Feeling a bit disappointed...

[sarahji]

The reason that I'm feeling so down is that I've really enjoyed the running part, it's the aches & pains that are getting the better of me. I started off with shin splints, got over that, then had hip pain, got over that...now it's front of foot, ankle pain.

I thought I could rest etc & it'd be ok, but it's been a week since my last run & the pain is still there. I must admit, I think I have a gait problem & need a test doing but as I live over here in the Canary Islands I can't get one done (or get any kind of selection of running shoes). So I feel like I am resigning myself to the fact that I have to shelve the programme until I get to the UK in June.

The pain is only when I flex my foot up, it's ok to run & walk on it just so painful when flexed and in bed, as I sleep on my front.

I may attempt to re-run W3R3 tomorrow, just to make sure...but if it carries on...well, that's it for now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, also, when I come to the UK in June I will be travelling around visiting friends, but mainly based in Stockport. Does anyone know where I can get a gait test done....or maybe I can google it

Thanks for any advice!

[sfb350 Graduate]

Have a google for foot strengthening exercises - I've been getting horrible cramping and painful arches in my feet during yoga recently (and I've been going to classes since August) and wonder if it is due to using different muscles while running. There are quite a lot of different stretches and gentle exercises you can do to strengthen your feet so it might be worth a try. Perhaps gel insoles in your current shoes would help - they should cushion the impact a bit. Another thing to try might be an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas!) - Henrietta was recommending ice packs for soothing injuries a couple of days ago and I know my boss, a keen runner, uses them when he is injured. You might want to try the ice packs before trying out stretches/further exercise.

I hope you find something that works, good luck.

[Jaelle Graduate]

I'm in Stockport - there's a runnersneed at Snow + Rock at the bottom of Princess Parkway as you head out of Manchester to the M56 & M60, they do gait testing, I'm planning on a test in a few weeks once I get into it more.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Some of the websites show a rough test you can do with a wet footprint. That might help.