Still Looking Ok..

Well, two days away from the start of training (swim and bike only, no running), and six weeks of Prep phase.

A combination of Kinesio Tape, Traumeel Cream (Gel now ordered as it is supposed to be better) , Ibuprofen and simple time has allowed my heel to be painless in all activity apart from big jumps one one foot.

There is still a sore spot on the heel when pressed with toes pointed down, but otherwise all is ok. The first big test comes in the next six weeks, where I will build up slowly from 30min sessions on the bike, Aerobic power only. No FTP test, no intervals.

At the rate of improvement the last three weeks have shown, I expect to be able to run the week after Christmas.

Talking of running... I bought a pair of Nike Free's - the 7.0 model. Ok, I don't run at the moment, but even for general wear they are very comfortable - there is almost nothing to them, no real uppers, no heel upper, and no real support. The result is a light slipper with a very flexible sole. I will start my running in these. No more heavy support shoes with rigid ankle areas for me!

Next post will hopefully be a description of Prep Phase week 1 on the journey to IronMan Frankfurt, 24.07.2011.

Richard

Optimism ...

Well, a week after my hopes rested in the magic formula of insoles and ibuprofen gel, things are still looking good.

I still have slight pain with the odd step now and again, but only slight. No pain standing up in the morning, and no pain walking. The ankle still isn't repaired, but I think the chances are higher now than they have ever been.

Problem is that the better it becomes, the more temped I am to do little jumping tests, which end in "ouch" :)

I'll start with swimming this week again, tomorrow morning. I've also built up my IM plan for next year (wild optimism), starting with 6 weeks Prep from the first week of November. No running in the first 5 weeks of the Prep - it starts with just 3x30min sessions on the bike and two short swims and builds slowly from there. That gives me seven weeks from now for full ankle recovery.... hopefully that's enough.

Ugh... Ankle

Well, a while since the last post, because my ankle started hurting again.

This is exasperating - it's been a year now since the fateful football match that caused the Bursitis. The problem is that it recovers 90% - just slight pain when pressing on the back of the ankle and toes pointing down, and now and then slight pain when walking up steep hills. Most of this pain is caused by shoes pressing on the sensitive area, and this is very difficult to avoid!!! I keep starting again with the bike, all is ok, and then all of a sudden after a few weeks, regular pain starts.

But! There is light at the end of the tunnel. Last weekend, I got hold of some expensive inlays for my shoes - inlays that claim to deal with this problem. And I must say, two days later, I have had no pain on the back of the ankle. For the first time. Nada. Under the arch of both feet, yes, but the inlays are designed to do this - keep the foot flat with no pronation at all costs, to minimise pressure on the achilles tendon.

This inlay, plus the discovery of Ibuprofen gel, has made me more optimistic about recovering than I have been since I found out from the physio that this would be a long haul.

So, all being well, Gentle cyvling resumes mid Novemeber. Running will wait until the end of December.

We'll see.