Settling in and pushing on

6.2 miles in 46:57 (PB)
Route: DfES - Home 4a

It always takes me a couple of miles to settle in to a run and tonight was no different. This is the third time I have done this route and I am slowly working out the best way to run it. The most enjoyable bit by far is running around the edge of Regents Park - even though it's dark. You can really settle into your stride.

Have a few niggles at the moment - both knees (not to be left out, my left knee now seems to be giving up on me), left foot (across the top of the foot - just needs rest really) and a few other sore muscles. Put some ice on them this evening after the run, which helped. I should really go out again tomorrow after work, but I am finding it tricky to find the balance between fitness and rest to avoid injury. I wonder if this might be a good time to start exploring some other training options (swimming for example?)

A quick glance at my running log tells me that I have run 106 miles in in my training to date (i.e. since this diary began) and that this has taken just short of 14 hours to complete, giving me an average pace of 7.6 mph. Not bad for a relative beginner with no coaching, but I am conscious - largely due to the fact my new team keep trying to get me to race the marathon master Dr Lloyd - that I lack race experience, or indeed, the experience of pushing myself towards race speed. Intend to change that in the coming weeks by introducing some speed training to my programme - am planning to join the Serpies Tuesday track session in my old stomping ground of Maida Vale.

Funny how things - including runners - eventually come full circle.