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Wife (to Shaun), Mother (to Danni), Dog walker of Archie the JRX, improving cyclist, reformed gym bunny, broken runner Collector of exercise DVDs & equipment. Cake is my weakness together with cider (Westons only thanks)and brandy. Noisy spectator of running & cycling events. Owner of Tribby the campervan

Monday 18 November 2013

Still Hanging On In There !


It's been a busy old weekend - the kind you like at the time, cos you're constantly on the go, but then hate Monday morning because the weekend went way too quickly and you didn't get time to relax, or do any jobs around the house.

On Saturday we got up earlyish to get into Brighton to pick my new road bike up from Evans.   When I say new road bike, I actually mean the replacement bike for the second hand mountain bike I've been using.   Shaun wanted me to get a road bike so that (a) I could keep up with him and (b) once I'm confirmed fit enough I can actually get out on a bike and next year we can ride Sportives together.   There is also another reason for getting a bike, I need to shed the 2 stone I've put on over this year and he thinks this is going to be the best way to achieve it - we shall see!

This is my new bike

Isn't she lovely?  I didn't really want a girly bike, I was quite happy to have something in blue or black, but this has lovely pink tapes and pink flashes on the paintwork.   Now we're hunting high and low to find kit to match so that I look the part.   Good job Christmas is coming up - although Shaun has bought me the bike as my Christmas present, but it looks like the rest of the family will be buying cycling kit too!

On Sunday I was supposed to be running Brooks Brighton 10k.   This is one of my favourite local races which I ran last year.  Unfortunately I'm still not running (yes I know - it's taking aaaages!)  What's the next best thing to running a race - yes that's right marshalling (or as I like to call it runners payback).   I've already missed the RISE Undercliff this year thanks to the stupid shinsplints, and marshalled at that in October, which I thoroughly enjoyed.   They're a great charity and it was nice to see how things come together on race day.

Anyway, I digress.   Sunday was an extremely early day - I had arranged to meet Nik, Michelle & Sam at 7.30 for a coffee before heading down to the volunteer briefing on the seafront at 8.  Having been given our duty for the day we were handed a token to get a bacon butty and a hot drink from one of the little cafes under the arches.  We sat around for a bit chatting and eating and then headed down to the car park area with our "supervisor".   I had hoped we'd be up in the action of the start line so we could see friends beforehand, but no we were in charge of car parking (which was actually the best deal of the day as you'll see in a minute)!  

After we'd spent an hour sorting out the car parking our next job was to stand on the running course making sure the runners stayed on the right hand side of the road ready for their return back up to Hove!   It was amazing standing there, shouting at them to keep over and clapping and cheering on our Bosh buddies and other friends who were running.   The scary bit was when they all started coming back the other way - with runners on either side of us.   It was a great atmosphere though and we got lots of thank you's.  

Once the last runner had gone through on the return we made our way back to the finish line where we were due to help out in the baggage drop.   As we were walking back we heard that the first runners had finished - I couldn't even run 5k in 30 minutes so the fast finish times were amazing!   The bag drop was a bit chaotic - the bags were in some kind of number order but it was hard work trying to find them.  Lots of our Bosh runners came over to find us and it was great to hear so many had got PBs.   That's the one thing I love about Brighton 10k - plenty of opportunity to PB.

After baggage we then helped out with the clear up and litter pick - crikey runners are a messy wasteful bunch - lots of banana skins and undrunk water bottles!   It wasn't long before it was time to head to the presentation at a local Hotel and then lunch.

It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday (apart obviously at home with Shaun and Archie), we had such a laugh - I can't wait to do it again.

I've been to physio today and progress is apparently good.   Still in a bit of pain on the shins but apparently this is because my soleus is still a bit short.  

3 weeks Cathy (who has now taken over my treatment for now) gave me lots of calf stretching to do.   The gastroc stretch is going well and the muscle is much less tight but I still have some work to do on my soleus before she'll let me run!  I've had acupuncture - something I've always wanted to try but was sceptical it worked.  I can report it is the most amazing treatment in the world (that I have experienced so far).   In my opinion it beats any painkilling drug I've ever had to take.  Cathy also suggested orthotics to assist my appallingly flat feet.  That has made a fantastic difference, although I'm only wearing one pair of shoes (actually my clod hoppy Adidas trainers).  I now have practically no pain in my feet or heel which also helps with the pressure on the calves and the shins!

As well as the calf stretches I've got a list of glute exercises too - apparently I have no muscle in my backside!  I am now allowed to cycle - just for 5 minutes at a time and then stretch building up to 20 minutes and then in 2 weeks time I'm allowed to go on the cross trainer (same as the bike).  I'm also to carry on with the swimming, which is lucky as I have a groupon deal to use at LA Fitness for the next 5 weeks.  I am over the moon at the news that I can start exercising, not only for assisting weightloss, but because I'm going slightly nuts only swimming!   Cathy did say today she reckons another month of rest and stretching and I will be able to run - WOOHOO




16 comments:

  1. It's always a great feeling when you're injured and the return to running is within sight! Having dealt with recurring calf problems myself, the stretching so very important and it works! Unfortunately, I have a tendency to back off stretching when everything starts to feel normal again, only to have problems reoccur in the future, but I'm working on stretching several times on most days so I guess that's a start. Wishing you a speedy recovery! :)

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    1. Thanks for your comments - I will try and remember to keep the stretching going once I'm back running. I'm certainly remembering to stretch after the session on the bike !

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  2. Wow, your bike looks awesome!! I am sorry about your injury, I hope PT helps, I know it does wonders for me!

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    1. The bike is awesome, and I can't wait to get riding on the road asap.

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  3. I wish I could learn to love bike riding but I just have not been able to. Hope you heal up quick. Stick with the PT and hope to see you back on your feet again soon.

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    1. I think I've always loved riding a bike - used to go everywhere on one as a teenager, it was the best way to get about town and see my friends. However, with passing years and increasing traffic my confidence seems to have gone awry so I'm hoping that with my husband's help (and patience if he has any left) the love will return. At the moment I'm just pedalling the bike on a turbo trainer, I'm only allowed 5 minute stints at the moment so it's not worth going out on the road just yet - maybe in a couple of weeks!

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  4. I've dealt with calf tightness in the past and realized the main problem was my soleus. Now I make sure to target my soleus also during my stretch routines, and I've noticed a difference. Good luck on your recovery! Glad to hear that running again is in your near future!

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    1. Thanks for your comments honey - yes I will be targeting that damn soleus - it's such a stupid muscle and causes such aggrevation.

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  5. I've been thinking of getting a bike for a good way to cross train. I just moved into a new place with lots of nice bike trails nearby. Hopefully you will be running again sooner rather than later

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    1. Hi Chris thanks for stopping by - get a bike, with lots of bike trails you have no excuse. Unfortunately my husband is a roadie so no chance of hitting trails, just avoiding motor vehicles of all shapes and sizes! I'm so looking forward to getting back out on the running routes, if a little scared !

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  6. I'm having one of those Monday. I really had to draaaaggg myself out of bed and then I spent another 20 minutes procrastinating with the dog before finally jumping in the shower. Sad news is that with the holiday and all, I'm probably going to have a similar Monday next week!

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    1. Awww Alicia - hope your day got better x Thanks for dropping by, if it's any consolation I've had a really crap Monday - had an SAD meltdown at lunchtime ! Thankfully the sun was still shining when I got home and I was able to cheer myself up with a dog walk :) Take care of yourself x

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  7. Hopping over from Running Bloggers and I'm so happy I found you! I'm a back of the pack runner and cider lover too (I can only get Strongbow in Canada but love Scrumpy when in the UK) I'm horrible at not stretching enough even though I know I should. Good luck with the recovery, sounds like you're on the right path.

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    1. Well thank you for hopping over - shame you can only get Strongbow - Canada needs to sort that! I mostly love Westons Ciders - wonder if you can get Stowford Press in Canada! I know it's sold all over the world - I need to come over and do some research ;) I have learnt so much through this injury - no more taking myself for granted when I'm repaired - I will stretching for all I'm worth after every run and warming up beforehand too - I'm not going through all this again for the sake of 10 minutes either end of a run !

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  8. Good luck with your injury, I hope your able to run again soon.

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  9. Thank you Flower :) and for dropping by!

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