Hi,

After signing myself up for a half marathon as a pre-emptive mid-life crisis, I’ve been running recently.

I hate running.

Anyway, it’s all been going reasonably well (considering the last thing I ran for was the bus and even then I gave up).

I’ve been stretching before running, and gradually increasing distance as I go on.

Last weekend I overdid it and ended up with pain in my left achilles after my run. I tried a run in the week but it was clear that it was a bad idea, so I left it until Sunday.

Started out fine, no pain, managed about 3 miles and then “p-doing click” in my left ankle – cue quite bad pain and me having to hobble about 2 miles home (why do these things always happen when you’re at the farthest point from home?).

I’m fairly sure it’s nothing more than a pull, but it’s quite painful at the moment.

Given a week didn’t really cut it last time, I’m proposing to leave it at least two – does this sound sensible?

I’m loathe to leave it longer because I’m struggling with getting up to fitness as it is. From Jan I’ll have about ten weeks to get up to speed and I’d really rather not have to start from square one again!

I’d suggest going to see a medical professional and see if you can get a referral to a physio. Achilles are nasty things if you damage them, I frayed mine a few years ago and whilst I’m back running again now it’s never been quite right.

I could recommend the exercises I use(d) to strengthen mine, but they might not be appropriate.

Yep, I know someone that ruptured theirs and it sounded pretty horrendous.

Based on recent experience with a torn shoulder tendon I’m unlikely to get any short-term assistance from my GP – it took five months to be referred for physio and a further three for an MRI to confirm the injury. I suspect their initial advice will be simply to rest it up anyway.

Don’t mess about. Get a recommendation for a good physio, maybe even one who specializes in ankles and spend the money. If you’re near Nottingham, I know of an ankle specialist in keyworth.

A half decent physio should be able to tell you what’s going on, just find a decent one where you live and go sooner rather than later.

Should cost you about £30