It's Been Brewing For Longer Than I Thought

Training Diaries from Early Last Year.

I was sorting out my running gear drawer.  I the midst of being amazed and delighted at how many event T-shirts I've collected in only 2 years, I found my diary from last year.  It starts with my training for my first marathon - Blackpool, last year.  I don't need to say anything really - what I wrote at the time speaks for itself.

Friday 7th February 2014

Friday 9th February 2014

Tuesday 11th February 2014

12th February 2014

Sunday 16th February 2014 - with 7 weeks to go until Blackpool Marathon

Tuesday 18th February 2014

Thursday 20th February 2014

Sunday 30th March 2014.

So......

..... it looks as though I was having a quite a few problems back then but pressed on because I am so single minded.  

And coming into the present

I've not run since taking the decision to bail out of the Manchester Marathon, other than a few attempts at running with the Caistor Running Club new starters.  This involved only running for a minute at a time on the first week and 2 minutes the second week.  I managed the first week, but pain increased, so I didn't run last week.  This week they are up to 3 minutes running and as I've had a day of much reduced pain when walking, I decided to have a crack at it tonight.  No joy.  Managed about a minute and a half and then stopped. I can cope with the bottoms of my feet generally aching and the slight ankle and foot pain, but it's when I get that really sharp pain along my tendon that I feel it crosses the fine line between:

it hurts but I can run through it / I might be doing some damage here.

I have had some more appointments with the physio, but the initial improvement hasn't continued exponentially and she has said no more treatment until I've had either an x-ray or a scan to see if there's anything else going on.  I've seen my GP who has referred me to see an Orthopaedic Consultant who specialises in the foot and lower leg.   He said that with flat feet like mine, I'm probably not cut out for Marathon running. I objected, "well I've done two!" He said, "Yes exactly."  He suggested I try triathlon.   I should hear about an appointment in 6 - 8 weeks.

In the meantime, I've got an appointment with a Podiatrist in 2 days time to have a look at my flat feet.  Watch this space.

I know I can't run right now, but I believe I will get well again - possibly better than before if I get the right kind of treatment and something to correct my flat feet.  I am open minded about doing another marathon. Or two!  Just two.  I'd like to have a crack at getting into London Marathon on Good For Age, which would mean I'd have to run a marathon Sub 4 hours.  If my feet and legs are OK, I can certainly get my head around the training I'd need to do to achieve that.

I'd better not get too far ahead of myself.  Lets get the injury sorted first!  Then try a parkrun first!