64 Days To Go - Ouchy

Date & Time : 18/02/12 10:20
Distance : 14 miles - Long Run
Total Training Distance (since beginning Jan 12) : 191 miles
Route & Stats : Whittlingham & Trowse

This was not a good week.  I was away on business from Sunday night to late Thursday evening which is really putting a spanner in the works with respect to my training plan.  I did manage to get in a couple of gym sessions, 5 miles on a treadmill (boring) and 45 minutes on an elliptical trainer, on a much higher resistance level than intended due to not really knowing how to use the machine and the fact that I was flanked either side by two rather attractive ladies and there was no way I was going to wimp out and reduce the level while they were there. Unluckily for me they stayed there until I was almost finished, both in terms of completing my 45 minutes and my energy levels. Luckily for me they finished their work outs just before I did and didn't notice me virtually crawling out of the gym sweating like a one legged man in an arse kicking competition.

I had originally planned another 16 miler this week after last weeks great run, but somewhere along the way I managed to pick up some soreness in my hip and a rather annoying cough. Anyway, putting that to one side I set off and got into a reasonable rhythym early into the run, after a couple of miles I turned back into the wind and found it very hard going. I was staying local this week, looping around Whitlingham Broad and Trowse. Eventually, I found the best route that was least exposed to the wind, which involved running the opposite way around the broad and coming back on the road sheltered by the trees.

Despite my usual pre long run breakfast of toast with marmalade (no butter), banana and two imodium instants, after 9 miles I had to make a Paula Radcliffe style emergency stop, but fortunately I was close to home so was able use the facilities, take on a gel and top up my drink. However, by the time I set off again my right hip had become quite painful and while it got a bit better after a few hundred yards I decided to cut the run short by a couple of miles to avoid the risk of injury. Fortunately, it feels OK today and I am planning to run to work tomorrow, so if all goes well this week I will be aiming for an 18 miler next Saturday morning.

I should have a less interupted week this week, apart from a quick jaunt out to the South of France on Tuesday night and Wednesday to look at the future - more on that next week.