Ups and Downs

My last post talked about recovery from Achilles strain.  But my running seems peppered with ups and downs....

My Achilles was better, and my new Inov-8 Rocklites arrived. 2 weeks to go before the Trialblazer race in the Forest of Dean. Time for some training.



I set off to do the Weston Colley loop (2.75 miles on the road and a couple of hills) and the new shoes felt good. Very light and the thinner, less padded soles give you a good feel of the road as your foot touches down.  Pleased with myself I ran hard, up the hill and back down. Up the next hill and still going well. I got home and checked my pace. 8'15" miles! I never run that fast.  I was sweating and breathing hard, but felt ok. Very pleased with myself I set off to do another mile with Lizzie.

But as we headed up the field my left calf started to twinge, and after a mile it was hurting a lot....

I'd done it again. A repeat of last year! Pushing too hard in new (low profile) shoes, even though the Inov-8 brochure warns about easing yourself into running in them to avoid calf strains.

As it happens it all turned out not too bad. I rested my calf and didn't run again until the Thursday before the Sunday Trailblazer. Just a mile and a half to check the calf was ok.  No problems, but no real training either, so I was a little nervous that although I was uninjured and I'd be able to run the Trailblazer, I'd be too unfit to keep up with my brother!