Saturday, June 02, 2007
Thank God For Weekends
Considering it was a short week I am knackered! My friend thinks it's because we end up cramming all our week's work in four days instead of five. She has a point...
Been a quiet week; I used my stepper and cross trainer Tuesday, and did some strength training at home. Wednesday I tried a gentle 3 mile run, so far so good; no Achilles pain, but some 'grinding' later that night and the next morning...
Thursday night I went to the gym, and ran three lots of five minutes with walking in between, plus all the other stuff. I have incorporated the elliptical trainers twice into my routine... once to warm up, and again later for resistance work- really works those glutes!!
I had physio yesterday, she seems to think the heel is ok, and it's a matter of building up gently and monitoring it, thank god! I mentioned the grinding, and she said that she doesn't think it's Crepitus (when the tendon swells within the sheath) but caused by movement of the Achilles- which doesn't sound quite so bad! She said that she got her thumbs well in there and that it should help!
I'll have to start thinking about packing soon for my Atlas trip... at least it will be extended walking uphill over rocky terrain day after day- so has got to be good training! This time I am more confident about my fitness than previous treks I've done.
At the time of writing, Rich should be on his way to France to complete La Trans Aqu- good luck to him, I'm sure he will be fine though, he has done loads of preparation and training.
I have a very arduous afternoon today... going shopping with a mate and having a chinese! (although I did walk to the next town this morning, and will run later, oh and gym tomorrow...)
Been a quiet week; I used my stepper and cross trainer Tuesday, and did some strength training at home. Wednesday I tried a gentle 3 mile run, so far so good; no Achilles pain, but some 'grinding' later that night and the next morning...
Thursday night I went to the gym, and ran three lots of five minutes with walking in between, plus all the other stuff. I have incorporated the elliptical trainers twice into my routine... once to warm up, and again later for resistance work- really works those glutes!!
I had physio yesterday, she seems to think the heel is ok, and it's a matter of building up gently and monitoring it, thank god! I mentioned the grinding, and she said that she doesn't think it's Crepitus (when the tendon swells within the sheath) but caused by movement of the Achilles- which doesn't sound quite so bad! She said that she got her thumbs well in there and that it should help!
I'll have to start thinking about packing soon for my Atlas trip... at least it will be extended walking uphill over rocky terrain day after day- so has got to be good training! This time I am more confident about my fitness than previous treks I've done.
At the time of writing, Rich should be on his way to France to complete La Trans Aqu- good luck to him, I'm sure he will be fine though, he has done loads of preparation and training.
I have a very arduous afternoon today... going shopping with a mate and having a chinese! (although I did walk to the next town this morning, and will run later, oh and gym tomorrow...)
Labels: gym, physiotherapy, running
Friday, May 11, 2007
Tentative Steps...
Well, I had physio yesterday... she poked and prodded my Achilles, and heard her say "It's very minor, isn't it" which was quite encouraging. After the usual massage/ poking/ ultrasound, she brought in a mini trampoline and told me to jog on it for a few minutes.
It was great fun. I was rather hoping she'd leave the room so I could have a bounce, but she didn't. The purpose was to see whether the springing motion set anything off, but it didn't.
She told me to try, over the next week, walking for five minutes to warm up, then jogging for a minute and then walking for a minute, repeated five times, then finally five minutes walking to cool down. She told me to make an appointment next week, and we will see how this trial goes... then added "For what you want to do, you are going to have to watch this like a hawk in future".
I tried the running/ walking last night at the gym. I felt a slight sensation, but no pain at all. My heel has been a bit 'grindy' last night and this morning, but physio seems to cause that anyway. It's quietened down now.
I am a bit concerened... reading the MdS forum, it appears that folks are getting emails from Best Of Morocco regarding registration to the official site etc... but not me!! I've had nothing yet- even checked my spam filter but nada.
I have decided- if nothing has come by Monday, I'm gonna email them...
It was great fun. I was rather hoping she'd leave the room so I could have a bounce, but she didn't. The purpose was to see whether the springing motion set anything off, but it didn't.
She told me to try, over the next week, walking for five minutes to warm up, then jogging for a minute and then walking for a minute, repeated five times, then finally five minutes walking to cool down. She told me to make an appointment next week, and we will see how this trial goes... then added "For what you want to do, you are going to have to watch this like a hawk in future".
I tried the running/ walking last night at the gym. I felt a slight sensation, but no pain at all. My heel has been a bit 'grindy' last night and this morning, but physio seems to cause that anyway. It's quietened down now.
I am a bit concerened... reading the MdS forum, it appears that folks are getting emails from Best Of Morocco regarding registration to the official site etc... but not me!! I've had nothing yet- even checked my spam filter but nada.
I have decided- if nothing has come by Monday, I'm gonna email them...
Labels: achilles tendonitis, gym, Marathon des Sables, physiotherapy
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Physio Again...
I had my second physio session today. I followed her into the room, she sat down, looked at her notes and said "Oh, you're the mad one! The one who's going to run aross the Sahara!"
I had more ultrasound and massage- she said that she could feel where the Achilles tendon has thickened. She advised me not to run for another week, but feels things are on the mend... I have another session booked for next week, and she said that we can look at starting off by running and walking. My mum had panicked me as she told me that a friend of a friend's Achilles snapped, and she spent 12 weeks in plaster! I asked her if mine was in danger of snapping, and she said 'No', but then told me not to sue her if it does! Seriously, she said that it's likely to snap if it's very sore and 'grindy' constantly for quite a long while. Which it's not- the only time it's bothered me is after the Valleys and Views, and even then not for long.
I told her about the Morocco trek, she said that she doesn't think that will harm it.
I did my usual 5 1/2 mile cross country route last night- but walked it! I did wear my rucksack with 2 filled 2 litre water bottles and a heavy pair of shoes for a bit of an extra workout. I usually go to the gym Thursdays, but will go tomorrow, as I was later home from work today. May be an idea to rest the heel as the physio seems to make it slightly 'grindy'. I think I'll use my mini stepper and cross trainer and watch last night's apprentice (don't tell me who got fired!!)
A trip to the local garage may be in order... I seem to have developed a chocolate craving today and may just have to obey it!!
I had more ultrasound and massage- she said that she could feel where the Achilles tendon has thickened. She advised me not to run for another week, but feels things are on the mend... I have another session booked for next week, and she said that we can look at starting off by running and walking. My mum had panicked me as she told me that a friend of a friend's Achilles snapped, and she spent 12 weeks in plaster! I asked her if mine was in danger of snapping, and she said 'No', but then told me not to sue her if it does! Seriously, she said that it's likely to snap if it's very sore and 'grindy' constantly for quite a long while. Which it's not- the only time it's bothered me is after the Valleys and Views, and even then not for long.
I told her about the Morocco trek, she said that she doesn't think that will harm it.
I did my usual 5 1/2 mile cross country route last night- but walked it! I did wear my rucksack with 2 filled 2 litre water bottles and a heavy pair of shoes for a bit of an extra workout. I usually go to the gym Thursdays, but will go tomorrow, as I was later home from work today. May be an idea to rest the heel as the physio seems to make it slightly 'grindy'. I think I'll use my mini stepper and cross trainer and watch last night's apprentice (don't tell me who got fired!!)
A trip to the local garage may be in order... I seem to have developed a chocolate craving today and may just have to obey it!!
Labels: achilles tendonitis, chocolate, physiotherapy
Saturday, April 28, 2007
It's the Weekend!
I have been very good all week. Well, since Thursday! I went to the gym Thursday night, and did my usual 20 minutes on the elliptical and the stepper, 5 minutes rowing, 5 minutes on the bike, plus strength training... then I did about 7 minutes walking on incline on the treadmill, before going back on the elliptical for 10 minutes.
I discovered the ellipticals have different programs, and could set the resistance on it to simulate hills. They are a wonderful piece of kit, totally non impact so ideal for injuries. trouble is, everybody else thinks they are a wonderful piece of kit too!
I went out for a gentle 3 1/2 mile stroll last night and have been faithfully doing my exercises.
I have a bit of a dilemma though... I have entered the Valleys and Views walk tomorrow; a 25 mile LDWA walk. I have done it the last 2 years, it's fairly gentle, and I will be walking... the physio said it's ok to walk... ok, I didn't actually tell her about this walk, but she was very clear that it's the pounding and jarring associated with running that causes the problem...
I will chance it anyway, and wear my old running shoes, that may sort out the blister problem too! I may ice my Achilles when I get back and take it easy the next few days... touch wood, it's been fine.
I had entered the White Peak half marathon on May 19th with my colleague, but I don't think I will be able to do it. Even if I can run again in a couple of weeks, the physio advised me to build up slowly, and it wouldn'tleave me much time to build back up to 13 miles. Shame, but I don't want to risk a permanent injury and jeapardise my MdS chances...
I discovered the ellipticals have different programs, and could set the resistance on it to simulate hills. They are a wonderful piece of kit, totally non impact so ideal for injuries. trouble is, everybody else thinks they are a wonderful piece of kit too!
I went out for a gentle 3 1/2 mile stroll last night and have been faithfully doing my exercises.
I have a bit of a dilemma though... I have entered the Valleys and Views walk tomorrow; a 25 mile LDWA walk. I have done it the last 2 years, it's fairly gentle, and I will be walking... the physio said it's ok to walk... ok, I didn't actually tell her about this walk, but she was very clear that it's the pounding and jarring associated with running that causes the problem...
I will chance it anyway, and wear my old running shoes, that may sort out the blister problem too! I may ice my Achilles when I get back and take it easy the next few days... touch wood, it's been fine.
I had entered the White Peak half marathon on May 19th with my colleague, but I don't think I will be able to do it. Even if I can run again in a couple of weeks, the physio advised me to build up slowly, and it wouldn'tleave me much time to build back up to 13 miles. Shame, but I don't want to risk a permanent injury and jeapardise my MdS chances...
Labels: achilles tendonitis, physiotherapy, walking, White Peak half marathon
