13.1 miles isn't too far.... is it?

Ok so in less than 6 weeks I shall be panting, sweating and dragging my sorry arse at any means possible to run through the Royal Gardens in London, running a grand total of 13.1 miles. Yes this is the Royal Park Half Marathon.

This is going to be my first race since the London marathon last April. What have I done in between?

Well after taking 6 weeks out after the marathon to lick my wounds, I returned to some gentle exercise then I went on holiday and dum dum duuuum I returned injured. But putting pieces together I evaluated my situation. I injured my hamstring 4 weeks before London marathon, I ran half of the marathon before the hamstring kicked in and wouldn't let me run anymore and so walked the rest, then trekking down the 3 miles in Yosemite National Park with a dodgey hammy, add that to uneven surface and I'm surprised all I damaged was my patella tendon.

So seeing as I've got off lightly, after resting, icing, ibuprofen, it was time to get some physio as 3 weeks passed and progress was slow. So I'm currently in physio and progress is coming along great. However RPHM isn't going to wait for me to be fully fit. But I will be on that start line, raving to go to complete the 13.1 miles. I know in my heart of hearts that I won't be able to run the full amount. I know I am capable of completing that distance at a running pace, but with my condition I'm going to follow my instinct to do a run/walk combo.

The best piece of advice that applies to everyone doing fitness (and in life too) is to follow your instinct. If you think your pain threshold is about to crash through, stop. If you feel light headed whilst running and you don't have the fluids to keep you going, stop. We all have these mental battles but the one voice we have to listen to is our inner voice. Stemming from our gut instinct. It will save you from further injury.

I'm back in the gym and my cardio is fast increasing but I've yet to get back out on the road and run. This will be more hard as my body has not been subjected to the impact. I will attempt to brave the field across my home as my first run. Running on a softer ground, like grass, will ease the impact on your body. This is perfect for those who don't like road running or those like myself coming back from an injury.

So the countdown is on. London, get ready.

AWOL

OK so I've been AWOL for a few months but relax, I'm read up, up to speed, back in training and here we go...