Dropping like flies ...

[Frankenfoot23]

Sometimes, it feels like us runners are dropping like flies. Whether it be from a disabling injury or just personal stuff getting in the way and clouding our minds. I'm sure most of us on here absolutely love running and don't just do it for fitness anymore, so when things go wrong, it is hard. Demoralising. Sickening.

I haven't been running for the last fortnight, and after visiting the physio today about my sore achilles heel, it is going to be at least another 2-3 weeks before I can think about running again. It was hinted that it could be even longer but I really don't want to think about that. It's already felt way too long. I feel I might go insane over that time. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. This obsession with putting one foot in front of the other at speeds faster than walking has really got me hooked. And I'm not alone. Injuries happen to all of us at some point. Life happens and stuff gets in the way. Some things don't take too long. Other things can keep us from our passion for months on end.

Today, I had my calf pressed and stretched, performed one legged balancing exercises and had needles pressed into my achilles tendon (Acupuncture to help recovery and blood flow). And do you know what? How we deal with injuries and mental challenges we face are all a part of running. They are part of the great big challenge. Whether we like it or not. So take time out for injury, don't push it. Recuperate in the best way that you possibly can and set this as your goal to becoming a better runner. Try and enjoy the rest and make plans for just how great your comeback is going to be - and keep in mind the lessons you have learned and are learning all the time and these will make us stronger in the long run.

So count down those days, however long, and look forward to when you can immerse yourself in this wonderful sport again

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

My calf twitched when you mentioned acupuncture.. past running injury...Thanks for this... so true...The runs wait x

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Thank you for this wonderful post Frankenfoot23

It's just what I needed to see after spending the last 10 days struggling with yet another bout of Covid (6th infection!) and wondering if I will ever run again what with injury, infection, various medical challenges, etc.

I appreciate your combination of you've got this and a swift (loving) kick up the bum!!

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

I'm glad you liked it As I couldn't write about my running, I thought, Why not write about my not running?! Sorry to hear you've had covid so many times. It's just going about all the time, isn't it. I think I must be somewhere near that figure now too.

The first time I started running in 2017 I got shin splints on week 2 of couch to 5 k and thought I wouldn't be able to run again. Started again in March this year with a good pair of shoes this time and got to week 8, and then had a cold for a week. Graduated, did two weeks of consolidation, and then my achilles tendon began to hurt. So two weeks since of no running and at least two more to go.

The physio was brilliant. It feels lots better today already - but I was told no running until the next session - at least. So I'm planning to do a bit of light cycling, the NHS flex and strength exercises, a bit of pilates and some small dumbell training. And hopefully, I'll come back so much stronger than I was Unfortunately, I think I will probably have to restart C25K again to help gradually strengthen my running legs again. But what's a few months on this lifetime 'journey'

I really hope you shake the covid off quickly and get back on track with your running. It does bring pain occasionally, but it brings so much joy too, doesn't it!