Rest's end, creaking knees and ankles.

I was hoping to feel like a person with new knees when my three months rest finally came to an end.  In fact my knees felt like someone had been beating them with a stick after my first runs.  I persevered and the general ache lessened, just a symptom of the mild arthritis I have in both knees I suppose.

Unfortunately I can still feel a sensation behind my left knee and it is clear that the specific condition that caused me to take such a long rest is still present.  This was quite a blow, whether the condition is going to become aggravated again remains to be seen.  The physio I saw believed the condition was due to over pronation, my GP believes it is due to my varicose veins.  I am sure that both of them have correctly identified 'system' faults, I have my doubts as to whether either of them have identified the problem.

Crete, in the hills round Piskokéfalo - Photo Denise DeLeuw

Getting out at all was marvellous I had really missed running, particularly I missed the opportunity to run while I was in Crete.  Crete in October looked like a paradise for fell and trail runners, doable mountain trails everywhere, temperate weather, wonderful light and that omnipresent smell of mountain herbs.  If I get another chance to get out there I will be running at first light, finish for midday, then spend the afternoon cooling off in that beautiful blue sea.

Crete, in the hills round Piskokéfalo - Photo Denise DeLeuw

Crete, beautiful blue sea - Looking back to mainland Crete from Chrysi Island

 Crete, beneath the beautiful blue sea - Chrysi Island.

Back at home was not quite so warm though there was some lovely autumn weather during my first few runs.  I also got the chance to point my new camera at familiar routes.  I considered these runs to be exploratory rather than the recommencement of training.

 Burgess's Wood - The leaf litter path gives this spot a permanently autumnal look. The lovely lighting today leaves no doubt that this is the real thing.

One of the cygnets on a pool at Apedale

Unfortunately my return to running was quickly postponed when I sprained an ankle on (or about) my third run!  Fortunately I fell as the ankle rolled which lessened the strain and consequent damage.  A fortnight later and the pain has subsided, the injury hurts only when stressed directly.  Consequently I ventured out sticking to predictable surfaces for a while.

Well that was the intention, but pavements just don't cut it and Sunday found me on my usual five and a half miler.  I vowed to be very careful.

I had planned a detour to avoid a flooded section of path, however as I crossed a large field I realised that the cattle (bullocks I think) from an adjacent field were  wandering through a gap and were barring my way.  The beasts did not appear hostile on this occasion, but I turned back anyway.  I was not in a mood to take any chances, a fall when surrounded by cattle is not a risk worth taking in my opinion,  so the flooded path it was.

 This was not what I had in mind by "predictable surfaces".
As I turned off the path, immediately after the flooded section, I thought I had forgotten my route.  The gap in the shrubs that I was expecting could not be found.  When I did manage to join the path I could see from the back that a tree had fallen with it's crown blocking the gap.

The rest of the run went without mishap and so, finally, I am back in training again.