RED February Week 2

[Sandie1961]

Well, it would be fair to say that RED February is not going as anticipated. Like last year, my plan had been to use it as an opportunity to increase back to 10k in readiness for Monsal Trail 10k in early April. Unfortunately I have been suffering with a niggly piriformis since training for GSR last September. I saw a physio, had exercises to do, did more or less running depending on what else was going on (I only did 5 x 5k runs in the 6 weeks we were in Oz/NZ for example) and it has improved and deteriorated. Before I started RED it was bearable, but within about 4 days, I was in real pain. Saw the physio and told her about RED (she’s a marathon runner) and she said I could continue if I took it easy. However, it just got worse and last week’s parkrun was my slowest ever, as I had to walk quite a lot of it. So I booked another appointment and have now been advised to avoid running as I now have a hamstring strain, had laser, acupuncture and massage gun therapy yesterday and extra exercises added to the list. I am going to walk parkrun for the next 2 weeks, as I am so close to 💯 and am completing RED Feb at walking pace (approx 2.5k at 3.5 - 4mph). So frustrating 😖

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I was so sorry to hear this Sandie1961 . The piriformis is so painful and probably linked to the hamstring. I am sure that your physiotherapist will get you running as soon as she can. My issue was leading up to the GSR too, so linked to extended distance, without cross training.

April is still a long time way so I hope that Monsal Trail is achievable for you.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I’m sure I’ll manage Monsal, even if it’s slow! I am throwing everything at it

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Sorry to hear this. Wishing you well.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you ☺️ I just hate it when things don’t go to plan ☹️

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Me too and it's compounded when someone can't tell you exactly when you can get back on track. But you know you will and hopefully it won't be too long!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

It’s even more frustrating when I think I’ve got it cracked, then up the pace and it goes again 😩

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Oh gosh!!!! OUCH! Hopefully your physio will get you back on track... I really feel for you xxx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

I do hope so. I really am fed up now ☹️

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Sandie1961]

I bet... I had a trapped sciatic nerve which impacted the piriformis , it was agony.. A runner on here, Rignold, do you remember him? gave me a link to some exercises and I had my first night's sleep in over three weeks after doing just one or two repetitions!..

It was for a deep squat using a newel post on the stairs.. or similar.. I don't think the video link he sent me still works unfortunately..

youtube.com/watch?v=jnJvgE8...(Not working as expected?)

Try it maybe?

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you ☺️ It does seem to be there 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Sandie1961]

Honestly... I could not believe it... could hardly squat at first, but as I used it... it all started to ease. I actually got to sleep in bed again as opposed to padded cushions in the chair! I still use that method if I get any tightness in the area !

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I do feel for you Sandie, hopefully with only walking for now it'll soon heal and you'll be back to your swift self xx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

I do hope so Sue!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Ahh Sandie, what a (literal) pain. Hope it doesn’t affect your skiing trip too. 🤞

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me too 🤞I am doing every exercise, heat, ice so 🤞

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

It’s so frustrating when we can’t run, isn’t it Sandie1961 ? Sometimes we just have to stop and let things settle though. Sounds as though you have a good physio who will guide you back but listening to your body is so important too. Your 10k is a while away yet - I don’t doubt that you will be there! Good luck.🙂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra 😊 The timing really couldn’t be worse, although I guess I’d probably say that whenever it happened 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Those dreaded words Sandie; “stop running.” Pants is the only word for it; on this forum anyway! At least your physio is throwing everything at it. It sounds as though she is very well equipped.

🤞🤞🤞 the treatment works quickly and you can get back out there soon.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

One of the most painful treatments ever, so it must be doing me good 😂 Those acupuncture needles really cause the nerves to jangle 😖 I really am ready for it to do one now. At least I can walk relatively pain free and I am doing RED Feb at what Mr S calls my “shopping speed”, which is almost as fast as I can run currently!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Acupuncture has never been suggested to me as a treatment. I hope it stays that way!You are doing everything you can to be as fit as possible on the day; you can do no more.

My most painful treatment to date involved the use of vacuum cups. It was just about ok when the suction was switched on; but when he started sliding the cups up and down the outside of my leg I was left thinking “ this pain can’t go on at this level for long”. ….but it did. I was left with perfectly round bruises all over my legs! The nearest I have ever been to saying “stop”. Worked though!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Ouch, sounds horrible. What we put ourselves through eh?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

We can take it 🙂

[Bluebirdrunner]

So sorry to hear you are now on the IC Sandie, but with so much fitness and running under your belt, I'm sure you will manage the Monsal Trail run in April, and finish beore me!

Take care and heal well xxx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks BBR 😊 You never know it might be an opportunity to take it steady and do a chatty run together!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

such rotten luck Sandie. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other xx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

I’ll do my best. I’m averaging 9.30/10.00 mins per km walking to earn my medal 😂

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Ow! so painful Sandie1961 sounds like you have a brilliant physio, heal well. I've no doubt at all you'll be back and ready for the Monsal Trail

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

She’s great and just gets it. I know that if she says I shouldn’t run, there is a very good reason for it. I’ll just have to keep doing what I’m doing and hope it improves quickly 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[RunWillie Marathon]

Sorry to hear that Sandie1961 Physio’s that are also runners are the best. Hope you’re running again soon. 🤗

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Yes, she really understands and is working with me knowing where I need to be, which is great.

[Folkylass]

So sorry to read this Sandie1961. Here’s hoping it will improve very soon 🥰👍x

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you 😊

[Gwenllian1]

What a pain! It's so frustrating. Sounds as if you are doing everything right. Hope you are back on track very soon

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Gwenllian1]

Me too, thank you 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh crikey! I feel your pain. About to walk no 3 of 4 parkruns in NZ. No running at all. Walking hurts. It's pants. Total pants. All I can do is empathise. But I'm right there, keeping you company in the queue for the comeback run. We can do this. Grit your teeth for now. We'll be back 🤗

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I’ve been very lucky so far that I haven’t had much time on the IC. So sorry you are struggling and good on you for continuing with your walking (and kayaking 😳) while you’re in NZ. Some really hilly treks there, which must be just as hard as running. We’ll get there xx

[GTFC Marathon]

Oh Sandie1961 we're sorry to read this. We hope you can recover well in time. Wishing you all the best 🙏

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thank you both 😊 I’ll do Monsal and my 100th parkrun, even if I have to jeff or walk, but 🤞🏻🤞🏻it’ll improve over the next few weeks!