Injury, recovery and restart...

Two weeks ago, I misjudged the solidity of a kerbside and ended up with a sprained ankle.

Ten days later, the swelling was not going down as much as I expected it to, and my GP confirmed that I had torn ligaments and prescribed another two weeks of enforced rest, coupled with a strong dosage of anti-inflammatory tablets and an anti-inflammatory gel to be massaged in the ankle four times a day, as well as the wearing of an ankle support at all times during the day.

After that two-week period, I will be allowed to start short walks for a week, then to alternate longer walks with short bursts of light jogging (sounds familiar? )

A good thing did come out of my visit though.

My GP is a keen runner himself and has encouraged me in my attempts with C25K. I casually mentioned to him that I tend to get winded pretty quickly and early, thinking it's to be expected when you're a beginner, but when I described the shortness of breath and occasional dizziness - all of which I had put down to being unfit and unused to exercise - he replied that there was a possibility that I might be suffering from iron deficiency.

One blood test later, his suspicions are confirmed and I am prescribed a 2-month course of iron supplements, along with a recommendation to eat as much black pudding, liver and kidneys as I can, and beef and eggs whenever possible.

It is not unusual for women to be iron-deficient (we do lose blood several days a month for 30 years or so, after all), but I hadn't made the link between iron-deficiency and the struggle for breath and the heart-thumping during my attempts at exercise.

No iron = no new red cells = less oxygen in the blood.

My body needed oxygen, which my blood cannot bring fast enough because it doesn't contain enough oxygen-carrying red cells (haemoglobin), which are made by iron.

I have three weeks or so before I can start again, but this time, with added knowledge and (hopefully) less struggle, thanks to a pro-active GP.

[TheActualSarah Graduate]

Great you got iron deficiency detected. I am not a Dr and I'm not saying you should not take the tablets he has given you, but just be aware, if they are not a 'natural' iron, there maybe some side effects that can be avoided if you take a more natural form. From my own past experiences I take spatone. Just see how you go.

Good luck with the recovery, I hope you get back in your stride soon x