Frustrating….I would call todays run a meh run and unfortunately one that could ultimately derail may graduation. After such a positive week 8 and my gazelle moment on run 2, I hoped I would be able to finish my final week of C25K really strongly. Unfortunately my body may not play ball. After taking an extra rest day, with my last run happening on Friday and being raring to go I struggled today. Not mentally (I batted away the gremlins) and not my fitness (breathing and endurance were fine) but my ankle(s) once again struggled.
After a few minutes I knew that I’d need to slow my pace to accommodate my left ankle (which felt niggly again straight away) so I was pretty slow today and at one point I even had to jog even slower behind a reversing lorry which was backing up the country lane I was running down – this lasted for nearly 5 minutes before I could pass (very frustrating!).
I’m glad to have the run ticked off but I hope it isn’t a sign of having to take time off to properly recuperate. Only time will tell I guess. Hope you’re all smashing your runs and as always thanks for the support!
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StoneDragon
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You should still feel proud StoneDragon, you got out there and managed to complete the run despite ankle niggles - so don’t be too hard on yourself!! Take extra rest days if you need them as it’s better for the process to take slightly longer than you getting an injury and being on the injury couch for several weeks. Onwards and upwards 🙌🏼
Thanks LR - fingers crossed I'm back out there again soon and running freely rather than worrying about my ankle. I just checked my stats and they weren't too bad (even with the lorry incident) as I managed 4.2k in the 30m - I just felt like I was dragging my self around. Are you out again tomorrow?
Sorry to hear that your run didnt go as planned for you, but you still did it! Maybe get your ankle looked at! A bit of support maybe needed for running! Take care of yourself i know how frustrating it is getting to wk9 then getting an injury that got me last time and has taken me ages to recover so make aure u dont overdo it ans seek medical help before it is a real peoblem and stops you. Good luck 🍀
Thanks Shar - I've had a podiatrist check it out and he thinks it's nothing too serious, just the stresses from a 15+ stone, middle aged guy, trying to run for the first time and causing unutilised, weak ligaments to become inflamed. I have some orthotics for support and will be incorporating some strength training on my rest days. The problem started on with my right ankle but that has improved and it's now much more my left. I'm hoping this means my right is getting stronger and over time my left will catch up - I know I have to be patient (which I'm not!!). 😞
It's great that you're getting so close to graduation again 👍😀
Annoying when your so hyped and ready! Don't worry though, couple of days rest, maybe a bit of ice on your ankles when you have time to sit down? I'm sure you will be good to go again soon 👌🏻 it's a setback but don't let it bring you down. #backstronger 💪🏻
Cheers Jericho - I appreciate the support. I'm not going to ignore the issue as it's ruining those gazelle moments so will take as much rest as needed. I like the hashtag 👍💪
Thanks IT - you're right extra rest days and strengthen is the way to go - I had the same advice from my podiatrist.
Yes, I had proper running shoes fitted with a gait analysis machine back in week 3 (they're the most expensive shoes I've ever owned!!) so I'm hoping its not the shoes that are the problem!!
Sounds like you’re doing the right thing and trying not to hammer those ankles. Still did a great time in 30 mins though-keep going with that positive thinking and taking it steady!
Thanks Bambi - its at these times I have to remember that I'm not 20 anymore and take it steady!! I can smell the finish line though and it's making me impatient - but I don't want to hobble past the chequered flag 🏁 so I will be sensible about it 👍🦌
As someone who spent a month on the injury couch from doing in his ankles, extra rest days and ankle/calf strengthening exercises are definitely the way to go.
Hi Stonedragon, I’ve not much to add to what has already been said except to say I’m still on W7 after not listening to what my body was telling me. Look after yourself and run again when you can. It’s better to rest a bit and then finish than to get injured. Good time though!
Yes I was out on Sunday and all being well I’ll be home in time to complete W7 this evening. I’ll not be running again this week till Sunday as my son is coming to stay (half term) but at least I’ll get back to a normal running week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday). I won’t pretend that I’m finding any of these runs easy ( the gremlins are evolving into Urak-hai I think) but at least I’m completing them and 🤞 fingers crossed looking forward to graduating in a couple of weeks 👏🏼💪👍.
Excellent 👍 Well done mate - thats really good news that you’re back out there ticking off those runs ✅ hope all goes well tonight. You need a few elves to take care of those Urak-hai as well - a few well placed arrows should do the trick 😂
Managed my run this evening but it was hard going, not Meh like yours just a bit of a slog on the return leg. My pace was about 11.30/mile which was too bad for me but compare it to Jericho ..... Well less said the better I’d say.
Hope you’re ankles improve quickly but if They dint it’ll give me an opportunity to catch up 👍👍🤞💪😁
Ah SD, sorry to hear you had a 'meh run' but we all have those so please don't despair. Sounds to me like you're going to need to work in more rest days for those ankles and to treat them in between runs. Ice packs (I have a a good gel pack from Boots, get it out of the freezer and whack it on my knee when it's playing up), massaging in a deep heat type cream - I can recommend the CBD balm from Holland & Barrett, it's lovely and warming and great to massage in sore muscles and tendon spots that need easing. Another exercise I do regularly through the day is to sit down and rotate one ankle left for 10 turns then right, switch ankles.. It helps keep them moving and flexible if stiff.
But, you still got a good pace on and good distance so all is not lost! W9R1 is in the bag!!!!! If your ankles have got you this far, they can keep doing it but just with a bit of careful attention. And I can only imagine jogging behind a reversing lorry for 5mins down a narrow lane was incredibly frustrating, I feel for you I would have been raging!! haha. I just don't want anything to get in the way of my running these days. A new friend I see every time I'm out running in our park now stopped to say hello the other morning - he'd not been in the park for a few days - and I had to run on waving madly that I had to keep going!!! haha.. he must think I'm crazy.
Rest up today and get some ice packs and CBD balm on those ankles
Thanks R4UL - I will be icing and doing everything I can to be match fit for the next run. I want that gazelle high again! 🦌
The lorry 🚚 was very frustrating - as he was reversing I could see the driver the whole time. I’m sure I was giving him evils 👀 as he must’ve seen me wanting to try and get past him for quite some time!! 😂
"Meh" runs are inevitable, we all get them. You did the time, covering a great distance, and you learned something about what you're capable of when things aren't quite as good as they should be.
Chalk it up as done, file it away to draw on when your next "Meh" comes along, and good luck with the final two runs. You've got this.
Well done SD! I understand the meh-ness but well done on getting it out of the way! I’m still on niggle hiatus, which is killing me, but I’m adamant to not let it turn into any longer.
I know you’ll do great on the final two whenever they are!
I’ll graduate, it might just be a week or two behind you (hopefully!)
Rest up, lots of elevation, compression, ice and heat packs (alternating).
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I would have been raging!! haha. I just don't want anything to get in the way of my running these days. A new friend I see every time I'm out running in our park now stopped to say hello the other morning - he'd not been in the park for a few days - and I had to run on waving madly that I had to keep going!!! haha.. he must think I'm crazy. 
W9R1
W9R1 
W9R1
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W9R1 👍
