Saturday 17th December 2011 - 15 miles of pain!

Well, it's taken me almost two weeks to write up this run.  Mostly because it's been a pretty miserable time on the training front.  The pain that I have mentioned over the previous few weeks really burned to the fore and I found that I was limping constantly and in constant pain with my right shin and calf. I could barely walk afterwards, let alone run.  And what started as a few days rest became two weeks of complete inactivity.  On the bright side I guess Christmas is as good a time as any to take a break from the training.

The pain has only started to subside in the last day or two (I'm writing this on the 30th December).  I finally went to the doctor yesterday and after a (very) painful examination he told me that the bone is fine (I had feared a stress fracture) and that the injury was a torn muscle in my calf.  If I'm honest he was a little dismissive and made me feel silly for having gone to the doctor with it at all. So I left without really questioning him about the recovery time.

So I now have to decide how much longer to rest it for. I'm quite indecisive about it.  There is a marathon in Liverpool tomorrow and I really really want to go and run it.  But I am haunted by the fear that if I do a marathon with an injury like this I may jeopardise my participation in the Marathon des Sables.  On the other hand, if I get through it without any major problems it will be a great way to kick-start my training into 2012; and I love marathon running so it will be fun too!!

Anyway, for completeness I should describe the run on the 17th as per the heading to this post.
The run itself was a reasonable one. A lot of pain on the six mile road run to Ellesmere but a more comfortable 9 to follow down the canal to the gym and then in for some sauna and spa time to ease the legs.

I got hit by the rain at about 8 miles but not as bad as the previous time I'd done this route.  The split times tell a story of injury and fatigue though.  I only got below 10 minute miles once on the whole run and that was mile ten when I was on good canal path ground and was fully warmed up.  However the pain in my leg never really went away and with hindsight I probably shouldn't have done this one.

Oh, but I did reach the 300 mile mark in my training.  A bittersweet record considering the price I paid but it was nice to breach another round number!

Peace, out.

JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg

TODAY 
Distance 15.62 miles
Time  2:50:11
Kcal  2129
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna  15 mins

TOTAL
Distance 315.28 miles
Time  54:50:38
Kcal  34,388
Press-ups 400
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna  4:10 mins

FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £481.53. 
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP.  Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!! 

Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.  I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!!  Try it!

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