Live, love, run

So I was looking at 2XU compression calf guards for my sore left leg and I rang a store called Sports Fever in Subi. I spoke with a guy called Craig who in about 5 minutes flat on the phone reckons he had a better idea.

So I did as he said and packed up all my old running shoes, mileage stats, my orthotics and current ASICs Gel Stratus and went down to the store.

While there he had me seen by a podiatrist, not as an appointment but as a means to do a quick assessment of my stride and running style, assessed my shoes and got me into a new pair of Mizuno Wave Renegade 4s. In their view neutral shoes are doing more harm than good, and the orthotic/ neutral combo is what’s causing me problems.

I also have a lazy right side, and maybe a bit shorter so my ITB issues have been contributed to by a less than developed right medial glute. Exercise required. He asked if I ever got right side hip pain. YES!! Easy fix. Glute exercises.

My feet need to be much better supported in the shoe with no allowance for slippage. So I went down half a size in shoe length and to a more rigid shoe type. I put the shoe on and went for a short run along the road. NO ACHILLES PAIN!

I wore the shoes all day and I felt not even a twinge of any pain at all. I’ll walk in them tomorrow, and then have a run on Friday but I think that this is a fair dinkum miracle for me. This bloke is the shoe guru in my view and will get me back and running longer and stronger. Seriously, I am AMAZED.

Yesterday we lost Nan after a long fight with pulmonary hypertension and old age. She was a beautiful person and so loved by all of us. Not much to say except that she will be missed.

Grand final day sausage rolls will never be the same, and Louise, the kids, her extended family and I will all miss her in our lives. Rest in peace Nan. We love you.

After a long and eventful life, Lou’s Mum is close to leaving us. She is a beautiful lady and is ready to go.

Grand final day will never be the same, sausage rolls will never taste as good and Christmas Day will have a bottle of sparkling red in the centre of the table from this point on.

She will be missed.

It’s all starting to come together after what seems like an eternity. I can run with no pain, and mild discomfort afterwards. This is getting better as the days go by and I continue my heel drop regime.

Have continued physio in small blocks when things tighten up. My aerobic capacity is improving and longer distances are becoming more enjoyable, although I am still taking walk breaks.

I haven’t been wearing my Polar watch on the lst few runs, and just taking my time, running as I feel at the time. If I am struggling I have a break, if there is a shop en route I stop and buy a water. This is working well, and extending the distances I run. Fingers crossed, I can keep this up and not hit another snag.