Hi, I did post on here a while back in July about injuries in W2R1 when I "strained/pulled" a calf muscle in my right leg. My partner and I were doing it together and I put it down to me trying to Jog (very slow) at her pace which I found difficult. Since then my partner has had to stop because of knee injury, W2 R2, but will possibly return when fully healed, in which case I said I would still encourage her with her training either by fast walking, on a pushbike or recently acquired treadmill.
I decided I possibly needed to get "Proper" running shoes and went for Gait Analysis. The shop owner went outside with me to watch me run, (their treadmill was in use), He said I had over pronation on my left leg. He then suggested I try a particular shoe, which I did and he watched me again. Just to be sure he had me try another pair and for me to assess which I felt better in. After twenty yards or so I felt pain in my right achilles tendon so stopped immediately. So back to the IC ! I returned to the shop a week later and tried the running shoes again on the treadmill and they were satisfied it had corrected my pronation. Happy days!! Ok lets do W2R2 again, Damn, my left achilles started to ache, eventually finished the run, not in pain, just this annoying ache and stiffness! However this turned out to be debilitating and I had difficulty walking. After much research I deduced it was possibly Tendonitis. Back again to the IC. After much research on this excellent forum, and other articles recommended here, I found relief by using the heel drop exercises with the knee at 45 degrees, painful at first, ( they did say to expect it) but it worked, although I didn't do all the repetitions they recommended . I then decided to buy a treadmill, (got a decent one at a reasonable price off "gumtree" ) thinking it would be less stressful on the joints etc.. This was a different experience, but after getting used to it, it proved to be a worthwhile investment with the added benefit of being able to exercise, walk or run, during the winter months when icy roads prevent us from our daily routine. (living in a rural location means our roads don't get gritted and having a balance problem anyway, adds to a difficult situation.)
I eventually re start the C25K and do W2R2 and get through to and complete W3R3, at this point I"m overjoyed! I now think W4R1 I will do outside, so as to not to rely on the treadmill too much. All went well, I enjoyed the cool morning air, the last 5Min run was a struggle, but yes, I managed it, did the 5min warm down, completed all my stretching exercises and thought, great, I can do this! A little premature I'm afraid, my knees started to hurt, both on the inside, really bad. Research again, NHS knee exercises, etc., and rest until sure it was safe to start again. Fourth rest day, clearing garage, a lot of kneeling, walking about etc., but nothing too strenuous, then, Just walking, the inside of my right calf muscle "popped' for want of a better word, and stopped me in my tracks, had difficulty getting back inside the house. Why???, I wasn't even exercising! So, RICE etc., etc.. Now, walking was putting pressure on my knees again, especially the left one, four days on I'm still hobbling about, not as bad, but very wary about anything too strenuous, I did a slow walk yesterday with Nordic walking sticks, mainly for support, and may do another today. One thing I don't understand is, when I get up in the morning, my knees feel a little better, I sit down for half an hour, then when I try to get up the pain is back again, as bad as ever and difficulty walking until I "get going"
I should say at this point I am 72, and reasonably fit, doing regular Nordic Walking for the past year, up to 10miles and over varying terrain, hills, rocks etc., mainly in the Peak District. My partner and I try to walk most days locally, and have a couple of regular routes, mainly on the flat, and vary between two and seven miles, and can maintain average walking speeds of between 3.6mph and 4mph depending on length of walk, so you can see we don't hang about! I continually read on here that avoiding heel strike helps protect knees and to take very small steps and run slowly, I've tried running forefoot, and I can't, I do take smaller steps and try to run slowly, which I find difficult, as I naturally run with a long stride, but I'm trying to do what Laura says and stop the "bobbing" up and down. I really want to do this C25K, and would love to be able to do 10K by this time next year. I have the determination, but I also have the nagging doubts, am I being over ambitious, should I stick to Nordic Walking, etc., etc.,?? I'm sorry for the long post, but I thought a full account was necessary. Any advice would be most welcome.
Getting more discouraged and demotivated as the program goes on :(
I hope that on the treadmill counts!
New shoes but not for today
after surgery waiting for w1r1... long post
