So, almost 2 years to the (29 November 2015) after breaking my femur whilst running at the end of week 4, (see previous posts if you’re interested in just how someone can manage to break the biggest bone in the human body while jogging, very slowly!)
2 operations and after a year of serious attention from a brilliant sports therapist and recently a personal trainer later, my leg finally feels like it might be ready to start c25k again...My mind however, is another thing, along with most of the friends and family I’ve spoken to, who think I’m crazy to try it again. I just feel like I really need to do it to prove to myself a) that I can and b) to get some closure on a horrible couple of years, that started with ‘popping out’ for a Sunday morning run.
So lying in bed this morning writing this having downloaded the app and trying to convince myself to just go and try it, actually feeling sick with nerves I thought the best thing I can do is post on here and hopefully get some moral support. Plus I’ll feel like I’ll have to get the courage to do it if I post it on here it somehow makes it more of a commitment. I am having to run on my own as my daughter, can not bring herself to run with me after her last experience of a run with Mum and I don’t blame her for that! Maybe when I have completed the programme she’ll have more confidence to join me occasionally.
My original goal was to complete the programme in time to do the 2015 Boxing Day Park run in Swindon. My goal now is to complete the Swindon Park Run at some stage but I’m not putting a time limit on it this time.
Sorry for long post, needed to get this off my chest.
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Jop123
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All the best for this trial run! If your trainer says you’re ready then I’d go for it, though it’d probably be best to take it very slowly and gently. I have a friend who broke his ankle nearly two years ago and he finds that he can walk for miles, but still finds the running a bit more difficult. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. You’ll probably find out where any problems lie and you can then work on them with your trainer. I admire your courage, Jop123 !
Crikey, well done on your recovery. I'm not going to offer any advice because you've clearly had lots in the past 2 years from people much more qualified than any well meaning enthusiast like me. Good luck. Let us all know how it goes.
Most people on here saying they are nervous about a run I ask what's to be nervous about? But in your case I can see exactly why you feel that way. But you've had the support of expert sports therapists and trainers and if they say it's OK I am sure you will be fine.
Have a good run and good luck.
Oh my word! That's quite a journey you've had. I think
Coming back to it is a great idea. Obviously take it easy, but I know this forum will be such a great encouragement to you. Don't forget, if you're in any doubt, running is good for the mental health too. All the best!
This interests me because i broke my femur 51 years ago. I also split my knee to the bone. i have one of the old steel kuntschner nails in my femur still. For many years I couldn't run without my knee swelling, but that was because of the damage to my knee, not the femur. I'm now on week 4 of c25k, having checked with my GP that i won't damage anything. I think the technology has changed since I broke my leg, and the associated problems like wasting of the muscles and shortening of tendons are not the problem they were in my day. I'm now 70, an age when people are often (erroneously) discouraged from running, and I'm out there doing it. I'm told that it will strengthen the knee and help with bone density. So far no problems (except for when I changed the strapping for my knee - which needs to be strapped, nothing to do with the femur - and got a bit of pain and swelling). I haven't had any of the aches and pains others on the course mention. So i would say if medical people and sports therpist say you are good to go, go! You would be incredibly unlikely to have the same accident twice. Just be gentle with yourself, give it a go and don't feel a failure if you need more than one attempt to start. Hugs and xxx
Wow, that’s really interesting, thank you for telling me about your experience. Unfortunately I don’t think the technology has moved on all that much, I have a nail through my femur, albeit titanium not steel! But the surgery is still pretty brutal and they had to go in through my knee and it my knee too that gives me trouble. I had to have it done twice as the femur didn’t heal the first time and the ‘pins’ holding the nail snapped after 8 months resulting in the nail slipping through the bottom of the femur and behind the patella. I have also been left with a sore and occasionally swollen knee and a leg length difference of 2cm.
I’ve spent the last 6 months rebuilding the muscle in my thigh to help protect the knee. I hopeful I can now keep going with the progress I’ve made so far and finally finish the whole 9 weeks.
Keep going with your running. I think the biggest lesson I have learnt is to listen to my body...it really does know best! 😀 xx
You are an inspiration. I wish I had strapped my knee and got on with it years ago. I still have to strap it - using a strong wrap around Boots own contraption with three velcro straps and a hole for the kneecap - but it seems to do the trick. Ive been told that doing the c25k course will strengthen the muscles around the knee. Well done for overcoming your fears and making a start. Bummer that you still get shortening of the leg etc (I do too).
Oh, and interestingly, my pin dislodged after a few months and I had to have it operated on again to hammer it back in. They did say after that that it was in there for good as they had hammered in so firmly.they would have removed it eventually otherwise.
Wow thank you all so much. Happy to say I did it! Wasn’t quick and probably wasn’t pretty but it’s a start. So far so good and no pain encountered during the run. Next one scheduled for Tuesday. Now that’s the first one out of the way I’m feeling a lot better.
Well done, you, for giving this programme another go. I read your post about how you hurt your leg.... ouch! A reminder to us all about taking care around mud and slippy leaves. Thank you. I am in awe that you have been back out there and wish you all the best - you sound like one determined runner!
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