All you need to know about injuries but were afraid to ask!

[AncientMum]

I bet I'm not the first person to post this but, on the off chance that no one else has, it's full of useful, practical information on various running-related ailments. Just make sure you don't start imagining you have them all, like I did!

runnersworld.co.uk/beating-...

[poppypug Graduate]

Ooh that's fab, EM !

Lots of really useful stuff on there .

Thanks for posting this xxx

[Funnyrunner Graduate]

Thanks for that!

[sarahgjersey]

Hi ancient mum I have seen a post of yours from five years ago saying you had broken your ankle and got back to running. It was really motivating.

I have broken my fibula and had a plate and screws put in. It is still 12 weeks down the line really painful. I was training for a 10km when I did it. So pretty disappointing I’m pretty ancient too more 1960s

Any tips on recovery and are you still running?

sarahgjersey

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to sarahgjersey]

Hi Sarah, goodness I didn't expect a comment on such an old post. Thank you for your kind words. So sorry to hear you have a broken fibula. That must have been a horrible experience! I don't know what your doctors told you but I was told I'd be in pain for at least 12 months - I wasn't but at 12 weeks I was most definitely still suffering. It was 6 months before I restated c25k but I was fine and haven't been troubled by that injury since.

My tip to you is to do as much upper body strength work as you possibly can - maybe get some little hand weights and google some exercises or ask your physio when you do your rehab. My aerobic fitness was shot after 6 months of no proper exercising and it took a while to get that back. However, here I am 5 years on at 61 still running. I've done 5 half marathons since then and still reckon theres nothing to compare with the joy of a good run. I'd be lying if I said I'd been injury free since then because I haven't- several bouts of back trouble thanks to split abs when I was pregnant and a second (thankfully less serious) ankle injury have seen me take time out but so far I've always managed to hang on to my love of running.

Very very best of luck with your recovery. Take as much time as you need and don't be afraid to stop again if you feel you have started up again a little too soon. My recovery was helped massively by my wonderful physio. He wasn't cheap but it was money very well spent as I wasnt offered any NHS help (although to be fair it was probably available if I'd been persistent.) Also, my final tip, keep checking this forum. The stories and support on here are so inspiring that they'll get you through even the bleakest days until you can lace on your trainers again. Take care x

[sarahgjersey]

Hi Ancientmum thanks for your lovely encouraging and prompt reply.

How fantastic are you doing half marathons! I am 56 and only started running two years ago but had joined a brilliant running club and met lovely people. In covid all our virtual challenges were helping me hold it all together ( I’m a nurse) and was running three times a week fortunately I live in jersey where there isn’t much covid at present.

Silly accident slipping with the dog on lose gravel.

Very encouraging that you have recovered I haven’t spoken to anyone positive after a broken ankle or leg they all say it still hurts 2 years later. So maybe 12 weeks will be the turn around. My physio has been coming to my house due to covid so I’m lucky but less now.

I think I will try and see a sports physio if I can. I have been doing yoga but hurt my shoulders with the crutches at the beginning so stopped weights but it is a good suggestion to start doing them again.

Thanks again I feel there is more hope and also I might get back to work soon

Many thanks

sarahgjersey

[sarahgjersey]

Ps hope you continue to remain injury free 😊

[AncientMum Graduate]

Thank you. Don't worry, you will get there. It was probably around 4 months when I started to feel like I was really winning. My physio did acupuncture which helped a lot with pain relief. If it helps, my mum broke her femur when she was 79 and had it pinned. She was determined to regain full mobility and within a year she was walking without a stick and reckons now at 86 that it only ever twinges in damp weather. Persistent pain isn't a given after a fracture and I'm convinced regular exercise really helps. I'll look forward to following your recovery if you post regular updates. x

[sarahgjersey in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks ancient mum 👍