Shh, don't tell the wife...

[newbie-nick]

I have just run for two lots of 25 paces - 50 in total. No, it's not very far, and yes, I am delighted to have done it - even though I perhaps shouldn't have.

About 5 or 6 weeks ago I rather badly hurt my knee - pic on this site somwehere - and I was told I would be in a large support/brace for six to nine months. Haha, NHS, you were wrong! I have the utmost respect for the NHS and I would never, ever say anything against them, but I am delighted to say they got this wrong. The service I received form them was top notch and I was looked after better than I can say. Well done, NHS, and thank you. But I am so pleased that you were wrong.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Did someone qualified to tell you you no longer needed to wear the brace and it was ok to run? If so, it’s wonderful that your injury has turned out to be less serious than first feared. That must be a massive relief.

If that’s not the situation, I’d urge you to follow what you’ve been told to do by the NHS, frustrating as that might be.

Good luck with the rest of your recovery. ❤️‍🩹

[newbie-nick Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks for the sage advice... it was partly the orthopaedic consultant when he reviewed my x rays and manipulated my knee, and partly a good friend in the village who was the former deputy chief medical officer for England. It also felt more stable, and being one who believes in listening to what my body is telling me, I gave it a very, very gentle try out. I shan't do more than I can, and I will most certainly abide by how it feels, and if there is anything not right, I shall stop immediately.

Your advice and comments are always worth reading and paying attention to. Thanks.

I am not realistically aiming to do anything even as 'gentle' as W1R1 until after we have had all the slippery ice of Winter. Slowly, slowly... and all that.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

The NHS as a whole service is amazing, individuals heal differently and the pure joy of a few paces running seems to have given you the hugest boost. Bet you felt awesome 😎 afterwards, 😀 I'm sure the wife would guess

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you and good to know that you got the go ahead from those who know! Phew! Slow and steady as you go!

We won't need to tell the wife now! x

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

My two immediate and conflicting reactions are:-

Fabulous-good for you

And

Crikey-don’t do anything you ought not!

Sounds as if you anticipate being really gradual and not ‘ over step’. Have you got physio appointments to help with a planned return ?

[newbie-nick Graduate in reply to JeremiahObadiah]

I like your use of ought. A highly underused word. I shall be as careful as I can possibly be, but I am delighted to report that it is feeling even better today! That said, I have no intention of running again for the foreseeable future. I know I can, and I have scratched that itch; I now know I will be back at some point.

As for physio... none booked, but I have the option at the village doctors to book in should I need it. Slow and low-resistance on a turbo trainer [ie no impact] will now be the order of the day.

So far today there hasn't been one loud crack from it when I move. When I mentioned that to a doctor their sage advice was, "does it hurt when it happens?" I said it didn't, so he looked me straight in the eye and said, "come back if it does."

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to newbie-nick]

If you’ve got the option of physio, I’d highly recommend taking advantage of it. They’ll be able to give you a tailored programme to get you stronger in all the right places and that will benefit your running for the rest of your miles! I had a brilliant experience when I saw mine. As well as getting me back on my feet, I’ve taken three minutes off my 5k best time and I’m in much better habits to try and avoid getting injured again. I saw sometime privately and it was money really well spent.

[newbie-nick Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I shall look into it, thanks. I went to the local one at the surgery when I hurt wrist on a Scout hike and they poked and prodded, pushed and pulled and pronounced it was fine and that I had full movement etc... then I pointed out she was looking g at the good one! I thought she was just comparing... in the end all was well and I did as I was told. X rays shoed that I had damaged something inside that would be fine most of the time, and every so often it may just pop back open. So far it's been fine, but no longer shall I carry my rucksack on my back, and a scout's on my front as we descent a slippery rock-strewn slope! The age old slip, put your hands down and ouch!

[Hidden]

That’s great but be careful it needs healing on the inside too.

[newbie-nick Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh, I shall be incredibly careful, thanks. I tore something inside as well as damaging the lateral collateral ligaments, which allowed quite a lot of blood to seep out, but that has all but gone. A mix of rest, paracetamol, ibuprofen (and codeine as needed for up to 3 days), along with ice and compression has worked wonders. I shall now keep away from running and use a turbo trainer on a low setting for short periods to get it used to moving and to build it back up.