thing is that whatever you are doing seems to be working 👍.

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you for the encouragement Beachcomber66 . Yes, physios are great, I wouldn't be without mine, although that's not what I think when Alex is triggerpointing my Piriformis! Matt my PT had a good go at that the other day too, by poking it very hard with his elbow 😂 I'm just plodding on with it really, slowly getting better I think.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to 316neil]

I just hope this nerve thing disappears as mysteriously as it appeared. You are clearly toughing it out very well 👍👍

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you, I try!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Neil, I too had a long hard look at your picture😀...banded clams eh? Sounds tricksy.😊

So nice to hear from you, and catch up with your progress.

Good work and some lovely PB's. All of our runs are great though aren't they...

Keep enjoying yourself.😊xxx

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hi Jan, yes I'm still loving the runs. I did a short run to the car because it was raining, like about 100 yards or less the other day, having not run for a few days, and realised, in the middle of considering giving up, I just couldn't give up. Sorry I've been absent here though, nothing personal I promise! I think the PBs were a happy accident to be honest.

As for the clams... it's really tricky to get the elastic bands on the things especially if they are still alive, and how this helps my core strength I'll never know... 🤣🤣🤣

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to 316neil]

😆😂😂 whelk never know! 😉xx

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Jan... you just need to clam up now! 🤣

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Thanks for the update, Neil! (I too am a bit guilty of not checking in regularly enough 😱).

Wow! That is a lot of running achievements whilst battling a calf issue (is it an issue rather than an injury?) You should be so proud! You are amazing and you are tenacious - don’t underestimate the power of tenacity as a runner! It is crucial. And what a journey, eh? So glad you are working on strength. I think when we first started running, we were reluctant to do anything apart from run. I mean, I for one didn’t appreciate how important it is to strengthen the body in order to run! Some injuries later, I got the message!

I do hope somebody can get to the bottom of WHY you have this trapped nerve issue, but in the meantime, keep doing what you are doing; it’s all good! 👍

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I know you like an update Sadie-runs , sorry it's been so long! Thing is, I used to post every run on here, but now that I'm on Strava I've kind-of got out of the habit.

Thank you for those nice encouraging things you said though, and I'm grateful to have you as my virtual cheerleader and VRB even when I'm not actually doing that well. And yes, totally with you on the strength stuff, I just thought it was irrelevant nonsense... until I found that it wasn't, and it really helps? Did you know, if I focus on my form and tightening my core when running, the calf pain virtually goes away?

As for the nerve issue... yes that's the one bit my "team" hasn't got to the bottom of yet. By team I mean Matt and Alex. Or Malex as I might start calling them. To be honest... it's a bit... unnerving. Yeah. Sorry, couldn't resist lol!

But thank you for being there

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

So good to see you here..we miss you when you're away.

You have had a heck of a time..but steadily getting back on track with some truly awesome running.

You have done incredibly, working out with your trainer...and it is all paying off.

Stick at it..stick around..and carry on inspiring us!!!

PS

You still owe me breakfast, when you get to the Isabel Trail..( cancelled again this week...floods)! Xx

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Floss, doing my best, just trying to work out what’s contributing to the tightness. Definitely getting there! Hoping to post on the HM forum in a bit, coz I probably need to get back into that.

Brekkie... yes, I do owe you breakfast, but I’m a rubbish swimmer so we probably need to wait until it’s not underwater 😂😂 I’ve not forgotten though!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to 316neil]

xx

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Hahha. Love the pic! Couldn't quite work out why u had posted it at first! 😂😀👍

I'm the same lots happening on here n Strava and I feel like I'm always joining it too late. Your progress is doing great,shame re the injury,but sounds to me u r doing all the right things. Well done on the planks. Proper tuff they are, I struggle big time. 👍👍

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thank you Deals! Glad you got the reference, say what you see, clams with bands etc 🤣🤣🤣

The planks are a great core exercise aren’t they, but I find adding even an extra 5 seconds incredibly tough, but slowly slowly I’m getting there. Thanks for your support!!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Lots of achievements! Brilliant well done to you!

[316neil Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you! Doing my best with this whole running lark lol