Oh dear - it’s all gone a bit pear shaped post graduation ...and I’ve only myself to blame!

[Prettyrandom]

So I graduated a couple of weeks ago - yippee - but it’s all gone a bit wrong since my first consolidation run.

I was so pleased to get to 5k in 34 minutes that in my enthusiasm I decided to take off into the lovely woods nearby for my second post grad run. I did it - was lovely but much more difficult terrain and it took me nearly 40 minutes and left me with a sore Achilles and a tight calf.

Rested up for three days then off with the runner who lives in this house to try out the local park run route in readiness for a proper park run . Oops! The calf said no!

Then the osteopath said no! You will not run for a week.

Why oh why didn’t I stick to the 30 minute runs for a little longer! I did read all the advice just got over excited.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

So easily done I'm afraid! If you're not used to trails you really need to make your runs shorter, until your ankles and calves strengthen. Trails require different muscles to road running.

A week off is not too bad, go steady when you're allowed back. 👍😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Lessons learned... consolidation is so important.. short runs, 30 minute runs and giving ourselves time to heal...Make sure that calf is fully healed... the runs will wait

[Prettyrandom Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! I’ve also got a filthy cold so not even been able to visit brand new grandson

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Prettyrandom]

Oh no.... that really is horrid..feel better soon x

[Prettyrandom Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Just as well I’m having an enforced rest! I should have known better at my age!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Consolidation can be applied to the mental lessons learned as well as the physical development of your body.

This will seem like a minor blip.

Take care.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well... the positive right now is you did some learning! That’s as important as all the running and cross training. Sometimes I tell the wife I’m training, and she says it looks a lot like I’m reading a running site... we are both right of course.

You’ll be back, should have lost no fitness and then you can apply that new learning to your running... also, you’ll have fresh legs!

[Myzinnyboy Graduate]

I just did my first run post graduation, and I did it with Laura and just ran the Week 9 Run 3 again. I felt there was a little bit left in the tank as it were, but just decided to stop when she said time up, think maybe in view of reading your post I’ll just continue with doing this for a couple of weeks. I am a slow runner, you’re faster than me, I hope you get off the injury couch soon. You have graduated like me, and that’s not to be sniffed at. I’m sure you will soon be at the ParkRun and getting a PB there too.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Aah you’ll be so much better for the recovery time Prettyrandom. I’ve had my very best runs coming back after a break. It’s been more to do with the busyness of life than injury, but if it’s painful, it’s just not going to be fun. My new realisation on my journey is “A runner on pause is still a runner”!. Recover well and you’ll be running very happily indeed again!! 🤗❤️