Age 36, Marathon runner with a PB of 2hrs 58 minutes in April 2006.
Current aim: Training for Ironman Switzerland July 2009.
Background
I have been going to Physio 4 Life for over 5 years now with a number of injuries related to running and various other sports that I do. I am a former triathlete turned marathon runner, and represented my age group at the Triathlon World Championship in Edmonton 2001 and Duathlon World Championships in Rimini 2001. I took up marathon running in late 2002, running a 3hrs11min marathon in London 2003 but started to suffer with problems, I ran 3.06 in 2004 but withdrew in 2005 through injury. With the help of Mark Saunders and his team I was able to run a sub 3 hour marathon in the London Marathon April 2006.
Current Situation
Following a summer in 2008 of significant mileage on the bike as a result of not being able to run or swim I was diagnosed with a torn subscapularis in my right shoulder which was recommended for surgery. I decided against this and underwent intense rehab with Matt at Physio4Life instead to see what progress could be made without surgery; and after 3 months of regular physio, the shoulder healed very well on its own and I am now back weight training and swimming 3 times a week. Since September I have been attending 1-2-1 Pilates lessons with Rosalie and it has made a significant difference to my core strength, back pain and my strength and it is now a regular part of my daily routine. With the additional help of Mark, he has worked with me to build up my strength and I have gradually over the last 3 months worked up from barely being able to run as the muscles weren’t engaging to running comfortably for 30 minutes on a treadmill at between 8 and 9 minute mile pace. I have also been having massages with Evelyn which I swear by.
My conditioning and strength are far greater than they have ever been I owe a big thanks to Physio4Life and all the staff for putting me back together every time I break, running related or not and for the advice that I have received which has been invaluable, (I’ve learnt to listen, very hard to do as an athlete!), and for believing in me when I stopped being able to do it myself.
Vikki Sercombe, Physio4Life Client