Dancing

I went to one of the many Christmas parties last night that I have over the festive season, and as my knee has been improving dramatically over the last 2 days, I found dancing not to be a problem at all.
Earlier in the day I had done my clamshell exercises, and am now up to 2 sets of 50 reps each side (so I am definitely getting stronger) and I also did two and a half minutes of ropeless skipping. That's going really well too, and I find my calves really ache after a minute or so. Looking back to previous training sessions, I didn't have any issues with my calves the whole time I used to incorporate skipping into my schedule, so now that my foot is in a better state, I'm sure this is going to make a huge difference.

The race that I really fancy doing at the end of the year is a little out of reach (at the moment) as I think the cut off is too stringent and only fairly fast runners would be able to complete it in the time frame. I have emailed the organisers to ask if the cut off is strict, and I'll be honest and say that if it isn't, I could be more than a little tempted to do it. Graeme was more concerned about getting from the start line to the finish (as a supporter) than he was about the actual logistics of the race venue, and the marathon in Budapest beforehand would be a good training run because the ultra concerned is on a flat road too.

I'm very excited about my training for next year, as I feel I learn a new thing about myself when I get an injury and I learn a new way to stop it happening again. For the ITB, it is definitely the clamshell exercises to combat the weak gluteus medius, for my back it is the regular massage with the physio, and for my foot it is not running barefoot/wearing a wider shoe and making sure my orthotics are always in good nick. One of these days I'm going to move through my training schedule injury free because I know my weaknesses and address them, and it is when I do this that I think the speed will follow. I'm sure that once the calf thing (along with the electrolyte balancing) is improved, I will be much faster over longer distances. Well... that's the theory anyway (in my own little ideal world)!

Graeme was talking to me the other day about my training with William and Shaun, and said he thinks I've come on leaps and bounds during that time. (It's now been 18 months that I have been coached by them).
So... I can't wait to start up properly again (maybe I can get back into the running starting from tomorrow). Graeme and I are already eating better, but we are going to pay much closer attention after the new year, as we have both put on weight. I'm sure the wine hasn't helped!!!