Saturday Training (8 mile run - aborted at 7!)

I was up early doors on Saturday. I had to pop into Bexleyheath before Izzy arrived at my parents, so the plan was to get up early and get out running before breakfast.

Thankfully, the chest infection had cleared pretty quickly without antibiotics. The tactic of getting on the paracetomols and Olbas Pastilles early in the week had done the job.

The run went ok. Nothing out of the ordinary. Average page of 8:52 min/mile majorly affected by getting cramp from around 6.5 miles and making it almost unbearable to run by 6.8. I aborted the run at 7 miles, had a long stretch out and then walked back up Watling Street to home. 7 miles was more than sufficient for the purpose of getting out again.

Once the chest is completely clear, I'll be upping the mileage again.

Thursday Training (Short 5 mile lung unclogging run)

Man flu update

Overnight, it appears the little tickle I had has now turned into a fully blown chest infection. The lungs are crackling like hell.

So off to the GP to get some antibiotics.

Something so easy you would think.

112 redials, 15 mins left on hold...

"Hello, Surgery!"

"Hi, can I have an appointment today please"

"Sorry, we have nothing left for today whatsoever!"

Such a wonderful NHS.

"Is there anything I can do to get an appointment, I cant breathe properly?"

"Is it an emergency?"

"Well as I said, I cant breathe properly"

"Ok, I'll add you on to the end of surgery but you'll have to sit and wait!"

"Thank you".

So why the hell dont they just add a few more appointments on at the end of the day.  Like I have to if an academic comes in asking for financial advice.  GPs really shouldnt be exempt from working hours as required.

Tuesday Training (Slow man-fluey 7.5 mile run)

As yet no head cold whatsoever.  The Olbas Pastilles have done a fab job of keeping my head clear and a couple of extra strength strepsils have numbed the throat.  Yesterday I felt fluey and my legs felt very heavy all day but they felt a little better today.

Probably shouldnt have run tonight but I thought what the hell.

The aim was to run at a pace of what felt right to keep my HR around 150bpm thereabouts.  Shallow breathing was the choice of the day to attempt to stop the cold air being pulled deep down into my lungs.

Job done. Average HR of 149bpm for the 7.5 miles so was pretty much spot on. Wasnt quick by any stretch of the imagination but by running slowly and not needing huge gulps of air, I've kept the cold air off my chest. My throat and just below has felt quite raw for the last three days so I need to be very careful. A couple of doses of Ventolin when I walked in and straight into the bath and feel reasonably ok.

Legs are feeling very heavy though. I guess thats to be expected.

The dreaded man flu

I wondered when it was going to kick in.

I felt rough on Sunday but waking up on Monday, I could feel a slight burning sensation in the top of my chest, the first sign I usually get of anything untowards.  I started taking cold and flu tablets on Sunday but you never know if they do anything or not.

I got through Monday ok but by the time I got home, I felt zonked.  I had to go to Tesco do to the weekly shop and the three carrier bags felt so heavy as I walked to the bus stop, a weird feeling given the amount of weights I've been able to lift, push and pull recently.  My arms felt like they were being pulled from their sockets.

Dinner was an easy affair.  Lentil soup followed by some pasta.  Job done.

Chilled for an hour, done the washing up, cleaned my kitchen and bathroom then collapsed in a heap on the sofa and didnt move for a couple of hours.

Now that in itself is rare for me, collapsing in a heap?  Surely not.

The thought of running or going to the Gym was out of the question, sadly.  Bloody annoying to say the least when I've only got another 49 miles to run to hit the 1,000 mile target for the year.

Sunday Training (Pre-breakfast 8 mile run)

After two days off, it was back in training mode this morning.  Alarm set for 7.30am, out the door just before 8.  Plan was do to about 8-10 miles but didnt have a firm route.

It was always intended to be a slower run today but after my calf started nagging just past Crook Log Sports Centre on Brampton Road just beyond halfway, I decided to take the quickest route back. I made it back but the calf tightened up for the first time in ages and I'm just glad I got home without any major damage.

I can feel the beginnings of man flu coming as well, sadly. Not a surprise really, with the amount of time I've been spending outside recently, especially with not showering at the Gym and taking the lazy option of changing into a tracksuit before jumping on the bus home.

It was a good session but I know I can run much faster. Not a problem having the odd off day. I'm now dosed up on Nurofen Cold & Flu tablets with a hope to get this cold shifted ASAP.

The Beast is back...

Most readers will know by now that I've got serious man love for the Beast from Brazil...

He was back to his very best yesterday and topped his performance off nicely with another stunning strike from outside the box...

He certainly doesnt score taps ins, does he? :)

3 goals now for Spurs, 3 absolute screamers...