RICE

So I think a running lay-off is now in order. I think I've badly bruised the heel of my right foot to the extent that even walking up the road is painful. So lots of rest, ice, compression and elevation for the next week or so. With the Civil Service 10k championships & the Tewkesbury Half marathon looming on the horizon, I need to get myself healed sooner rather than later. I was thinking about running at Chedworth next Sunday, but that's now out of the question.

Oh well. I suppose I've been lucky with injuries for a while. Nothing since my hamstring and groin injuries of 2006 & 2007. Hopefully with rest this week, my foot will sort itself out quickly.

R.

Ok, doctors were right.

So working a sore ankle doesn't help. Unfortunately I turned it again on the way to work this morning so I'm back to the same painful state I was a week ago. Battling run this morning in the (head) wind and rain. Sore run coming home but glad I did it today in order to hit the 20 mile mark for the week.

So going back to my race shoes (Mizuno Elixir) - I'd definitely recommend them, especially if you need a bit of support. Here's the Runners World review:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/review/reviewproduct.asp?RPN=1638&prod=Mizuno-Wave-Elixir&RCN=0&rgn=&v=5&sp=

So I'm thinking of actually going for a marathon later this year. Not sure where yet though; Paris, New York - somewhere a bit special.

R.

Rest? Nah!

So I decided to run the work's lunchtime race yesterday. I actually figured it was an easier option that the Harriers Tuesday night workout so with tentative ankle, I had a go. Glad I did as I produced a PB, by over a minute. So that's three runs with my new go-faster race shoes, three PBs! Of course, it's not about the shoe ;)

As per my normal wrecklessness, I went off far too quickly covering the first mile in 5.47; the remaining 5 miles were gradually slower in line with the undulations of the course. Reasonably quick finish although I was struggling over the line.

Ankle is a bit sore today, but I'll give it a gentle workout tomorrow in the hope that increased activity will cure it and prove the entire medical world wrong!

Here's the MB from the race:

Still Ouch!

So I hurt my foot on Friday, it's now Monday and I'm still suffering. Not quite as bad, but I did a gentle trot down the road this afternoon and it didn't feel great. I think I might have done the damage last Tuesday actually but it didn't reveal itself until I ran on Friday. So, the race I had scheduled for Wednesday looks very doubtful, as does any running this week.

I'm not sure if it's plantar or a slight sprain. Either way, it's not 100 % :(

Away from running, Joshua played a game of vomit bingo today. He nearly won, but failed to puke in the dining room or two of the bedrooms. He was successful in the lounge, kitchen, landing, bathroom and his bedroom. Well done Josh, great effort today - that's my boy ;)

Ouch!

Well I took my weekly total to just over 20 miles with a 12 miler today. It started off fine, light drizzle, nice and cool. However, after about 6 miles a slight pain started in my right ankle. This steadily increased until I reached the foot (pardon the pun) of Bushcombe Lane (my Everest) and by the top, a mile later, it was agony. I managed to limp back down Cleeve Hill and finish the run which was another 4 miles, but in some discomfort. Hopefully it's just a simple strain and nothing too long term!

My Motion Based activity from today's run is interesting, well the 'laps' are anyway (can you spot Bushcombe Lane?).

Harriers

Not much to report this week other than a brisk 8.5 mile run on Tuesday with the Harriers. I think the ave pace was in the region of 6.45 min/mile which, when you take in to account a run over Battledown Hill, ain't too shabby. That was the first run for a while where we've upped the wick in terms of speed, felt good although I was glad to finish.

Hoping to get a long run in tomorrow, thinking of the following 12 miler but as it's Good Friday, will have to see what the family want to do first!

Agony Run

I was thinking about my worst run ever last night. It was last June while we were on holiday in Canada, on Lake Huron near Toronto. I was just recovering from a groin strain so my running had taken a back-seat for a few weeks. I had a local map so I decided to hit some trails and take in some scenery so I ventured out for a easy 6 mile run. First of all, the area had experienced some recent heavy rain so some of the trails were severely flooded. Secondly, it was hotter than expected, nearing 90 degs. In summary, it was awful. It was hot, I got lost, floods everywhere, I even ended up sloshing through a tree-covered swamp that was full of mozzies and unidentified objects jumping in & out of the water. It was really unpleasant. On top of all that, my groin gave out so I ended up hobbling back to where we were staying. My navigation went to pieces and I had to take a short cut across a rather posh golf course. I must have looked like the swamp monster; sweating, hobbling, covered in crap. Anyway, here's the Motion Based output from that run including one of my slowest miles ever!

R.

A bit more like it

After my pathetic 6 miles for the entire week last week, I improved to 31 miles this. This included a run with Dave & Laura on Tuesday in very blustery conditions, I think we all struggled a bit and were happy to get back to the finish with a sub 7 min/mile pace. Following that I did a couple of runs to/from work and a lunchtime 6 miler on Friday.

Almost time to put the winter gear away as the temperature improves and once the clocks go forward the Harriers Tuesday night runs will get a bit more interesting and include some off-road adventures.

Here's the run from Tuesday, nice hilly first mile!!

6 miles?

The sum of my running last week; 6 miles.

A reasonable excuse though. Firstly, I was away in the US & Canada with work and aside from the first morning, I felt quite groggy throughout. Secondly, on arrival in Canada there was snow on the ground and then another 28cm was dumped on top during the night. So, 6 miles was the total. It was a fairly slow 6 miles too as it was the morning after the flight across the Atlantic. Nice and cold though, frozen ground and still conditions.

I'm hoping to get out this afternoon for a short plod and then pick-up the miles again on Tuesday with the Harriers.

Next race is the Tewkesbury Half which is in May - plenty of time to get the mileage going again.

R.