The Running Thread

[poshrule_uk]

MRI scan came back and confirmed inflammation on the patella but apart from that my knee was in good shape

The consultant seems to think I have banged my knee at some point as that is what he seemed to be getting at but I can't remember doing that but my wife thinks I have at some point

He has booked me in for blood tests to rule other stuff out (convinced I'm going to die now) and said I can start physio so I'm waiting for a letter for that from the hospital so I should get that for free through my insurance as well.

He said I should have another scan in 6 months so we can see what it looks like then

I still can't run but I have been told I can cycle and swim which is something at least at the moment

Hopefully physio helps and I then see an improvement but I feel pretty down still about it all.

[mcjihge2]

I bought some of the largest size tubigrip and cut about a 6" length and double it up under my patella to give it a bit of support when running. I also adjusted my running stride to more of a "shuffle" action to reduce impact. That and keeping my shoes cushioning "new" (<750km) seems to be keeping away knee pain for me.

[Rubix]

MRI scan came back and confirmed inflammation on the patella but apart from that my knee was in good shape

The consultant seems to think I have banged my knee at some point as that is what he seemed to be getting at but I can't remember doing that but my wife thinks I have at some point

He has booked me in for blood tests to rule other stuff out (convinced I'm going to die now) and said I can start physio so I'm waiting for a letter for that from the hospital so I should get that for free through my insurance as well.

He said I should have another scan in 6 months so we can see what it looks like then

I still can't run but I have been told I can cycle and swim which is something at least at the moment

Hopefully physio helps and I then see an improvement but I feel pretty down still about it all.

Hopefully a way forward for you, understand about being down about not running, that’s what I get when I’m unable to especially when you go back and your pace is way off what it was before.

[Rubix]

Another week another little progress with my Achilles. Getting strength and endurance back but still need to work on pace however, I feel I should only start pushing more once its 100%. Still feel pain in the morning.

[poshrule_uk]

In the past week I have started cycling and swimming.
My mood has improved 1000 fold.

Also had my blood tests today and start physio next week.

Hopefully my physio gives me a timeframe for when I can start running again.

[Rubix]

In the past week I have started cycling and swimming.
My mood has improved 1000 fold.

Also had my blood tests today and start physio next week.

Hopefully my physio gives me a timeframe for when I can start running again.

Awesome, glad you have a light forward.

[poshrule_uk]

It should have been my sub 1:25 HM attempt today. Sad times.

[Rubix]

It should have been my sub 1:25 HM attempt today. Sad times.

That’s an insane time to go for. I did my first 10k last week first time since my Achilles went, only hitting around 57 minutes a full 13 minutes off my PB. To be fair I am going for endurance at the moment over pace. Once I am back to no pain I’ll turn back to pace.

[poshrule_uk]

I went to see the physio today and I have been given 2 exercises to do once a day for the next month to build up some strength.
I can still cycle and swim and have been told I can walk Its not like I have been using a wheelchair

Anyway I hope I start to see some improvement in the next month as hopefully this will start to reduce the pressure in my knee

[Rubix]

I think ive overdone it, more pain back to my achilles, I am having a weeks rest in hope I haven't set myself back too much.

[mcjihge2]

Sometimes you just have to take 1 or 2 months off.



My parkrun times taking about 3 months off to recover from injury 8/14ish to 11/14ish.

That outlier in october 14 may have been trying too soon, adding an extra month. 10k early 15 gave me some confidence but took a while to get back down to pre injury times. Those later 30ish min outliers are when parkrun introduced pacers.

[Sprouty]

I've resumed running after going slack for a few months. My November target is 100k overall. After a 5k run today, I'll be right at my month to date goal.

Time wise, my 5k time has gone from 29 minutes 30 to 25 minutes 30 in the space of two weeks (I did a few warm up runs late October). I'm really happy with that, as I have returned to my pace from back in August. I'd love to be sub 25 minutes for my 5k runs and my new Fitbit may well help me there, as having my pace available at a glance rather than relayed through my headphones once every half a km is a huge help.

I do drop in the occasional 10k run too, but I'm happy to keep them anywhere below the 1 hour mark. I definitely find that swapping distances and therefore pacing really helps with pacing overall.

[Avon]

Hello there, long time since I've posted.

Unfortunately I've been out of action for 18 months or so and had two knee surgeries during that time but just started a bit of jogging again in the last couple of weeks. Currently very unfit and overweight but I did keep up some level of exercise thanks to the purchase of a rowing machine plus a bit of walking when I was able.

I'm hoping to build my fitness and maybe even partake in a couple of races next year. We will see, long way to go.

[Sprouty]

Hello there, long time since I've posted.

Unfortunately I've been out of action for 18 months or so and had two knee surgeries during that time but just started a bit of jogging again in the last couple of weeks. Currently very unfit and overweight but I did keep up some level of exercise thanks to the purchase of a rowing machine plus a bit of walking when I was able.

I'm hoping to build my fitness and maybe even partake in a couple of races next year. We will see, long way to go.

Sounds like you stopped for good reason. It'll take a while to get yourself back to full fitness, but don't push it too hard and send yourself backwards.

I did a 10k yesterday and a 3k today. I could tell that my legs hadn't fully recovered, but I'm in the office on Monday so aiming to make that my rest day and stay ahead until then.

[Sprouty]

I'm at 84k for the month. My goal was 100k, so I'm well on track.

I've also set a new 10k PB, twice! People often look at me a little weird when I state my intention to run a distance over a month, but it works best for me. I genuinely think having run fairly consistently through the year, then ramped it up this month, I'm as fit as I've ever been.

[Captain Kinopio]

100k in a month is phenomenal. I set myself a goal to do 75k in 2.5 months and I think I'm going to miss it.

Problem I have is I just really don't like running. I have trouble keeping up a regular routine of 5ks and because of work most weeks I only end up doing 1. This means I don't really get any quicker, my standard is about 33min. This just makes me demoralised so I give up easily. I'm on a decent batch (for me) at the moment, and will try and do a 10km at the weekend. I'd really like to get my 5k pace under 30min though, with my current routine though it doesn't seem likely though.

[Sprouty]

100k in a month is phenomenal. I set myself a goal to do 75k in 2.5 months and I think I'm going to miss it.

Problem I have is I just really don't like running. I have trouble keeping up a regular routine of 5ks and because of work most weeks I only end up doing 1. This means I don't really get any quicker, my standard is about 33min. This just makes me demoralised so I give up easily. I'm on a decent batch (for me) at the moment, and will try and do a 10km at the weekend. I'd really like to get my 5k pace under 30min though, with my current routine though it doesn't seem likely though.

Different approaches work for different people, but setting a monthly goal really spurs me on. 100k over a month is a little over 3k per day, so it's achievable for me as I can run on a lunch break on the days I'm working from home. The best thing I did was mixing up my distances. Swapping from a shorter run where I can run faster, to a longer run where I need to pace myself was key to unlocking my pace. I've actually got to the point this month where I'm enjoying 10k runs, which is new. In the space of a couple of weeks, I've managed to get my 10k pace below my most recent 3k pace, which is bonkers really.

It's hard if you don't have the flexibility to pop out whilst working from home, especially at this time of year. Going out after work when it's cold, wet and dark is far from appealing, but doing anything is better than doing nothing! It's a shame that you go but dont enjoy running. It's definitely a love-hate thing for me, but I would say I enjoy it. I assume you listen to some decent music when you are running, have some pacing apps etc?

[Captain Kinopio]

The recognition that doing something is better than nothing is why I manage to get any done at all. I generally listen to music or podcasts but I don't have any pacing stuff. The closest I get to enjoying it is seeing stats on Strava which I should really sub to. I've been toying with getting a wrist device of some kind to which may help get more fun out of it.

[Sprouty]

I would definitely recommend specific running play lists, of which there are loads on Spotify and other streaming apps. You want a playlist with a decent beats per minute as it will help you to maintain pace. There are various genres available too.

For apps, I used to link Samsung Health to Strava, but I now use Fitbit, I track my run on my watch and can see my pace, distance run and average pace at a glance. That really helps with running with a pace goal, which isn't my reason for running, but motivates me whilst I do. Strava itself can update you on your pace by ear every half a kilometer or so and I'd definitely recommend switching that on if you have not already!

[Rubix]

Last year I was running between 30/50km a week, one month I managed 200km. Was going through trainers fast!
Different year this year and currently up to 20km a week but my achilles is still bad. Hope to get back to at least 30/40km a week next year.