So with only 2 weeks to go till the York Marathon I decided I'd better increase the mileage and see how my recovering heel coped.  I packed up the rucksack with plenty of fluid as it was a beautiful sunny day and I was heading out in the peak of it.  Preparation routine now, warming up and some dynamic stretches obviously protecting my heel whilst exposing it to the rigours of running.  I began with a walk, mainly to wait for satellite connection for my watch which always seems to take an age and at the same time more prep for the heel.  Off I went with the sole purpose of just getting some time on my feet with the knowledge I can be out for a good couple of hours I had to make use of it.  I decided that I was doing the 15 mile route and that I was going to stop a couple of times just to get a drink and have a mid run stretch.  This I think is important, no point killing myself just to do the miles without looking after myself, so hydration and stretching was key.  Great run in the sunshine, sweating buckets but all good as finally felt like I was back to doing the stuff I enjoy and it felt great to just be heading off for a few hours with no cares.

I got back nearly 2 and half hours later, fairly knackered but legs felt strong and my heel was only slightly sore but ok.  More stretching once I got in and I used the power plates which again I'm not sure of the benefits but I think they help and that's enough as this is a psychological battle now. I stiffened up a bit afterwards but not to the point that I was panicking that I wasn't fit enough or could handle a further run which is the plan on Wednesday.  I hobbled off home but again it eased as I moved again, with the full intention of icing once I got home.  Great sleep which I have missed and not much discomfort in the morning, a few tight areas but ok after a bit of stretching and care.  Bring on Wednesdays adventure!

So after going against my instincts of keep resting 'its still sore', I convinced myself to do a bit more, a bit more than 2 miles wouldn't be hard but its enough at the moment to determine if running was still a problem.  I managed 4.5 miles and it felt great, especially now I had my new Hoka's which are like running on sponges with the feeling I used to get as a kid with Roller boots on, like I was much taller.  Finally 6ft 2, love it!!  Honestly though they made a massive difference, with them, the compression sock and massaging the foot we were on to a winner.  As great as it was to be out running again it was hard, I was over heating and sweating rediculous amounts like Niagra Falls and panting breathlessly like I'd just run up Everest! My feet felt heavy like I was running in treacle, my feet got heavier and heavier.  Trying out some new kit, as starting to prepare for the Marathon de Sables, long way off in theory 2017 but when I look at what I have planned for next year and think about how bloody fast this has flown by I need to start preparing.  As this is it, the original end goal, the Sahara!

BOOOOOOM! I'm off, yippee at last. Well I decided that it was time to start doing a bit of training as the heel now was only causing slight discomfort and soreness on long working days, as I'm a tennis coach that can make it a very tough day.  So after plenty of warming up and stretches it felt great to get the running kit back on and more importantly I got to use my new toy the Garmin Fenix 2 watch ha ha! This watch has been selected due to its extraordinarily long battery life which is what I now wanted.  So thanks to the world of ebay I succeeded in winning one, and then had to pay for it oouuch!  Off I went once I'd finally got the dam watch working and heart rate monitor on and gps working, a slight jog down the road not wanting to go crazy on my first run back.  My heel was still letting me know it still wasn't quite right but it warmed up as I went. Struggling round the massive 2.16 mile loop, yes don't forget the .16 its very important to me lol. I felt awful, my legs felt sapped, out of breath and panting, and a general feeling of being over weight.....yes more than normal before anyone else chips in ha ha!  This feeling though was overridden with the absolute joy of being back out there, remembering why I like running, it was great.  Unfortunately it was just a bit rubbish fitness wise, which will get better I know once in training mode.

The next day...... I was expecting to be, not in agony, but slightly sore again and unable to put my heel down with any confidence that its not going to hurt.  I was amazed, what a great day this was going to be, no pain, no soreness and the ability to walk normally with no discomfort.  I couldn't believe it since I'd been for my first run in months.  That was it plans were a foot, excuse the pun, this was me back up and running again.  The game is on!