Week 6

24SEP12

After the highs of last week’s successes I have been brought back down with a heavy bump. My knee felt weak all day as a result of yesterday’s run and today only managed a mile before having to stop. I was also obviously getting a bit cocky and over-confident about binning the comfortable runs and running at goal pace instead. I am definitely going to reduce the number of runs now, probably to the long run and one mid-week shorter run with strength training thrown in to try and bring my left leg into line without hammering the knee so much.

27SEP12

Having skipped yesterday’s run I was keen to get back into it. The programme suggested I should run next tomorrow but that seemed too close to Sunday in case my knee flared up again and, as it had felt fine today I thought I’d give it a go. As the day went on, I felt less and less inclined to bother and thought about sacking it all off and going to the pub. I managed to muster sufficient willpower to resist (considering it’s £1.50 a pint at The Royal Enfield on a Thursday) and went for a 3 miler. I was hoping the run might de-stress me but I spent most of the run looking out of the window and chuntering to myself at the flagrant abuse of the one-way system in the car park.

I also considered the logistics on race day. I need to get across to Southampton straight afterwards for the Spurs game so will need to think about parking etc. Also, trivial admin things like warm kit, water and whether energy gels are worthwhile need thinking about.

Thursday is the new Wednesday though. Two runs a week with the short run on Thursday having 3 day’s recovery and the long run on Sunday with 4 days recovery.

£1.50 might be too much too resist though!

30SEP12

Seemed a bit odd typing 88 minutes into the treadmill. I hadn’t even been up that long.

My legs were feeling a little tired this morning because I ended up walking a bit further than I had intended yesterday. Reason being is that I made a late decision to go to Goodison Park and had to park about a mile and a half from the ground. As I locked the car a little scouse scally offered to ‘mind my car’. I told him to do one and headed off to the ground only to turn back after half a mile to issue him another warning and take his photo. As I was once again near the ground the little bugger eventually got inside my head so I walked back and moved the car. I reckon I walked at least 5 miles because of that little sod; should have just given him 50p.

Anyway, today’s run went okay despite all that. I think I managed to just switch off for most of it and it was pleasing to know I can run for as good as an hour and a half, albeit at a slower pace.

One thing I did think about is sponsorship which a few people have suggested I should do. I’ve resisted as I wouldn’t want to take money off people and then fail so I’ve made it more of a personal challenge. I am pretty sure I’ll get through this now so maybe it’s something to consider.