Progress - 26th February 2012

This week I hit the wall.

Not only did I hit a wall this week, I bounced backwards a couple of years, unfortunately not in age though.

Absolutely amazing run on Tuesday evening, 7.2 miles complete with hill reps. The knees never hurt once and I felt really strong as I pushed round, maybe too hard as I did the hill reps. I felt on top of the world afterwards and after a 15 miler on Sunday it was a good sign.

Along came Thursday with a very different body attached to it. Even as I left the house it didn't feel right, my knees twinging and spiking sharp pains shooting under my knee caps. My legs weren't mine either, they belonged to a clapped out mark 1 Escort not like the Mclaren MP4-12c that were there 2 nights before. Absolutely nothing there, run, walk, run and so on. I kept thinking the best thing to do is rest, give it a break but then I thought about the time left and how I needed to get on with it and push myself, be disciplined. It felt like running in treacle, such a struggle. Even got a comment from Craig saying he could do that distance in the time it took me, I had cut short for 5.2 miles but it took me 1:04:50 terrible. [I don't think he could do it actually as his recent holiday snaps show quite a significant midriff bulge going on - but I got his point.]

Totally demoralised I contemplated the weekend long run, should I rest or go for it or as the Clash said ''should I stay or should I go.''

Well after a consultation with Dixie and an idea of location, I decided to go for broke but do it on softer terrain. So off I went on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning over to Virginia Water Lake, by the way it was still frosty when I went out.

Armed with a pocket full of energy gels and a fist clenching a bottle of sports drink I set the jogtracker into life and decided on anti clockwise and away I went. If you follow the lakes edge round it's supposed to be 4.5 miles round or 6 if you take in Saville Gardens but that involved a long hill so sod that.

I circumnavigated the first time and took on a gel and a slurp, not too busy at 9.00 a.m so fairly good lap. Second lap I noticed already a busier pathway and the build up of loose dogs and even looser owners. 

The views were certainly better than I had been used to, in more ways than one, however the mentality of some of the people left a lot to be desired. Not just once did I witness the near garroting of a minnie cyclist as he/she pedalled into the path of a remote dog on a 20 foot lead. I am not I fan of dog walkers at the best of times, they seem oblivious to all around, as was the cause of my hamstring injury a few ago that still bites into me.

Well I made 3 laps and talked myself into going for a fourth, against my wishes but I wouldn't listen. Thinking this would bring me to a good 18 miles I struggled, [oh boy did I struggle], around and as I came to the point of ending I took my tracker out and glimpsed a pathetic 16 miles on the display so I had the further torment of having to go on further to notch up the tally.

Down to the Totem pole and back was all I could muster and by the way people were now looking at me I knew was looking as knackered as I felt.

http://www.jogtracker.com/HistoryDetails.aspx?SyncID=52043790-4372-4c58-95b2-8a3618834569&UserName=alannelless

17.5 miles was the final score and I was totally spent.

Consolation came in the shape of a cheese burger and cup of rosy lea with a sit on a log taking in the lovely view made better by the fact I was now stationary.

Comments are very welcome guys, then I know I'm still in the world of the living and its not just a bad dream.

This week I'm back in 1976 for an old favourite from 

Mr Boz Scaggs and 'What Can I Say''

Can´t you see the people just stop and stare
Don't it make you wonder why
I just happened to be standing there
Can't you see it in my eyes

(What can I say)
Oh to make you know baby
(What can I do)
Oooh to show you that I care
(What can I say)
Oooh I´m all down on my knees
Please please please
What can I say
Oooh what can I do...

        Alan.xxx

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