Running with depression

So, im not sure how to start this one but ill give it a crack. A few weeks ago now, i decided to see a Dr. I’ve noticed especially since my injury that i have not been myself, actually my behaviour over the past few years has definantly been a concern. Anyway 4 months ago I had a pretty traumatic work place injury which im glad no one was hurt, but i definantly got triggured by it, stripped of my tickets due to the investigation i can no longer work to my full capacity. But thats ok, alot of lessons learned! I decided to see a dr as i realised i was not coping at all whatso ever, long work hours, injured not being able to stress releive, and a busy family life which can be demanding having two kids! And here i am being refferd to psych and prescribed medication, but to be honest its ok, i think this will help and if not im ready to keep trying. Its been 4 weeks now, some rough days but the therapy and anti depressants are definitely helping and im really thankful that i put my hand up. Mental illness is real and its ok not to be ok. My wife has been super amazing and supportive its been a breath of freash air, i was struggleing the first couple of weeks just getting out to run, felt miserable and used my injury as an excuse every time. But i pushed myself out the door, continued my recovering process, slow runs, more therapy, im finally feeling somewhat normal again! Im pretty excepting about moving forward with my mental health and running, i will eventually get off my medication as its just a mental rest while im getting back on track with my mental health. Once im injury free and running is going smoother again i will get off my medication, running makes me feel free, its makes me feel like im back to the basics of human evolution, were running was apart of our survival. Its quite meditating being able to run long distances, and i definantly notice it helping with mental health, there are deeper issues to why ive been diagnosed with depression but ill leave that part out. I hope one day i can rely on running and healthy new ways to keep my feelings at bay, but untill then ill continue with what im doing. If there is anyone else out there that is going through tough times, your not alone and don’t be scared to reach out for help! Kind regards Kyle Leeming #runnersworld #marathontraining

Running with PTT

Hi, aspired long distance runner here.

I wanted to share my story with you all on my recovery jeourney from prosterior tibial tendonitis.

It all started back 14 months ago, new runner averaging 30-45km of running per week, nothing could stop me!

After realising my quick progression in running i decide to run my first half marathon, perth half marathon.

No tapering towards it, no stretching ever, no warm ups ever, no strength work ever! Finished in 2:26 minutes it was a fantastic day.

So the day after I felt invincible and decided to have a recovery jog to test my legs, nothing fancy just 3kms and that was painfully uncomfortable but i did it Anyway, and i remember having a few days of then hammering back into longish training weeks, then long run day came and i managed a 21km long run, 3 speed sessions in the same week also.

The Following week i noticed i couldn’t finish 3km without this acheing dull pain, and extreamly tight calves! And OMG was that painful, i couldn’t even get out of bed and step on the floor without it being excruciating with pain.

So i stop running for a month, try again and yep it came back, another week, of the same thing.

Find myself losing months of Running, i get depressed. Like really badly, where was my runners high?

Anyway brought a bike and cycled my ass off for the next 12 months all was good, ish. So i start running 10 weeks ago now and it went great, im talking 7min per km pace. Very careful! Every day was getting some running done finally and the distance was coming back to me quickly, i pushed a 6 km run one afternoon and noticed the dull pain again. Agh!! So i surrendered.

I went to my drs who were fantastic, 3 days later booked in for nuclear medicine bone scan, results came back and nothing! Great news no fractures or shin splints.

Physio! Here we come, and diagnosed me with PTT.

Slight tear from obvious over use, obvious over pronation. 4 solid weeks of dry needling and massage, along with thera band strength work, stretching 3x’s a day, icing 3x’s a day light slow and low km running weeks 10km and cycling.

8 weeks later and here I am, this week I ran 4 solid runs three 5km runs and a 7km long run pain free!! Some muscle soreness from muscles ive never worked before due to new motion control shoes and arch support inserts to give the inside of my legs time to heal and grow strong again.

My fellow runners it has been a dark long and painful jeourney but im finally feeling like I’m moving forward! I hope to run my first marathon in 5 months but will see how that pans out.

I hope to hear from similar people, also hope I can inspire you that no matter the injury, there is always light at the end of the TUNNEL!!

Happy running

Kyle Leeming.

#run