Abandoned Run

OK so this goes down as a bit of a setback with only 20 days to go until the London Marathon. This was to be my last long run and was over 20 miles. It's a mix of trail and road and the river sections were just playing havoc with the outside of my left knee. It very quickly felt sore but I thought I'd keep going. The downhill bits were the toughest. After about 14 miles I stopped for a quick drink and an energy gel and even though it had been a bit slow, I felt ok, other than the knee. I was at the top of a section that dipped back down to the river and as I set off it just felt like my knee locked. I just couldn't run on it. Walking was hard enough. Run over.

I hobbled to the nearest main road and hitched a lift, I'm so glad someone stopped and gave me a lift. So now what? This hasn't happened before. I'm going to assume it's just inflamed from the running so rest, ice, more rest for a few days, then test it out on some short runs. I'd be tapering the training soon anyway, so it's more important I rest it and hope it holds out on the 26th. There's no offroad so that should help!

26 days and counting

OK, so I've been a bit negligent on the blogging front but fortunately not on the running front.
Highlights include keeping up with the club runs, I'm no longer at the back on the efforts or time trials. I'm at the front of the slow group so probably time to move up to be at the back of the middle group.

About ten days ago I did a 15 mile run over the Long Mynd with Eddie from the club. I'd post a map but I've no idea really of the route. Eddie tells me we did 2500ft of climbing (which did me in) in about 3hrs 15. He finished looking fresh and I just looked finished. Anyway good strength training.

Yesterday I did my longest run so far at 19.22 miles in 3 hours 25 minutes. It's a bit slow, 10 minute miles so here's my defence. 1) I had too many stops, messing around with my shoelaces. 2) I had a genuine stop to change top and pick up some fluid gels off my better half 3) I didn't quite take on enough fluid and got a bit tired 4) It was a mix of cross country and road and the river sections were quite awkward footing 5) I finished with a couple of hills 6) It's a chuffing long way OK!!!

Actually I was really pleased to manage it and it's given me loads of confidence that I can have a real go at the 4 hour mark on the 26th. I may not run further than that until the day, I'll chat with the guys at the club and get their advice.

Here's my route

New Shoes

So I've stuck with Asics for the second pair in a row. I've 600 miles to road test these. 10 miles in and so far so good. These shoes will hopefully keep my feet safe around London on April 26th.

These are the Stratus and apparently they are:

• Top of the range running trainers from Asics
• Air mesh upper : Synthetic leather : 3M Reflective piping : SpEVA midsole
• Visible Rearfoot GEL and Forefoot GEL makes this an extremely cushioned trainer
• Forefoot has Trusstic and heel has AHAR+ heel
• DuraSponge rubber Forefoot
• SpEVA 45 lasted
• Removable compression molded EVA sockliner
• A very lightweight, cushioned running trainer for the serious athlete

I am now therefore a serious athlete.

7 miles in new shoes

After a couple of frustrating runs - too much mud, too much kit, too aching limbs - it was good to get out and run a decent time over a decent distance. 7 miles just under an hour. 8.30 minute miles. Nice to run in some new kit too.

Run in the rain

Had a really busy week and just didn't run at all - that's not no exercise but it is no running and the marathon is way too close for comfort for that to happen again. So out I went today and club run tomorrow. So today was a loosener for tomorrow which will be a loosener for a long run on Saturday (I hope about 15-16 miles). It was pretty wet but I quite enjoyed that but getting the right amount of gear to avoid getting either too cold or too hot is quite tricky. Anway 4.58 miles in 38 minutes, 7 miles an hour and if I kept that up I'd run a marathon in 3 hours 40 something. Possible? Hmmm.

Pool Quay to Abermule

So set off for a long run today, and I'm not sure why but I was slow and heavy legged. It was a beautiful day on a stunning route alongside the Montgomery Canal but I couldn't get going. Still it was time on my legs. I now know what it's like to run (mostly) for 2 hours plus. I think if I wasn't running on my own I would probably have been quicker, but still some days that's the way it goes. I hit my distance but fell short of my destination (due to a miscalculation) by about 3-4 miles. So I'll do that one again when I get up to about 18 miles in a month or so.

I also tried running with a camel pak which was useful for the water but took some getting used to, I'll run with a bottle next time I think. Anyway, it's my longest run so far at 13.44 miles which (and I hate to think this) is just over half way round a marathon course. I may never walk again. Hey ho. I'm pretty confident I can run that route better and quicker, so will try again soon.

Run 1

A combination of poor weather, a weeks holiday and some general idleness have slowed me up a bit which is not good when there's only 68 days to go to the marathon. I'm running tomorrow night with the club so I went out for a loosener and ran run1 and ran a reasonable 19.56 and it was a loosener. I might try a quick one on that next week but I need to get a long run in this weekend. I think it needs to be 13 miles this week. I'll allow myself 2 hours.