Well just for the record, there is a little bit more depth to this title than what you probably initially think my post is going to be about!! I actually am not going to tell you about the state of my wrinkly, crinkly and stinky feet. What I would like to share with you is about how I think I am finally on the road to curing myself of continual sore backs, knee pains, ankle instability, ankle pain and numb toes...
If you have read my previous posts, you will be well aware that this year of training for me is all about strengthening my core/body for the onslaught of training that is going to quickly come about next year. What you may or may not know is that this Iron man goal is not a new goal for me. I had actually planned to do the 2012 Iron man, which I am thankful that I did not do now as I would have been absolutely gutted for my dream to be shattered by the weather bomb that was 2012 NZ Iron man. Although my dad had a great analogy for it - 'you should have done it this year Steff, you would have only had to go half as far!!'
Another thing you may or may not know is that it was actually injury that eventually stopped me from even looking at starting the serious commitment to begin the training for Iron man 2012. I started training, I did a few events and that's where the pain kicked in. Pain in my lower back nearly all the time (spurred on by falling down some stairs intitally but it just never got any better), pain in my right knee every time I ran any longer than an hour or so, pain in my right ankle continuously and a neck that felt like I was stressed all the time.
I went to physio and it was quickly established that although I had had a few injuries that had not helped my training quest, but that I actually had NO core strength. My awesome physio's from 'Body & Soul' here in Rotorua, put me on a strict programme of strengthening and also looked at the possiblility of my ankle pain being something more than the few strains I had had over the years. They told me that I HAD to get onto doing regular pilates classes or exercises ASAP and maybe look at orthotics for my problematic feet. So that is where 2012 quest left me... This was back in 2011 and life took over, family came first, exercise got put on the back burner and time went on.
Then I met Lee-Anne early this year and my Iron man spark was reignited..
I remembered that I definitely needed to get on the strengthening band wagon again as that jewel of information had stuck firmly in my mind from my countless trips to physio and I have been doing this diligently all year. But I had actually totally forgotten about the whole 'foot' thing. The old twinges have been creeping in again lately as my distance on my feet is increasing and I have to admit to feeling the gut wrenching feeling that I am never ever going to get strong enough to be able to get to the start line of Iron man 2014.
AND THEN....It all came back to me in a blinding flood one morning a few weeks back while I had the TV on in the background whilst doing my chores. It was an add for 'Scholl's Sports Orthotics' that captured my attention - 'Do you have lower back pain, sore knees, sore ankles' I stopped what I was doing.. The rest is history. I went straight into the pharmacy that afternoon and got myself a pair to try on a 30 day money back guarantee. They were pricey $57, but I figured if they didn't work - I could send them back and spend that money on getting myself to a foot specialist. I wore them for a few days on and off just around the house, then went for a small run in them and my ankle/knee pain was considerably lessened... I took them out of my sports shoes and put them in my normal everyday flat shoes and the same thing, the pain in my ankles that I have had lately - was actually gone. My back has been really good too since wearing them and the knee pain hasn't occurred at all. I touch wood that my strengthening programme and the orthotics will allow me to build my strength slowly but I cannot say I am completely cured and I may end up needing to go and see the guys from foot mechanics at some stage. But I do feel that I am on the right track and the pain factor has definitely diminished enough to continue training happily and regularly... But that's a different story!!
No comments:
Post a Comment