Amateur runner Anna Edwards hits a low point as injuries interrupt her Marathon training.
'The true reality of what I've taken on is becoming very clear'
At the start of my marathon journey, I longed for the time when I could just put on a pair of trainers and set off into the sunset and just be able to run and run.
I'd observed other joggers and their efforts, wondering how on earth they just kept going, mile after mile and still looked as though they were totally in control.
Read Anna's first blog.
My first month, I was nowhere near being able to just plan a route and go into jogging mode. Would I ever be able to run without my legs feeling as though they were dragging behind me and my body screaming to stop?
It was probably around the end of November when my efforts finally started to pay off. I could plan small routes around 3-4 miles and be able to run through the initial pain barrier. It was at this point that I started to get into a rhythm and my body seemed to recognise the running motion.
I soon began to enjoy a specific route and had markers along it. Every week I'd run past my last marker and increase the distance. The feeling of achievement was immense.
Injuries
Although I was so proud of my achievements, I had reached distances that any incorrect running techniques or incorrectly fitted shoes would become apparent through injuries.
With all this being so new to me, I learnt the hard way. I'd noticed that my knee was painful and decided in order to nip it in the bud - I'd buy a support strap to prevent it getting any worse, just until my muscles were stronger.
Unknown to me, this was a big no-no. It caused me to over compensate on my other leg, which caused me to pull muscles in my left ankle. After one four-mile run, I'd done quite a bit of damage and could barely walk.
I sought the advice of a specialist physiotherapist, my shoes were not supporting my foot which was allowing my ankle to twist, which was why I was feeling pain in my knee - insoles corrected this.
My ankle problem was due to the fact that I was landing on my heels and I needed to land flat-footed and loosen my ankles when running. If I'd only got my trainers correctly fitted at the start, or sought advice when my knee first started to play up, I wouldn't have lost over three weeks training time.
Apprehensive
After this experience, my confidence had hit a low point. I was really apprehensive about trying to run any sort of distance again and was terrified the injury would reappear. I knew I needed to get out there again, but I was so far behind with my plan that I wasn't sure where to start.
I began to run every day, but just short distances of around 1-2 miles and after about another week, gradually started to build back up to 5-6 miles and jiggled my training plan, so I was back on track.
Looking back, these distances were enjoyable. I'd get quite tired towards the end of the run, but would still feel quite energised and pleased with my efforts. I'd be able to steadily jog all the way and felt like I was a true jogger.
Over the last month, I've been gradually increasing my distances and yesterday managed to run 11 miles. However, it's at this point in my training that the true reality of what I've taken on is becoming very clear. You have to start taking it very seriously.
When running for periods of over an hour, the body has to start drawing on all its reserves. It's not just getting out there and doing the running, it's coping with the fatigue afterwards. You have to take on carbohydrates in abundance before these long runs, along with fluids or your body just has a complete melt down.
It's then important to take in recovery drinks and proteins afterwards to try and stop the sickness feeling, stiffness and fatigue.
When you've got kids to pick up from school, horses to clean out, tea, dogs to walk etc, you don't have time to just collapse on the sofa - you have to be able to carry on afterwards!
I'm beginning to realise that it's not just trying to fit a training routine into an already busy life, it's the training itself that is extremely tough and pulls every last bit of energy you've got.
Knowing that other runners have much worse to cope with, does make me feel mildly pathetic, but right now, I'm just glad I've not collapse yet at the school gates!
