15/04/2010 – Having Wheely Good Fun

I am well into my poorly foot and not being able to run routine now! I am enjoying two body pump sessions per week and three cardio sessions on the cross ramp. My foot is no better, but I don’t care now! Except that I am putting on weight. I have a little belly and flabbier thighs as the running must have shook it all up and got rid of it and my new routine, although I am expending as many calories, isn’t high impact so there is a difference, one I can see and feel. However, that is set to change as I have bought myself a push bike on ebay and have done it up to suit me. It is a brill mountain bike and rides like a dream; sometimes it scares me how fast it goes, and so effortlessly streamline! I am enjoying smelling the air outside and getting a good workout and saving money on petrol. This is something I will keep going even when I start to run again.

At first Eden was hesitant about me buying a bike and riding on the roads, as he believed it was really dangerous. He had me thinking for a while but I had to do something and it gave me a project as running was a kind of project for me, always something new learn and try, and I missed my passion.
I haven’t ridden for nearly twenty years. Back when I was a student a bicycle was my only source of transport and I thought nothing of riding everywhere on it. While I was wondering if I should go for it or not I saw loads of people riding around and thought right, if they can do it, I can!
I am now cycling to the gym and back and already just after a week I have noticed how much stronger I am and can lift more weights at body pump. Cycling is automatically interval training and I will also gain more stamina and strength in my legs for when I start to run again. Also, I like the freedom it gives me to save money and to cycle to and back from the gym in the sun and in the same amount of time that it takes to drive there. I am not confident on busy roads and will not turn right on a road yet so I am riding on some pavements, but I have noticed a lot of cyclists doing this. Years ago it was just hoodies on the pavements but now because of the dangers of some roads nearly everybody does it sometimes.  I already have a lot of reflective and winter gear from running so I haven’t had to buy any clothes, but I will need some waterproofs at some point and I do have a helmet which was half price.

Even when I start running I will continue to cycle and really want to join a cycling club who I can ride with regularly in the countryside. Obviously, I cannot do this safely alone. So hopefully, I will be out there every week cycling around the hills and dales. I can’t wait! First though, I have to get fit as some clubs cycle 30 miles in one day and I have to be tough enough to do this and get some enjoyment from it not just a feeling of collapse!
So, to my foot! I have had an ultrasound and I have bursitis. The sonographer picked it up immediately and also told me that my bunions are eroding which may have an impact on foot mechanics too. So now I have to wait for the results to reach my podiatrist which can take weeks, then hopefully I can have a steroid injection, which may take 4 to 6 weeks to take effect. Now I have my bike I’m not so bothered about the wait, it has taken my mind off it. In fact, if I become injured again I may give up running and cycle instead. Many of the people I have emailed about cycle clubs have taken up cycling for this very reason.

I think I will probably be back running just before my and Eden’s wedding which is July 17th this year. That will be six months since I became injured. I visited a physiotherapist to get a second opinion on my foot a few weeks ago and she advised me that this injury can often take this long to heal. I have a free personal training session waiting for me at the gym as I have clocked up more than 35 visits in a quarter and I will take up that freebie as soon as I can run again to get me back to how I was running in January before I was injured. I also have some permanent orthotics waiting for me at the podiatrist’s, which will last about a year. So things are looking up and I can see the way forward very clearly and now at least, will enjoy myself along the way.

6/5/2011 - Army Training Course Needed!

04/02/2011 – Hi There!

05/10/2010 - Morton’s Neuroma Madness!

21/08/2010 - The Wedding Journal

30/05/2010 - Running Free!!

06/05/2010 - Surprises Come In Podiatry Orthotics!!

15/04/2010 - Having Wheely Good Fun

22/03/2010 - Running Withdrawal

15/02/2010 - Swimming Towards Recovery

04/02/2010 - Help I’m Injured!