Open the hurt box

Firstly, I must explain the post title. A work colleague, Adam (he of the man suit comment - see first blog post), came out with another cracker last week. When describing a fellow runner who was able to dig deep and suffer, he used the phrase "He knows how to open the hurt box and climb inside", which I thought was a fantastic graphic image; we've all been there. Can't wait for the next Adamism.

Things have been a little stagnant on the recovery front. Ever since the operation, each day has felt better and a step nearer to running again, but over the last week I just feel that not a lot has happened. I've still been getting on the bike and doing the exercises, but want the same rapid recovery I've witnessed for the previous two months. I do feel a little more confident about coping with the day at work and have to remember that the surgeon suggested three months post op to aim for with regard to running, but the heel and tendon still feel a long way from being able to cope with training.

Trying to be more positive and looking ahead to training, the mini video camera came towards the end of last week. First impressions are that it is tiny but quite rugged; small enough to carry on training runs and even in races.

I wanted to try it out, so took some short clips as I walked into work through the park on Thursday last week. There is no view finder so I will have to get used to the positioning of the unit but it's really simple to use and should be great for recording some adventures in the wild. Just so I could have a play, I've spliced together some of the clips into a short video, some parts of which those of you who have started out on a Bob Graham Round will recognise.

Off to do some more floor exercises; got a couple of episodes of Wilfred to catch up with - how do they get away with it? 

Three miles!

Before anyone gets too excited (or worried) it was only a three mile walk on the flat. This still represents my longest test of the tendon to date and I'm pleased to report that it feels OK, maybe a little stiff now I've been sitting around after.

It has been a typical wet Keswick day, but I thought if I was running I'd go out so out we went; no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. A walk out through the park, turn at the Bouncy Bridge and back to Keswick. Most pleasingly, there didn't seem to be any limp, even towards the end.

The Bouncy Bridge



Towards Keswick, Latrigg beyond

I've also been thinking about the time when I do eventually start running again and have decided I will try and do my usual kick start to the winters training by having a run on the West Highland Way. In the last two years I have run from Milngavie to Rowardennan at a nice easy pace just to ignite the fire. Last year I joined  my friend Ali for a lovely run in the snow. To this end, I have booked a weekend in December and will aim to get at least to Balmaha, if not Rowardennan, but I'll be quite happy to walk bits and just be thankful I'm out there. So the first running target is written in the diary!

Many a time, I have been training in the mountains and wished I had a camera with me, I do live in the most beautiful part of the country after all and I would like to be able to post pictures and perhaps video clips from my runs. Both my phone and camera are too expensive and a bit too heavy to use, so I have sent off for one of these;

It's a micro video camera, only 5.5cm hight and weighs only 50g. No real idea how good it will be, but I'm getting a returned reconditioned model for a real bargain price so I think it's worth taking a punt. I'll let you know (and show) how it goes.

Finally, I have only just discovered the statistics available to bloggers. I expected to get readers from the UK and western Europe; welcome to you, but I would like to extend a special welcome to my readers from the United States, Canada, Russia and Azerbaijan.

I'm beginning to think computers and this Interweb thingy might start to take off soon!