Ow!

[Electricsloth]

I was SO happy to complete a 30 min run last week that I ignored the nagging pain in my ankle after the 1st run and ventured out for another one. After being told I'd gently sprained my achilles I rested up for a week, did lots of achilles exercises and went out for another 5k run yesterday (had to complete the last run of week 9!). I am now in even MORE pain.

What do I do? I really want to run 3+ times a week, but don't want to make things worse. The problem is, a week seems like an age and I don't want to lose what I've built up....

[Hidden]

Oh dear sorry to hear that. You won't lose what you have built up in a week but you DO need to take a break to repair whatever damage you have done. Maybe when your ankle is less painful you need to do shorter distances ?

[Electricsloth Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - that's a good idea, though having only just conquered 5k it seems a shame to stop now. Then again, better safe than sorry!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Sorry to hear this. Don't ignore pain. Get some proper advice and treatment if that's necessary. Much better to lose a week or two now than a month or more later. Also check your running shoes. Have you had a gait analysis?

[Electricsloth Graduate in reply to runningnearbeirut]

Thanks - will have to do other exercise in the meantime I guess

I did actually get my gait analysed recently and bought some waterproof asics for winter - guess it could be them but hope not! The pain started after a 5k run in pouring rain (over mud and grass) so more probably that!

[Tomas Graduate]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that. About a month ago I sprained a hamstring muscle. Waited until it didn't hurt anymore and then waited another couple of days, and then finally went out for a run. Bad mistake, my soon-to-become-best-friend physio told me. I guess the real problem is that it's damn hard to know how long to wait, and sometimes "until it stops hurting" is just not enough. Don't know what you feel about splashing out on a physio session, but it might be worth it.

[Electricsloth Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thanks for the tip - will see if I can get my doc to refer me if it keeps on hurting. Will definitely give it much more time to heal now!