Joint Statement. (Andy)

The problem is not having nothing to write about, but having far too much. So many majestic horses having bolted, why bother to contain the few that are left behind?

Which reminds me. Did I dream it, or did I once hear some speaker somewhere say: “It’s no good bolting the stable door after the horse has…. er, itself bolted…” Maybe I’ve blocked out the metadata in sympathy.

It’s been a rare old few weeks. For the first time since I began the long plod to freedom, six years ago, I’m confronting the possibility that the end is in sight at last. Trouble is, it isn’t the end I’d hoped for. Seriously, I’m wondering if the game is up.

I feel the urge to apologise in advance for the approaching injury talk. Why? I suppose because I occasionally have cause to be suspicious of runners who flunk races on the grounds of a sudden affliction. Better that we’re honest. “I blew it, lads. Too much beer and pizza. Sorry.” A surfeit of those delicacies has doubtless compounded my problems, by adding a layer of lard -- and accompanying lethargy -- but it isn't their cause.

I feel almost moved to create a lack-of-movement movement. The Campaign… no, the Campain for Real Ailments. This scepticism means that I hoist the "I’m crocked" white flag with some self-consciousness. But look, there it is, flapping forlornly in the Brighton breeze. Not that missing the Brighton 10K is a particular loss. I’ll still make it along for that, er, beer and pizza, and the craic, and this will be quite as much fun as the race itself. There are greater worries on the horizon, like the Almeria and Reading Halfs in January and March, and the Boston Marathon in April. I’d already wondered if I should hang up my marathon boots after Boston. I’m now hoping that I have the freedom to make that decision myself, rather than have it made for me. With 23 weeks still to go to Boston, there's no immediate sense of panic, but I'm mindful that I've agreed to run it for charity (the JDRF), and if I'm going to pull out, I should aim to do so before Christmas so that they can find someone else to take the place.

So what’s wrong with me? Annoyingly, I don’t really know. The left knee has been troubling me for a couple of months now, but seems to have got worse in the last three weeks or so. The latest problem started just a few days into yet another relaunch. I’d finally managed a spell of runner cuisine, and had been for a couple of testing walks to check out recovery from the previous problem — my right calf. All was looking good. But then the damn knee popped up again. 

Putting any weight on it is enough to produce a small wince. So no running of course, and even my unconscious tendency to bound up any flight of stairs put in front of me has been curtailed.

We all get twinges, but there’s something worrying about this one. It’s persisted, for one thing. But more than that, I sense that I’ve been fortunate with injuries thus far. Very fortunate, given my corpulence, my advancing years, and the thirty years of inactivity that immediately preceded my marathon career. The luck must run out eventually, and why not now? It may be pay-back time.

A proper diagnosis will help. If the news is bad, I may have to accept my new role as a Saga lout, snoozing gently through the long mid-afternoons as I recline on my laurels. One reason I feel more fatalistic about the knee is that it's just the latest in a line of aches and sprains. Did I mention the painful shoulder and neck?

Today, I managed another brisk hour-long walk first thing in the morning, before starting work. Not that a walk is a true test: at one point today, nearly three miles in, I jogged gently across a busy road to avoid death, and instantly, the knee woke up and croaked a murderous hello. To add injury to injury, once I’d got home and started tapping away at the keyboard, I find that my left thumb is throbbing with pain.

What’s going on? Is this what arthritis feels like? Gout? Maybe my change of routine — I mostly work from home these days — is confusing my body. The neck and shoulder problems may well come from spending too long in a non-ergonomically sound chair. (Oh for the Herman Miller Aeron I was lucky enough to have in my previous job. I was spoilt.) Perhaps I’m shutting down; stultifying; sinking into some sort of shadowy sedentary purgatory. Have I entered that long, final waiting room beyond the gates…?

Probably not. So here’s what I’ll do to counter it: an hour’s exercise every day, first thing. Between breakfast and work. A hard walk, a bike ride, an hour of compost-heap-turning or pond completion. Proper grub. No weekend booze (after Brighton) and no Friday night Chinese takeaways. And a trip to the physio. If the news is bad, I may as well uncover it.

Let’s see what a week or two of that will do. On today’s 3.5 mile walk, I asked myself what else I could do if running never came back. Answers came there none.

I need to get this sorted.

Comments

[sweder]

It does all sound rather gloomy Andy. As our American cousins are wont to say, I'm sorry for your loss. But if the milk turns out to be sour don't despair; there are plenty of alternatives to running out there. You're already walking briskly. Do so in the hills and dales for a while and you open up another tranch of possibilities. Some of those collosal walks in Spain we've read about for starters. Then there's cycling, altogether kinder on the creaking joints.

If all else fails you could join the likes of SP, Niguel and myself on the road to knitted sweater heaven that is - gulp - golf. It's really not all that bad. Honestly.
Fore!

[Andy]

Well I had considered golf, though you rather put me off the idea when I mentioned it in Lewes. ("Like measles, golf is a disease best caught young", you memorably said, though I think you were quoting someone else.) But it made me think. Also, I heard a hilarious rant by Richard Bacon on 5 Live last night about golf clubs and the bizarre rules they impose on their members, which was also a bit off-putting.

Just at the moment, I can't think of a good alternative to running, so I'll wait and see how I get on. Am just off out for my walking hour, and excited about being the part owner of Ebbsfleet United.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7089473.stm

[Shahid]

Hi Andy
My knee is alos playing up after running a half marathon.I am just resting.If you can do some light weightlifting-squats-this may help to get some strength in your lower legs-maybe strngth conditioning is what you lack ?

[Andy]

Thanks Shahid. I'm sure you're right that there are some things I can do to help. I just need to find the right one. My plan is to get some proper advice. I'm part of a BUPA scheme with my job, so I'll take advantage of that. It may well be just that my routine has changed dramatically recently. I'm working from home, and have been v sedentary. As they say, maybe I need to get out more... I've just returned from today's brisk hour of walking, and am feeling better for it.

I'm encouraged that you (and others I know) have done a half with a dodgy knee. What's the problem with yours? Have you had a proper diagnosis?

Anyway, back to work...

[Shahid]

When I run down hill,this puts a lot of strain on my knee,so I need to be slow down when running downhill.My knee had the same problem a couple of years ago and its just recently that I twigged that running downhill at speed had triggered this.

[sweder]

Hmm . . . I'm no physician but I suspect 'running down hill at speed' is not the cause of Andy's ailment Sahid.

Whilst perusing the first part of the TOM 2008 training schedule (still pondering that one) I found a piece on running hills. The author suggested the best way to run down a hill was to 'lean into the slope of the hill to the point just before you fall over.' I laughed at this, wondering if the only way to find this point was to actually fall over. I'll have to give it a try.

The guide goes on to say you should take 'shorter, quicker strides' to lessen the impact on your quads, knees and ankles, supporting Shahid's diagnosis. I used to get horrible aches and pains in my quads from running down hill. Since following Moyleman's advice - similar to the TOM guide; go with the angle and run down the hill - I've noticed a marked improvement.

Strengthening quads also helps protect the knee. This can be done in the gym by pushing obscene amounts of weight on the leg press. Not much fun but it seems to work.

[ANTONIO L.R.]

I used to have very strong pain in one of my fingers of my left hand. It was swollen. It happened two years ago.

The doctor told me it was a sort of arthitis. After being prescribed with some medicines, I felt much better. Besides, I haven´t taken any more medicines for one year feeling all right.

I hope you get better, Andy, and can go on with your running goals.

See you in Brighton next weekend!

[glaconman]

Andy;

Have you thought about letting a Guru into your life?

My mother-in-law practices Pranayama Yoga, primarily to deal with her chronic knee problems. And she's enthusiastic about the results.

The most popular practicioner in India today is P.P. Swami Ramdev ji maharaj.

And like he says on his website:

"It is your birth right to persist disease free, healthy, fit, slim, looking beautiful & younger, in complete peace of mind and get back robust health, better than your age"

Worth a thought old bean :)

http://www.swamiramdevyoga.com/

[Sweder]

Blimey G-Man, I'd like some of that . . .

[Mid Life Crisis Man]

Gosh, don't know what to say Andy. The thought of you no longer struggling to run and writing about said troubles doesn't bare thinking about!

My Dad was a long term sufferer of arthritis (a legacy he has passed onto moi) and he always said the only really effective treatment was to keep moving. Obviously he meant low impact movement like walking (swimming is also excellent). I'd also be trying glucosamine if you aren't already. Or maybe you should just get an expert to check you over?

Good luck with it - keep us posted, cobber.

[Andy]

Thanks for the comments, guys. No need for gurus when I have you people.

The knee is better today, but not yet runnable. Maybe the 3 or 4 days of exercise has helped after all. Still intend to get some pro help. Free BUPA comes with the new job, and I just had my confirmation and associated bumf through the post this morning, along with the great Russell Brand's autobiography, published today. West Ham fan, which helps to explain some of his 'issues', but I admire him. Maybe he'll inspire me. Er, anyway, I've got the all-clear to get some medical help, so I'll do it.

Andy

[Nick F]

Can only echo MLC Man:

GLUCOSAMINE

It did the trick for me.

[Andy]

Thanks Nick. I do have a supply, but have upped the dose this week.

Andy

[Sweder]

Be careful - I hear they're dope testing all sub-2s in Almería next year ; )

[SP]

...and the problem there is?

[Sweder]

You may mock . . . I have a theory involving enforced rest combined with strenuous dietary control. There could be some surprising results in Almería.

[Andy]

Well at the moment, the biggest surprise would be arriving at the start line, but weirder things have happened.

What about you SP -- will we enjoy your company again this time? I'll bring my chess board with me if you like.

:-)

[Mid life crisis Man]

What is BUPA?

[SP]

An over-priced, piss-poor service providing private medical insurance provider.

We have to buy this to get to see specialists (and therefore treatment) in under 18 months.

[stillwaddler]

Hi Andy, I would add Chondroitin to the Glucosamine, my brother's partner worked in an athritis clinic at a big general hospital and they found the best results were from a combination of the two. My brother has had quite severe kneee problems - atthritis related and has has been taking both, 1000mg of glucosamine and about 750 of Chondroitin daily, he has renewed his gym memmebership and has been able to resume serious workouts in the last 6 months despite the fact he is now 58. You won't notice any results for about 4-6 weeks.

I have recently added the chondroitin. I have been having hip pain over the last week or so, am trying to ignore it having rested it for four days or so. Like you I'm beginnning to think it might be Time catching up with me but I'm bu***ered if I'm going to be caught just yet.

Hopefully your knee pain will respond to physio and a regime of exercise to build up supporting muscles, the physio might need to look at your trainers too - take them with you when you go.

I have put off going to the doc's to get a referral letter just yet, I keep hoping if I take pain killers and ignore it it will go away - classic Ostrich attitude, but I may be calling good old Bupa again in the very near future,
Chin up - Illegitimo nil carborundum, the physio fixed my knee pain during the FLM training and I'm years older than you. If all else fails, I'll challenge you to a game of bowls :-)

Let us know how you get on?

Wise words there SW. Just don't challenge him to a game of chess. You'll never get away.