The reinvention project has officially begun — and naturally, the starting point had to be running.
The reinvention project has officially begun — and naturally, the starting point had to be running.
If you’ve been following my Kenya running adventure, you’ll know I’ve been battling injury. Specifically, a tibial stress fracture that I ran on for a month. But I knew I had a little bit of space to run a bit more, so I planned and completed more than half of the Brighton Marathon, hitting another sub-1:40 half and clocking 30K in 2:25. A few days later, I ran again, then, finally, relented, saw my physio, Gemma, and as expected, the verdict was clear: rest for a month and start the rehab exercises.
It’s easy to justify running through niggles, we all do it. I knew deep down I was rolling the dice. I’d come off the back of a big training block, had niggles stacking up on one side, and pushed through, knowing the big rehab and reinvention was waiting!
The injury plan
As I hinted during my time in Kenya, I’m starting to see injury as an inevitable chapter in most runners’ stories, especially for those of us who've been in it for the long haul. Maybe it's time we reframe injury as a mesocycle — a planned, medium-term block in our training year, rather than a disruption or failure.
For older runners in particular, this shift feels necessary. We’re part of a living experiment. Our parents didn’t run marathons into their 50s, 60s or 70s. There’s no blueprint, so we’re writing it as we go. But what’s clear is this: doing the same training, year after year, and expecting the same results? That’s where things start to unravel. Adaptation, and learning, is the only way forward.
Step one: eyes on my feet
To kick off my recovery, I headed to Profeet in Fulham, specialists in running and ski footwear. I opted for their Signature Assessment — a comprehensive look at how I move, run, and land. It included gait analysis, dynamic foot scanning, and a surprisingly nostalgic moment: Matt, the expert assessing me, used a Brannock device to measure my feet (hello, school shoe flashbacks).
Turns out? I’ve been wearing the wrong shoe size my entire adult life. I’m a size six, not a five. Thankfully, I’ve always sized up for running, so I dodged a worse fate.
High-tech insights
The assessment was detailed and enlightening:
Barefoot gait analysis revealed movement patterns and foot strike issues.
Video gait analysis with high-speed HD cameras caught what the eye can’t.
Dynamic foot scan with over 4,000 pressure sensors showed the exact forces acting through my foot, from initial impact to toe-off.
Finally, I trialled several shoes on the treadmill. The standout? The Saucony Endorphin Speed, which, coincidentally, was recommended for me by the brilliant Kurt at the Run shop in Hove two years ago.
What’s going on?
Although I haven’t had an MRI or X-ray this time, the diagnosis aligns with what my physio, Gemma, and a podiatrist (currently helping with my squashed toes) have concluded. The issue has deep roots and is related to how my foot lands.
Back in 2021, after a stressful period at work, I squeezed in a marathon. Feeling exhausted, I still crossed the line in 3:39. A week later, I jumped into a cross-country race wearing my beloved but minimalist leopard-print spikes. I turned my ankle, and months later, an MRI confirmed posterior tibial tenosynovitis — inflammation of the tendon sheath on the inner ankle. It’s typically caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or biomechanical issues. In my case, all of the above.
I’ve been managing this on and off for nearly four years. In 2023, I tore the tendon three weeks before the Manchester Marathon — during a parkrun. This year? Four weeks out. A familiar pattern. I increased my volume in Kenya, ran off-road more, and wore Nike Vaporflys when I shouldn’t have, i.e. when I was in pain. A stress fracture waiting to happen.
The deeper issue is chronic weakness, especially on my right side. As Matt at Profeet noted, my right foot isn’t rolling in enough, and my hips are tight, weak, and lack mobility, common in runners, especially women over 50.
The road back
Right now, my body needs rest and care. I'm rehabbing with:
Swimming (when my sore toes heal!)
Strength training
Stationary cycling at PowerWatts
The real reinvention
Reinvention isn’t just about injury recovery. It’s about addressing long-term imbalances, building strength, and adjusting goals. I aim to come back stronger, not just run, but run smart.
The plan:
Focused strength training using free weights
Core work to support balance and posture
Off-road running over the summer to build strength without overloading joints
Cycling for fun, hills and cross training for balance
Thanks to the strength I built in Kenya, I’m starting from a solid base, but I know that the gym is where the real rebalancing happens.
What's next?
I’ll run the New York Marathon this November to raise money for Shoes4Africa (I will be asking for your cash!) and then, I’ve decided: no more marathons. My body’s been through enough.
This reinvention also includes a mindset shift. I’ve always pushed myself. But now I’m learning to pace the push. Every runner should. There’s a fine line:
Push too hard? Breakdown.
Not enough? Meh.
Train hard and smart? That’s the sweet spot — and it looks different for everyone.
Stick with me as I reinvent — not just as a runner, but as an endurance athlete and a human figuring out what comes next. This journey isn’t just about healing; it’s about adapting, evolving, and moving forward with purpose.
If you’re injured right now, I’d love to hear from you. What’s going on in your body — and how are you working through it?
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Let’s navigate this next chapter together.