New York Training Update - 6 weeks to go

Training has not been going well. It is three weeks since i posted because i have had nothing to post about. The day after the great 5k race i had in the US, I set off and ran a 28K, fairly fast-paced trail run and felt awesome. I had a little jog the day after that and felt great. I then got on a flight and came home. And it all fell apart.

I have been back for a little over 2 weeks. The day after i got back, i decided to go out and stretch my legs. Through a combination of fatigue and dehydration from the flight I got a cramp in my left calf and needed to walk home after about 3km. Feeling the residual effects of the cramp, I decided to stay off it for most of the week, trying a little 4k run in mid-late week. It felt tight and a little sore, but improving.

6 days after getting the cramp, Presuming that it was better, I got up early and joined the boys out in the jungle for a trail run that was supposed to be 34km. I was hydrated, i had lots of fluids and fuel with me and we planned a route that would take us back to the cars around 20km to refill.

2km into the run, i knew it was not right, but i thought i would run it off. 10km into the run, my calf was still niggling at me, but nothing really bad. We got to a big hill and i felt great, i had loads in the tank. My heart rate was steady and I conquered the hill without too much concern although i know it really tested my calf. However, I felt like we had just set off. The first 10km was easy and i mean really easy and the hill was not much of a challenge.

The big hill at FRIM is followed by a 3km section which is basically flat (and is my favourite part of the route). We set off at an easy pace when i felt (over the course of literally 3 steps) my calf suddenly seize. I knew i had done something badly wrong. I immediately stopped, rested and stretched before walking  back to the car. My buddy Will, who was not having a great run, decided to stop and walk with me.  Luckily there was a side path that would take us back in about 3.5k (not having to double back the fill 11km).

That was last Sunday. 8 days ago. And it STILL hurts when i run. I have prescribed myself another full week of complete rest (i am swimming and working in the gym - but no leg work AT ALL). My worry is that this will be the third week in a row without any running and I have 6 weeks to go, at least one of which needs to be a full taper week.

The toughest decision will come next weekend. If i am not able to run at least 10km next Saturday morning (six days from now), i think that my New York adventure will probably be on hold for a year! However, i am using positive energy and am going to do everything right. Lots of protein this week, loads of hydration, lots of rest, no booze, ice it every evening and keep all my fingers and toes crossed. 

My next post will either be very gloomy or very happy. Watch this space!