As I run down this road, I start to notice a discomfort
developing in my left knee, I think nothing of it at the time and keep up my
pace and enjoy the fresh country air. A few minutes pass, again I am aware of
this persistent discomfort that now has become rather painful.
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| Brighton Marathon 2010: My first marathon |
I do some stretches and feel the area in the hope that it
was a one off. I go from a walk to a trot, but this is a big
mistake! Again the pain has stopped me in my tracks and it feels so
sore that even walking is excruciating at this stage. I stop and sit
at the kerb for a moment to rub the knee cap and take a look.
Ouch! It hurts even to touch and the area feels swollen. I
look at my Garmin watch for the time and see that I've reached 13 miles so far,
but am aware home is at least another three from where I am sitting. Oh crap!
I try to think of a local friend or family member that may
be able to come and fetch me. It's a weekday afternoon, everyone I
can think of is working and there is no answer from my dad and mum is working
until 6pm. Double crap!
I eventually get up and walk with a bad limp back the way I
came. After five minutes I decide to see if I can trot or jog. It's
just as painful, if not more so, than the last attempt. I stop to
walk again, limping like one leg is shorter than the other. I feel
so helpless and stupid at the same time.
I don't understand what is happening. I've never
experienced this type of pain until now. I have good comfortable
shoes, I have been gradually adding miles each week, but nothing too excessive. I make it home eventually; limping, walking and shuffling,
but with a lot of pain in the process.
March 2010
After a few weeks of resting the knee, ibuprofen,
strengthening exercises and research on the internet, I discover that I need to
use the RICE technique (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) for up to six weeks!
This had to be the most deflating, depressing, bad news ever.
Lots of gym sessions, swimming and walking later, I start my
mileage off slowly and build up gradually, up to a max of 13 miles. I
have the Hastings Half Marathon coming up, which is my first ever race attempt
and would like to finish injury free. I've read it is better to be under
trained and well at the start than over trained and injured.
My first race went very well and was an amazing experience.
The nerves soon went after the start and I loved the whole running atmosphere
with so many others sharing the pain, joy and whole togetherness it brought to
me. I wanted to sign up again for another! My knee held out okay and
the strap I used helped. I finished in 1 hour 37 minutes.
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| Saucony trainers (too much bounce)! |
April 2010
Brighton Marathon has arrived. I safely reached 18
miles on my longest run during training so I felt confident that I can finish.
Race day turns out to be even better than the Hastings Half. Bigger
crowds were spectating, more runners competing and it was Brighton's first ever
marathon. I felt so proud to be a part of this special day in the
city and longed to move back to the area again.
I feel strong and well throughout the race and my trusty
knee strap seems to be doing the trick again. Once I reach 19 miles
I have a sudden fear I cannot do this or finish at all. The pain and ache in my
leg muscles is immense and I can feel my pace slacking. I'm tired, hungry and
spent.
I've read so much about the wall and what to expect, trying
to break through it, but I don't think it is possible. I feel like walking
to the finish not running! This is the first time during any of my runs I
wanted to stop and quit.
The last mile finally approaches and it feels like four
hours not one hour since I hit the wall! The cheering and calling of
my name was the biggest mental push I needed to finish and although I was in so
much discomfort the crowds took it away from me and carried me to that finish
line. I felt so emotional with a lump in my throat but elated. I can do this; I
can make it to the finish!
Completely exhausted and hobbling over the finish line I
make it to tell the tale and come first in my charity team the Terrence Higgins
Trust in 3 hours 19 minutes. I was so ecstatic and felt like I had
achieved the biggest goal so far in my lifetime. I was never this fit in my
twenties choosing alcohol and smoking over the gym any day, before I realised
it was damaging my health and after quitting the smokes, running was made so
much easier and it was my new found fix back in 2007.
May 2010
After three weeks recovery from Brighton marathon I slowly
start running without pain and discomfort again. Up to a week after the race I
had great difficulty walking stairs and running just 30 seconds caused so much
agony in my groin and the top area of my legs so I had to cycle and swim
instead.
 |
| Training for London-Brighton Bike Ride |
I built up bike miles to train for the London to Brighton
bike ride along with running again and was having the time of my life with my
exercise routine. Until one afternoon after a 15 mile run I decide to take my
bike up Leaf hill and back to Horsham on a round trip.
About 9 miles in, climbing the hill, my left knee starts to twinge and feel sore. I keep going the best I can but once I reach the top it gets so painful I have to get off the bike to sit down and rub the area. Not good! The pain is throbbing now and every bend of the joint is agony. I leave so depressed and empty like my whole world is crashing down around me! I can't rest now, I have the bike ride and want to run again!
About 9 miles in, climbing the hill, my left knee starts to twinge and feel sore. I keep going the best I can but once I reach the top it gets so painful I have to get off the bike to sit down and rub the area. Not good! The pain is throbbing now and every bend of the joint is agony. I leave so depressed and empty like my whole world is crashing down around me! I can't rest now, I have the bike ride and want to run again!
After some swimming, aqua walking and plenty of rest as
advised, the knee very slowly starts to hurt less and the pain is dulled to an
ache. I start appointments with the Occupational Health at work. To
my surprise the sessions are very useful and it is recommended that I try some
strengthening exercises to help the knee joint.
I start to research and trowel the Internet for help and
answers. The more I read about running shoes the more I learn about correct
technique and form. In my Saucony heavy cushioning trainers I have
been heel striking and over striding in my form. I read about bad heel striking
and how many injuries develop to the joints from landing this way. I start to
read the benefits of landing on the forefoot, mid foot.
Much of what I read was related to minimalist shoes or
barefoot running and how injuries have improved or problems stayed away with
correct landing form. I figured I have nothing to lose and I am back to square
one as I have not been running for well over a month now.
I find some Vibram Five Fingers online at a reduced price.
They are a barefoot style glove with toe pockets made with a rubber tyre sole
3-4mm thick. The original price is from £80-£100 so I purchase a pair for £50
from Singapore. They take weeks to arrive and I'm itching to try them so in the
meantime I kick off my flip flops and every day I use the small flat grassed
area near my house for practice. I start with a few laps 3-4 times a week which
takes just a few minutes. I then build up to 10 mins at one time
over the course of about 14 days.
As it is warmer weather I can enjoy the feel of the warm
grass underneath my feet and all the sensations that going barefoot brings. It
takes me back to my childhood and playing in the garden without a care in the world!
It feels fantastic! After about a week my calf muscles have slight soreness,
but just a trained feeling like going to the gym. I use the gym 3-4 times week
anyway so I have little discomfort and nothing I can’t handle. My
soles feel a little warm after 10 mins but it soon subsides.
I make the transition onto smooth pavement and discover it
is lots harder. I am consciously aware of how I am landing and have to think
really hard with every step. It is not easy. If I forget I land on the heel and
it hurts. When I land mid foot, tap tap gently to the ground like I'm kissing
it, the feeling is a perfect, flawless movement and technique.
June 2010
The Vibram Five Fingers (VFF's) eventually arrive. I have
the KSO style which is covered on the instep with a strap. I am very
pleased with the quality and feel of them. I question if they are
genuine originals but I guess only time will tell. They fit like a glove as
they should do and as recommended. They remind me of hobbit feet and I can't
wait to try them out!
 |
| Vibram Five Fingers |
They feel great just like barefoot but with added protection
and grip and they work brilliantly in both dry and wet conditions. I
later purchase the Bikila style which is one of the lightest they stock. The
more I use them the more I fall in love with how they feel, to wear, to run in
and use.
Sep 2010
I run my second Half Marathon, the Kent Coastal in Margate.
My feet feel great all the way around and all the practice throughout the
summer has done the trick as my form is spot on now. I get quite a few stirs,
glances and then questions at the start and during the race. There
seems to be a lot of criticism on the whole barefoot movement and how I will
get Achilles tendon problems wearing these. My approach has always been if it
works well for you and you are not getting any more injuries then it can't be a
bad thing!
I have since purchased many more pairs along with Vivo
barefoot shoes, the Vivo Trails are one of my favourite pairs for my off road
marathons and I am just about due to replace them as they have done many many
miles now! I also love the New Balance Minumus range for road
marathons as I find VFF's make my soles too sore after 20 miles and I need
added protection on road. I have built up my speed over the years and the NB
shoes are more practical for longer distances.
 |
| New Balance Minumus |
Since October 2012 I have been using the barefoot Ted
creation, Luna Sandals. These are an amazing running sandal with 8mm
protection, so are great for road and some off road but I find that they only
grip well in dryer conditions. I have run marathon distances in training with
no problems and get no sore, bruised toe nails which is an added benefit. These
however are not practical in very cold climates. Even in Injinji socks (toe toe
socks) my toes get too cold.
I am currently wearing La Sportiva X Country - A minimalist
low profile lightweight shoe with aggressive traction for wet, muddy conditions
or anywhere where gnarly lugs are needed. These have been my choice in the snow
and are holding up very well. I find if I wear my waterproof SealSkinz socks
over my Injinji socks, my feet remain dry and warm in the wet cold and icy
weather.
2013
I can only recall a few occasions where I have had to have a
few extra rest days or stop running from injury. My left knee still has a few
niggles occasionally that come and go, but I very, very, rarely suffer any pain
these days.
My big Ultra in November was the last time my knee caused me
grief and it took a good six weeks to subside, but I could still run with a
strap and without pain. I just had a dull ache from time to time.
Before this I can’t remember when it was sore, only inactivity can create
discomfort from being sat on a coach or at the cinema with little leg room.
I still have to watch my mileage each week and build up
gradually, so not to overdo it or my knee will tell me. I always listen to my
body these days and I think all runners learn from their mistakes. I wish I’d
known which shoe was right for me when I started and maybe I could have found
my correct form from day one! But then we all seem to think more protection is
better for our feet right? I have learnt a lot from going back to
basics and taking off my shoes.
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| Luna Sandals |
Run Free
Ultra Luke
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Please add your comments here. I would like to encourage discussion on running, training and nutrition. Luke