Staying Healthy. . . .

. . . . Is a challenge that I must focus on religiously! After a calf tweak a few weeks ago I rested from running and then easy back into running aiming to get back to where I was gradually rather than leaping straight back to previous mileage and intensity. That plan was scuppered when I crashed my bike in icy conditions that caught me out. A bruised hip stopped my running again. I thought I had done some serious damage but it is healing ok I think now. But I was forced into the game of gradually building back my running again. The end result now is that I am almost back to where I was in December! I feel as though January running has been a wipe out. But is this a bad thing? Maybe not! Recent sessions have indicated that my running is actually not too bad. However, I feel like I need to continue to build the endurance of the long run. I still have time. I am also completing a tempo run session, either as individual reps with short recoveries or a continuous run. The long run always feels hard for me. I think I try and go too fast. So last night I ran at 3:50 marathon pace. This felt very easy and definitely in the realm of ' I could go all day'. This, I believe, is where my long run needs to be. I can let the tempo sessions bring the pace up for race day in July. I have also treated myself to one of these I have a Giro Advantage from 2008. This updated version should be blingtastic! I have also resurrected my Podiumsport water bottle. I was surprised that they don't make these any more. I had mine in 2006 but moved to the Profile bottle for some reason. I was aiming to get a Xlab or speedfill bar mounted bottle. However, the Podiumquest bottle has 2 integral compartments and is rock solid and easy to fill on the hoof. I do have my eye on this saddle to test though It is the middle one - the Fizik Tritone. This has a decent integrated bottle/spares attachment behind the saddle. I am slightly concerned that the cut off nose will push my position backwards. Updates to follow!