Called upon Einstein to help my recovery - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

16,564 members26,788 posts

Called upon Einstein to help my recovery

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10
34 Replies

Limited myself to 3k today; no cramp, no pain in the knee(felt a bit grungy but I can live with that) and for the first time in ages I didn't limp home.

I finally sat down and really analysed what was going on. The fact is that I have gone backwards, in terms of running, since I started my rehab exercises. I was running 8k when I started, and I got calf cramps and pain and post run knee pain on the last two occasions I ran, and they were both very slow 4ks.

So, I remembered Einstein's definition of insanity i.e doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome! Something had to change. So I dug out my old one size fits all leg support to wear when I am not running (it really helped after my fall), and I dropped one of the new exercises which I think was aggravating the knee joint. Only started yesterday, but so far so good. My knee felt really loose at the end of the day. I have also reintroduced my old pre run calf routine. Today was a 3k and I managed it without cramp and I built up to 6:34 with negative splits. So knee support, hot water bottle, new spiky massage ball, "heavy" exercise bands, KT tape .....and back to the physio on Tuesday. If logic and application can beat this, I will get there. I enjoyed today's run; Molly will get her 5k walk next.....oh and I had a Flat White.......😋

Written by
Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
34 Replies
Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10

👍🎉

I like this, like a big soup with different ingredients you are taking out and putting in to get the right flavour. Stretches are tricky and I agree, it's finding the right ones. Let's hope it is the start of a solid recovery now for you.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to

Great metaphor GTFC. I just needed to step back and look at the overall picture.🤞

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate10

Great to hear this BC, it's so difficult to diagnose a problem sometimes, especially as one issue often seems to set others off as we try to compensate.

And as for fixing the problem, clearly you're having a bloody good try...fingers crossed you've finally figured out the bits that work for you 🏃‍♂️🤞

Also...I regret asking my son if your Einstein comment was true (he occasionally tells me that quotes I read aren't true just told so often people believe they're true)...he spent the next 15 minutes explaining some of Einstein's theories to me until my brain switched off!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toRun46

Often attributed but no evidence he ever said it!!

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl in reply toRun46

Whoops run46! I sympathise...

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate10 in reply togrumpyoldgirl

😆👍

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

It must be so frustrating Beachcomber66. It’s one thing to be on the IC with a specific injury with a known cause (🤸‍♀️⛷) but it must be So hard doing this process of elimination .

I hope your visit to the physio will be helpful.

Although I am sure my injury is now cleared up, I’m also to see my physio this week, mainly to thank him for all his virtual help during lockdown. My calves are feeling tight, probably because I’ve been concentrating on the injury and they haven’t been exercised quite so much and haven’t aught up yet.

Fingers crossed for you, my friend. 🏃‍♂️🤞

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy5. You have done really well with no moans discernible from up here! The benefit of the knee support is that it takes all of the symptoms away, so it is not “in my face” 24/7. Today’s run was definitely a success; so, as you say, 🤞

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

I think their was so much else going on at the time BC , that not being able to run was fairly minor. I did get a bit impatient at the end though and pleaded with the physio to let me start again . 😂

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

🙂 My physio would let me run provided both legs hadn’t actually fallen off! My previous one gave me a steely look at the beginning of each visit “ have you done your exercises?” And “ have you run?” Yes miss and no miss were the only acceptable answers!! Not a good idea to mess with someone who is about to dig into your sore calf!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

😂😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Fantastic news BC, sounds like you’ve found what works and what doesn’t. 😀🏃‍♂️

All’s good with the running world when BC has a pain free good run and a flat white! 👊😋

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

Thanks CC. Task for this week was to find a distance I could manage as a base to move on from, so hopefully mission accomplished!! 🙂

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, BC. Meanwhile I've been discharged from the fracture clinic, and the physio department have sent me a little leaflet. No idea if I'll get face to face with an nhs physio or not, so we'll see how I go.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply togrumpyoldgirl

Gosh grumps, if you don’t get physio for a broken ankle you wonder if anything short of decapitation would qualify! I need the weekly appointment for advice and a bit of confidence if I am honest. Hope they look after you 🤗

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl in reply toBeachcomber66

Due to covid, sadly. But I'm improving steadily, and I can get physio if I want it. Not like the poor things waiting for "nonessential" hip replacements and what have you.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply togrumpyoldgirl

Should be a special community for we limping wounded....except it would be full of moans 🙃

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl in reply toBeachcomber66

Mustn't grumble 😂

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

Hope you’re ok BC.

I’ve sent another person to Pippa recently 😶🤣

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toTasha99

Struggling a bit with this one to be honest but Pippa is on the case. Hopefully today is the start of the comeback....can’t tell Pippa I failed to meet a target can I 🤣

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

You’ll get there I’m sure! Everything is temporary!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toTasha99

Another saying of Einstein?😉

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Excellent! Just be aware that caffeine can have an affect on muscular cramps (being a diuretic and a stimulant).

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toKatnap

That would be a nice explanation with an easy remedy, but the cramp struck pre cafe; immediately after I stopped running. Anyway....it didn’t strike today, so we will treat my condition as “on the mend”.🙂

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

Phew! Keep doing what you're doing then! 👍😁👍

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

So good to hear things are heading in the right direction, as you say sometimes we just have to stop doing the same thing. Here’s to good report from physio on Tuesday 🤗

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

Cheers GH. Just finished my 1hour 15 min exercise. Run this morning, long walk with Molly and Mrs BC on the beach this evening...I am shattered!! Just been admiring your 14k ....only half a Park short of ten miles...you could do that next week!!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Well you're certainly trying all the options BC! Here's hoping the new regime has the desired effect .🤞

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Thanks JP. I just hope this is a base I can build on. Time this was sorted!!

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate10

Fantastic negative splits and good luck Beachcomber with the therapy. 😊

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply tolexi6

Thanks lexi6. NZ is a particularly good place to be at the moment (I am sure it is at any time!!). Hope your runs are going well 🙂

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

If it was summer, it would be perfect😎 and yes thanks I’m enjoying my runs a lot at the moment, got a bit bogged down with lockdown and lost my oomph a bit, never been particularly fast anyway, but pace really dropped off. I have all the ingredients for those yummy brownies, but need to lose some lockdown “extra” before making them. I have no self control once I start. 😊

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply tolexi6

I have a 2kilo lockdown extra! Good job it is salad season! Brownie making has been suspended in our kitchen, but I feel obliged to support our local cafe 😋

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

My Introduction to Coach Bennett

When I poked my nose into the porch to test the temperature this morning , there was a clear...
Beachcomber66 profile image
Graduate10

Let's be careful out there...!

This week has been an awkward one for running. After a weekend run last Saturday that saw knee...
Richard7 profile image
Graduate10

The running Gods are against me!

After feeling rubbish with various viruses, sinus problems etc for over 6 weeks and not running for...
Dendev75 profile image
Graduate10

Post calf strain

Hi. I've been following Bridge to 10k for the past few weeks after completing C25K in April....

10K To End May 🏃‍♀️

Well I've done well this month upped my distance in this month to 90K and my longest run to date...
sparky66 profile image
Graduate10

Moderation team

See all
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator
damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.