Another couple of weeks have passed and my heel is still niggling me but its much better, manageable I would say.  This being, stretching whenever possible and keeping it regular, foam rolling calves, mobilisation stretches for the ankle as its seems to be affecting it now make it feel a bit tight.  I have also been having regular massages which definitely help as always feels great after them.

Last week I managed to start getting a little consistency in my runs, almost getting out every other day with some gym work in between which helps.  I have started doing some ankle strengthening work, heel raisers, single leg squats and balance board work which all definitely make a difference.  I will be attending my Body Balance class today also as been having some soreness in my hips and IT band area which is making my back twitch a bit so Body Balance helps with that as always feel the benefit after although utterly useless at the time ha ha!

I was meant to be out on Sunday running the 'Maravan' in Cleethorpes which is a marathon running round a caravan park which I thought would be fun, in a weird way!  My body was aching all over and I really didn't feel up to it so I made the decision that by running I would be only making problems worse.  I would rather wait till the 'Frostbite 30' in December then Roseberry Topping again.  This are my end of year goals, so would have been silly to jeopardise them.  Really happy now I am able to get out running and do some training, I felt the difference with losing a bit of weight, it makes you feel better instantly and gives you that boost you need sometimes.  The form is filled in and is being posted today for the HM110 which is scary, I have resisted posting it off up till now as wanted to be sure I am going to be ok to train for it and ultimately complete it.

I hope once I have done it, assuming I do, that I don't lose that desire to want to do more.  I think the real challenge is in keeping motivated therefore challenging yourself further again.  Which is lucky as I have found some great runs and adventures to keep me busy for about the next 20 years ha  ha!

What do you do to keep your motivation?

It's been a while I here you saying!  Yes yes I know but I don't want to seem like I go on and on about the same stuff all the time.  Fresh, exciting, fun, interesting and just a little crazy at times, no that's just me ha ha!  Ok back to it, what have been up to.  Well after my long break in the summer due to injury which to be honest is much better but still slightly there, I have begun  the slow process of starting the training again.  I have eased my way back in to re-introduce my body to my demanding schedule which isn't just the running and gym work its my job of coaching tennis too.

I began a few weeks ago with a few light runs to test the heel and practise running in my new beasts 'The Hoka' trainers.  Now I say practise which means get used to, and I will explain why!  I think in an earlier post I explained about the difference in the shoe and why I was giving them a go, the raised heel, the extra cushioning and support etc etc.  Well that's all well and good but these bad boys are big they make me that much taller, which is ace I love it, but the problem is when I am running.  I set off ok bouncing down the street and suddenly after a short while I scuff my feet repeatedly for some unknown reason and then almost barring a uniquely styled out save, I trip over my own feet!!! Then I remember I'm wearing short ski boots lol!  So then I spend the rest of my run over-lifting my feet as if running on malton lava!   Any way moving along from my daft running technique,  a few runs in and yes I had a marathon to prepare for.  So I had literally given myself two weeks of prep for York Marathon, crazy!  It was  great I didn't set any speed records fast or slow ones but I had a great time and achieved my goal......to be no more injured than when I started.  Mission accomplished and the heel survived.  This was brilliant, I now new I could slowly get back to it and start booking in some more adventures and prepare myself for the Hardmoors 110 next April, oh yes the challenge is back on!!!!!

100 miles and beyond!
What are you going to do today to push your limits!