So, this time last week I had a very sore ball of foot and was in full "drama queen mode" in terms of how I was taking this little set back. Thank god for this place though, and you very kind people who lifted my spirits up. xxx
So, whilst I didn't handle it very well emotionally, I am proud of myself for how I handled it physically. No running the minute I got the pain, lots of icing, some gentle exercises I found on YouTube and a serious deployment of patience. By Thursday, the pain had gone away almost entirely. Friday, I walked quite a lot, and again no pain. So guess what I did this morning? Yes, of course I took aforementioned foot (along with its pal, ole right foot), out for a test run.
Joy is not a strong enough word for what I felt out on this morning's run. The last time I had run, it was in Norwich, as I was at my mother's house. Grim. She lives on a very built-up housing estate, and there is nowhere nice to run – it is very much a concrete jungle (apart from one very short stretch of heathland, and I don't feel incredibly safe running there). Last week – back in London, but no running due to injury. I cannot tell you how much I was missing my beloved green running trails and tree-lined streets! Also, the "black dog" made a tiny reappearance this week due to various issues I am facing, so to get out there today , amongst the trees and the parakeets that screech around the park, was special and much needed.
I left home at 7:15am, and it was rather warm, but I was well hydrated and in my favourite shorts and vest. Although my HM plan had me down for a paced run of 5-10km, I went out thinking that I would just do what I could do, and if any pain returned, to stop. I found it hard to keep to the 7 min km pace I was supposed to be following, as my wee legs are more comfortable at a 6:30 min pace, but I did my best, for the sake of ole left foot. And you know what, no foot pain at all. I am so relieved. I ended up running 8km. And best of all, I came home feeling much calmer, and happier – nothing beats running for keeping my mind calibrated, it just helps so much and I am so grateful that I now have this in my life, especially as things have been tough of late.
To anyone still on the IC, I do feel for you, and want to wish you all speedy recoveries. And failing that, patience and kindness.
Sorry for rambling!
Sadie-runs xxx
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Sadie-runs
Half Marathon
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Thank you so much, dear David. Glad to hear that you too find running helps with life’s challenges. This week, a series of events meant that my head felt “full” of anxiety and sadness, but the run really lifted that away. Bliss. And good old foot, she did me proud! 👍😁 x
Fab news so pleased for you! 😊 that wasn’t a tiny jogette though was it?!!!! Glad it all planned out ok though. It’s weird this running lark but wonderful. Fingers crossed you are back on track xxx
Erm, no, it really wasn’t a tiny jogette, FPF! Oops, got carried away I suppose. I would have stopped though at the first sign of any pain/ache/niggle, I promise! And thank you my love. Hope you are doing well? Still doing those arse stretches I recommended? xxx
Hmmm, I keep forgetting! I have bought some tennis balls to wiggle on but they are still in the packet too! It is a lovely stretch though. I’m off this week so hopefully will have time to remember! Enjoy your running this week xxx
So nice to hear that you are back in your running shoes Sadie... running in your green park with the trees and the parakeets working its medicine on your mood too😍
Take care my lovely, but it sounds very good news... (hope that black dog stays away. xx)
Jan 😘😘😘 Thank you! I am feeling hopeful. And you are right about the natural medicine, it really worked a treat. I read an article in Runner’s World a few months back about one woman’s favourite running route - her regular, close-to-home one. It was a lovely piece, and I realised I had exactly the same love for mine. 😍
Hey Sadie, sorry I didn’t reply sooner, been driving but stopped at the services. I’m so glad you managed your run, and that you are back up and running (pun intended!!). I love those joyful runs Sadie. Hugs to you anyhow, you’re still an inspiration! Better set off soon... xxx
Thanks Sadie, got back safely, though as I live only a few miles from Toddbrook Resevoir, I had a heck of a job doing the last 5 miles with all the road closures round Whaley Bridge!
Thank you, Stephen. It was such a relief to run again, for both mind and body. I was surprised and overjoyed to run that distance! I can now justifiably loll on the couch with a good book all afternoon. 😁 x
Ramble away dearest Sadie. It’s my turn in the drama queen spotlight today, so move over! 😂
I am sooo thrilled for you. And, you know what, it’s far better to have a good old moan than bottle it all up and get all gnarly inside. You are back on track. Yay!
PS: the black dog is the cause of my troubles too, though in my case it’s his hair that’s the problem.
PPS: I read a novel with those parakeets in London. I had no idea till then.
Aw, we are taking it in turns! I do hope you are feeling a bit cheerier soon; I do understand your frustrations (especially with flipping hairy Dennis!)
The parakeets are my spirit animal and I love them so much. They have been with me since the beginnings of C25K, screeching alongside me on my very first tentative runs. Nothing quite cheers me up as much as when they give me a fly-by on my run; whole flocks of them, miraculous noisy flashes of green overhead as I run across the fields...nothing quite like it.
Oh, how wonderful. I wondered why you had a parakeet by your name on Strava.
My moaning is over. It is mine and Nr IDS's anniversary today, so we're going out for a meal. I'm even going to wear a dress - shock, horror - and it ain't lycra!!! xxx
Brilliant Sadie, foot and spirit on the mend at the same time. Hard not run along laughing with the joy of it on successful comeback runs. Disturbs passers by but who cares?? Lovely post 😊
God it was good, BC! Thank you. I have been running for 2 years now, and today's run taught me that I can rely on mental resilience when I run, even when I am feeling blue, it is something those 2 years have trained me to do. My last run was 9 days previous to this, and a tiny part of me was worried about how I would find it. But only a tiny part; once my wee legs got going, I knew I had what it would take. And I have been thanking my left foot all day for behaving! xx
Oh I’m glad you are back out there Sadie. Well done on an 8km comeback too.😁
Whereabouts are you running then ? Is it Regents Park with the Ringneck parakeets ? We saw some there and also in Brighton there are loads of wild ones now. My son used to have a breeding pair of them and I loved them and watching them bring up their babies. Sadly Mork had a stroke after the 2nd brood had grown up and we had to have him PTS 😥 and although we got a replacement, Merlin, Mindy never took to him the same.
I am running in Beckenham, which is on the Kent/London borders. There are parakeets all over London now, but a particularly high concentration in Beckenham. 🦜🦜🦜
Thank you so much dear Flossie. It was such a relief for both body and soul to be out there doing my thing. 😁 And I should still be on track (injuries permitting!) for my Sept HM! But it has made me realise that in the grand scheme of things, the HM doesn’t matter, just being able to run does though. xxx
So glad that foot is behaving itself Sadie. When you are feeling a bit blue just think that the hockey season is fast approaching and it won’t be long before me and UpTheStanley take you to your first parkrun. How exciting is that? 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♂️🦜🦜🦜🦜🐿🐿🐿
Well done Sadie, I feel your pain literally. I used a tennis ball and rolled it every day for a week on my foot. So much better now. Great to see you are back enjoying your runs.
Oh, sorry to hear you have suffered a sore foot too, GTypeR. So frustrating! I am now rolling with a hard ball, and also do that thing where you use a towel - lay it flat on floor, and use your toes to scrunch it up (hard to explain!) Does wonders for the arches apparently. 😁 And thank you!
Thank you dear Tbae. 😘 Foot still doing okay today, so 🤞, hoping that’s the back of it! I do think it was a touch of Morton’s Neuroma...but just a touch! And by taking immediate action(rest, icing, exercises), maybe I averted a worst case? Thank you for your kind wishes, as always. 😘
Yayayayayayay, Sadie’s back running! What excellent news. It must have been simply the best feeling running pain free. You were super smart resting your foot immediately you felt pain - and it’s rewarded you! Good foot! 🦶❤️😀🏃♀️
Aw, lovely Cheeky, thank you so much! I cannot believe that last Saturday I could barely walk on it, but yesterday ran pain free! The power of rest eh? And yes, good foot, I’m proud of you! xxx
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HM training - taking the long view (ramble warning)
Starting again - a bit of a long rambling post
Pacing, pacing, pacing .... arrrggghhh!