Hi Everyone,
You may have noticed that my blog has had a bit of a makeover. This was in light of two things:
1) I'm really starting to feel that spring is in the air and that my page needed pepping up to reflect this.
2) Ros Sweeting (friend, marathon supporter and fellow blogger - http://www.kewgreenbooks.blogspot.com/) had a much prettier blog than I did and it shamed me into making a bit more of an effort!
But don't be fooled by all this positivity; February has not been a good running month...
When I last left you Mum and I were off to Prague and we had an amazing long weekend in the beautiful, icy city. I didn't get any running in when we were there but we walked miles over the 3 days, although I'm not sure the twice-daily gluwein and dumplings are the most nutrious choice for a runner! On my return I developed quite a nasty cold (serves me right for gloating about my good health all winter) which made any running I did very hard work to such an extent that my legs completely packed in half way up Richmond Hill and I went crashing into the middle of the road. Grazed and bruised (ego and knees) I hauled myself home feeling quite sorry for myself. Unfortunately since then I've been battling with my knees, although the physio is more or less convinced that it is due to the classic 'runner's knee' rather than anything related to my tumble. These days, around mile 5, my left knee starts to ache. Not enough to stop me running but enough to make me hobble for the two days following a Long Run. I am looking at renewing my trainers and also doing LOTS MORE STRETCHING!
My saving grace came this weekend in the form of a 12 mile run through the stunning Dorset countryside with Derek Sweeting for company. Derek has a Special Forces past and as a result was not phased by the sometimes alarming undulations of the valley around Hilton. We fuelled our 2 hour run with Kendal Mint Cake and lots of chat. I felt strong again, and despite painful knees, think that I have re-fallen in love with my training. 14 miles this weekend.
I also want to mention another 'athlete' this week. Jacko (the boyfriend at Sandhurst) took part in an infamous Exercise called Long Reach. He and 7 others from his Platoon competed against 36 other groups in a 65km race through the Black Mountains. 4 hours of sleep, numerous badly infected blisters and unmentionable chafing, 9 command tasks completed and 30 hours of more or less continous walking/running up and down mountains, they were successful and came in 4th over all. Congratulations Jacko!
As always thank you for your continued support and unbelievably generous sponsership (www.justgiving.com/hannah-musgrave)
Lots of love xx
