Very frustrating period at the moment and not much to report really.  The training has taken a bit of a set back due to this bruised heel I am suffering from which is thought to be 'Plantar Fasciatis'.  Many different ideas on how to treat yet no curable method except 'rest'!  Not possible in my line of work so constant stretching and the use of rock tape and a massage ball.  I was signed up to do Kielder this Sunday which would have been 30 miles of suffering I think and then the inevitable week of hobbling and regret. So since I am a year older and wiser I have decided to listen to the voice on my shoulder telling me 'don't do it!!' its tough since the voice on the other shoulder is saying 'you'll be fine, you'll love it of course you want to do it!!' Aaaarrrgghhh! It was a fight initially but as the great Highlander once said 'there can be only ONE!'  So I have decided to pull out and take the time off to recover properly so can get on with training for The Wall.

I have been keeping up with my massages to freshen the legs and keep them in good working order so ready for action again.  Personal training session today with Chris at Epoc Coaching should restore a bit of confidence and self belief although that hasn't been affected too much yet but I think that would have been if I'd run this Sunday then had to take another couple of weeks off heavy training.  I have been studying training in the form of 'Functional Patterns' so in theory training that is more relative to day to day living movements and functions that prepares the body better for an all round fitness.  I don't think this on its own is enough for me but I definitely see the benefits in incorporating it into a training schedule along with some crossfit endurance and the dreaded swimming pool!  I keep getting asked if I am going to do a Triathlon or Iron Man and I have kept shrugging it off and saying 'once I have done what I want to do with the running then will have a go'.  I am just putting it off, the pool is beckoning and so is the Iron Man challenge lol!  The trouble is I swim very badly and inefficient, it looks like someone has tied my legs together and attached lead weights, while simultaneously my arms are flapping through the water like a person drowning and trying to stay afloat or get peoples attention. Not the best to be honest if I am having to swim a couple of miles!

So what shall I be concentrating on over the next few weeks while in recover??? Its the big one.......diet!!!  What I am eating, how much and when?  This will be my biggest challenge yet and its only the beginning.  Not today though, will start tomorrow ha ha!

Its been a tough couple of weeks!  In and out of thinking I am back to the training, slight niggle in my heel which could be the dreaded 'plantar facitis'!  So for the last 2 weeks its been massaging and pain killers and little running after a 4.5 mile trek with 'Dave'.  Now Dave is new to the schedule he is training for the York Sport Triathlon and since he hadn't been out training much at all I suggested he came along with me for a few training runs.  The problem for Dave is I now need a running club name for him!

Ok so where are we at? Well, psychologically I feel really behind due to my minor set back but physical the rest has probably done me some good.  The training I have done is in the bank, its done, so just keep the faith!  Rest and attention to the injury is key, don't over do it and look at what I can do and not what I can't!  With Keilder 30 miler this coming Sunday I am not sure whether to risk it for the sake of a long run.

Now we have to go back to my running with Dave! This was brilliant, there we are out for a gentle 2-3 miles and I decide to explore a different route that took us around York Sport.  The path we diverted on to was a gentle incline for a few hundred yards which I thought was great and expressed my delight to Dave saying ' great hill, love it when find beauties like this!', well Dave's face was a picture itself ha ha! It was the kind of look when you think someone is joking and 'no they can't be serious look kind of look'  ha ha brilliant and priceless! Anyway after exploring this new route and being quite pleased with myself we revisited 'University Hill' at which point I think Dave was about to kill me but he didn't have the energy or strength.  It was tough after what we had done so thought he done really well, we enjoyed the final stretch and even put in a bit of a sprint finish at the end.  After a few stretches and the power plates we ventured into the club room to see what the football score was and get some refreshments, water for Dave and a nice pint of Amstel for me.  The tennis boys had all finished there practise and were sat around the bar astonished at Dave's achievements and then they proceeded to ask 'how much further did you run to him???' ha ha this was brilliant as Dave was this intense deep colour of red looking rather exhausted and tired while I still not what I would call an accomplished runner by any means, had a slight sweat on and ready for round two.  On the plus side I was very happy with just getting out and doing a run although this turned out to be fatal.

Dave and myself both ended up with severe heel pain and have been unable to do anything since.  We managed a game of tennis the day after but hobbled round the court like two old boys.

The lesson I have learned is it doesn't matter how fit you are or how far you can run. Respect your body and respect what you have done and respect what you are trying to do!  More caution in future post race! Silly mistakes cost you.

Back in training though and that felt great :)

Back to it yesterday after a two week break from the training programme, I have still done things but nothing scheduled or planned.  I think this is important for variety of training and motivation.  I decided to get out and plod round a steady 4 miler thinking 'this will be nice, a steady little run to get back into it all',  ha ha how wrong, sorry to say it wasn't any fun and felt fairly rubbish to be honest.  My legs ached my lower back was really sore, my breathing was heavy and I just wanted to stop!  After having a good chunter to myself after fighting the demons I realised this was just going to have to be a run I get done and out of the way to start again.  Not too inspiring but it actually motivated me once I'd finished and left me realising that its not something to take for granted or get complacent about.  If you want the results you have to put the time in!

So after my quick reality check, I was back into training mode.  When they say things are 10% body and 90% mind, they aren't kidding.  The games the mind plays with your motivations and character are relentless and challenge you beyond your training programme.  I came to the conclusion that it was like a safety device the mind employs as protection, its trying to convince you that you shouldn't be doing it, and how if it can make me convince myself that either the pain is unreasonable or my fitness isn't good enough or its just no fun, then I won't do it any more.  Wrong, it just makes me want to train harder and work at it longer!!!

What did I learn from the last block of training and race.  That these challenges are achievable, and with the right training and the right attitude you can do it.  'Keep the vision, respect the process!' this is so true, when you think your not doing enough, or not improving then just remember to stick with it and keep working hard.  There is no way I ever thought I'd be finishing a 55 mile endurance race ever, a marathon was always a bit of challenge but achievable with some training, but to that twice was not something I ever thought I'd be doing.  The mind again plays heavily with you afterwards, as I straight away convinced myself that if I could do 55 then I can do 70 'its only 15 miles more!!!'  Crazy isn't even close.  This is insane, 15 miles on its own is not to be laughed at let alone after you've just done 55.  What am I thinking?????  To keep my motivation and learning I have decided to add a few things to the programme.  More stretching, this a must so Yoga will be playing a greater role, Crossfit endurance routines will be introduced and a little bit of swimming and cycling.  This seems a lot but if you spread it out and plan your week it all fits into place like a jigsaw.  My longest run for the HM55 was 16 miles, this proves to me that high mileage isn't necessarily the way forward.  Again, it doesn't mean not at all, as its important to prepare your feet and body for the up coming ordeal.

Its crazy to think that I am not that far from my target of achieving the 100!  It seems the closer I get to it the more insane the thought processes.  Just booked a 30 mile event at Keilder, thinking ' this will be a great training run!'.  Who in there right mind would consider 30 miles as a training run ha ha!