Medial collateral ligament injury

Big decision but I'm sure you know it was the right one, the VLM will come around again soon enough but you can't run the risk of ruining your recovery for it. Focus on building up to the NDW as your main event this year and I'm sure you'll be fine.

 My six week running hiatus ended on Friday and I have to confess I haven't been out for a run yet. Simply put I'm worried that nothing'll have changed and the pain will still be there. I guess if I don't run I can't find out right?

 I went to see a biomechanist yesterday and he basically told me what I already knew, a definite imbalance between my left and right hip and a slight turn out of my right foot when I run, he has however given me both strengthening and stabilising exercises so that'll be somehting to focus on. He has suggested that I wait until the imbalance is stabilised before starting to run again but I'm not sure I can wait that long. However long that might be.

 How's your recovery going Hedge? Still pain free I hope?

Dill - VLM, you know it makes sense.

Lirish - I emphasis mate. Not a nice feeling, but hopefully your first run will put your mind at ease.

Things with me are pretty much ok. Can still feel MCL, even after all this time!!, but very slight and does not hamper my running/jogging. 

Been taking things easy the last 3 weeks, two 5-8 mile runs a week, as I seem to be getting aches and pains all over at the minute, sore foot, tight hamstring (i'm hyper sensitive now to injury).

Ran a local 10k today, boiling hot weather. Did not push things and got round in 53 mins (was far from easy!!). Fitness still a long way off. No major plans this year, did think about Dublin, but after today the thought of 26 miles was not pleasant

It's been three weeks since my screening and have done those mind numbing exercises every day since. I must say tho they have made a load of difference. No piriformis pain at all! Still got a slight hamstring niggle but working hard on that.

 Went back to see physio last week because still a little sore on my MCL but he said things were going perfect and I should expect a little pain. He gave me a couple more exercises to do and recomended I get some  new shoes something with a bit more arch support. HA don't have to tell me that twice!

Managed 8 mile Saturday rested Sunday due to a pretty nasty hangover but just done 7.5 mile plus all my exercises tonight. No probs.

Hedge I know what you mean my legs are feeling sore each time I run but that is defo due to the lay off. You did well to race at all yesterday on the back of injury and in that heat. I hear only 8000 turned out for the Brighton mara when 15000 had been expected. Soo hot.

Lirish my Bio man said that I would not get any benefit from the strengthening exercises for aleast four weeks but like I said I felt a difference after just two. So stick with it it'll be worth it. Can't advise against your physio but I'd be out even for just a few miles but I'm sure he's right.

123 days and counting

Well it's now two weeks since my rest period ended and I've even managed to get out a couple of times.

 I had thought I'd be ok fitness wise having cross trained quite heavily for the last four weeks of the non running period but flippin' heck it's like I'd never ran before. The first couple of sessions were on a tready just to build up a little confidence and they went fine, nothing much started with twenty minutes, then twenty five and a thirty. First outside run I couldn't decide if my ITB was sore or not there was so many aches and pains. The good news is that my right ITB seems ok after a couple of six milers, the bad news is that it seems to have moved to my left leg.

Well fingers crossed I think i've cracked it. I'm finally over this horrible injury.

All the hard work and perseverance has paid off. I managed an 18miler  Sunday on the North downs to top a 50 mile week.

I've changed shoes and I'm back running 5 times a week. So touch wood thats it I'll sign off from this thread and concentrate on the NDW100 thread instead!

Good luck Hedge and Lirish and hope you are well.

94 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!