Running 33:04 [3] 5.1 mi (6:29 / mi)
Had a very aggressive massage last night, a last minute panic booking. Went to bed with it feeling sore but woke up with the achilles feeling a bit better- in fact no pain around the achilles which (re-assuringly) confirmed my hope that it wasn't a tendonitis, but a very tight calf pulling on the tendon.
My dilemma today was whether to continue resting and hope everything settles for sunday (six days completely off), not an option, no point.
Continue resting and call this the start of my break and just tuck into my winter training when things are settled (or go for Abbey Dash)
Or, try a run and if its ok take an easy jog each day in Berlin and toe the line.
As you can probably imagine, me being me, this has been an emotional few days. I desperately would like to know what shape this training block leaves me in, but I also really want to enjoy the XC season.
I certainly don't want to run on Sunday and jeopardise next season. At the same time I was just really, really looking forward to running a marathon, the gentle increase of pain leading to the big crescendo and painful last few miles, I'm hungry for it.
I decided to try a run and went to the lake to allow a quick escape if required. It went quite well, my left glut and hammy were stiff and I was aware of my calf but it didn't get worse- the pain could well be from the butchering last night.
In fact the biggest limiter was the cold I've picked up from Soph.
So… rather than go to Berlin all depressed I'm gonna go with the intent of running. I'm gonna do a light jog each day and hope it all comes together. I'm relieved really, as I could see myself just drinking a LOT of German beer all weekend and wasting precious money.
Psychologically I've conceded the race, so anything from here is a bonus. Even if the calf plays ball I feel a bit under the weather, so I now have low hopes. I'm not gonna put myself through any torture either, unless I get very far into the race at a good pace. Enjoying the winter is too important to me