After that very nice diversion to matters vinous, it was back to matters strenuous - two more short sessions safely in the bag so far this week, and feeling good with it. I've moved up to 4 sessions per week now, with the overall duration and speed up just slightly. It's all going very well, but I'm acutely aware that April is my bogey month - I've been injured in each of the last three Aprils, so I'm easing up the effort very, very gradually. But as I say, thus far it's all going very well indeed.
I've entered two short races in May - an 8km fun run and the 11km previously mentioned. I'll be treating these purely as training runs and certainly not looking for PBs or any such thing. Really they are just a welcome break from the treadmill and a chance to test out knees and things on the hard reality that is tarmac and concrete. But having entered (and paid), it means I'll be treating April with caution so as to not have wasted my money.
Other good news - I've finally tracked down a copy of Julie Welch's
26.2, and am quite enjoying it thus far. Thanks to whoever it was who gave it such a glowing recommendation (Andy I think).
The forum is getting really quite interesting just lately, with runners of all standards getting stuck into training and a few races here and there. Some of you more talented runners make me wonder why I bother - I feel so utterly inferior reading of your triumphs and of weekly mileages that are the rough equivalent of my current
monthly mileage, but then again, if it was purely about competition, 99% of us would have no cause to be out there at all I guess.
I have reached an impasse with my weight loss - down to 77kg and not budging it seems. And maybe it'll stay that way until my weekly mileage gets higher. Anyway, I'm pretty happy as I struggled for years to get close to 80kg, and now that I'm running again it melted away with comparative ease. And it has made a big difference to my joints, so it has been well worth the effort.
As ever, it's very much "touch wood", but I'm still a "beacon of optimism" and enjoying it all. Motivation really isn't a problem, especially with the forum going full bore here. If only we could get SP running again!
And on that score SP, there's still a chance I could make it to Almeria, so you'd probably better think about starting your training anyhow, just in case. I believe Sweder could help you out with a couple of gentle hill climbs to ease into it.
March maundering.
