Kirklees 10k

Hey Guys,

Today I ran the 4th race for my 12 races, 1 charity, campaign. As i'm currently suffering from a torn band behind the knee in my left leg, running is quite a challenge, and training is restricted to weights, stretches and other low impact things, which has left me missing running quite a lot, and the feeling you get after a long run when the endorphins pump through you.

Today was the first time I have run in 2 weeks, and Kirklees provided a somewhat unique challenge. The terrain and surfaces changed regularly. The run was mostly down the side of a canal, which I wouldn't say is the best idea. Overtaking was highly restricted and running under bridges down a canal is a nightmare for a guy who is 6 ft 3. Though at the same time, I felt I was quite lucky to be restricted from powering through, with my knee problems and all.

I was wearing a knee support for the race, which managed to delay my knee going but it did eventually go at the 7k mark, it feels like something has just torn in your leg, and running on it feels like something is trying to force its way out from your skin. It's not pleasant. But the knee support pulled my knee in and the pain dropped after another kilometre running on it.

Like a driver with road rage, I have my usual complaints. The guy who went to tip his entire bottle of water over his head, missed and got me instead was a bit frustrating, but hey free water. I was annoyed by one guy who decided not to take a water bottle along on the 10k with him, who seemed to develop heatstroke and began to wobble all over the path. Be that a warning to anyone, you can run a 10k without water, particularly if you run it in 30 minutes, but it's unadvisable in this heat. There's never a point to risking your own well being.

Next week is Hull 10k! That is probably the biggest race I have taken part in so far, so i'm looking forward to the goodies :)

Anyway, as for a full return to training, I don't think that'll come for another month, and as for the times I was previously hoping to be logging now (low-40's), I probably won't manage until October. I'm keen not to making this a recurring injury.

John