I'm Back at the Back of the Pack

Some time has elapsed since my last post and with good reason, I have had Plantar Fasciitis. When I tell you it was painful beyond belief you must believe me, it is like having a nail driven into your heel 24/7. Standing up after resting is so painful it brings tears to your eyes. Running was out of the question and I had to have Naproxen from the doc. to calm it down. The GP helpfully told me to lose weight which I pointed out was rather difficult since I could not run or even walk much. I had had it for 2 weeks and thought I could cope with it and stupidly ran Cloud 9 at Congleton on 2nd March. Agony. I would rather have gone through childbirth.

 I do believe it was brought on after I started to up my miles in January and because I have rather flat feet.

I stupidly sought advice from Dr. Internet and convinced myself that recovery would be a very long job. I was in despair. I missed my running, I missed my pals, I cancelled Grindleford; life looked very bleak and I was in a foul temper.

I sought advice from a very good podiatrist in Macclesfield and she assured me it was a muscle tear and not true plantar fasciitis and that it would ease off in 6 weeks or so. She strapped up my foot with tape and made me some insoles to wear. I rolled my foot on a tennis ball a lot when I could and on a frozen water bottle to massage it and I did stretches for my calves on a step, lowering my heels.

The author 

After 4 weeks it was easing, the podiatrist said I could try to run when I felt I could. So I did, 2 weeks ago. I hobbled round Brabyns park and back and when I got home although my heel ached it was no worse than when I set off. So I tried another run up the canal 2 days later and it felt much better. I was so pleased I cannot describe the joy. I went out with the Thursday night group of GVS on 24th April and got dragged up Eccles Pike feeling reasonably OK and then they made me do it again on 29th April! It was so fantastic to be out with my pals again - what a lovely bunch they are.

I'm due back to see the Pod soon, hopefully I'll get some proper insoles sorted. I will wear well-cushioned shoes from now on especially for distance work and always wear good shoes. I have bought some very ugly Birkenstock slippers but they are super-comfy.

Tracy V on the descent

SO - this brought me to Fox Cross Four, 4th May. A run from The Fox at Brookbottom to Mellor Cross. How could I resist? It's my manor after all. Organised by Tony Ward from Harriers there were about 80 entrants. Sally and Matthew kindly gave me a lift and we walked across the golf course to the start. It was a very dry day, quite warm with some low cloud. It was lovely to see Tracey V. and others from the club there and I took my place near the back and set off at a trot. I couldn't and wouldn't run the uphills but I made a steady pace and really enjoyed it, It was good to see Rosie Brook marshaling near the Shielan and Steve came to support me at the Cross. What a lovely place I live in! It's such a joyful thing to run and be free in such beautiful surroundings with good company.

My time was 43.40 which was better than I hoped for and a good starting point to get back to running.

Prizegiving