Running along in the sunshine with a warm breeze skimming across the field was very pleasant yesterday. The birds were singing and butterflies played chase with me down the lane, one of them obligingly posing for the camera while I did my cool down walk.

Externally all was idyllic, internally… well, lets say it’s manageable.
My calves have been complaining since the eight and a half miles I ran over the weekend ten days ago. There was a disconcerting burning sensation in my left achilles on and off last week and on Wednesday it felt very much like I had a blister on that same heel, but there was no blister to be seen. I also had a brief but annoying sharp couple of pains in the bottom of my left foot on Sunday, it was as if I had stood on a drawing pin but the was nothing there, no splinters, nothing.

Fortunately none of these have felt so bad as to lead me to believe that I’m doing irreparable damage to myself. I’m not a fan of taking pills, I prefer to be able to feel the pain and know if I’m doing more harm than good. At the moment it’s not so bad that I have had to go against this and take any medication. I am making sure I stretch after each run and making good use of my foam roller, not everyday but most days. I’ve taken it slowly when beginning each run and so far so good. After about half a mile everything settles in, I can still feel my calves grumbling but they seam to have accepted that this is the new norm.

Thankfully running is still enjoyable, hobbling in the morning is not, but I’m still positive.

Shelley