Can I Run? My question to Hampden Sports Clinic.

Can I Run?

This is not some sort of philosophical soul searching or Eastern enlightenment from my Chi Running workshop. It is the question that I asked my physiotherapist, Jim Fallon, at the Hampden Sports Clinic last night.

Please allow me to rewind.

Back in 1978, aged 5 years old, I fell over in pain. I hadn’t tripped or had a slip; I had a problem with my hip. That problem had a name. Perthes Disease.

Monkeying around in my crutches.

It led to me spending six weeks in a hospital bed, with my legs attached to pulleys. Imagine being strapped to a medieval rack, but then being served copious amounts of ice cream.  This was followed by several years in crutches and a prophecy.

I would never be an athlete. I would grow with one leg shorter than the other and I would undoubtedly succumb to joint problems and early onset arthritis.

When you are 7 years old, joint problems as an adult are not on your list of pressing priorities, which, for me, included adding to my Star Wars figure collection.

Fast forward 36 years and to last night and the adult me is remembering that prophecy, but also thinking about adding to my running shoe collection.

I have been struggling with knee pain for a few months (ok, years) and last night I was given the news and advice that every runner dreads and ultimately ignores.

I should not be running.

Not now, not soon and ideally never again on concrete (he did not exclude trail running!).

My knees have carried a lot of weight over the years, especially when you think of my years weighing over 25 stone and they have not escaped unscathed. It is time for me to take care of them.

So, I will actually listen to my Hampden Sports Clinic physiotherapist and focus on strengthening my legs and trying to address my flat feet (Scott Devenney, hopefully to the rescue ).

I also cannot run away from the truth.

I am carrying too much weight and if I am ever to run again, I need to also strengthen my resolve and address my eating habits.

You cannot outrun a bad diet. Especially if you cannot run.

Instead I will cycle , not carbs, but a bike. I need to keep active and Jim explained that walking was ok, swimming was better and cycling was best.

And, as someone who is clueless about biking, I will make it next week’s Cam Glen Radio’s Adventure Show activity of the week. Paula and I will find out how we can cycle safely in Glasgow and report back on why we should get back in the saddle.

Cycling. Next week on CamGlen Radio

Tune in from 11am this and every Tuesday on CamGlen Radio and look out for my future posts on my cycling adventures and why not check out my Commonwealth Games Blog, when I last tried cycling.

Hmmm. Yes, cycling is much better for my knees

More importantly, please look out for me cycling. Seriously. I am a liability on a bike and will undoubtedly need some cycling lessons.

I am back at Hampden Sports Clinic this Wednesday and I am hoping to add some pool work to my cycling, but more about that next week.

I will run again, but for now, I cycle.