Getting Nowhere

OK so the title of this week's blog has a double meaning, as yes I seem to be getting nowhere in progress with my injury (some good days, some bad) BUT don't worry, my post isn't all doom and gloom with self misery.  It's about my new focus - pool running.  The love of running for me lets me embrace the adventure of the outdoors - getting to see lots of different parts of Scotland and beyond.  Pool running, is well, going nowhere apart from one end of the pool to the other.  Nevertheless, as it is pain free, I am to replace some of my normal scheduled road running efforts with pool sessions to keep up my running fitness until I am healed.  One of my ultimate icons, Paula Radcliffe, did daily pool running after she was told to take complete rest after suffering a stress fracture in 2008.  This helped keep up her cardiovascular fitness as well as providing a running alternative as it mimics the natural motion of running.  It helped her recover back to full fitness so hopefully it will help me.

I don't look this elegant pool running.  I just look weird.  

I have taken advice from so many different people regarding my sciataca (piriformis syndrome) and I have taken a lot of rest, honest.  But so far, resting completely seems to make it worse and is making me climb the walls, so I'm adopting a plan to get out cycling, swimming and pool running.  I will adapt my schedule to suit and if the pain is above a 4/10 whilst doing an activity - I stop.  This is my new rule I'm going to live by and see how it goes over the next few weeks.

Enjoying an easy cycle during the great weather

I'm continuing to stretch and strengthen my glutes and core, crucial muscles in supporting the pelvis as we walk, run or be active in any way.  Some of my muscles have become overtrained (and strained from sitting on an already overtrained muscles!) and other muscles have stepped in to do the work for them, making them weak and eventually irritate my sciatic nerve.  I would urge any runner to get on top of strength work before it's too late and you end up in pain.  I did a lot of strength and core, but never really thought about my glutes - surely they work with squats and lunges?  Yes,a little, but it's the abduction and adduction movement that is the key and plays a critical role in aligning your hips and propelling you forward.

Therefore, my new daily exercises are (and you can do too to avoid this from happening to you) are:

CLAMSHELLS X 100

SIDE LEG RAISES X 100

BRIDGES X 50

V SIT UPS X 20

PLANK 3 X 1 MIN (ADD ARM OR LEG LIFTS)

Pigeon pose 2 x 30 secs

Seated or lying glute stretch 3 x 30 secs

"Injury is a hard learner and a hard teacher" - a quote by Lizzy Hawker in her book Runner, 'A short story about a long run'.  This rings true to me and makes me think about how I can learn from this and come back stronger.  I was given this book by fellow injured runner James Murdoch (thank you) and is truly inspirational.  A woman who still holds the World Record for running the most in 24 hours as well as winning the Ultra-Trail de Mont Blanc 4 times - she also came 5th in this race after suffering 6 stress fractures within 2 years doing minimal running.  Her approach and mindfulness towards injury has helped me come to terms with turning something negative into a positive experience.  Like Lizzy, I have turned to yoga during my injury and have been motivated to practice more.

I've also tried to utilise this 'break' from running to do some fun things - a day trip to Portavadie with my best friends and a lovely meal at Starfish, Tarbert just 2 of the highlights I've enjoyed this week!

Seabass tagliatelle at Starfish

Fresh queenies at Starfish

Jules and I at the spa at Portavadie

It's also 2 years since I last did the London Marathon.  What great memories!  It was actually one of the best weekend's of my life, I just loved it and spent it with some of my favourite people.  A few of my friends and running colleagues are taking part this year, this Sunday!  GOOD LUCK GUYS!  We will be thinking about you - the hard work of months of training is done, go and enjoy a very special race experience!