The Hardest Thing
I'd say one of the toughest decisions to make is whether to run a race or not. Sometimes it's not as simple as "Yes, I'll run". Those were the words I used a few weeks ago when I was getting niggles in my achillies and assumed it would be fine to race the National 6 stage 3 weeks down the line.
I opted to do my sessions in the pool and do to get any steady running done I could in the hope I'd build up some fitness for the realys. This was just about going to plan except the achillies problem didn't subside. I then had to make a very tough decision earlier this week not only just for me but for the team too. I've decided not to run the road relays as my achillies problems haven't eased up and although I can run for 30minutes at the minute I'm not able to tackle any uphill gradients, if I do, the pain comes back quite bad. I think the first hill in Sutton Park could potentially set my problems off again and I don't want to be a position where I am forced to finish my relay leg because I will at all costs I could damage myself long term.
It's so frustrating for me a I have been working incredibly hard in the pool and I feel very fit at the moment, especially for a race like the relays which is over in under 20 minutes. Still I have to put my own body first and also think about the consequences if I was to race and the fact I've not ran two consecutive days pain free for around 3 weeks now just tells me racing would just be wrong.
On the positive side, my physio, Cat Riley has identified the problem and we are working on how to fully cure it. It's not actually the achillies itself, its the tendon running from the big toe, through the planar fascia, inside the achillies and up through the calf called FHL (flexor hallucis longus). It's a right pain (excuse the pun) to get rid so hopefully with the right treatment and excersises i'll be back on track and fingers crossed I'll make the start line for the National Cross Relays.
Good luck to everyone racing the relays, I hope there's a hurricane, followed by a snow storm so nobody runs fast and I'll feel glad I didn't race anyway. Finally a big shout out to my biggest fan Craig 'Gundo' Gunderson as he an avid follower of my blogs, but please Craig, stop sending me flowers and chocolates.
Hopefully I'll bring some good news about my running in my next blog!
Comments On "The Hardest Thing"
Just me again, tuning in to hear about the adventures of my favourite athlete in the whole wide world, the amazing RYAN McLEOD.
Gundo Posted on October 16th, 2009Please Jim could you fix it for me to meet my hero one day.
Ryan if you need any physio treatment i can give you a lovely back massage. Come round my house, i'll close the curtains, put some whale music on, light a few candles and gently massage your aching limbs.
How does that sound big boy?
He's slowly working his way back to fitness, i think he's running most days now. He just doesn't like any sort of pain! I'm sure you's can renew your rivalry soon enough though.
Ryan Posted on October 16th, 2009Many thanks Ryan, your advice is much appreciated. I must say I think my problem is still in the early stages and that`s why i`ve managed to keep getting through some high mileage. This week my mileage has dropped into the 70`s as the pain has become alot worse. I`ll take an easy week, follow your advice and see what happens. On another matter, is there any sign of your brother making a comeback? I miss him being around, we had some good competition between us a few years back before he got injured and I got ill with glandular fever. Admittedly it got a bit "heated" between us at times but that was only a case of us both trying to do our best and was put to bed a long time ago. It`d be good to see him back.....
Mark Posted on October 16th, 2009Alright mate good to hear from you. It's such an awkward injury that's been clinging onto me for the last 3 weeks, I can't imagine doing that type of volume with it!
Ryan Posted on October 15th, 2009The only way to get rid of it is to get the inflamation down (rest and ice) and also make sure there's no tightness in the planta fascia, calf and shin with massage. Then keep onto of stretching the FHL itself to make sure it doesn't tighten up again causing inflammation.
Stretch it out like this- http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/gallery/jenny/soleus_stretch.jpg
I hope that helps you a little.
Ryan
Gundo
Haha a signed picture is in the post Gundo!! Can I have the flowers and chocolates intended for Ryan in return.... it might sweetheart my wife into letting me race away from the north east more often.
Mark Posted on October 15th, 2009Mark can i have a signed picture please. It will have pride of place over my bed.
Gundo Posted on October 15th, 2009Love you.
Injury
Ryan - Mark Ketley from your old club Elswick - Sorry to hear you`re pulling out of the relays. It goes without saying that we won`t have a team there, we can`t even get a team together for the Northern 6 Stage these days!! Anyway, from the sound of things I`m suffering from the exact same problem with my plantar fascia, achilles and calf. At the moment I`m on 90-100 miles a week in preparation for the Florence marathon but gradually the injury is worsening and this last week i`ve missed a couple of sessions. I`d be interested to know what treatment and/or exercises are recommended to you? Cheers. Hope you`re back running soon.
Mark Posted on October 15th, 2009sorry to hear that
sorry to hear about you pulling out of the relays this weekend, it looks like its going to be a very competitive race.
dan newns Posted on October 15th, 2009your biggest fan
Great blog as ever!
Gundo Posted on October 15th, 2009