Injury & Recovery

In the last blog I wrote I’d mentioned a marathon in 4 weeks time. Sadly it all went wrong after that …

The weekend after Banchory, I developed an intense calf pain midway through a speed session at Aberdeen parkrun. Despite a good warmup, on my 3rd rep, I questioned whether I was just ‘wimping out’, but stopped anyway as a niggle was growing in coverage and intensity. I waited for my sister who was power walking, the plan being to walk to the finish with her. I stopped, stretched, and was very grateful to all those that checked in with me as they passed, ensuring I was okay.

When my big sis did come along, I walked with her, still feeling the painful niggle but not to the same degree. I stopped at the stones to chat, assuring others that I was okay. Sis still in sight, I broke into a jog, the intention being to catch up with her. I’d barely taken a few steps before I felt several pinging sensations in my calf, alongside a more significant pain that was sufficient to have a loud expletive issued. The pain thereafter was debilitating enough to prevent me from getting running (or walking) anywhere. I hobbled my way to the finish, shedding tears as soon as I crossed the line, brought on by a combination of my sister being there and the marathon plans being shattered.

Struggling to lift my toes up or walk without pain, I was happy to secure a physio appointment online for first thing on Monday morning at Spear Physiotherapy. There I met Stefan who advised that I had a Grade 2 tear, advice being that in 3 weeks time I might be able to run, however this was dependent on the speed of recovery. I made the decision at this point that attempting a trail marathon would be unwise, worse case scenario a recurrence of the injury would mean others having to come to my rescue. Accommodation cancelled, the decision was made.

For the last few years I’ve been increasingly aware of the need for strength and this injury has given me the kickstart that I needed. Advised that I could do gym work, rowing as cardio, I put my Sport Aberdeen membership to use for once and started with a PT session to find my way around, determined that I would not allow myself to lose all fitness during my enforced time out.

Junior parkrun also beckoned, thanks to head Teletubbie, Cynthia (aka Tinky Winky). I was delighted to join the Tubbie team for fun and frolics at Duthie Park to celebrate the DJP birthday.

Physio continued, the only time in my life that I’ve ever done my exercises so religiously, and gradually the pain eased. Finally, after 5 weeks, Stefan gave me the go ahead to begin running, a very gradual build up from 30 seconds on / 30 seconds rest.

I’m delighted to have now been back running for two weeks with a pain free parkrun under my belt. I’d not fully appreciated just how much running means to me in so many ways.

I’ve very much enjoyed my strength work though and am now determined to sustain this as part of my routine going forward, my aim being to be both strong and running for many years to come! Wish me luck!