15th February 2011

            Feeling a bit down. It turns out I have a minor (grade 1) strain of the Medial Collateral Ligament, the one on the inside of the knee, which means no training or racing for a while and next weeks 10 miler in Dunnington is now doubtful, and these things can either clear up or linger on depending on how I push my knee. Back in the old days when I was a couch potato, injury was never a problem, apart from the back... getting it off the couch! I didn't have "hamstrings" or "ligaments", now they niggle or strain and give you gyp. On the positive side, a couple of weeks rest for the rest of the muscles, and still 4 months to the Parish. Plenty of time, I hope. I was going to start my Parish training mid March, so the next couple of weeks can be make or break. Still, time to research joint injuries and pass on what is to be learned.
          Hopefully, I can be right for the National 10 miler in Coventry in mid March, a statement I would have laughed at only recently but now am a little worried about. Still, anyone out there who thinks finishing the Parish is a far flung dream, let me tell you, if I can do it, me who is just an average Joe, a non athletic try hard middle of the road person, can not only finish, but finish well, then anyone can. Just remember that when your mid training, flogging up a difficult hill, wondering if it's all worth while, then give just a little more, because it's all worth while.
          My four trophy's are all on a shelf above my telly, and a glance at them always lifts the hairs on the back of my neck, bring back great memories and make me smile a little. They are amongst my most treasured possesions.

       Happy training, (he typed, a little jealously....)