Always a challenge

A weekend away at the parents, including a dramatic but ultimately disappointing football match, coincided with the development of a strange blister/infection on the ball of my foot, which was too painful to run on. By the time I could run again on Tuesday, I only managed 5.5 miles before the calf tightened up nearly to the point of snapping and I had to walk home. I was concerned to run again today, but took it steady, stretched when I needed to, and made it to 8 miles. That makes November my highest mileage since July, and my second highest month's mileage since I started training for the marathon. Hoping for a long run at the weekend, but will have to see how the leg responds...

Cool, starless night running

The night is cool and starless, the Earth nuzzled in cloud, tucked in for bed. This is almost the perfect temperature for running - it is cool and dry, you sweat less, there is little chance of over-heating or dehydrating. The run keeps my legs and body warm - the only part of me that really gets cold is my hands and arms, wafting through the night air, so I cover them with sleeves and gloves. As long as you dress appropriately, none of this is a problem, even if it's raining. The main issue is ice, but it's not cold enough tonight for that. I keep an easy pace, not too slow but not too fast, taking it steady on the hills, and perhaps pushing a little more than I should on the flat. I complete 10 miles, put in a 7:15 mile as the sixth, average a bit under 8-minute miling, although the calf definitely aches during the last 3 miles and I am forced to ease off and nurse it home. Following 8 miles on Tuesday I am pleased, knowing we're away at the weekend and I'll probably have to fit in a smaller run if possible...

First post-injury half marathon

On Saturday morning I did a steady-paced (around 8:15 minute miles) half marathon for the first time since the injury. Early in the week I had run a 6 mile and an 8 mile, so I also broke 26 miles in a week for the first time since the injury too. I'm really pleased with the progress, but still get twinges and soreness on a regular basis and have to be wary. The half-marathon on Saturday was amazing, gliding through a misty morning, cool and refreshing, and although the calf had felt uncomfortable following the 8 miles on Thursday it generally felt good for the long run - lowering the pace, even slightly, is definitely the key.

Hovering just off the pace

So, last week following my 5 mile run feeling great, I fit in a 10 miler on Tuesday, knowing I had a 30th birthday to go to at the weekend and would struggle to fit in a long run. The leg ached a bit, but on Thursday and Sunday I then fit in 7 miles each day, giving a 24 mile total for the week. This is about perfect - ideally I would be getting in a marathon, 26 miles, each week as a minimum, and build the long run upwards from this, but at the moment my calf won't allow it...

Slight blip again

Following last week's successful three runs of 8, 8, and 10 miles, there was a blip this week. Partly due to time constraints and partly due to a twinge in the right calf, I only ran 8, 5, and 5 miles this week. On the plus side the 5 miles today felt mostly great, and my speed was solid despite the hills, averaging around 7:30 miling. The fourth mile was sub 7 minutes and it was an absolute joy to stretch the legs, the heart, and the breath a little. This is when I find running most exhilarating, with the blur of closeness stalling to a steady progress into the distance. The heart is pounding, senses alert and bright, dodging oblivious walkers staring at their mobile phones and weaving a smooth meander across the pavement. Pushing up a hill and pedalling rapidly down the other side - this, for me at least, is true running at its best.