Running again?

Have I been running again?  The answer is just a little but hopefully more to come.  This photo, by the way, was from 10 years ago and hopefully I can recreate some of those lovely runs and be plastered in mud!  However, it all depends on the success of Thursday.

After months of my Doctors surgery faffing around trying to refer me for a steroid pain relief injection – and failing to do it properly – I have taken things into my own hands and organised it myself.

I had the steroid injection two days ago.

I have high hopes this injection will provide me with several months of pain relief and I can start running again – I miss it so much.  To give you an idea of what I miss:

• being thinner and lighter
• the Runner’s High
• the joy of miles drifting by
• the exhilaration of running in horrible weather conditions – torrential rain or horizontal sleet is pretty invigorating
• the thankfulness of running early on a summer’s morning
• having space to think things through
• being aware of my whole body working well in a kind of harmony – heart, lungs, muscles, joints, eyes, balance and probably every part of me!
• running with Parkrun friends, having coffee and marmalade afterwards

Going back to 2023

It was early 2023 that I was diagnosed as having arthritis in my right root.  It is one specific joint which has become rough and painful.  Thing is, it isn’t getting any worse and aside from missing the joy of running, I fear the earlier benefits of running will gradually fade away.

At the time the consultant said I should give up running.  He wasn’t a runner himself, so I don’t think he understands. More recently I spoke to a physiotherapist who suggested it is worth trying to run again, balancing the benefits against the drawbacks.

And now

A few times I have had a little run, maybe 5 minutes at a time, at a gentle pace.  My foot wasn’t too bad and the rest of me managed it okay.  I wasn’t out of breath and felt okay.  The physio said to build up slowly, ideally running on a soft surface.

The day I had the injection I walked well over 10,000 steps, same yesterday, mostly pain free.

So please wish me good fortune with this!