It is what it is

Current level of fitness or running speed. What is for sure it isn't what it was 6-8 weeks ago. Quite demoralising struggling to do 7:15 pace for 2.5 miles with 0.5 8:30 recovery in between. Third felt like the tail end of a 10K race and HR figures back this up. 6 weeks ago I was knocking out the same session @ 7 Min pace with the HR in the MP to HMP range.Three weeks off didn't help but neither did my diet. A non reduction of calories has added extra 6 lbs. on the frame. It makes a difference alright.

It will be what it will be.

All I can do is get the diet in order and try and maximise my running without flaring up the knee. Still no answer but have a visit to the Doc on Monday for a review. Anti Inflammatory brought it down and no pain or flare up this week so far, however my mileage is not back to 100% yet. Saturday will test as I plan to toe the line at the start of Galway Bay Marathon. Easy first lap, with 13-14 Miles somewhere between 7:45 and 7:15, then jog walk the last few miles. Any sign of knee issue and I will pull up. It is a 4 Loop course so it makes it easier to manage from that respect. As regards what I do in Frankfurt I will make a decision on race day. If I can comfortable go sub 3:15 for the first half then I will have a lash at it otherwise ease back and enjoy is plan B.

Corner Turned

Finally able to get back to running this weekend. Reverted back to the Doctor who accessed the situation. Time for an Anti-Inflammatory. Difenee which comes with a bad rep of side effects notable that it may (and has) aggravated my Bowel. So one thing gets fixed another thing breaks. Going to persist unless my Bowel shows signs of bleeding. Course of tablets for 10 days. The real issue may be what happens when I come off them, will my symptoms return? Hopefully not as I am not a believer in taking tablets just to eliminate symptoms. It may well be just an unusual inflammation from some sort of infection but I am more inclined to think this may be more related to the current age of my joints and the possibility that they are starting to remind me I am not a kid no more.

Frankfurt Target

I feel having lost well over 3 weeks of specific training that my lofty goal of sub 3:10 is gone by the wayside. I am not really going to get any sort of race pace work done or really very little between now and race day. This could turn out to be one hell of a taper. Best case scenario is a crack at sub 3:15 outside of that lining up on the day will do me. Pity as for the first time in my life I got rightfully in to the first Corral.

Still Broken

Still on the bench. Not a mile ran in September and have abandoned this Saturdays planned Marathon in Tulloran. Just finished my 3rd Visit to Leon in Physiozone, needles today on the TFL and Quads. My knee is still swelling up after any length of time standing/walking and even though I have no pain just swelling and a pulling sensation at the IT insertion point under weight. Leon has advised to refer to the Doc tomorrow for an MRI referral or possible NSAID/ Steroid Injection. Its doubtful that it is a Stress Fracture as I would not be able to tolerate the ShockWave Therapy on the Insertion point if it was, of which I have had 3 sessions with minor discomfort in the area.

At this point running a PB in Frankfurt is not likely , best case scenario is that I make the start line and get to jog high 5 my way around the city. I have also planned a marathon in Galway in Three weeks time but I may drop down to the half unless there is a miraculous recovery on the knee between now and then.