Fifty-five not out by Nick

Well this isn't going very well.  I had been hoping to be getting back to a regular training routine by now, but my legs don't seem to want to obey!   Jogging around the local streets today I managed to strain my left calf muscle again.  I'm sure the very cold temperatures didn't help as my muscles have been tightening up all week.  It means at least a few days off, probably more like a couple of weeks or until I feel no pain or tightness in my calf.

I guess this means that the slight possibility that I might be lining up for this year's London Marathon has now disappeared.  I don't mind all that much.  I have run it the last seven years in succesion and maybe it's time I had a year off and enjoyed the race as a spectator.  This might be my body's way of telling me that it needs a bit of a rest, that I can't keep bashing out the miles and the hard races year after year.  I am also quite busy at work and have a number of other interests and hobbies to indulge so I will probably appreciate the extra free time.

I would, of course, gladly hand over my place in the race to someone else except that it is strictly forbidden by the organisers under threat of permanent disqualification.  Sorry!

Looking ahead, my plans for the upcoming year are going to be quite modest.  I was thinking of taking part in the Comic Relief Mile (actually you can choose between one, three and six miles)  That's on March 25th. Even if I was still injured, I could jog/hobble the one mile.   I wanted to be fit enough to take part in the Bupa London 10K at the end of May.  If I can't run it fast then at least I can run it slowly and take in the sights!  There are several other races that I was thinking of in terms of the scenery rather than fast times.  For instance they are planning a South Downs Half Marathon in conjunction with the full Marathon in June.  I was thinking also of doing again the Windsor to Marlow half marathon in July.  I did it last year from Marlow to Windsor and found it hard work but I quite fancied doing it in the opposite direction just to complete the experience!

If I do get back to serious training I was thinking of doing some short fast events in the summer.  I wanted to improve my Park Run PB at Bushy Park.  I wouldn't want people to think that 18:45 was the best I could do!  Also I wanted to have a crack at running the mile again in under five minutes.  Under five at fifty-five sounds good to me!  I think I could still do it!

But most of all, I want to get back to running regularly without any more pain or discomfort.  I hope it won't be too long.