One of those things but **it happens.
Yes, next year, I have deferred my place. In fact my big cheer-up mechanism is to tell my self that I'm now in training for 2019!
I am booked into a further 3 half-marathons this year so hoping the orthopaedic man will confirm that it's not too serious.
Having no idea how much support you have with your running I am hesitant to offer advice, but on the basis that it may just help, here goes.
Heel and knee injuries along with many others can be caused by the wrong mechanics. No amount of physio, stretching etc will help if you are covering many miles with poor mechanics. Very few are lucky enough and strong enough to run correctly, without some coaching.
It is a misconception that running is a natural action. It was more natural but has been lost by modern lifestyles not helped by poor footwear engineered to mitigate poor mechanics (think big padded air soles).
Somehow most people think it’s fine to have golf lessons or tennis lessons etc but rarely do they have lessons on how to run. There just seems to be an attitude that it only requires determination. It helps but wrong.
Firstly, you need to be fit to run, not to get fit by running. Yes you might get there but it’s less likely and will probably mean a catalogue of injuries and disappointment, most will give up.
Good mechanics are the consequence of good posture which requires strength in the right areas and visualisation.
If you or anyone reading this has the right mechanics naturally then congratulations and well done, you are in the minority. If not and you have injury issues then consider a change.
There are dangers, incorrect changes or changing too fast can cause problems, better I think than continuing with poor mechanics but still an issue.
You may believe that there are many different styles, shapes and sizes and therefore mechanics but good runners will have the same fundaments. 20 years ago with the aid of the internet/HD video and an enlightened bulletin board I changed my mechanics. It was not easy as I was in my late 40’s but It did work.
I’m more than happy to have a healthy debate on the subject at any meets, over a beer or red wine.
Mike