Green Shoots of Encouragement.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been getting back to something approaching regular running. Only sort of 8-10ks but maybe three times a week, and at increasing pace. So far the muscles have remained okay but I am aware (or is it all in my mind?) of a tightness on my right thigh (the opposite one to that which was giving me trouble a couple of months ago).

I did a reasonably fast 10k on Saturday with Andrew (who had just returned from mountain climbing in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and was feeling very fit) with no resultant injury. Triumph! By reasonably fast, I mean about 53 mins.

My brother-in-law, George is coming to stay with us for a little while, either a few weeks or a few months depending on the job. He is an Ironman Triathelete so I'll enjoy doing a few training sessions with him. He's a fitness fanatic and I'm sure he'll give me a kick up the backside for slumping into inactivity because of my muscle problems.

On a completely different and rather random subject - my son, Christopher, is doing rather well in his band and seem on the verge of a real breakthrough. If you want to listen to some of his stuff then go to www.livan.co.uk.

Easing my way back to fitness

Over the past few weeks I've been slowly getting back out onto the road again. Nothing too demanding, just a few short runs and a few 4 milers. I couldn't believe how difficult the first couple were but I've been doing this for long enough now not to panic at having to stop at the worst hills.

My past three runs have been over the same 4 mile course - includes two big hills - and my times have dropped from 40 minutes to 36 mins to 34 mins today. Still very slow but at least there is no further damage and I actually enjoyed the run. My target is to run today's course in under 27 mins. I will get there.

May and I have entered a 1o miler on May Bank Holiday Monday near Milton Keynes. Hopefully I can get some uninterrupted training in before then. The physio has signed me off so she must think I'm ready. Just before that we are out at our apartment in Turkey again for a fortnight's break (absolute heaven) and a chance to do some running in the sun after what seems a long winter. If you'd like to see where I'll be running then take a look at the photo below. I run right around this bay - can you see why I'm looking forward to it?

If you'd like to see it for your self then go to www.relaxinturkey.net and see a few more of my pictures and my apartment.