I went to see James the physio on Tuesday. He specialises in lower limb issues, apparently, and does a lot of work with distance runners. I feared he would tell me my left leg niggles were more serious than I hoped, and that he would put the mockers on my plans for 2020.

He prodded me about for a while before declaring that my structure is pretty good (thanks, I think!) but that I do have tendon issues in my ankle and knee. The achilles gave him more concerns as it heals slowly and can flare up into a big problem. Fortunately I had overcome my dominant “ignore it and hope it goes away” mentality well before it has got to that stage. James seemed sure it was still early days for the injury and that it should respond well to two or three weeks of strength work in the gym. I have insertion tendonpathy, some fibres in the achilles tendon have gone twang where it joins the heel. I also have a similar issue in my left patella tendon which he said we will just “manage”.

I am to avoid hill repeats (imagine my disappointment!!) and any heel raise exercises or stretches where the heel drops below neutral position. I have a prescribed plan involving gym work 3x a week. Calf press, leg press and leg extension are the order of the day, all on the affected leg only. I’ve done 2 of these sessions, so far so good.

Tuesday – nothing done, I was absorbing the physio’s advice and applying for gym membership.

Wednesday – no run, but I extended my cycle commute to the 5k I’d planned to run then popped to the gym later to get my first rehab session in. My first time in the gym for 7 or 8 years!

Thursday Runch! This is was my only run of the week. The physio said I could run a couple of times a week provided that there was no pain while running. Hmmm. I can’t claim zero pain in my heel, but it was very mild, more of an ache. That’s what I’m telling myself, at any rate. I ran along the Thames near the office in Richmond, it was coldish but quite sunny, perfect running conditions.

Friday – no run, but 25 minutes on the cross-trainer at the gym, followed by leg work and core strength exercises.

Saturday – no run.

Sunday – my planned 14.4km (9 mile) run became a 28.7km bike ride. I think this is probably the most epic bike ride I’ve ever undertaken. I realise it’s small beer compared to some, but I really enjoyed it.

After freezing my tits off last week’s ride, I made sure I was more suitably attired. I was quite toasty in every department except my feet. Blocks. Of. Ice! By the end of my ride I couldn’t tell if my feet were in the pedal clips or not!

In general, I am relieved not to be off my feet for months, my plans for next year would have been seriously compromised. The marathon training plan isn’t due to start till early December and it won’t matter too much if I skip the first week or two. It’s much more important for me to focus on neutralising the achilles injury. If I can do that I will be set for 2020’s training load. As a bonus, I’ve now joined a local gym, so I can continue with leg strength exercises once the injury is sorted. My future ultra-running self will thank me for it.

I’ll be back in a week with an update.