Definitely down… but definitely not out.

So then, after a month of running, I’ve only gone and bloody injured myself haven’t I? I am sitting here feeling a touch low because as I look out of the window at this wonderful sunny day, I know that I should have been on a refreshing morning run with Let’s Go Run down by the river.

Don’t worry, my injury isn’t serious (it’s just a very common case of runner’s knee, brought on by me pushing too hard over the last few weeks) but it has hurt to walk for the last week and of course I haven’t been able to go for a run.

Having consulted Dr Internet, I know that the reasons I have done this to myself are simple:

• Not getting my pronation properly checked and then buying the right shoes. I just went out and bought a pair of Nike Air running shoes and figured these will do the job fine. Wrong.
• Increasing my mileage by more than 10% – the other day I went from doing 3 miles to 6 miles. (I think that’s more than 10%)
• Not stretching properly, not stretching long enough, not stretching at the correct times and missing out some vital muscles.

So, I’m going to be fine as long as I get my pronation checked out, buy the right shoes, stretch properly and don’t think that just because the music is pushing me on, that I am superman. I’m not. I’m also not as young as I was.

Widcombe Locks. I'd never been here until now. Lovely

Still, the good news is that I am loving my new-found fitness regime and, more importantly, this Local Running Adventure is doing exactly what it said on the tin: I have found parts of Bath that I never knew existed before I got out of my car and have thoroughly enjoyed getting lost along the back alleys and footpaths of this amazing city. I’ll be back pounding the trail soon – hopefully next week  – but until then it’s a diet of take it easy and plenty of rest (I just need someone to tell my kids that!)

Peace.