The new regime

5.2 miles in 40:11 (PB)
Route: Highbury and Islington circuit 1

An unexpected PB!

My second run out after a long break and my fitness was much better – not brilliant, but much better. I didn’t stop, just kept up a steady pace.

I’m afraid my knee doesn’t feel brilliant – I can definitely feel the same pain that I had before, although not as bad. I followed the osteopath’s advice to the letter – have been stretching every day and warmed up and down in the way she suggested. It felt good to stretch it out at the end – I hope it’s having some benefit!

It was a lovely day for running – slightly cloudy, but plenty of blue sky and some nice winter afternoon sunlight. I like this route as it is varied and takes you around some nice parts of north London. It has a couple of hills in it too (one steepish) so you get a good workout. I am pleased to have finished when I did though – the last mile or so back from Angel I could really feel the tightness in my knee. This is my first time out in about a year without a knee support on either knee and I have to say that it didn’t seem to make a lot of difference. Remains to be seen how I cope when the distance increases again.

Busy week ahead – my first threshold run tomorrow, assuming my knee feels ok, and then spinning on Tuesday (ugh). Have yet to work out how the threshold run will work, but doubtless something will occur to me tomorrow!