6/05/2010 – Surprises Come In Podiatry Orthotics!!

Great news!! Last Thursday I was wearing my new orthotics in my trainers and I realised that I didn’t feel any pain. At first the orthotics, being quite aggressive, really hurt and I wondered if I would ever be able to wear them for any length of time, much less run in them. But, over about one week, wearing them around the house must have broken them in. This particular Thursday I realised that not only did I not feel the familiar pain of the orthotics but also no pain from the bursitis either. I realised that I could probably do a run that very same day.

I went to the gym feeling very nervous about my first run since January and also the first proper run in my new gym. It was when I had a free day pass at the gym in January and I was running on a treadmill that I realised that I had injured my foot beyond repair and haven’t run since.

For the first time in three months I didn’t have to stride away on the cross ramp for an hour and I felt quite relieved and a sense of freedom. I decided to see if I could run for an hour, that’s why I was so nervous. It was a tall order but I knew that I was fit enough, and I also wanted to experience the mental strength and visualisations again that I had missed since January that are so integral to any long run. I warmed up for about 3 minutes and had to stop running after half an hour. This was only because my orthotics were rubbing against both my insteps and I knew I was getting big blisters. I didn’t want to have to stop running again for the sake of blisters.  The podiatrist warned me this might happen and I had some Scholl blister plasters at home. I was hugely chuffed that I had run at all, it happened so unexpectantly and spontaneously!

I felt like a runner again immediately and am still on a high. I went back again on the Sunday and completed a 33 minute run. It was quite hard to retain mental motivation and positivity; my brain see-sawed between both doubts and euphoria all the way through. I used my brain in a different way whilst exercising on the cross ramp machine, as it wasn’t a high impact exercise I never really needed intense focus and my brain had become lazy. I still got my buzz when my heart rate soared but it was nothing compared to my second run on that Sunday.

I realised that my brain and body where out of kilter and as I didn’t have a mirror to look into, my running action was all over the place (my previous gym had a large mirror in front of the treadmills). However, I experienced intense highs all the way through almost like being in love! So on Tuesday I went back again and decided that I would run for 35 minutes. My pace is much slower than when I was running regularly; almost 1.5 miles an hour slower, but I didn’t care! I was running again and making headway and felt like I was embarking on a new adventure. I was disappointed on Tuesday to have the pain of blistering skin return even though I had plasters on. I was unaware, but had bought a different type of blister plaster, supposedly better than Scholl, and recommended by professionals, I have since found out, but they didn’t work for me. After I got over my confusion I went out and purchased loads of packs of Scholl blister plasters. I hope they work.

However, blisters are nothing compared to three months of an irritating throbbing pain under the ball of my right foot that would just not go away. Since beginning treadmill running again I have not once felt any pain that would hinder me from my injury. In fact, apart from the blisters it was a very tight left calf that was hindering my pace on the second run. I have been suffering from this tightness in my calf for a few weeks now.  It has been very painful and extremely hard to bend my ankle when walking. I have been doing stretching exercises and on my first run it was better but came back for my second. After this I got in the bath and massaged my calf with my leg bent using some instructions from the Internet. The next day the pain was gone and I was able to run on Tuesday free from calf pain.

I was due a run tonight but have a stinking cold and don’t really want to experience any negative running experiences just yet in my recovery. I am going to go tomorrow even if I still feel a bit unwell, but will take it easy. Anyhow, I’m sure tomorrow the cold will be all but gone. I have my trusty plasters so hope all will be well.

My injury seems to just have taken the allotted amount of time for these sorts of injuries to heal without any treatment, except orthotics. I am going to have to wait now for a steroid injection as I have suspected rheumatoid arthritis and need to see a specialist. Whatever the outcome of this consultation I will then get my injection, as it will also treat arthritis. These things are never simple are they?

This Sunday I am driving down to Norfolk to go wedding accessories shopping with my mum for a week. I was going to take my bike as I enjoy exercising in the evening and know the roads in Norwich really well. However, my plan now is to run every evening for just half an hour and no more, as I will be running on hard paths.  I’ll take my Garmin so I can time myself but am not really interested in my pace and how many minutes per mile I am doing, I just need to make sure I stop running after half an hour and then walk, wherever I am.  I also need to re-familiarise myself with the watch! Wish me well and injury free and I will keep you up to date with my activities.

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!