The Virtual Vitality Not 10k

[Beachcomber66]

My first thought on waking this morning was "how does my knee feel?". No surprise there; it happens every morning at the moment! There was no way I was going to manage a 9.am start with all of my exercises to complete, KT to check and knee heat treatment too...plus I had to allow an hour for my porridge to settle. But, after much faffing about I eventually got underway, to join the host of RB's on our joint quest.

First question was "what distance?" Sensible rehab answer was 6k to build on my 4k and 5k this week. The mad romantic notion of a cavalier (musketeer) 10k attempt flashed across my mind, but it was firmly squashed by a mental image of my physio, hands on hips saying "you did what????. So 6k it was. She is not to be messed about with!!

My knee felt absolutely fine from the start. No pain, rock steady. For the first 250 metres the top of my left hamstring felt tight, probably a result of compensating for the stiff knee on previous runs, but everything loosened up by the time I had done 500 metres. It felt amazing! Apologies but I didn't take in the beauty of the sunlit surroundings; I have no lyrical descriptions of landscape, flora or fauna today. All of my attention was focussed on my knee, waiting for any sign of trouble; but thankfully none came.

All three rehab runs have been at about the 6:37 mark. I think I will go for 5k, 6k and then 7k next week. Boring, but sensible, building back up gradually. I admire Dexy5s discipline, and think of her when I am tempted to winge about my knee.

I had earmarked today for a celebration sub 60 10k effort. In fact I did have a sub 60 on my phone this morning, but sadly not from me. Youngest BC sent a what's app with his latest 53:18 effort; he has knocked 10 minutes off his 10k time in lockdown. I think he has become a runner who cross trains in the gym (currently his garage!) rather than the other way around. Good to see. I think my sub 64 minute effort shook him!

Oh, Mrs BC, after several attempts took the picture above. She chopped off the top of my head in order to get in my hastily constructed medal(an ill disguised version of my 10k medal from last year) . The post run red face is still clearly visible.

Thanks to all for your massive support from 5k graduation onwards. I hope the future brings a meet up and lots more PBs for all of us too; both will have to wait for a while. Oh, Molly? flat out on the cold kitchen floor. She can do her 4k later.

🙂

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Whoop whoop Beachcomber66, a very fine run and well done for holding back the distance, to 6k despite the temptation.

It’s good to see you didn’t put your fine hi-viz medal on Mollie for your pic.

Looking forward to meeting up at the real race In London when we can.

🏃‍♂️👏👏

[Katnap Graduate10]

Love the medal BC 👏👏👏😁🥇

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Whoop whoop, at last we can put a face to the name of our musketeer 😃😃 Glad you are still being sensible BC. I think Mrs BC might have had something to say if you’d overdone it as well. Save the sub 60 for more conducive weather. Nice medal 🏅 Our canine companion is spark out in the cool of the dining room, snoring gently, which I may also do when I have finished my Bank Hol afternoon can of Strongbow 😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Mrs BC is used to my moments of madness by now! No use looking there for any sympathy for a SIW, but she doesn't criticise ( well not about running anyway!).

[David_G]

Well done Beachcomber66, very sensible to keep to 6k as part of your recovery!👏👏

Let’s hope you continue to get better and build up to 10K gradually. With any luck we’ll all be able to run as groups by then🙂🤞👍

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Thanks David. I will be off to the physio as soon as the doors are open. KT tape and a bit of common sense (not my strong point when it comes to running!) will hold things together until then.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Great run Beachcomber66, I definitely don't think doing 6k was boring in the least I think you were very sensible.

Another thing I think you look great for someone who just ran 6k in the warm weather, the sweat was literally dripping off me this morning. Well done you 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Very kind Buddy34. It isn't quite so hot up here and I did have a pre photo shower! I hope that I have learned my lesson.🙂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

BC! There you are! You have an actual face - how wonderful to ‘meet’ you at last. 🤝

I’m impressed at your willpower. Former Bad Boy BC would have thrown caution to the wind and gone for the gold - the sub 60. But not our new found angelic friend. 😇 Your knee will thank you! 🏃🏃

So well done, that was a great run and a fab medal! Hopefully Molly won’t demand much of you today. Flossie has been out with my daughter and is currently lolling in the garden. 😀 🐕

Our meet-up WILL happen one day! 😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I don't think my sensible phase will last long CC!! Any sniff of a PB and and my crazy self will take over!! My restraint today shows how much this injury has bothered me...that, and my belief in following physios' advice to the letter so they have the best chance of giving me the right treatment.

You had a great run today...PBs are always welcome 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🏆

[Hidden]

Really great post. Love the way you have the dichotomy of wanting to go further but remaining prudent with your knee. Next week's incremental runs sound ideal. Best if luck with your continued progression from injury.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

A good 6K run for you today Beachcomber66, you were correct on not running further, congratulations to youngestBC on his 10K time of 53.18, I was passed by a man this morning running that "Virtual Vitality London 10,000" certainly he was running at sub 60 minute 10K pace, as he passed me he said "you are running great, keep going" all I said was 'thanks' I did not say that I was running a 10K, he passed me at around 8.5K.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Cheers Al. Everybody passed me this morning.....I should be used to that by now! A neighbour saw me, she said "oh you do run...I didn't really believe you!" One fewer Christmas card to write 🤣🤣🤣

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

👍 😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Thanks GTFC. Heart v head conflict just about sums me up! Got it right this time!😊

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Sounds very sensible BC, and it's the perfect time to look after yourself at the moment, even if we did tempt you maybe a little too much! Love the medal too, I'm going to knock a couple up with a couple of beer bottle tops and some string as youngest kitten couldn't do it 🙄😁 All the best for your continued success rehab, looks like you'll soon be back.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TC. Of course you will be taking the tops from currently unopened bottles 👍

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Very shortly 😁😁

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great effort, love the medal. Hope your knee keeps strong. Happy running 🤗

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks GH. Hope you are adjusting to the flat runs. As soon as this knee is better I am heading for the hills again..after I have seen the physio of course.😇

[grumpyoldgirl]

Well done for exercising self restraint there, BC. I thought for a minute your other half had done something drastic in the home hairdressing department, until I looked at the photo again 😂 (cracking medal by the way)

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

I do need a haircut..... but not a head cut! Have just sorted out some stuff about trusts, mines and building ancient railways.....my head should be safe for now. 🙂

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Beachcomber66]

That's it, remain indispensable and you'll be fine 😉

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Very wise to stick to 6k BC - you were rewarded with no twinges!👍

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks JP. I think slipping back to a 5k and another 6k before trying 7 is justifiable caution too. I need to put this spell behind me.

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Looking good and nice medal.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Very kind Coddfish! 😊

[Rowers Graduate10]

Great post - loved the bit about waiting for the porridge to settle! I had to wait for mine as well!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Rowers]

1 hour for porridge settling. 👍

[Rowers Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Totally agree! 😀

[Jonno34 Graduate10]

Well done for sticking with the advice. I know it is frustrating but set backs are more so. Just got back up to 10k myself.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Jonno34]

I trust the physio completely, based on my past experience, so doing as I am told is straightforward really, however much I am tempted. 👍

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

I was grimacing a bit while reading this BC, simply because of the knee thing 😫 so I’m mighty relieved it behaved and all was good. Well done to you and the knee 👍🏃‍♂️

That’s a great looking medal too, colour goes well with your top 😏 and tell Mrs BC the photo is a goody 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. I would never have run with this niggle if it were not for the physio. I have followed her guidance to the letter and have total confidence in her and others in the practice. Being an analytical type, I was pretty confident about the description of the injury I had given her.

I will pass on your kind words to Mrs BC.... she did really well with the material she had to work with😉😂