Training So Far......Good

Week One Mon 6.03 , Tues 6.17 , Wed Rest , Thur 7.09 , Fri 7.14 , Sat 11.34 , Sun Refereed
Week Two Mon 6.12 , Tues 7.42 , Wed Rest , Thur 8.15 , Fri 6.63 , Sat   8.36 , Sun 8.03 => Total Mileage 82.49 

I did not realise that I had left it so long to post and much has happened since the new year. I started my programme on 5th January with an easy run which turned out to be rather painful. After about two miles my right knee began to get sore. I shortened my stride and tried a shuffle style which helped a little. I had to stop three miles in to stretch my hamstrings and again this helped a little. On Tuesday I chose to run easy, rather than the planned intervals to protect my knee. By Thursday and after wearing a fetching knee support for a couple of days, I went out for a tempo run. There was some pain after the run, but the leg held up better than I thought that it would. Friday and Saturday were both easy runs at up to two minutes slower than marathon pace, which for me is about 9:30 miling. I decided not to run on Sunday and to take an additional rest day, although I did referee an U13's rugby match. So all in all the first week went alright. I have used a knee support, ibuprofen gel on the sore knee and have taken painkillers when needed. I also did a great deal of cross training, with exercises to strengthen the quads and lower back.

The second week was much of the same. I managed to get through the speed session on Tuesday and the tempo run on Thursday without any major problems. However, the runs on Saturday and Sunday could not have been more different. They were both easy runs of eight miles. Saturday I felt very loose and the running was fluid. On Sunday everything felt tight and laboured. I ran more or less the same route using the hills down to Leigh railway station to load the slow run and help build stamina, but Sunday was a real drag. I was so glad when it was over. However, I was pleased how the week went as I got through the "Something of Substance" runs and this is where the quality training is to be had. If I can keep progressing like this throughout the programme I will be on the start line in London and hoping for a good time.