My 3-Point Plan to Physical Perfection

So then, I’ve not really got any running to talk about today as I've been injured. However, following on from my injury I decided that I needed to go back to square zero and safeguard my body a little more from my new-found hobby. Therefore I am proud to introduce my ‘Conscientious, meticulous, splendiferous three point plan to protecting your knees (and feet and hips and groin and shins).’ And, yes, I am trademarking that name:

Point 1:

Get the Dr to check you out. Did that, and the doc said my knee was fine. Good.

Point 2:

Learn to stretch properly. Went for a lovely Friday morning run with Sandra from Let’s Go Run and learned how to stretch and warm up properly, as opposed to standing on one leg while holding the other in some Karma Sutra-esque yoga pose, while simultaneously trying to read random internet instructions on correct stretching from my precariously-perched laptop. Much better.

Point 3: (the most revelatory point of the three)

Get the right trainers. I went along to Running Bath and had my gait checked – turns out I seriously over-pronate (my foot turns in). After a few sessions of running up and down the Corridor in front of bemused early morning shoppers, I was given a pair of high-support trainers, instead of the zero support ones that led me to injuring myself (see the photos for the difference). My new shoes felt so much better as soon as I donned them and the friendly chap watching me run advised that he also thought these were the best of the five pairs he gave me to try. Job done.  Ok, so the added support they offer makes them look slightly orthopaedic, but do I care? Well, yes, a little; but who cares? My feet will be moving so fast that they are nothing more than a blur come March 3rd.

After going for my small run in my shiny new shoes, my knee felt fine, perhaps a touch aggravated, but so much better than previously. Unfortunately, though, I then went and walked a mile to school with my 3-year on my shoulders, followed by an hour’s ice skating session, so I’m now in a little bit of pain. Silly. I do comfort myself, however, that it was not my run that did this, more just me aggravating a not-completely-healed injury.

Look at the difference in the support...

...and here notice the difference in the middle of the foot.

As you can see, there is a huge improvement in my new shoes, although the colour is a little more difficult to match to my other clothes!

So that’s it. I’m back in the game and looking forward to our first run as group in a few week’s time.