New Blog

I am still mourning the loss of a blog but in order that I am not altogether out of the game I have set up a new one withnoname as yet - just keeping my options open. A word of warning...the template is a slightly different colour...!

A sad end

It is with great sadness that I announce that I will not be running in the 25th Anniversary Great North Run. My (boggy) swelling on my left leg is still very much in evidence and although it is much less painful when walking, it is still sore when I attempt to run short distances. I hope that i will be able to get out running within the next month but there will not be enough time left to train to a sufficient standard.

My place will be taken by one of my colleagues who will use it as training for the New York marathon! I had not even got round to introducing the charity I was running for - Tiny Lives, for the Special Care Baby Unit in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. If anyone would like to sponsor my friend Clare then get in touch either by email or through the blog and I will let you know how you can go about it.

So here endeth the blog... at least for now, after all there's always next year!

8 weeks and counting

My knee injury has remained better over the last couple of weeks and the plan was to start running again this week in a new pair of trainers. Unfortunately while I was away last week I suffered injury to both legs whilst gorge walking in Glen Sannox on the Isle of Arran. I jumped into a pool, at the instruction of our guide, where we were not suppose to be able to touch the bottom but I walloped both shins on a ledge of rock under the water. It was fairly(!) painful at the time but I was still able to continue, though not able to assess the damage under all the layers of soaking clothes. Fortunately none of the kids suffered the same fate. Over the course of the next 24 hours a fabulous bruise appeared on my right knee and a very large area of my left shin is 'boggy' with altered sensation. The verdict is that I have bled under the skin and have a large collection of blood(known as a haematoma) which will take some time to resolve. It is not too painful when left well alone but is too sore to run with at present. Things are not looking good... Ah the pitfalls of the Great Outdoors!

I am planning to see how things go in the next week and then will have to make a decision as to whether or not I will run.

Less than 10 weeks left

Miles run: Still none
Miles walked at work in last week: 15 thousand (approx)

Have now not run for two whole weeks and am already feeling very lazy. I have realised how much of an effect exercise has on feelings of general wellbeing. My knee is feeling a lot better - last week it was slightly painful even when driving, it affecting my clutch leg but now that seems to have fully resolved. I am still not sure how training will go when I start up again. One of my friends who is doing the New York marathon in November and who does not have a place for the Great North Run has offered to run in my stead if I cannot manage it. I will be very disappointed if that is the case but at least I do not have to worry about finding a substitute!

Plan for the week: Trip to 'Northern Runner' (running shop in Newcastle) to see if they can persuade me to buy some trainers that may help me run without injuries. Once purchased I will use them to test drive my knee on an easy run of about two and a half or three miles.

Rubbish (and 11 weeks to go)!

Miles run in last week: A pitiful 4

My knee is much better than it was but is still niggling. I have now had 6 days off and am feeling somewhat down-hearted. If I flake out at 5 miles what chance do i have of getting to 13.1? Also have been in touch with my next employment and it might be a problem for me to get that weekend off as one of my colleagues needs time off around then to get married. Will have to see what happens both with the knee and the rota.

Aim for week: Sorting of knee

Injured!

Over the last few occasions when I have been out running I have had a bit of a niggle in my left knee. Unfortunately in the last day and a half it has become more sore even when I am only walking. Climbing stairs is especially painful which I cannot quite understand. I had to abandon yesterday's 4 mile run in the hope that I will be recovered by Saturday. I am hoping to have it looked at my one of the physios on the ward (there have to be some perks to the job) and am also praying for a speedy recovery with no recurrence. Will keep you all posted.

12 weeks to go

Total miles run in last week: 11.5
Run breakdown: 2.5 (22mins), 4 (38mins) and 5 (49 mins)
Number of 'incidents': 1 horn blast and 2 episodes of (incomprehensible) comments being shouted from lads in cars.

Despite being on dodgy shifts I am very pleased that I managed to run three times and also managed another run of five miles. It is amazing how much better I felt when I got home compared with 9 days before when I first did the same distance. If I run half marathon at my 5 miles pace I will manage it in 2 hours and 11 mins but in order for that to happen I will have to work on my stamina.

I'm running 6 (yes, 6) miles on Saturday morning and aiming for sub-1 hour. If you'd like to join me just let me know!