Related links My (not so) new trainers Get Your Running Shoes On Diary of a Reluctant Runner wk1 Wk 2 : I start to Run Wk 3: A classic beginners mistake Wk4: Where not much happens Wk 5: Where I get help Wk 6: I'm a bat out of hell (sort of) Wk 7: Where has the time gone? Wk9: I see the route and think... what? I Don't Give Up - Although Very Tempted Ealing Half Marathon Ealing Eagles           Sign Up For EalingToday.co.uk Sign up for our free Acton newsletter

Fresh from my previous great victory of, er, finishing the Gunnersbury Park Run (in record slow time) I decided to put myself though it once more - I'm a glutton for punishment me.

Part of the reason is because my 10 year old son has been absolutely enthused by it. He is, I have to add, extremely fast, so please don't think that he did the circuit with me. Not in a million years would he be seen jogging alongside mum. He has been whizzing round the course on his own and getting finishing times of around 26 minutes- very impressive.

Anyway, my major achievement this week was getting my 13 year old daughter out of bed. if you have a teenager you will understand exactly what an achievement that is. But there's more!

She actually did the Park Run with me.

Admittedly we nearly had a refusal half-way round when I didn't have any water. She diverted to the cafe (in a very bad mood) but it didn't take her long to catch-up with me and we got round.

It was good to have a companion helping me in my personal struggle and we actually managed to jog the whole first lap - without dropping down to a walk. That's a massive improvement for me, so despite coming second from last over the finish line it really didn't matter.

I was very pleased to see I had taken a whole 43 seconds of my time - a PERSONAL BEST!

Yipppee!!

So all was looking good, until - slight problem- I realised I could no longer walk on my left foot. The heel was very tender, swollen and bruised.

An urgent search on google has led me into a whole new world of injuries and terminology: Plantar Fascilitis/ Heel Spurs and Bruised Heel - also known as Policeman's heel apparently.

Anyway doing a swift self-diagnosis I reckon I have Bursitis. Never had that before.

So it's ice, rest and painkillers for me for a bit. Hope to still be able to make the Park Run on Saturday - if I can't run it I'll certainly cheer everyone else on - especially my son and those at the back.

If you have any miracle cures for my 'condition' please do send in. Hope I can run again soon. Did I really just say that? Blimey!

What on earth is happening to the reluctant runner?

Until next time - Onwards and Upwards!

Annemarie Flanagan

 

 

 

2nd August 2012