Benefits of running

I did my first park run on Saturday around Bramhall Park (5km/3 mile “race”). After practically sprinting round the first half, I spent the second half trying not to be sick. I learnt the important lesson of pacing no matter what the distance.

To get my confidence back I did 7 miles on Sunday, my longest yet :-). I discovered a new benefit to running too….smudge-free nail varnish application, there is no temptation to use your hands for anything whilst running!

You won’t miss me!

Just back from wearing my new trail trainers for the first time along the Mersey – no hills but plenty of mud and rocks.

I hadn’t appreciated before that trail shoes have less support than road shoes as your foot needs to adapt to uneven ground. I have relatively excessive overpronating ankles so was a little skeptical…2 thumbs up though. Great run.

Deep breaths of fresh air, greenery and 2 magpies cavorting on the river are good for the soul!

PS I believe campfour sell Saloman trail runners - these ones have been highly recommended to me by a friend too

Finding my running mojo

I have recently lost my running mojo – a combination of cold nights and lots on, the routine has been broken. Petrified this has happened so early on, I have been on a mission to change it, immersing myself in running podcasts (marathon talk – it is brilliant), running advice from Andi Jones (2.15 marathon, he’s good!) and getting new shoes (it all helps!).

I feel I have a plan now, which was lacking before – too much advice and thinking was not helping. Overall consensus seems to be don’t worry about special training, that all starts on 1^st January, concentrate on getting fit ready for then.

It’s worked, gym yesterday and 5.5 mile run tonight – I know I have a long way to go but it is a start….

The Run Down

OK so heres a quick run down of my injury and my planned recovery, as I said before when I fell I dislocated my ankle when I hit the deck but after I lay back (and screamed a little) it twitched back into place. The dislocation has ruptured my anterior tibiofibular, interosseous, and posterior-fibular ligaments. In lamens terms the ligaments that held me shin bones together were popped open, there is also a syndesmotic membrane that run between the bones and like a zipper on a coat I pulled that open too. This is the worst part of the injury as any weight put on my foot now will split the membrane further causing the gap between the shin bones to seperate it further...ooops :S along with that I have also ruptured the anterior talofibular, posterioir talofibular and the calcaneal fibulare ligaments, nearly all the ligaments on the outside of my ankle. Also part of my deltiod ligament, the one on the inside of your ankle.

Hope this picture shows a little as well, all the ligaments on the side of the little toe got popped off and part of the ligament on the outside (big toe side).

This going to mean 8 weeks in a cast, 4 in a weight bearing boot followed by intensive physio. despite all this I am determined that come this time next year I will be climbing stronger than ever. I plan on building a training programe so when my ankle is ready my fingers will be stronger than ever. More to come on that later.

Let this be a little precautionary tale for climbers out there, check and double check your gear, even if you have already fallen on it!

The pitures on the left are what my ankle looked like, you can see the swelling going up the leg indicating the syndesmotic membrane injury. A big thank you to Simon Lord who has helped me with this injury, a great guy and he knows a shed load about ankles!

Kit Verdict

So it is true, I am converted – good gear really does make a difference!

Last night, I took the complete Ronhill outfit for a test-drive and I've never run quicker. Memories of struggling to finish a half marathon 10 years ago are a distant memory and I am fired up about starting my training in earnest. The superhero effect? Perhaps, but I am convinced my new kit made my run easier - wearing uncomfortable soggy cotton t-shirts and baggy shorts are a mistake I won't be making again.

I am off for another run now in a minute (all short at this stage but I am convincing myself it is the going out that counts?!).

Well thats Blown it...

Heres to the start of the grit season proper, all you souls fortunate enough to enjoy it, make the most of it!

I however will be taking this one sat down after an unfortunate incident with a cam in Messiah. I fell on it a few time before it blew mind, I must have moved it with my leg. What ever happend it did not stop my 5/6 meter fall to the unforgiving floor, left foot missing flat matted ground my half a foot and turning my ankle into mush.

So heres to finger boards, campus rungs, planking and push ups, I for see some training in the coming month so when I am able to climb again I can go back to this unfinished business!