First run for ages!

[Debston]

More walking than running but felt so good to be back out there, running at my snail's pace. And in beautiful surroundings too. I saw lots of deer at the end of my run which was the perfect excuse to take it easy and walk the rest of the way. 😂 🦌 👟

[Oddity]

Fab! Looks beautiful x

[Debston Graduate in reply to Oddity]

It's wonderful. I want to stay here forever!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Perfect and such a beautiful setting

[Debston Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

There are so many trails here that are just perfect for running. I have seen quite a few runners jogging along since we got here but there are far more cyclists and hikers!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Debston]

Just lovely then

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

Hi Debs. Good to see you running again, even if only a little. How’s life?

Love the photo. Encountering deer is a great experience, isn’t it?

[Debston Graduate in reply to Stephen_UK]

Hi Stephen_UK, having a lovely holiday and doing my physio exercises religiously! The deer were just magical, managed to get a few pics on my phone, they were quite interested in me and followed for a while!

[Stephen_UK Graduate in reply to Debston]

Enjoy the holiday and say hi to the deer. That’s nice that they followed you. Usually they scamper away.

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Looks beautiful debs. Glad you're back out there, and taking it easy 😊

[Debston Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks, grumpyoldgirl! I can't believe how much I have been missing running. Am hoping to get out again on Wednesday for another session but will keep it short and sweet!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Debston]

Perfect. It looks magical where you are, hope you enjoy every second.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Nice photo, I am glad that you enjoyed your run.

[Debston Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr! I am really enjoying being back in Scotland after ten years since our last visit. I don't want to leave!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Debston]

Yes, Applecross is a lovely area to be in for a holiday, great views over the water to the Isle of Skye with the Coolin mountains as a dramatic backdrop. Hope the weather isn't too bad and you can get some running, plenty of walking and perhaps hire a bike and do a little cycling.

[Debston Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Beautiful sunshine today, after a lot of wet weather! Going to make the most of it while it lasts... ☺ Hoping to get over to Skye later in the week.

[Kertesz]

OK! I’ve googled where you are... and you are FAR FAR away... in the land of beautiful country. Enjoy each and every breath, step, moment... and deer!! X x happy getting out there! X

[Debston Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

It took us two long days of driving to get here from Kent! Definitely worth it but that's a long way with the kids asking "are we nearly there yet?"... 😂

[backintime Graduate in reply to Debston]

😂😂😂 I know that sooo well

[Kertesz in reply to Debston]

Two days?!!! Eek!! I hope you are able to stay there for a long time. My husband is trying to tempt me with Scotland by suggesting the beauty of loch-side runs... x

[backintime Graduate]

Hey debs, so nice to see you out running and happy.

The photo is gorgeous and seeing deer must make it magical. We see a few here but mostly from a distance as they are quite shy here

Keep up the good work, hope your hip behaves

[Debston Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you! I was surprised this evening because my hip behaved itself but my left calf felt soooo tight! Am hoping it's going to be fine in the morning... Just feel like an old crock at the moment!!!

[backintime Graduate in reply to Debston]

Are you maybe compensating for your hip, like you are expecting your hip to hurt so are running differently ?

It does sound like a good reason for a nice massage from Mr Debs and a long calm soak in the bath with a glass of wine

[Debston Graduate in reply to backintime]

Yes, I wonder if I am over compensating. Bath / wine / massage all excellent suggestions!

[Pontejogger]

Well done 👍

[Debston Graduate in reply to Pontejogger]

Thanks!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

What a wonderful place to run & have a holiday. 😀 Mr E & I cycled there on our tandem many years ago. 😀

[Debston Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Oh wow, did you pedal up the scary road - Bealach na Ba - on a tandem bike?! I love everything about this place apart from that road! 😂

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Debston]

Yes we did! At the time I thought the uphill was going to finish me off! - Then I thought the speedy downhill with Mr E in “Geronimooooo” mode would finish me off too. 😂😂

[Debston Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Amazing, hats off to you both!

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Debston]

We are currently on holiday a bit further north than you, at Durness. 😄 I was just thinking of you as I watched the rain sweep in! 🙄 Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Xx

[Debston Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks, we're off for a day on Skye tomorrow, had hoped to get a boat over but the captain says it'll be too rough to sail... So four hours round trip in the car.. Grrrr. 😂

[Debston Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Oh my, just googled Durness, it looks amazingly beautiful and remote! Hope you get some sunshine.

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Debston]

Yes it is beautiful & we had a sunny cycle this evening (& a sunny walk in the morning), so no grumbles! Once you get north of Ullapool, the Sutherland scenery is different again- very wild & quite barren with lochans round every corner! Enjoy Skye - I love it there. Xx

[Hidden]

This is good news! I'm actually injured at the moment..Feeling sorry for myself. 😪 But this has cheered me up 🤗 Great to see you back out there.

[Debston Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Glad to cheer you up but boooooo to you being injured - what's up?

[Hidden in reply to Debston]

Good timing! Who am i kidding I'm always here 😂.. I'm no doctor, but it looks like bad foot. 🦶

[Debston Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a case of badfootitis... Oh, poor you, these things are so frustrating but par for the course, it seems. Be sensible and rest up / get it seen to. ☺

[Hidden in reply to Debston]

I like that. 😂 That was funnier than mine!

Thanks Debs.. Yeah, just need to stay positive. It's frustrating but I'm feeling good about my running/health now.

[Debston Graduate in reply to Hidden]

😂 I stole it from Operation Ouch which is a great programme on cbbc!

[Redcat19 Graduate]

Glad to see you are up and running again Debs. Sounds beautiful in Scotland. I have been forced to take a break as right hip in particular is groaning, a problem I have had in the past when walking long distances. I graduated in June and can now run 5K twice a week. For now its Pilates and walking. Was considering seeing a sports physio, what is your advice? What worked for you? Would really appreciate your response.

[Debston Graduate in reply to Redcat19]

Hi Redcat19, sorry to hear that you're having to take a break from running too. My right hip started playing up at the start of July and I really wish I had gone to Dr or physio straight away. I just rested it and tried a roller, then every time I felt OK to run again, I would go out and be fine while running but stiffen up again straight after.

I eventually went to see the doctor early August and, rather incredibly, he made me an NHS appointment with a local physio for the next morning. The doctor noticed that my knees were also inflamed, I had been very worried that it was arthritis but the Dr said not.

Anyway, long story short, the physio showed me some exercises to help stretch and strengthen everything, particularly the piriformis which is where he thinks the problem is, and told me to do the exercises every day for four weeks at least. I asked him if I could maybe try running while away in Scotland and he said that if I felt back to at least 95%, then OK but to ease back in with walk/runs, not heading out for a 5km run straight away! (Which is what I had done previously, heading out to Parkrun after resting up all week...).

The exercises seem to be helping, not back to 100 % yet but hoping to get there soon. Hope you get sorted, right hipp problems seem to be very common in runners.

[Redcat19 Graduate]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have taken your advice and made an enquiry into physio this afternoon. Hoping this will help get me back to running. Enjoy your holiday.

[Debston Graduate in reply to Redcat19]

Great, hope you get seen quickly and get back out there running again before long. Let me know how you get on! ☺

[Redcat19 Graduate]

Hi Deb's, saw a physio this morning. My hip is not a running injury more a long term problem that has come to light since running. There is some misalignment in my right hip so the muscles tire and compensate this can be improved over time with the right physio exercises. I go back next week.

Thanks for your advice. The support on this forum is amazing, good to know you are not alone.

[Debston Graduate in reply to Redcat19]

Great, glad you managed to get seen quickly. It's great to know we can help ourselves to feel better and yes, really good to know we're not alone! ☺