Hi Steve...

Well, I completed a 4 mile race on Boxing Day in 29.26, which was 1 and a half minutes slower than last year.

I then did the Last Chance 10k on New Years Eve in 46.53, and last year I did 43.44 (PB).

So on the shorter distances it's not too bad, despite lack of training.

However, the injury is still there, and the faster I go the more it lets me know it's still there.

I've had a lot of very deep and painful treatment from my sports therapist and he has been trying to peel off the layers of my injury to find out what's causing the problem.

I'm afraid, in my mind at least, the jury's still out on whether I'll ever be able to get back to proper running again.

But Miami is now just 3 weeks away, and the loose plan is to run 3 miles, walk 1 mile, run 3 etc, and try and get to the finish that way.

I have never been so unprepared for a marathon... but no one can say that I haven't tried to get the training in. My body just let me down.

On a slightly brighter note... I bought a rowing machine from Aldi this week, so I now have a treadmill, cross trainer and rower, as well as a road bike.

Maybe if the worst comes to the worst and my leg has decided to retire me from long distances, I could get into duathlons and triathlons where it's row/bike/run.

Although I hope that's not the case, I've always dreamt of running Comrades. It was actually planned for 2007, until this injury put all my preparations behind. I've even got the money saved for it already. I won't give up on that dream just yet though.

Well it sounds as if you will at least be able to keep running shorter distances so not all bad....he says trying to find a straw to clutch at!

Just think of Jade Goody.............yuk, 'orrible thought.....and her preps for FLM last year. With your base fitness I'm sure you'll be able to get round Miami. I know "getting round" is not in your makeup but you know what I mean.

I thought I was the only one with so much exercise gear...I've a treadmill, cross trainer, stepper, walker, bouncer, ex.bike, weights and a mountain bike. Car never gets to see the garage!

Put the money away somewhere safe so you can use it next year for the 2008 Comrades...I've every confidence in you beating this injury and fulfilling your dream.

Keep smiling!

Thanks Steve... I would be a lot worse off without the support of you guys

Btw.. I also have a gym ball and a weights set

Sounds like you could open a gym, Trinity?

(And with the amount I've spent on gym membership I probably should have bought stuff myself too!)

Glad to hear that your short races have gone pretty well - those times are less than 5% down on your PBs so not bad at all... Think positive vibes and remember that marathons always hurt anyway!

Happy New Year and good luck for Miami!

Forgot to mention I'm a gym club member too.....too cold to swim in the sea here!

Rich and I went out on Sunday to try out the 'Miami plan' of run 3, walk 1, run 3 etc.
Was hoping for 4 sets with maybe a two mile run at the end to make it 18.

The first 3 mile run was fine, a nice comfy pace of 8 and halfs. Then the 1 mile walk, and I figured that if I keep it at a sub 15 pace I would be adding 1 and a half hours to the marathon time, which I could accept, kinda.

The second 3 mile run was fine too, even though there was a fairly strong wind against us. The mile walk was uneventful.

The third 3 mile run started ok, but in the last mile my leg decided to play up, to the point where I was really relieved when we could stop and I was wondering if I'd be able to go on but during the third 1 mile walk my leg felt ok.

However the moment we started running again, which was mile 13, I knew instantly that I would have to call it a day. The same old feeling in my knee screaming at me to stop or else.

So... I guess I'm just going to have to buy myself some tennis shoes and cover meself in olive oil...see if I can beat Jade Goody's marathon best


At least it's hot and sunny in Miami...
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/florida/miami/

When you get out there don't forget to log on and send us a postcard!

Can't you get someone else to cover you in olive oil?!!

Hi Trinity,
Sorry to read things are not going according to plan but I'm glad you are hanging in there. I missed this years Last Chance 10k because I was on Lundy but maybe next year.....what was it like I've been told that the course is reasonably flat.

Steve... I'm sure Rich would be more than happy to oblige


Steady Edwina... I've done the race 3 time now and it is a good one. It's either the Last Chance or the First Chance, depending on the most convenient Sunday around New Years.

The course is about as flat as they come, 2 laps, half of which is on cycle path type surface and half on gravel track.

The finishers souvenirs have always been quite special too. The first year I did it there was an engraved glass and a bottle of something nice. Last year we got a towel with the race embroidered on it. This year we got a little goody bag with a 2 chocolate 'running feet', a packet of shortbread, a party popper, and a miniature bottle of 12 yr old whisky!

[quote=Trinity]Steve... I'm sure Rich would be more than happy to oblige


QUOTE]

I was thinking more along the lines of a hunky lifeguard!

Good luck Trinity!

Sorry the injury's still there - but hope you really enjoy Miami (somehow!)

[quote=Steve]
Hunky life guards can be shallow... I'd rather have Rich any day


Thanks Hollywood... I'll try


PS we're trying another strategy this Sunday... I'll let you know how it goes

How'd the new strategy work out for you, Trin?

Well, as I said last week, we were trying a different strategy this Sunday (yesterday). It was a run/walk strategy that I'd used in the 52.4 mile race in July 2005.

Basically, first you decide what minute mile pace you want. We decided to go for 11 min/miles which, if it worked, would give us a comfortable sub 5 in Miami.

You start by running 1 mile, then walk until you get to the minutes...in our case 11. By this time you have already walked into the 2nd mile so it's a shorter run to the 2 mile point. Then you walk the rest of the minutes...ie up to 22, then run to mile 3, walk to 33 minutes... and so on.

The beauty of this strategy is than so long as you keep a fairly even pace, the only full mile you run is the first one.


We had some success with this yesterday in as much as it was about 13 miles before my leg was complaining enough for me to begin worrying. We ended up getting to 15.8 miles (0.2 miles from home) before my leg said enough. We got to 16 miles in 2 hours 50 mins, so I've worked out that provided that when we walk it's a fairly brisk pace (which strangely, my leg doesn't seem to mind) we only need to run a minimum of 3 miles out of the last 10 to achieve a sub 5.


Another thing I found interesting was that if I run right on my forefoot, and not put my heel down at all, my leg doesn't seem to hurt as much. I only discovered this when I was experimenting during the last couple of miles yesterday. It's something I'm going to mention to my sports therapist on Thursday. It makes sense now because my leg really doesn't like running downhill, but uphill, when you're more inclined to run on your forefoot it's reasonably ok.


Anyway, I think we finally have the plan for Miami.

Training wise, I have done as much as my body has allowed me to do... I'll get on the cross trainer a few times between now and when we leave on the 25th, but how I fair in the marathon is now in the lap of the Gods.

Hi Karen... didn't see you there, you must have come in while I was writing about the run