Well, it’s been a while since I last posted and clearly, my last post, ‘Feeling Good’ was a touch premature! My ankle began aching again and so I was actually sensible – I know! I took a week off running whilst I still could as the marathon is still 5 months away and sought some advice from a sports therapist… This is going to be a long post so time to settle down with a good cuppa as there is a lot to catch up on!
It was really interesting to hear how my ankle problems are probably stemming from my hips. Taping was not helping my ankle either as, after a lot of poking and prodding, there was no soft tissue damage which is what KT tape helps with. The diagnosis was that as my mileage has increased, it’s put pressure on my ankle due to my knees moving in as they are not properly supported by the muscles on the outside of my hips. Who knew?
One thing I do know was that when he started checking the muscle just behind the shin to see if it was tight, it bloody hurt!!! Wowzers! Didn’t even know that little muscle was there but clearly has quite an important role to play!
Good News!
So the outcome is that I can still run on my ankle even though it’s grumbling a bit. I just need to do some exercises for homework to help strengthen my hip muscles and my ankles. The best part is that it is quite possible I can stop taping my knees and wearing braces around my knees when I run!! How cool would that be…to think I could just go for a run without half an hour preparation first?!
Taking a week off has put me behind a bit on my training plan but over time I can make it back up by doing 4 runs a week every now and again instead of 3. This week, I’ve run 22.7km over 3 runs without any taping on my ankle and it’s actually been OK and great to be back out there! I have been proper grumpy last week, not being able to get out. (Sorry everyone!)
Getting back to it feels great! 
Happy (if a bit sweaty!) 
Look no tape!
I’ve been doing my exercises religiously too (see below). The first picture is just a movement out to the side, pushing against the band to strengthen my hip muscles and the second is single leg squats to help my knees and ankles. (I thought I was doing pretty well but the dog doesn’t look overly impressed…)
The one with the resistance band is a bit of a killer but if it means my knees and ankles are cured then I’m gonna get them done!
So these are the runs from this week with a 14km to come on Friday and, a little surprise from my TomTom app that told me I had run over 100km in the last 30 days! Pleased with that!
A Few Stats…
Just to finish off, a few stats that I’m going to start keeping track of. I got this idea from a book my friend lent me ‘The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer’ which is a great book to help with all aspects of training, both physically and mentally. (Thanks Wendy!)
Number of runs this week: 3 out of 4 (one still to go on Friday!)
Longest run so far in training: 14km (1/3 of a marathon…)
Total distance run so far this week: 22.73km (out of a target 36km)
Total distance run so far in training: 171.11km
Dodgy Knees and Blisters 