Week 19, 18/5/09 - Monday

Time of day: 07:20
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 45:07
Weather: Sunny

I was quite apprehensive about how my knee was going to be on this run. Strangely, even though I have rested it for 4 days I have become hyper-aware of every little twinge.

I set off really slowly. At first I was aware that both of my knees were hurting, nothing really bad, they just felt stiff really. Then, about a mile into the run the outer aspect of my knee started to bother me. It was really hard to work out whether I was just making a big issue out of something minor or whether it really was something to worry about.

I kept running, slowing down a bit if it seemed to be painful. Then at about 2 miles it became quite a sharp pain. "Oh no!" I stopped and walked for about a minute, trying to think about what was the best course of action. I started running slowly again, planning to stop and walk as and when I needed to.

That seemed to be just enough to sort me out though, I ran the rest of the way home. It wasn't pain free, but the pain did lessen as time went on.

I decided to go and see the osteopath again, as I have had a number of niggles and twinges since doing my 20 mile run and wonder whether I've just sent myself a bit off balance. I went this afternoon and waved goodbye to another £40! Who said running was a cheap sport.

I am planning on doing a 6-7 mile run on Wednesday.

Week 18, 13/5/09 - Wednesday

Time of day: 6am (ish)
Distance: About a mile running.

This was the first time I had done a very early run for ages. I wasn't keen on getting up and doing it but I knew it was the only time I would get today. I was planning to do a 10 mile run on Thursday.

I don't know whether it was because I didn't warm up properly but about a mile into the run my right knee started to hurt. This bothered me because on the last two runs it has been fine until about 2 miles, so I think it's getting worse rather than better. Taking no chances I decided to abandon the run and walk home.

I've done a bit of an internet search and really I'm still none the wiser. It would appear it's one of two things either ITB or runner's knee (I can't remember the proper name for it). Well whatever it is I decided I would have 3 days of no running at all and then see how it is. I figure that I've trained quite well for this marathon and taking a few days off at this stage isn't going to do any harm, whereas running on a sore knee might.

Week 15 - 21/4/09, Tuesday

Time of day: 06:23
Distance: 4.81
Time: 51:40
Weather: Sunny

I was a bit cross with myself that I hadn't run on Monday, as I would have liked a rest day before my big run on Wednesday. However, this run went very well. I made myself run quite slowly and it felt very comfortable.

I ran a route that I have done a few times before but this time did it in reverse, which made it a bit more interesting. One moderately steep hill.

Week 12 - 2/4//09 - Thursday

Time of day: 6 am
Distance: 2.5 miles approx
Time: ????
Weather: Fine, mild.

I really really struggled to get out of bed this morning. If it wasn't for the fact that I was meeting Jo, I would have rolled over and gone back to sleep. As it was I checked my phone before I left the house in the hope that she had decided to give it a miss and I could climb back into the warm bed beside my husband and go back to sleep. However, it was not to be.

I was feeling irritable from the start, I had new trainers. I don't know what it is about new trainers but I just seem to feel hyper-aware of them, that bit's too tight, they're loose at the back, my foot hurts, I don't like them. Luckily I have had enough new trainers to know that this is just a phase that will pass, but I still don't like it very much.

Then my knee hurt, this was after a particularly energetic waltz routine last night when Steve and I did our ballroom dancing class. "Oh no, that's it, I've damaged something in my knee, I'm never going to be able to run this marathon!"

My eye hurt.

I was tired.

I couldn't find my garmin.

I CAN'T RUN WITHOUT MY GARMIN!

I'm not cut out for this. Whoever thought I would be able to run a marathon anyway.

Might as well forget the whole idea!

OK let's just do it.

I did it.

It was a short run, just under 3 miles.

I know I've got to start getting more miles in.

I WILL get over this wobble.

Week 12 - 30/3/09 - Monday

Time of day: 6am
Time: 52:37
Distance: 5 miles
Weather: Fine

I have to admit to a groan as I looked at the clock at 05:30 and thought: Really it's only 04:30 by yesterday's time, No! I told myself. Stop that. It is 5.30! Out with winter, in with spring! It's a bit like a mild form of jet lag when the clocks go forward isn't it?

Once I was out it was fine. More than fine in fact. I ran with my running pal, Jo. We started off before dawn had broken and finished our run in daylight. The blossom and virgin leaves were beautiful and made the early morning wake up more than worth it. And it's so nice to get the first run of the week under my belt before 9 am on a Monday morning.

I'm feeling so much better. In fact this was the first time I had felt really good running for weeks.