Warning: Self pitying post....

[prettymingo]

I graduated CT5K in January, moved house / area, started running a new route and then it all fell apart. Physically and psychologically. I'd been finding the 5K+ podcasts a bit mundane but kept it up, three times a week, averaging a 32 min 5K but then my old friends shin splints reared their ugly head, along with recurring hip bursitis and now I've done something to the back of my foot / heel (achilles???). I've managed to keep going, up to now, after a few days rest but I've been enjoying running less and less and now it's really becoming a chore. I haven't run for a week to give my foot a rest but i've done a bit of yoga and walking, to try and stop my fitness dropping too much. I'm feeling quite sorry for myself at the moment as i'm actually quite fit & healthy but I'm beginning to wonder if my body will ever recover properly and I'll be back to my old level of fitness and enthusiasm. Sorry for being a bit of a downer but I figured I can't be the only one struggling.

[moonmar Graduate]

Must be the weather prettymingo. I was feeling sorry for myself a couple of days ago but some useful postings on here put me on the straight and narrow.

You will be fine if you take it easy. Just try to remember where you were before you started this malarkey.

I went for a swim today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps if you try something different, less shin stressful, you won't feel so bad.

[prettymingo Graduate]

Hey moonmar, thanks for the reply.

I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself but it's very frustrating and I'm angry with body. I'm trying to think of other activities but I hate swimming and don't have a lot of spare cash at the moment. I was totally injury free up until graduation but maybe the couple of months of regular 5K runs is taking it toll now (although theoretically my body should be ready for that, shouldn't it?) I'm considering shin compression sleeves, heel inserts , new shoes etc etc etc but my biggest battle is with myself I think.

I'm not great and motivating myself and really do think that having a strict program to follow is better for me, than just the 'keep running til you hit 5K' approach

[PandaRunner Graduate]

Is there a parkrun in your area? It may just give you the added enjoyment of running with others on a regular basis.

[prettymingo Graduate]

I think there is, yes. I'm not much of a 'joiner' and get quite anxious with new situations (God I sound like such a flake!) but you might be right. I definitely need to mix it up a bit. I don't plan on entering a marathon or anything but it would be a real shame to allow myself to drop back, after all the hard work.

Thanks for the reply.

[Lovefood1984 Graduate]

Why not give yourself a week off (no need to do yoga/walking) no guilt? I lost my enthusiasm after graduating and gave myself a week off with no guilt and felt loads better for it. I read on here that in the space of a week you really don't loose too much fitness, it's the 2 weeks plus that can hurt. Just a suggesting since you definitely seem really keen on not giving up. Hope those niggles get better soon

[prettymingo Graduate]

I think you might be right. I'm still in quite a lot of pain with my foot and I don't want to do any more damage. The 'guilt free' thing is a whole different matter but at the very least I could hate myself a little less for taking a break

I'm taking a look at the WalkJogRun training programs here walkjogrun.net/training/10k... and wondering of this might help, once I'm back up and running.

[no-excuse Graduate]

No wonder you feel a bit down with your foot now playing you up. Take care of that and don't overdo things. Maybe when you feel up to it a bit of light jogging and walking will help. I have been doing a bit of walk/jog now and again so that I can ease up and enjoy things a bit more and take in my surroundings. As PandaRunner suggested Parkrun may be good, I was really nervous about doing my first one but I needn't have worried, everyone was so friendly and it is now part of my new agenda. I do still enjoy running solo though. You could always go and look at your local one and get a feel for it, even if you don't run,that may help with your anxiety and then you can decide what to do after that. At the one I go to, there are loads of other people just standing watching and walking around. Good luck with whatever you do, but don't go pushing yourself at the moment until your foot heals. x

[danzargo Graduate]

That's a sorry read prettymingo and I feel for you - I really do. Now, how do we buck you up and get you back out there? Hmmmm....**** scratches head ponderously****

Right first things first. Don't run on any paining limbs. Make sure they're repaired before getting back on the saddle. Have you got a foam roller? No? Then they can be very beneficial to healing shins, glutes, quads etc. Make sure you ice those shins too by wrapping some frozen peas on there for 15 mins three times per day.

Next, when you're fixed up go out and do a 3K jog. Go slow and take it steady. Think of the good you're doing to your body. The blood will flow making your heart work to push those toxins away, your lungs will work harder breathing in the air and making them stronger, your aerobic fitness overall will be increasing and endorphines will flood your brain and give you a feeling of well being.

Take two days off then do another 3K. Then ONE day off. Then another 3K. Once you've got these three runs under your belt, think mentally about your next outing and prepare your brain for a 5K. You've got to get your brain thinking that going out 3 times per week is part of your life and will make you feel good that you're achieving something. This is what happened to me. I was an overweight, 50 year old, boozing, sitting in a chair all day at work slob and finding C25K and completing the program changed me forever. I've managed to keep going and running regularly thrice weekly - and now it's been over a year, it's become part of my life routine.

You CAN do it prettymingo. Get better first, then strap those trainers on and GET RUNNING!

Dan X

[prettymingo Graduate]

Thanks everyone, you're all lovely!

I will take a bit of time off to heal and then start the gradual approach. I don't think I've really let the shin splints heal properly, just got back out there when they felt a bit better.

I probably have to accept that my body is telling me to take it easy and focus on a steady climb back to fitness, once those and my foot are better.

As frustrating as it is, my little legs obviously need a rest. I guess this means less cake, then

[no-excuse Graduate in reply to prettymingo]

Less cake!!! Noooo! Have a piece- just not too much x

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Nice bit of restorative yoga to soothe you?

[Scot34]

Swim swim swim. Do weight lifting walk get moving. Dont give in. Do whatever it takes to keep moving. Remember motivation will last you that long you need to make it a habit.

[prettymingo Graduate]

GoogleMe, I've been doing yoga and it's great for keeping everything moving. Scot34, unfortunately I don't swim. I can if I have to but the whole swimming costume, out in public, is not a option. I'm just being shy about it, it really causes me problems and just isn't worth the panic attacks! I'm going to the doctors on Friday to get a proper diagnosis in my heel / foot so that's a start. Thanks again, everyone.