Oh no, am injured

Training has been very light for the last month or two.  In fact the two lowest mileage months in 36. 

The reasons behind lack of training are many fold.  One overriding reason has been a nagging pain in my groin area since completing Edinburgh in May.  Initially thought that this was due to an old inguinal hernia operation, however it was manifesting itself on both sides of my groin.

Running was not too bad, but the day afterwards was crippling.  Coughing and sneezing are to be avoided at all costs, and getting out of bed brings an onset of pain.

A visit to the Physio over the weekend, and now a referral to a Consultant.  The Physio believes the symptoms point squarely at Gilmores groin, a condition that does not react to conservative management.  Will have to see what the Consultant says on Thursday, but I fear that running further this year is going to be much compromised.

Its July and I have managed 3 blog posts this year.  This being the third, just goes to prove the point in my original post - 'I am not known for blogging'.

I thought I would review the goals I posted at the beginning of the year

1. Essex 20, get under 2 hours and 1 minute.  Achieved!  Well it could have been a little better as I missed getting under 2 hours by 3 seconds.  Won county medal for V40 and Open race.

2. Brentwood Half Marathon.  Get under 75 minutes agains.  Missed!  76:44 was the final time, was enough to get first vet, so another little trophy for the collection.

3. Essex Road Relays.  Missed!  Very poor result.  Strange race as I really did not feel at all well.

4. Braintree 5.  Missed!  DNS.  Decided fairly early on in the year not particpate in this race, as I had London, Manchester and Edinburgh lined up.

5. Greater Manchester Marathon.  Achieved!  Not that difficult to achieve really.  Great fun once again.

6.  Virgin London Marathon.  Achieved!  Have not enjoyed the London Marathon so much.  From championship start, completely stress free.  Easy first half in 1 hour 26 and sped up on second half for 1 hour 20 minute.  Massive 6 minute positive split

7. Halstead Marathon.  Achieved!  Only decided to do this on the morning of the race.  Ran it in a similar fashion to London.  Once again really enjoyed the race.  Finished fourth in 2:48.  Nice vet trophy to take home and first marathon as a V50.

8. Edinburgh Marathon.  Achieved!  Final time at Edinburgh 2 hours 38 minutes and 42 seconds.  Overall objective achieved.

One other race that should be mentioned, but was not part of the beginning of year objectives was the BMAF 10K at Kings Lynn.  Managed to win the BMAF Gold Medal for V50 in a time of 34:24.  Very pleasing result.

I also pointed out that I wished to be in the Top 10 of V50's in the UK.  On Run Britain currently number 7, ranked 4th for Marathon and 4th for 10K.

18 weeks to Edinburgh

Weekly Summary - 19/1/2014

Mon - AM 4.11 miles (6:58m/m) PM 10 miles (6:18m/m)
Tue  -                                             PM 9.62 miles (6:57m/m)
Wed - AM 9.1 miles (6:44m/m)   PM 4.1 miles (7:10m/m)
Thur -                                            PM 11 miles (6:24m/m)
Fri -                                               PM 8 miles (6:45m/m)
Sat -  AM 12.72 miles (7:05m/m)
Sun - AM 18.1 miles (6:44m/m)

Total Mileage = 86.9 miles

So that is the number of weeks training to go before lining up at the start of the Edinburgh Marathon. Seems like quite a long time, particularly when I see and hear everyone's plans around London. 

The last week has seen me post my highest weekly mileage for several years.  I hope I have not overdone it, but this evening as write I can feel some tenderness on the left side of my upper leg.

The week started off with an easy run lunchtime at work followed in the evening with a Steady club run from the track. Only myself and Matt this week.

Was hoping to get to the track for an interval session on Wednesday but work precluded that plan, and I am not sure I am ready for track work just yet.

Friday session at the gym was a decent quick paced 10 miler on the treadmill.

Saturday was a foray over to Weald Park where the ground made it almost unrunnable.  Was running with Matt and we both decided it would not be a good idea to persist with running of the very muddy terrain.  So switched to the road which was a bit of a mistake as now the 10 mile run morphed into a 13 miler.

Lastly a Sunday run on my own at a steady pace listening to Marathon Talk and the Now Show and eventually completing about 18 miles and a grand total of 87.9 miles for the week.

My first post on the v50 trail

Not renowned as a blogger this blog is to chart my running as I progress to my 5th decade.

My intention is to summarise my training each week and to provide both highlights and lowlights.

The objective is to be in the top 10 for v50 in 2014.

A number of key races on that journey have been entered

1. The Essex 20 - I love this race, although last year did not go to plan. Objective is for sub 2:01

2. Brentwood Half Marathon - starts and finishes by my front door. Be rude not to run it. Aim to get under 75 minutes again 

3. Essex Road Relays - run for the team, hope to get under 20 mins.

4. Braintree 5 - Another enjoyable run on the race calendar.

5. Greater Manchester Marathon - shan't be racing this as am 3:15 pacer. Treat as long training run.

6. Virgin London Marathon -  Another chance to run of the championship start. Not racing this year as not target marathon, will be a training run. Objective first 20 miles at 7mm last 6 mules at 6:10mm

7. Halstead Marathon - club has entered me so will take the opportunity to run. This a tough marathon with a fair few hills. I will look to run at around 6:50s and get just under 3, should mean a county medal.

8. Edinburgh - This is the target marathon - overriding objective is sub 2:40

There will be other races, but this takes me up to May.