Now I'm getting annoyed!!

As you can probably guess from the title of this post I didn't run today...and I'm starting to get annoyed!! I never thought I would say this but I actually miss running!!

My knee still isn't 100% and with only 6 or 7 weeks until the half marathon, if I try a run and make it worse I'll leave myself no recovery time. So for now I'm afraid the only running I'll be doing is a bath. We'll see how the knee is on Thursday and decide then if I'll do the schedule 5 miles.

False start

I got in from work this evening and decided that I should give the run a go tonight rather than tomorrow morning, that way I can see how the knee feels before Sundays run. That was the plan anyway!!

I got in from work, got changed in to my spandex, put on my knee support, put on my knee straps went out the door to start my 4 mile run...and completed all of about 200 yards!! I felt a tweak in my knee at the same place I have had the pain since Sunday so I put a halt to the run there and then. I haven't done any more damage to the knee but it didn't make sense to keep running so I stopped. Sunday's run is out of the question now so I'm going to keep resting it until Tuesday, when I'll attempt a 4 miler again. I am determined to do this run which is why I don't want to aggravate this any further.

So watch this space and see how I get on on Tuesday.

Smart progress

As you know I was due to do 4 miles on Tuesday and 5 miles today but after Sunday's 10 miles I had quite a sharp pain through my right knee and have been wearing a knee support all week, so I thought it wise to rest up rather than run. The last thing I want is to over do the training when I'm not fit and then be unable to run the actual half marathon!

The knee support is off today so I am aiming to run 4 miles on Saturday, with the knee support on, and see how it feels before hopefully running the 2nd 10 miler on Sunday.

It feels like I haven't been able to really get stuck in to the training for one reason or another since the turn of the year but as I said, I want to make smart progress rather than mess the whole thing up by running when things aren't quite right.

I have booked the 16th and 17th of March off work in order to recover from the run and also to put together and edit my video of the whole experience to post on here! The fund raise is now up to £645...not forgetting the additional £130 that I have been promised when I complete the run...so things are looking good on that front, so far!!

Double figures

I didn't get a chance to do a run yesterday so I was up at 0700 this morning for my only run of the weekend...the 10 miler!!

As I mentioned before, I have never run 10 miles before so today was a the biggest challenge of the training so far. My aim was to complete the run within 1 hour and 40 minutes, an average of 10 minutes a mile, and I did. 1 hour 34 minutes and 59 seconds after starting, I had finished. Unlike last week, I didn't feel at any time that I wanted to stop or couldn't go on. It was a good steady run that I actually enjoyed today.

Nines miles in to the run and there was a group of young lads across the road from me, who I guess had been out all night. One of them noticed me and said to his mates "I'm gonna run with running man" and proceeded to cross the road and run alongside me to the amusement of his mates!! He only lasted about 15 yards though...apparently I was too slow for him!! For a split second, it felt like the scene from the Rocky movie where people join Rocky on his run!!!! lol

Next week sees me scheduled for 4 miles on Tuesday and Saturday, 5 miles on Thursday followed by another 10 miles on Sunday. With only 8 weeks to go to the half marathon, the countdown is on!!

A right old knees up.

I did the 5 miler last night after work and completed it in 46mins 29secs. I had the usual cold bath, which felt extra cold, followed by a nice warm shower before settling down to dinner...at 21:00!! My knee is feeling a bit sore this morning but I don't think it's anything to worry about.

I have a 4 miler tomorrow before Tracey and I head over to Brentford to try and sell some raffle tickets before their game at Griffin park. Watch this space and I'll let you know how we get on in Sunday's blog.

Could do better!

I did my run last night but didn't get a chance to do my blog so hence I'm doing it today. It was 3 miles on the agenda last night and I did it in 26 minute 21 seconds...not quite my best time but not far off of it.

I felt I pushed myself for the whole run and at no point just settled for being "comfortable" in my run so I'm pleased with how it went, although a little disappointed that I didn't do a 3 mile personal best!!

I still had my cold bath afterwards, even though it was a relatively short run, as it can't do any harm...even if it isn't doing a massive amount recovery assistance. It has worked so far so I guess there's no need to break a winning habit.

We are up to £492 raised so far...who's going to take it past the £500 point?? 5 miles on Thursday night is next on the schedule so watch this space...

A new 9 mile record

With 12 hours rest since my last run, I was up at 0800 this morning, washed, dressed and out the door at 0830 for 9 miler number 2...and it hurts worse than last week!!

I managed to do the 4 and half miles out 1 minute faster than last week without feeling like I was really pushing myself. So on the turn, I decided to try and do "shuttle" runs, where I run at a steady pace and add in short "sprints" between two points. I managed this for 2 miles until I felt like I couldn't run anymore...I was close to taking a break at 6 and a half miles. But I didn't. I kept telling myself that I managed 9 miles last week without stopping, so there's no reason to stop now. I struggled between 6 and a half and 8 and a half miles, feeling like my legs were going to give up on me but I kept going at what felt like was a slow pace.

Then I hit the "home straight" with half a mile to go. I dug in and tried to open up my stride. I finished the run breathing deeply and legs aching...but when I checked the watch I had knocked 41 seconds off last weeks time...well pleased!!

I got in and Tracey got me a pint and a half of ribena...I was gasping for a drink!! lol I had my cold bath, hot shower and now I'm ready to enjoy my Sunday.

Next week sees me take on 3 miles on Tuesday, 5 miles on Thursday, 4 miles on Saturday before I take on 10 miler...yes a 10 MILER...on Sunday. But for now I'm going, going, scone!!