First Run Of The Week! :-)

Thursday 20/07/06:

God, I was in a foul mood on Wednesday wasn't I? Oh well, all behind me now....

Saw the podiatrist on Wed after work and he gave a thorough consultation. Last saw him almost 18 months ago, so my orthotics are well due for replacement, but he did not feel they were extremely worn or to blame for any of my recent niggles. Got measured up for new ones anyway and he assessed my gait again, in bare feet, in shoes alone and in shoes with current orthotics, all caught on camera. He struggled to be able to find a cause for the repeated right hamstring problem and has therefore referred me on to a sports physician. I'm happy with this outcome as I really want to get it sorted before getting in to my half-marathon training plan in a couple of weeks. Due to the referral I get to see the sports physician, Dale Speedy, quite quickly - next Tues morning. The last time I was referred to him was when I had a suspected stress fracture in my femur in 2004, but I had to see someone else, as he was in Athens with the NZ Olympic team at that time!

Had more physio treatment on my hamstring on Thurs afternoon and it was feeling really good by then. Therefore decided to do a short easy run in the evening, while Courtney was at her gymnastics club. I have to say, I was pretty excited to be getting my first run of the week! Both chest and throat are feeling a lot better thanks to a few days of anti-biotics and I really felt like I needed to blow out some cobwebs. Even the weather had played along and after two days of wind and rain, it cleared up for me to run. Was a bit nippy out but not enough to even warrant a beanie or gloves:

Jog warm up and cool down with v. easy paced run in between: 30mins (approx 5kms)

Stuck to Bucklands Beach Rd all the way as it is mainly flat, with just a few subtle undulations just before turn-around. However by turn-around I was starting to feel my hamstring tighten and could feel it all the way back. Did plenty of stretching afterwards, which seemed to sort it out, but was not nice to feel it while running, as I don't usually experience it at the time. Felt much better for having some exercise though and didn't even cough much afterwards, so must be getting better!

Promise to keep taking it easy till fully recovered... so will rest tomorrow and hope to do a couple of decent runs on the weekend, but nothing too strenuous.