The long slow recovery gains pace

I'm feeling very positive tonight (hence actually getting around to blogging for the first time in ages :-) ). The first few attempts at walk/running were not outright successes, but each session left me with some hope that things would get better. I managed a good, even (and pain-free) run at the CR5k with Sook and Running Angel, and then promptly came down with a thoroughly gross lurgy.

Thinking that I was over the worst, we made a (possibly ill-advised) appearance at the striders 10k the following week, but I only got through 5k before pulling the plug. Tiger angel stopped at the same point with breathing difficulties again, but when Wildthing came past she decided to start again and accompany her for the second 5k (no further breathing problems this time). A further week of being laid low meant no more attempts at running for me, so yesterday (Sat) afternoon I headed out for a gentle run around the local streets, keeping it as level as living in the Hills district allows. I felt good for the first 6 k, but the last k and a half left me feeling decidedly old. I was very surprised (and very happy) to find that I'd averaged 5:10s for the run. (Not bad considering my total running since the hip cracked added up to a princely 28k! :-) ).

Tiger angel had a long run on the schedule for today, but she really wasn't looking forward to doing it on her own, so I suggested that she do a lap and a half of Quarry Rd, meaning I could accompany her for a little while and then walk, and she'd see me each time she passed. As it was, I ended up running 3/4 of a lap with her (Dural end to Hornsby and half way back) before my quads decided that they'd had enough. She continued on while I walked till she got back to me, and then we walked together to the end. It was a really nice day together, but my quads are definitely going to be reminding me all about it in the morning.

It's only 4 weeks now till the City to Surf, but I'm comfortable that I'll be able to cover the distance without any difficulty, and I don't really care what speed I do as I know that I'll always be able to use Striders results to get a Red bib if I don't get under the 75 minutes. There's no distance in my legs now, but that'll all start to change over the next few months. Happy.

Gnome