Couch to 10k...again!

It's been a while.  My last run*, just me and my running kit, was 2 months ago.  Yesterday, complete with a hangover that was much milder than it deserved to be, I set out into the cold morning air and I ran.  Not only was I still a little drunk, but I was also scared.  My injured knee had only ever been painful when under stress so I had no real way of knowing if I was fit to run or not, I also didn't want to do myself any more damage.  At least this time I was wearing a new pair of trainers, trainers suited to my pronating feet.

I decided to start small and went back to my first ever recorded run route.  One lap of Cross Flatts Park. 1.22 miles, just short of 2k, with a couple of climes and a flight of stairs who anybody who has taken part in Cross Flatts parkrun will be only too aware of.  I took a deep breath and set off, slowly.

It took me just shy of 12 minutes to get round, well off my pre-injury pace, but I got round in one piece.  My knee hadn't flared up, I wasn't out of breath, I hadn't broken much of a sweat, and I wanted to run more.  I stopped myself from setting off for a second lap and went home to care for my hangover with crumpets.

This morning at work I opened up my running schedule, a document which I hadn't looked at since 16th August.  My first task was to delete all of the runs that I had planned in August and September.  weeks of 0 miles shone back at me off my monitor, then I scrolled down.  In 4 weeks time it's the Abbey Dash!

I have 4 weeks to get back from not running at all to completing one of the UKs most iconic 10k races.  I was never going to set the world a light but with only 4 weeks to train I'm not sure if my legs will have it in them to cross the finish line in front of Leeds Town Hall.

Running schedule for the next 4 weeks.

I've rewritten my running schedule following my physio's advice.  I'm sticking to short runs every other day to start with, to help remind my legs what they are capable of.  Unfortunately this means my first 10k after injury will be on race day, but, as long as I'm sensible, I will running a race which looked out of reach a couple of weeks ago. 

I'd love to hear what you think of the above plan. Too much too soon, about right, fine as long as it's slow, not far enough?  All advice taken with a pinch of salt, probably on a huge pile of carbs before the Dash!

*not including a brilliant Art Run organised by Veggie Runners.

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining

Last week I received some very exciting news through the post.  A bright red envelope from the organisers of the London Marathon.  Inside was a rather stylish winter training top, a letter, and a magazine.  Like people up and down the country I knew there and then, that I was NOT going to be running in the 2015 London Marathon.

For most people, the "Sorry!" you're not running letter was a kick in the teeth.  I know one lad who has had the same news six years in a row.  He, along with thousands of others, are understandably crest fallen.  Running a marathon is a huge achievement and takes serious dedication.  Even taking the first step and signing up to one is a step too far for many, so entering the ballot for the London Marathon and then waiting for six months to discover that you don't have a place is gutting.

I, on the other hand, am actually very glad that I didn't get a place.  When I entered the ballot back in April, I was at the peak of my training for the Leeds Half Marathon and already looking for my next challenge.  I decided 2015 was going to be the year that I would run a marathon.  It made sense.  My first 10k 2013, first half marathon 2014, first marathon 2015.  Then I could stop.

However, part of my plan for entering London was to be going for 10 to 12 mile runs regularly by the time the ballot was drawn.  As I'm sure you are aware I'm not running at all at the moment due to an ongoing knee injury.  I couldn't even manage a 5k parkrun at the moment, never mind the 13.1 miles of a half marathon.  If I had been successful I would now have until April to get marathon fit.  It took me that long last year to get from running 10k to the start line of the half marathon!

So I'm relieved that I didn't get a place for London.  It has taken a great deal of pressure off me.  I can now concentrate on getting back to running at a more sensible pace.  I can take my time and make sure my knee is better before putting it under any more strain than is necessary.

2015 will still be the year that I run my first marathon, it just won't be London.  Before all of that though, there is the small matter of the Abbey Dash on 16th November.  All things being equal I'll make it round in one piece.  I don't think my time of 57:18 from last year is in danger, not if I want to stick to my slow recovery plan.  It'll be nice to be able to treat it as a long slow run and enjoy the silver lining that I will be running again.