Baaaaaaaaaaa!

How very-weirdy-weird-spooky-strange does it feel to have a Sunday and NOT be going out for a run!! I am content that this is the right decision (resting the leg, and actually giving my body the chance for some respite) but my body is a bit jittery; it's like my brain has changed the routine and forgot to let the rest of my body know!    

Still; despite the lack of the scheduled fifteen-miler, it has nevertheless been a productive day. It was a quick trip into Manchester to visit 'Upandrunning'; a rather cool sports shop aimed primarily at joggers. The mission was to seek advice on what caused the blistering and calf injury, and further advice on how to avoid it happening again.

I am not afraid to admit that it was with more than a little sense of pride when I walked into the store feeling like I really 'belonged'. A proper runner in a running shop. Yes, I may even have swaggered a little; sorry, couldn't help myself!

Well, sorry - and sheepish - I certainly was when I told the tale of what I am trying to do, and that I am currently out of action with a banjaxed calf and blistered foot. He confirmed that the former was as a result of the latter, and then instantly asked how old my running shoes were........hmmmmm........and there the 'proper running' bubble burst. Don't pretend I haven't told you, it was a fourteen mile run on a brand, spanking, NEW pair.

He didn't look at me, just stared into the distance with a smug smile on his face that I would have loved to slap off if he hadn't been so right, and I hadn't been such a numtee! I'm sure I wasn't the first to make the mistake, and just as sure I won't be the last. For me however, the repercussions make it like running out of petrol; one of those things you only do once!

He was brilliant though; lots of good advice, and I left with some Compeed blister plasters (say that really fast five times) and three pairs of 'twin layer' socks (rather than sock rubbing on skin, inside sock runs on outside sock, simples!! they are padded in the right places too, which make them the first pair of socks I have ever owned that have an 'L' and an 'R' on them!

Here's hoping that they do the track and get me back on trick. On a positive note, I didn't realise that I had incorporated a resting Sunday scheduled for 10th March. By swapping the two weekends what originally felt like a major setback in training won't be so much as a blip. Unless I am mighty unlucky I should be ready to rock in a week!

Seven weeks, 49 days.......not going to give you the hours, it's scary enough already!!