A trail somewhere.

As mentioned in an earlier post often, while I'm at work I peer out of the cab window at various walking/bike trails around Melbourne.

Often I wonder where does it lead to? What is around the next corner?

This bike path is in Steve and Alsoran's stomping grounds.

The picture was taken as I'm approaching Hoppers Crossing on the Weribee line. The trail starts at Hoppers Crossing and follows the train line heading towards Melbourne for about 800 metres. It then snakes under a rail bridge and heads north.

I like the look of this trail as it is constructed of one of my preferred running surfaces, bitumen. I find bitumen to feel 'softer' than concrete and is easier on the feet.

I have just looked up Australian Map Directory and found that this is part of the Federation_Trail.

Podiatrist

LBETPA asked "So what's happening with your foot?" Currently I'm a little ashamed to say "nothing".

I'm yet to go back and see Brad the Pod. Not from not wanting to just making up my mind and waiting for the finances to be available.

I think I will settle for the middle of the range $200 option. I have been running lately without any pronation support and the ankle is starting to give me grief again. In hindsight the strapping did help more than I realised.

Second Podiatrist visit

I returned to see Brad the Podiatrist on Thursday for his diagnosis of my ankle troubles.

The x-rays had returned and I had my evaluation from the strapping ready.

From the x-rays Brad says I have a condition called posterior talor process impingement (try saying that when you are pissed). Apparently my Talus bone (ankle bone) has an extra growth that is striking against the heel bone.

It can also be called Trigonum. But actual Trigonum implies this bone is loose in the ankle joint which mine is not

It can be fixed by surgery, but Brad would like to correct the 8 degrees of pronation that also goes on in my stupid left foot, before he cuts me open.

He showed me three different types of orthotics, a cheap store bought, a custom foot adjusted orthosis and custom made functional foot orthosis.

The last two sound fairly similar but the $300 difference in price tags certainly puts them apart.

I expected a Podiatrist to recommend the $500 orthotic and I wasn't disappointed. I told Brad I would think about it and get back to him.

The main advantage of the dearer orthotic he said was its durability. It would last four to five years and the cheaper one would only last around two.

Then again it may not offer any improvement to the ankle pain. The strapping reduced pain by only around 60% and it may ultimately need surgery.

I think I will do some more research. I will make another appointment for two weeks time.

Train Pics

Often while travelling around Melbourne and its suburbs I look out of the cab window on my train and think "That looks like a nice place to run."
This picture was taken from the rail bridge between Westgarth and Clifton Hill on the Hurstbridge line.

It is looking down on a bike path that follows the Merri creek and I always think it looks pretty cool.

Road to Rockhampton

My progress to Rockhampton has slowed down quite a bit in the last few weeks but I am still plodding along.

I am currently approaching the small town of Breadalbane. Apart from some references to Ben Hall's bushranger gang I couldn't find much history regarding this place on Google.

I did find that Breadalbane is a Scottish word and it means "Highland Scotland" in Gaelic.

Thank you Mr Google for that useless piece of trivia.

Podiatrist visit

I had my first visit to a medical professional for a running related injury last Friday.

As most would know I have been complaining of ankle pain that I have suspected to be Achilles heel for a few weeks.

The visit to the podiatrist revealed some things I already knew and a lot of things I didn't know.

It seems that I have had some slight Achilles pain but the Pod thinks it is related to something else.

Brad the Podiatrist showed on a foot skeleton how he thinks my Calcaneus (or heel bone) and Talus (ankle bone) are striking together. He explained how through his prodding, bending and the description of my symptoms he came to that conclusion.

Brad also filmed my feet while walking on a treadmill and showed that while my right leg walks straight and proper, my left foot misbehaves and over-pronates considerably.

My left foot has now been strapped up and padded to stop the pronation and Dr. Brad has encouraged me to run on it to see if the pain abates.

Since the visit I have run 20 minutes on the treadmill at work, 10km's early Saturday morning and a 12km this morning.

I have to admit that the padded and strapped foot doesn't feel too bad. There is only a little residual pain around the ankle and I suspect an orthotic insert maybe the answer.

I had my foot x-rayed yesterday and I go back to see Brad the Podiatrist on Thursday hopefully for some answers.

Snake Party

My son Ben had his 8th birthday party on Saturday and we had arranged for Raymond from Snakebusters to visit and entertain the hordes.

Raymond put on a very entertaining show and I would recommend any Melbournians to consider him for a kids party.

Ben struggling under his body weight in snakes.

Lucy with a snake and a baby crocodile (yes its real).

Spark Driver looking relaxed while keeping a snake away from his neck.

Apologies

My apologies go out to my regular fellow bloggers. Due to being very busy lately with work, kids parties and school commitments I haven't had time to catch up with all your blogs.

I do feel guilty for my poor time managerment skills and I will try to catch up soon.

The Great Train Race

or alternatively titled

"How to run 13.2km's with a hangover."

It was an ordinary start on Sunday. My daughter had her 10th birthday party the night before and in usual children's party tradition it was an excuse for the adults to have a few drinks.

The plan was to be in bed by midnight. A glass of water between every Bourbon and Diet Coke and I would be fit for the morning. Unfortunately bed didn't happen till 2am and the water drinking didn't happen till it was way too late.

I had told myself that hell or high water I was racing a train in the morning. In my inebriated state I felt like that if I 'Did Not Start' it would signal the end to this running caper.

So with 6 hours recovery time I was up again getting ready for my first Great Train Race.

As a child I was raised in the Dandenongs and knew the layout of Belgrave fairly well. I had a secret sneaky place planned to park and was a little surprised to find everyone else seemed to know of my spot. I parked a little way out of town and took the 10 minute walk to the starting area.

After dropping my bag off I searched out and found some other Coolrunners. Eat 'Em, Wobbly Man, Tigerboy and Chilliman (sounds like a gathering of the Justice League of America) were gathered together talking race strategy. I also caught up with Blkbox, Sekhmet and Deege at the start line. I think Morseyruns freaked me out and said hello when I didn't know who she was (Spark Driver is written on the back of my Coolrunning hat). As always there was other CR's that I have forgotten with my most humble apologies.

The event started pretty much on time but I was situated fairly well back in the crowd It wasn't much more than a shuffle for the first kilometre and a half.

The route is very scenic and apart for a nagging need for No. 1 toilet I enjoyed the first half of the race very much.

I hear groans from many but I have come to realize that I do enjoy running hills. Maybe it is my body design of short legs/long torso that helps or my semi-regular hilly training routes but I find I can power up moderate hills when many around are slowing down or walking.

At Menzies Creek I had a quick, toilet detour then buckled down to finish off the race.

The Garminator announced that I had run 9km's in 50 minutes and I knew I was way down on my best pace but I was still happy to be out running.

Travelling through Emerald I could hear the whistle of the second train behind me and was determined to finish in front of it. I upped the intensity to a sub 5 minute pace.

The last two kilometres I could hear the whistle of the 2nd 'Ladies' train draw closer and closer and at one point I thought I could even hear the chug chug of the engine.

The last kilometre was almost a sprint with a 4:37 split and I was pleased to cross the finish line in Garmin time of 70:44.

The 2nd train eventually finished in 75.56.

I picked up the Number 11 spot prize of a pair of Brooks socks and headed over to catch the first train departing back to Belgrave.

On the trip back I spent a lot of time thinking of my throbbing ankle and reflecting what running means to me.

Since starting running nearly two years ago I have achieved so much.

5km ,10 km, a Half and the Melbourne Marathon events to name a few. It has had many highs and a few lows.

The Bellarine 34km rail trail in August '06 at a 93 kilo weight was the highlight. This current ankle injury would have to be the low.

As I sat in the train, currently weighing a very disappointing 100 kilo's, I decided that running is something I still enjoy and want to continue.

I need to fix this Achilles problem and I need to break that 93 kilo barrier.

Next year I not only have to beat the 2nd train I also need to beat the 1st one (57.54 this year)!

Since Sunday I have taken the first step and booked an appointment with a Podiatrist. The earliest time available was this Friday morning and apart from a couple 30 minutes sessions on a treadmill I have been taking it easy.

Drop back during the weekend sometime and I will fill you in on the latest.

I will blog off for now. It is time to catch up on my friends that I have neglected lately and read all their running news.

Confession time.

"Are you ever posting again?" Thanks for the poke in the ribs there LBTEPA. I am going to post again. I just haven't had the heart for it lately.

As the title suggests I do have a confession to make. I have to confess that for the last three months I have been running with pain.

It was just gradual at first. A niggling pain at the back of my left ankle that was continually there.

After doing some research my uneducated guess is Achilles’ heel. I tried ice, elevation, compression and tendon manipulation a few times but without any noticeable effects I gave up in despair.

After I pushed myself hard in the Run for the Kids I was in so much pain I had trouble walking without a limp for three days.

Since that run it has been a constant reminder. Even sitting here blogging, not been out on a run for the last five days it is causing me pain.

Alas the "ignore it and it will go away" method hasn't worked as planned.

All this hit home yesterday when I was at the local Podiatrists settling an account for my Grandmother.

On the wall they had a poster referring to runners and Achilles heel, possible cause and treatment.

Not being an expert on doctors and specialist I asked the receptionist if this would be the place I would go to if I was having heel pain.

She gave me a look that resembled "Where did this Bogon just crawl from?!?", and cheerfully replied that they deal with everything concerning the foot.

I took a card and in my best Arnie voice said "I'll be back".

I am still running in The Great Train Race tomorrow. I have paid my money and wouldn't miss it now. That is the type of tightarse I am. But after that, in the next week, I will give this foot doctor a ring and get my bloody ankle checked out by an expert.

My Road to Rockhampton is currently at Bowning. The road will not wait for ever but I'm now not sure if I will get to Rockhampton this year.

Maybe by early 2008!