76 days to go...

These days seem to be counting down far too fast for my liking!!  Yesterday I was up in London for the Virgin London Marathon "Meet the Experts" day.  Basically a series of light-hearted seminars on nutrition, training, injury, clothing etc... and also what to expect on the day of the marathon.  It sounds quite boring but was actually pretty good.  I sat there in awe of myself - I'm part of this thing, part of something which I've only ever watched from a distance and part of something which I thought I'd never be part of.

Oh and I bought another pair of running shoes - Adidas (don't ask me the type, all I know is that they are very comfy and combat my "minor" pronation).

So today was another run - only 1.7708 miles but lots of stretching and 8 minutes in the ice bath.  I'm just working out the right order of warm-up, stretching, run and ice bath as there are so many different combinations, one of which is going to work for me.  Everyone around me seems to be up to half marathon  distances which is a bit worrying but as long as I keep my head and don't panic then all should be ok....

80 days to go...

I'm back!!  Ok so when I say I'm back what I actually mean is that I've been for a short run and survived. Twas last night, a quick run (as in both pace and distance) and then 6 minutes standing in a water but full of ice water (it's what all the pro's do... apparently and right now I'll try anything!).  This morning I was back down the gym, lots of leg work and then an ice rinse on the leg at home in the shower.

It's far from perfect - the first half of the run last night twinged a bit but the second half felt better.  I don't know, I'm just going to persevere and hope for the best.  I'm hoping that the combination of ice buckets, stretching, strengthening exercises and physio will sort the problem.  If not it's going to be a very long and slow 26.2 miles.

86 days to go...

Well it hasn't been a case of not wanting to write... or run... but I've been out of action all year.  Typical isn't it, all my life I've been *touch wood* injury free (apart from a hernia and shoulder injury) but as soon as I get the opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to do I get a problem...  Never mind, think positive thoughts (unlike some of those around me!).

So the story so far... well I went back to my original physio (Bruce) this week as the last one just made matters worse whilst ripping me off.  This time Bruce crucified my lower back and attacked my right leg from 2 different angles and it seems to have had a positive effect.  Yesterday was pretty much pain free and I'm now feeling like I may try and start running again next week.

Yes I know that I've less than 3 months to go and that I haven't even run over 10 miles yet but I think that as long as I don't suffer any more set-backs then I should be ok.  Mr Gamble has also given me some much needed advice (I do listen, honest!) and I'm feeling more positive.  Plus I've a get together with the Children with Leukaemia charity at the end of the month and hopefully that'll give me a bit of a boost.

On a different note and whilst thinking about milestones... Gem and I had our 20 week scan yesterday (well I didn't have a scan but you know what I mean) and we found out that we're having another boy.  All looks perfect and healthy and by the time of the marathon she'll be nearing full term - exciting times!!

99 days to go...

Oh cripes... 99 days to go?!  I actually shuddered a tad when I typed that!  Still, it's plenty of time to get myself mentally and physically prepared.  So the training - running has had to cease for a while as the appointment with another physio for second opinion on my knee earlier in the week resulted in a confirmed "inflamed IT band".  Basically the tendon that runs down the side of my leg past the outside of my knee has been rubbing and flicking over the bone on the outside of my knee with every step and is obviously not very happy.  The prescription?  Well 2 weeks off running, regular doses of ibuprofen, a bit of acupuncture and countless expensive trips to the physio.  Who said running was a cheap sport?!!

What I have been able to do it get down the gym and do some cycling.  So Wednesday I was hitting the weights, Thursday was 40 mins cycling and lots of stretching and this morning again hitting the weights.  As long as I can keep my aerobic fitness up then when I start running again at least I won't be starting from scratch (even if I have to start at 1 mile again).

I'm not sure whether to curse old age (?) or accept it when the physio said I had a "design fault" with my knee...

104 days to go...

Happy new year everyone!  Hope you had a good one.  Mine was quiet, in fact it was the first time I hadn't gone out and got hammered (cripes am I growing up?!!).  So I was up on new years day fresh and hangover free - beauty!!

For the present time I have kind of resigned myself to the fact that every long run I do I will suffer for 48 hours.  The problem with the knee persists.  I'm off to see another physio on Tuesday afternoon for a second opinion so we'll see what he says - fingers crossed!

So with that in mind I did another longer run (furthest so far) today.  Actually I'm slightly pissed off, I thought when I mapped it the run would have been longer - alas not, but hey, small steps and all that!!

The weather: Cold, dry and calm
The route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4212804
Distance: 7.734 miles
Time: 1hr, 21mins
To sponsor: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StuartSpicer