It's been a few weeks since I last posted on here. The post Half Marathon euphoria of that sub-1:40 time in Llanelli had paved the way to thinking of a first full marathon in Tenby, not to mention of course the then impending Juneathon - a warmer repeat of the January event that triggered this blog and formed the foundations of what had been a decent running year so far.
Indeed the first few weeks post April's half success went quite well as the marathon plan was undertaken and achieved on schedule until the first of 3 planned 20 milers. The distance itself wasn't an issue. In fact I felt better doing the 20 miles than I had at either 16 or 18 in previous weeks however I probably shouldn't have chosen such a hilly route. 2 miles from home and something went twang in the top of my right foot... a new place for an injury for me!
A slow test run the day after confirmed that a significant downscaling of planned runs was necessary and that therefore is what I did. Now 2 weeks of next to no running, or nice slow jogs on pretty flat routes has seen the right foot recover nicely but "Sods Law" being what it is the slow down seems to have triggered off a flare up of the old Plantar Fasciitis issues in my left foot - clearly a change of plan was and indeed is in order.
First thing to bite the dust was Junathon unfortunately although many of the names seen and contacts made in January are going great guns and already half way through this latest jaunt. I however felt in no condition to commit to a month of consistant exercise at the start of the month. The second thing to get postponed was the marathon plan meaning no Tenby trip for me either and a delay to putting myself through a marathon for a while.
However there is a bright ending... a decent interval session last week was followed up today with a hilly 13 miles, my first proper long, slow distance run of the month and so far the reaction from the feet has been good. It would appear that the weeks of reduced mileage, speed along with nightly use of the foam roller and a bowl full of ice water are paying off. Race wise I'm being realistic at present with the next challenge the Llanelli 10k in a couple of weeks time and then probably the Ammanford 10k on the day of the Tenby marathon. After that who knows? I'm back on with a revised Marathon plan at least knowing that 20 mile is, or will again soon will be, with my capabilities and work commitments, injury reaction and general everyday life permitting we'll maybe look at a full distance event towards the end of the summer.
Until the next time....
