Back to Basics

I've been struggling with my running for some months now.  Over the last 4 weeks or so I've done virtually no running at all - right calf and knee problems, caused by some kind of imbalance, had me concluding that I can't run.  Thankfully I've been able to deadlift with my personal trainer Fiona Hamilton - my new favourite  thing - do spin classes and of course yoga.  Last Wednesday things felt good so I tried a nice easy run at Glasgow Green with my clubmates.  A gentle jog from Pacific Quay felt great.  Sensibly I decided to do one loop of the park at a sensible marathon pace and head back to the car.  All going well until the last 200 metres and the calf started to tighten.  So brisk walk back to the car - it was baltic - and back to the foam roller.   Missed the run with my yogi runners the next day as I had to be fit to teach the yoga class. Covering for Mark Russell.   I think I can trace the mental and physical struggle back to a bad fall I had on Mosspark Boulevard some months ago.  The damage was painful and annoying but not serious, apart from a bit of ligament damage to my right wrist, but psychologically and physically the memory of it is still with me and may be causing some restriction. Further examination of this idea required.  Stephen Braybrook has some interesting notions in this field. http://www.themovementman.com     So I'm feeling sad and sorry for myself and what pops into my head - the phrase " back to basics. "   I remembered learning Chi Running on the Forth and Clyde canal with my metronome at 180 bpm running for 1 minute and walking for 1 minute - and you know what ? I can do that.   It may not be what my head and my ego tells me I should be doing but it's what my body can tolerate - and I suspect it will do my form the world of good - as you've probably already guessed I'm good at forgetting and that includes good form.  So look out for me tomorrow, single earpiece in - looking like Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard              ( I wish ) well ok it actually makes me look like a dodgy bouncer - trotting along, 1 minute on, 1 minute off on the way to Pure Gym in Clydebank for a bit of deadlifting.  Bellahouston Roadrunners if you don't see me at training for a while it's not because I don't love you, just working slowly on my mind and body so I can come back and keep up with you ! Watch this space😉