So I can’t run at the moment. Arsecheek-itis is stopping me from doing any more than 3k without achy consequences for days after, in my bum, hip and down into my leg. My piriformis muscle/sciatic nerve are having a punch-up and rebelling against my running habit. And it seems to have come on since recently extending one weekly run to 10k.
I suppose coming into running from nothing, completely unfit, it’s a lot to ask, even though I’ve taken it slowly with months of consolidation at 5k before moving on.
Some of you will know that it’s been very difficult for me to do this programme, mainly because of my excruciating, almost crippling, self-consciousness. I did the whole 9 weeks and more in my garden because of it. That was interesting! I wore a gulley in the grass and held my breath as I ran pass the neighbour’s fence….idiot! Eventually, I moved into the local rec at dawn, panicking over dog walkers who might see me. When I out grew that space I ventured onto the streets, thank God the clocks changed and it was dark in the mornings. I could run new places anonymously.
Then I started Juju’s 10k programme and had no choice but to run further afield and the time that it took meant running in daylight no matter what. Double eek. Slowly but surely, with persistence, practice and on my own terms, I’m now able to run down main roads, cars driving by, people walking about with no problem. This is massive for me. It’s still early morning, but I can now do it and not get panicked by it.
I never would have believed this possible back in May half term when I started. I wanted to get fit, lose weight, do something for me. As a middle aged woman I knew something had to change or I’d be on the slippery slope into obesity and bad health.
So I’m on the IC now, possibly for a while. Because of this, yesterday I did something else I never, ever, in a million years thought that I could. I joined a gym. With the sole intent to lose weight and get strong, so that I can run again. I managed the induction and spent 45 mins trying everything out (but not the treadmill), plus a swim after….. and no bad side effects today on the old bum muscle. Thanks to the lovely Sandyscroll I’ve plenty of stretches that I also did at the gym, to ease my aching a*se.
Me in a gym. With other real life, breathing people. Me in a swimming costume (ok that bit was really hard! It's going to take a while to do that with ease). Me trying to get fitter to support the sport I now love. I still can't believe it is actually me!
And all this courtesy of c25k and the fantastic inspiration, advice and help from you lovely lot. Absolutely anyone can achieve great things through this forum. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You don’t know just how amazing this is for me xxx
Written by
Fishypieface
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Ouch and ouch and ouch...use those exercises well.. they work ... after 7 weeks on the IC...with a trapped sciatic nerve... I can totally empathise... I will message you a link I got to help me... it worked wonders..
But apart from the ouch.. what a great motivational post...!! Go you!!! Inspirational..
Oh Fishy, you are such an amazing woman who has come so far in her journey. I'm sorry to hear you're still on the IC, but love the name you've given it. You are a true inspiration for the benefits of C25k - from running in your garden to joining a gym! Wow! You go girl! We're proud of you!
Oh no, you are too kind! Truly, I never would have got this far without all you, empathising, supporting, encouraging..... making me laugh! Giving me the courage to carry on, inspired by your own achievements. You rock x
We are proud of you Fishypieface, YOU are amazing!😊
Joining your gym and going swimming will really add to your all round stamina and fitness, and hopefully with the stretches your injury will settle. We know how brave you are to exercise in public, and remember most folks are only concerned with their own performance. Be proud as you exercise you are a 10k runner! Like Mo..😉xxx
Thanks Jan! I'm hoping that it will all help (and take my mind off not running!!) and that I can do both in the end. It seems a really nice, friendly gym and you are so right, no one is interested in me in the slightest!! Phew. Even in the weights section the beefcakes were far too concerned with all that weightlifting to even look at me.
Also, I was really pleased that I could hold my own on the machines and not look like a total newbie thanks to my running 'fitness'. Although the cross trainer did take me for a ride, rather than the other way around!!
Great post. And well done for joining a gym... I know for sure it’s one thing I couldn’t do so I’m totally in awe of you for that. Hope you’re not on the IC for too much longer. Happy recovering 😘
Ah thank you! x Hey, never say never! Seriously, if I can.... mind you, I've only been once! .... c25k gives us the ability to do far more than run for just 30 mins
Never fall into the trap if assessing yourself by assessing what others might be assessing about you in their minds - that's like thinking you know what others are thinking by thinking about what they might be thinking. ☺
Haha! Very true!!?! I know, it's a slippery slope into hell all this blo*dy overthinking. I'm on the road to not giving a hoot, which is the only road I ever want to be on again. Thanks IJ
Yep 🙂 I wasted far too much of my life thinking I knew how other people saw me.
Don't leave it as late as I did to figure out that life is going to be a risk no matter what you do - so don't settle for playing safe and going for second choice 😉
Oh wise words, very pertinent to me at the moment. I want to change jobs but I can't stop playing it safe and I've always settled for 2nd choice!! But me time is coming - down the gym, work, the whole lot!!
That's some journey. From garden to gym. From lack of self-confidence to holding your head up high. I think it's wonderful and you are absolutely amazing! Enjoy the new you and hope the pain in the a**** goes quickly.
Dearest FPF, this post just demonstrates how brilliant you are. Committed, determined and inspirational! And you have been a great virtual pal on here to me too. You should be so totally proud of how far you have come. 😘 I hope the arsecheekitis abates soon. Mine returns a bit on longer runs. What the flip is that all about?! Pffft.
Well, do you know what, YOU inspired me to go to the gym! All of your determination to get better, helping yourself to get over your injury, just made me think I could be doing the same. That and my daughter nagging me to sign her up too!
You set a brilliant example - so you are FAB too! x
Longer runs seem to bring it out?? Too much arse muscle action!
Oh you poor thing...i can sympathise!!!suffered with sciatica for years but weirdly the running has helped...for now at least...the more i am running the less i get it!!!you have come a long way & done really well.i hope this doesnt put you out of action for too long x
It's weird isn't it? I don't think I will ever fully understand exercise and the way the body reacts to it. Glad running is helping you get over it though I've not been in total agony with it, so I am relieved about that. I'm not going to push it though either x
i had the same pains in my bum and thigh and back... just horrible, you probably need to stretch a bit more before your runs and not push the pace or distance beyond your capability ... my bum ache started after I pushed it a bit one week but it's slowly improving but not gone ... I think it's just the middle-aged (i'm 53) muscles complaining a bit! they are reluctant and need a bit of cajoling! I do a longer walk (extra 5 mins) at the start too which really helps...
Yes, it's been niggly for weeks now on and off. I'm very weary of pushing it as it tends to linger longer (!) each time. I'm going to leave running for a couple of weeks and focus on the gym and stretches, then try a tentative run. The extra walk sounds like a plan too, thanks for the tip
Well done and well done, one louder. That's the way to go!
Remember, ignore the rest, do your own thing, you are doing it for yourself not for the passers by. Ok, ok, if an elderly lady drops her shopping and then follows down in a slump, you will stop and help her, not ignore her, but you get my point, right?
As for the injury, what can l say. I could make some serious money as a consultant/after dinner speaker telling the paying crowds how to find innovative paths to avoidable injuries. To your credit you are simply being unlucky.
Hey at least you've timed it right! You will get better soon and the spring weather will make it ideal for your 10K quest.
Thank you! I know you've had some injuries and then some. I'm really erring on the side of caution, I don't want to end up in agony for months. The gym seems like a supportive alternative for now (fingers crossed!). Just glad I can go now
Caution is the Ancient Mother of Injury Avoidance!
If someone says, look, I've got a gym here, not expensive, got some aircon, there will be some music, safe'n'all - take it!
The point is, you want to get moving, your muscles acting and your cardio working, as it should. Further more, you have absolutely no pressure to deliver a marathon, or 150 push-ups, or record breaking 5K.
We all do this to get/keep healthy and enjoy it if we can.
Aw Fpf, apart from the injury - ouch, I hope that mends soon -this is such a moving post, thanks for sharing. Go girl go! What a series of achievements! I’m proud of you! 😀
Looking forward to hearing about your progress to the gym queen pedestal!! 😃
Thank you! Early days yet but the gym seems ok, don't really know what I am doing but I'm sure I'll get in a routine. It's gonna be a loooonnnng time before I am any kind of gym queen!! There are plenty in there who are seriously, seriously fit!
I so know what you mean. I am so grateful too. Just feeling a bit sorry for myself as all was going great doing Juju’s plan but yesterday afternoon got this pain in the side of my thigh.
Oh no! See how you feel and maybe take an extra rest day or 2 or 3 and if the pain's gone, try a tentative jogette to see how it bears up. I hope it sorts itself out soon
The more I read the more I cheered in my head! What an incredible motivational post! When I am running and working out, no one else exist. It is all about ME. Those rare times with I see another beginner out there moving, all I think is, "You go, girl!" or "You go, guy!" You go on out there with your head held high. You are moving and that is what matters! Yay!
Yes, everyone is very friendly down the gym I think I am just starting to realised my mindset hasn't altered from being a teenage girl, full of intense discomfort at being looked at. I realise now that people aren't interested, it was all just me. Talk about a LONG time to learn a lesson!! Although I do feel better about myself having been running for a while now, it's given me a lot more confidence. Which is just great!
I thought about you when I was at the gym today. There were a group of people touring today. They stood around talking and looking for some time. All I could think was, "Ugh! I know how Fishypieface feels!" LOL
Haha! Oh no, it's not nice. At my gym (get me!!) all equipment faces the wall so none of us can look at each other or anyone coming in. There could have been a whole posse of pillocks behind me and I wouldn't have had a clue! Thank God!!
Wow fishy...this has brought a tear to my eye!! I remember you running round your garden & the effect that reading about you doing that had on me, it truly inspired me to keep going, I remember it so vividly....I read through the words & knew then that there was one strong, determined Woman behind those words & you have stayed strong & brave & determined & inspirational this whole time...I know that you would never ever have dreamed that this person that was inside you dying to get out would ever manage it, but she has & with style!!! I bet you’ve inspired hundreds of people without knowing it....you should be so very proud of yourself & what you’ve achieved...and this is really only the beginning as your body is telling you now...but you’re being sensible & listening to it & taking other steps so your journey can continue when you’re better...& I for one look forward to sharing your journey with you...it’s been a right old journey so far...massive Mummycav hug coming your way for just being so flipping brilliant!!! xxx
Oh MC you are lovely! x I feel like you are writing about someone else, she sounds pretty awesome! Wish that was me! It HAS been a right old flipping journey so far - I don't know where it's all come from, this new me. I've spent all my life avoiding exercise purely because of the fear of being seen - real anxiety......and now I'm doing this.... well it doesn't make sense, but I'm very grateful for it. Suppose it shows that if you do persevere, amazing things can happen and to anyone! Just need to apply this to the rest of my life!!
I'm also so grateful for your support and words, which mean such a lot to me and have really kept me going when it's been tough. You are doing such an amazing job yourself! xxx
Gosh. Congratulations on your amazing determination. That's inspiring. Sorry about the arsecheekissues though. I have a feeling that you will get wherever you want eventually.
I am also an early run/jogger. I have to be off tomorrow at 04.30 so I can hopefully complete week 6 then get on shift for 07.00 ( plus a 30 mile commute)
It's messages like yours that make me set my alarm early. Thank you
Blimey! I could never get up at that time!! That's dedication, you will go far, I can tell!! I can only manage any of this because it's a 10 min stumble into work.
Hello lovely ladies! It's still there . I've stretched, rolled, stretched a bit more, squatted but I've not run in 4 weeks now . I did 10 mins on the treadmill at the gym the other day and it didn't like it. It's just very niggly. I can do the gym ok though. I did a step class on Wed and Body Balance yesterday (tai chi, yoga, pilates which I thought would be easy, the reality is hell on a yoga mat). Didn't affect it, but I can barely move today anything else today!.... I miss my running. I just hope it will eventually get better.... think I might have to start c25k again at this rate!! Thanks for thinking of me xx
Well, despite not being able to run, you have been a busy, busy lady! I am exhausted just reading your post! So impressed at you for all this exercise malarky. I did my first Pilates class a few weeks ago. Strolled in all confident-like, having done yoga for the last 20 years, thinking it would be a breeze. Oh. My. God. What an idiot. I managed it, but was crying inside, and hurt in all kinds of weird places the next day.
Fishy, have you seen a physio about your arsecheekitis? Just wondering, as they can help speed up recovery from issues, and identify the "why" behind it.
Yes! That's how I felt, crying inside!! I am seeing my osteopath for a routine session next week and she's also an athlete so I will ask her opinion and give it a few mores weeks, then I might go down the physio route. But I am reluctant a) for cost and far more importantly b) having a physio tampering with my arse cheek and the potential of having to stand in my knickers in front of them!! That might tip me over the edge! I'd much rather have a few more weeks off and start c25k again than have to face that!!! Fool that I am, obvs. xx
“Tampering with my arse cheek”. 😂You have me in stitches, FPF. 😂 You shouldn’t worry you know, they will have seen more arse cheeks than you have had hot dinners. But I do understand how you feel.
The one time I bit the bullet and booked a physio app (for my ouchy hamstring disaster), I had to cancel it a week later as it made a miraculous recovery. I had left it so long.
Glad you do have a health professional to talk to about it though - cannot hurt, right? In the meantime the gym work will keep your fitness levels up. You are fab. xxx
Hi MC, I replied below thinking you'd get to see it too, but maybe that's not the case.... I'm no good with all this new-fangled technology! I can never do that thing you do with the name either.... you can only imagine what I'm like on FB - completely useless!
I had the same problem during my HM training, my right glute gave me some serious gyp causing me to struggle round the two HM’s I did within a month of each other last year 😬
Strengthening exercises and compression shorts sorted it out.
Hope you manage to recover your form now, look forward to some inspirational posts 😊
Blimey you’ve been doing amazingly! Sorry you’ve have it too... it can only be described as a right pain in the arse!!! In more ways than one. The fact you’ve got through it spurs me on! Thanks Ted 😊
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.... but good to get sound advice and stretches to help recover quickly. Sensible lass! 
After Graduation, Keep Going Runners!! It’s So Worth It!! ❤️
Enforced IC 
Having doubts!
Beginner.....Hopefully not an April Fool
I maybe getting the hang of this...shhh🤫
