Checking in...

Morning all, Aussie here from the couch...

Although this morning I stepped off it... and later on today I'll be off it again...

Well - time for an update I suppose. In the bad news, there's no way I can run the Kew Gardens 10K... in slightly better news though, I "might" be able to run the Kingston Run Challenge 13K on October 12th, but we need to take things very slowly...

I was back at the chiropractor last night undergoing torture and although there is still swelling in my ankle, the pain is slowly receding. Having said that, this bloke of course managed to encourage the pain back through deep tissue massage and by massaging the swollen tendons directly... Ay caramba!

Couple of things we know so far:

1) My left ankle is pretty unstable - even the new shoes aren't enough to support it.

2) As a result of (1), the suggestion is custom orthotics (or even off the shelf for now).

3) It's PTT - not one to run through. physioadvisor.com.au/820545...

In even better news, today was the start of "returning to activity" on the advice of the physio and the chiropractor. This is great news...

Today's walk was a "start slowly then speed up your walk (no running allowed at all) until you feel your ankle twinge... then back off for 5 minutes, then slowly speed up again until you feel it twinge... repeat 3 times or up to 30 minutes..." - the GREAT news is I got to 30 minutes... I felt the twinges of course but it's feeling SO much stronger now...

So - lots more RICE, a daily brisk walk now to start strengthening and I'm going to do a 10 mile (or maybe more) bike ride at lunch time to work off some stress and get the heart rate up!

There is light at the end of this tunnel and I do need to keep reminding myself that I'm only 12 days on the couch so although it feels like forever, it really hasn't been!

Happy running folks! I'll be there at Richmond this weekend I think.. there's beer and hog roast even for the non-runners so what's not to love!? Good luck on Parkrun tomorrow too...

[useitorloseit Graduate]

You walk nearly as fast (slow) as I run! Oops!

[Rignold]

Good Work, Aussie. You are displaying very good sense and wisdom in your approach to recovery.

[Tomas Graduate]

You're dealing with this so well, Aussie, and it's great to see that it isn't ruining your mojo or determination. I am very, very impressed!

[beforefifty Graduate]

It sounds like you are getting back to fitness, good for you for listening to the health advice, it must be so tempting to just go for a run Hope you are back doing you long runs soon

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Glad you're able to gradually get going again. Just got to try and be patient!

[Peter_B Graduate]

Good to hear you're starting to get off the injury couch Aussie.

Sure you'll be back to full steam in no time.

[misswobble Graduate]

My dodgy ankle got better without any physio. I wonder about too much manipulation I really do. I just endeavoured to get fitter to make it stronger. So far so good.

Good idea to go cycling to keep up the fitness levels while you're out of action running wise.

You'll soon be back out there Aus. Won't be much longer!

[danzargo Graduate]

Get better soon Aussie. TurboTortoise and I will keep the South West London Massif a running Mecca until your return.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Hello Aussie from the couch. You sound so upbeat it's bound to have an effect on your recovery! You'll be back running in no time and all the stronger for it.

[AncientMum Graduate]

So glad you have a proper diagnosis and an action plan to recover your fitness, Aussie. Stay positive and focused and you'll be out there pounding the roads again soon

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I looked at those stats and thought they were one of my decent runs...

So glad to hear that although things are not brilliant that you've got a really positive plan of action to ease the frustration.

[Slookie Graduate]

Hiding your frustration like a gent Aussie. Orthotics probably a very sound investment for unsound fetlock. Let me know if you need the name of a good farrier