2014

[marathondan]

Another visit to the friendly and knowledgeable physio Rob this morning. Which gives me the nice novelty of having something to post about for a change.

I've been doing the eccentric strengthening for a couple of months now. Managing two sessions a day quite a lot of the time, one of them with the 20kg pack (which my back is coping with OK). I can't say I've seen any real improvement in the tendon, but according to my understanding that's to be expected, and Rob confirmed that. So the plan is to keep going for another month or so, then rest it a bit and try a bit of running.

He's also remarked several times on my poor biomechanics ("wow, you've got very flat feet"... "they're not runner's feet, are they?"... "quite thin calves, too"...) which has been a reminder that many of us here are making do with what we've got rather than fulfilling any natural talent for running. Anyway, this also led him to give me a podiatrist referral. I've always shied away from orthotics and the like, seeing them both as bottomless money pits and ways of complicating the pure and simple activity of running. However, if I seriously want to get back to long distances, and to continue for the foreseeable future, I've got to embrace these things. The blow is somewhat softened because, as I'm on a long term layoff, I have time to play with, and all the consultations can be done on the NHS.

So the plan now is to keep up with the eccentric loading, and also bring in concentric loading (rising up on the weak foot as well as descending), normal calf stretches, proprioception work (single leg balances, wobble board etc), and... when I'm ready to start running, try running on the spot on a trampoline to minimise impact.

He also pointed out that there's a buildup of scar tissue on the left (non-painful) tendon as well. Back in July last year I wrote that my tendons looked more convex than they used to, and so clearly I was building up that scar tissue all through last year - and I assume it will be there for life.

Finally, there was a mention of what might happen if it doesn't clear up - referral back to the GP for "injecting something into it". That would have filled me with horror six months ago, but I'm getting more realistic about what it will take me and my non-runner's feet to keep on the road. (Although I won't be on the road - hopefully I'll be giving myself a "welcome back to running" present, and that will be some offroad shoes.)

On a different topic, I'm trying something different starting yesterday - working standing up. I normally have a totally sedentary job, so I've just put the PC on top of a bookcase and got on with it. It's feeling good so far, apart from a few odd looks around the office. I guess fellow RCers have a mixture of activity levels during the day - I'm guessing Sweder, Antonio and BB are on their feet a lot of the day, MLCM and EG less so?

Tune in next month pop pickers for the latest Top Ten(don) news!