December 20th - 122 Days to Marathon - One long run, One wrong idea

BBBRRRRRrrrrrrrr....its dang cold, and foggy...!! full tights, 2 running tops and a wind proof jacket top with hat and gloves were definitely order of the day. Planned to have an hour at pace after a 20 min warm up however by the time I got to Hyde Park Corner I'd met and joined a group of runners (approx 20) from the Serpentine Running Club off out on their Weds night 12 mile London and Tower bridge run. Some crazy notion (Janeywife was out with friend so no rush to get home) influenced me that a 12 mile unplanned for run (albeit I'd lubed up to protect my sensitive areas!) would be a good idea.

Things started well. We clipped along at a pace I found comfortable in the middle of the group however still found myself noticeably going faster than I would normally, at comfort. The run took us up towards Westminster & Parliment Sq before hooking left in to Victoria to cross the Lambeth Bridge onto the south embankment next to Lameth Palace. From there we snaked east down the thames, crossing back over at Westminster Bridge, back again at Waterloo only to cross again at Blackfriars. So far so good.

Pace was definitely on the faster side but all was good apart from feeling super warm which when taking into account the weather was definitely a blessing. We continued unabated down to St Pauls where we crossed again via the Millenium Bridge to head on further east downt he river as far as Southwark Bridge back onto the northside of the river. Itt was as descending the stairs herer that i felt the first niggles from my knee - mainly the outside tweeked and gave pain whilst running downhill or down stairs. We continued towards mile 7 and under London Bridge towards Tower Bridge to cross back over again.

All felt good as we started back up the south side of the Thames, admitedly pace started to slacken and muscles definietly becoming leaden, however all went wel until we crossed the Millemium bridge again and the tweek became a contstant ache rapidly descending to constand pain. I've been here before and the short term remedy has always been to stop, walk and intermittently return to running once the pain has subsided. Not that this a solution, just that with it being bitterly cold and me being sweat soaked I was in no mood to catch hypothmia dur to walking rather than running. I toughed out the journey from Blackfriars Bridge back up to the mall then up to Hyde Park with alternating jog/walks but knew that the more I ran the worse it would become.

Finally made it home at 9.05 - 2 hours after setting out and 12 very weary miles later. Recovered in the shower and spent today sourcing some decent leg and knee exercises so this won't happen next time. Not injured just slightly achy. Knee recovered across today but will be very careful over xmas not to over stretch it, as well as regular strengthening!