running home by Alaistair

Not sure when this started to creep up on me but has been coming for a while? Probably noticed a change in running foot strike over 18 months ago and try as I might have never really been able to do much about it. Basically have just one foot that’s started to overpronate…first noticeable problem was uneven running shoe wear which in recent months/weeks has turned into rapid shoe wear. Next issue has been a growing ache, firstly in the ankle and in more recent weeks in the toes. For a couple of weeks the situation has been getting much worse.

Last weeks running was:

Tue 15 Nov,  Treadmill,  10K,  46:18

Wed 16 Nov,  Exelby,  7.02 miles,  53:30

Fri 18 Nov,  Exelby,  7.13 miles,  52:11

Fridays run was a step to far, felt good going into the run which in honestly should’ve been nothing more than an easy taper. Ended up running with a couple of guys from work who clearly were interested in a harder effort, stupidly went with the effort and ended the run with a sore left calf and even worse right foot. The pain was quite bad after the run such that racing on Sunday was very doubtful.

48 hours of anti-inflammatories later, come Sunday morning the pain had eased to a dull ache so figured with the racing season drawing to an end would try to give it a go with the prospect of rest after the race.

The venue was not far from Ripon, the Lightwater Valley Fun Park although this time of year looks nothing close to fun…very drab & grey. Conditions for running were excellent, misty/foggy, 7 degrees with a light breeze. Arrived very early and started a slow warm-up 60 minutes before the race start, with 20 minutes left before the race start my confidence levels increased as no issues seemed to surface with recent injuries, better still my foot was numbed into submission.

Using the word “Challenge” in a race name is always a bit of a give away! The route lived up to the challenge with less than 1 mile on road and the remaining on rough tracks/trails or hardened pathways. Positioned myself close to the front for the start and made good initial progress at the off, slowed the effort to match the initial climb but quickly became boxed in on a narrow quarry lane. Whilst was pushing the effort just wasn’t strong enough to drive the pace forward into the climb so settled to be patient. Had run this race a couple of years ago but couldn’t really remember much of the route, was certainly extremely undulating, lots of little climbs, quite slippery on the trails with amble of opportunity to get muddy!

At the halfway point ignored the water stop…ran well to about 5 miles then became a real effort to keep the pace going, however, stuck to it and kept it going to the finish back on grass at the Fun Park.

Sun 20 Nov,  Lightwater Valley Challenge 10K,  42:33

Posn:  23/273,  M50 2nd

Pace Splits:  7:04, 7:12, 6:41, 6:59, 6:46, 6:51, 6:53

Elevation:  Gain 219 ft, Loss 226 ft

Found the result surprising, was my second quickest 10K of the year and on such a rough course didn’t expect to finish so quickly…don’t figure really as on an easier flatter course tend to run slower?

After the run the pain returned to my foot and the following day could barely apply weight when walking. A quick visit to the doctor revealed nothing certain? He suggested Plantar Fasciitis but am not convinced; after some Internet research I reckon its something Metatarsal? Today is my 3rd day not running and the pain is still there so am starting to wonder if something is broken or bruised. Certainly can’t figure out why this has happened or what has changed to have caused this other than the gradual change in foot fall…