The Incredible Heeling Man
19:30 4.5 miles 31:56
no splits Average 7:06 min/miles
Hands up if you thought I’d be running by now?
I’ve had a lot of RICE over the last six days, and I’m not talking the carbohydrate kind. I’m talking about Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation… and it appears to have done the trick! I was sick of sitting at home in front of the TV and was becoming increasingly grumpy so, as tomorrow is Expo and registration day for the Edinburgh Marathon, I felt it was time to make a decision. Most of you are probably aware of JK’s campaign to stop me running on Sunday. Well it’s his fault I went out running tonight!
John sent me a link via e-mail this morning to The Sports Injury Clinic and I had a read. I’m sure JK expected me to read all the sections of the article regarding sprained ankles that would make my injury sound more serious and make me leave my running shoes behind at the weekend. However, it was the following paragraph that flashed up to me in fluorescent neon lights:
“Running may begin as soon as walking is pain free. It is a good idea to tape the ankle before starting running training particularly during early sessions until confidence, proprioception and strength has returned”.
Well, I’ve been walking pain free for two or three days now, so with my ankle supported by Tubigrip bandage, wearing my Trabucos and my GPS*, I headed off towards the woodland trail. As I set off I soon realised something. I had no pain. None! I did get a stitch as I’d eaten quite soon before running, and my right leg felt a bit tight (probably due to running 27 miles on one leg on Friday!), but my left ankle was fine. There’s a few twists and turns on the path, and none of these caused me any concern, neither did running at just over 6:00 min/mile pace towards the end.
I saw Jim O from Kilbarchan tonight, he’s recovering from a hamstring injury and was just out being beaten by two little boys around the path (speedy recovery Jim). I ran slowly with him and chatted for a while, then pushed on again knowing that having told Mrs pacepusher I would do no more than 3 miles, I had lied. I set off on another lap of the woodland trail feeling happy as a pig in poo! …pacepusher is back!
*Don’t worry, I also wore socks, shorts and T-shirt!
May 22, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Now don’t start blaming me for you running again! So are you running on Sunday???? I suspect the answer is yes! Well if you do and I still think you’d be better resting it then please promise me you’ll stop if it’s sore??
But you know best. Just be careful. Why not do a Thomas and run with Caroline the whole way? I’m sure he’ll give you his wee Scottish flag to carry:-)
John
May 23, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Great news Neal. Sprains are odd things and I don’t think the usual rules of injury necessarily apply and I think that activity actually helps them to heal.
May 23, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Neal, running fast or slow could make a difference. I would pick the slower option.
Anyway good to read that you are recovering and lapping 6 minute miles already. No matter what you decide to do: Good luck!
May 24, 2008 at 9:24 am
Thanks for the support guys… going to run with Mrs pacepusher and try and get her around in sub: 4hrs… I’ll be carrying a Soltire to put yours to shame Thomas!
…and don’t worry, if it hurts I’ll stop!