What a busy morning it's been here at Lou HQ! Wowzers! And I still managed to fit a run in this morning too, just call me Wonder Woman!

As today's title suggests - THE LEGS are my big issue today.
I really, really detest my legs, I mean - don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that I can walk and run (sort of) and all the things that a fortunate able bodied person can, but when they were handing out slender pins of glory, I was right at the back of the queue. I suffer from what is commonly known as 'tree-trunk' legs. It's true, they are bigger and musclier than any other female legs I have seen, and to top it all they are covered in eczema.

In 2005 I suffered a DVT in my right leg and was terribly ill for some time with it. Spending hours in doctors’ surgery's getting blood test after blood test, taking blood thinner-after blood thinner and lolloping around on crutches, and it's never quite worked right since.
Standing or sitting for too long will make it swell, too much heat and humidity will make it swell, sitting at a funny angle will make it swell - running can make it swell. In short -it's unpredictable - and it's the inevitable unpredictability of it that causes the eczema too. Un-avoidable so I am told by doctors, great!
So I spend my Summer months hiding them away as much as possible, not only are they just ugly, they are veiny, scabby and swollen, you getting the picture?! I envy women with lovely slender. Toned, tanned legs. The women that can just whack on a skirt (or a pair of size twelve Calvin Klein short shorts!?) and look amazing, only having to address the odd hair here or there. One day, it shall be me!

Due to the DVT, I always run in support socks, you know those really sexy, super grippy, ridiculously expensive-knee high beauties. I can't face the thought of what might happen if I didn't use them, especially on my bad leg and usually they help with the fatigue and pains - but today, even after lots of stretching and now, two hours after the run - they are aching and the pains I was experiencing whilst running were along the outsides of each shin bone - in the muscles either side. Ouch ouch ouch. The stamina for keeping going through eight runs today was pleasingly not a problem, though this could have just been the distraction of the pain. Looking at my trainers (Asics, for which I was measured in Sweaty Betty a while ago) I seem to heavily place emphasis on the outside of my feet when running. Could this be the problem? Any advice?

 

 


Comments

Emma Marks
06/07/2011 04:17

If you can afford it and are serious about it - try going to a 'proper' running shop. The ones that make you run on a treadmill for gait analysis to get trainers - or just look up over or under pronation, you might be able to get support insoles or something similar that might help you.

Soaking in epsom salts (different to sea salts!) for at least 20 mins with at least 300mg in a bath really helps with muscle soreness. Do you strech afterwards? And 'cooldown' by walking that last bit home?
Now Boots do their own tubs which are pretty cheap at about £1.70 each. Don't add anything else to the water, just lie back and read or something.

So keen on reading this. You really make me giggle. And who cares about how fast you're progressing - you are doing it, never underestimate that!

I wasn't able to run for 3 weeks cos I've got funny kneees, but went out lasty night for a short run which went OK...

Also, just doing some exercises - only 1 or 2 - might help legs....try and work out exactly where it hurts....like, my knees hurt cos my upper thighs aren't strong enough so sometimes I try and do plies when boiling the kettle or whatever....xxx

Reply
Erin
09/12/2011 09:38

"Standing or sitting for too long will make it swell, too much heat and humidity will make it swell, sitting at a funny angle will make it swell - running can make it swell. In short -it's unpredictable - and it's the inevitable unpredictability of it that causes the eczema too. Un-avoidable so I am told by doctors, great!"

You have just described my life for the last 7.5 years since my DVT, and what's worse, doctors don't seem to think it's a problem. I was excited to find this blog, though, you have given me some hope. Thanks.

Reply



Leave a Reply