Mr. Garmin, please can I be excused my trial for a while?

[Ian5K]

You know when you’re well and truly bitten by the running bug when it weighs heavy on your spirit to have to stop running for a while.

On the Garmin plan, I did another “Easy pace” run yesterday, it went well and I loved it. But in the afternoon, something didn’t feel right with my left knee; and then I was in the garage doing a bit of work, I stood at the pillar drill, turned to get something from the workbench and Pop! - a brief pain inside the knee cap.

It doesn’t hurt now but the scheduled run today is the “Time Trial”, basically running at Uber Ridiculous Pace, continuously for 1.6km, to see how fast I can do it. I’m not trying that on this knee. I’ve decided to skip three scheduled runs for now and see.

I find you can pause the Garmin plan but I’m required to pick an excuse from a multiple choice list when I want to resume it - and probably have a signed note from my Mum as well. We’ll see…

Coincidentally, Garmin included another video from Coach Greg, on “Soreness vs. Injury”. “Listen to your body,” instructs Greg towards the end. And I do that, but sometimes I feel the need for an interpreter.

*

As if to torment me, my new tights arrived from Decathlon yesterday, and my FTG beanie from Contra (profits towards Parkrun!) this morning. The beanie looks the business, very pro, not at all bulky, close fitting but comfortable, and comes down over the ears nicely. Only £10.50.

The tights are extremely snug, like the skin on a sausage - I fear I may get arrested! - and supportive enough to go commando - I better not get arrested! Not being that tall - the same height as Sir Mo Farah, in fact - I searched all over the web but couldn’t find any tights with inseams shorter than 34”. My old tights fit me perfectly but they don’t make them anymore.

I therefore avoided ankle zips so I might turn them up neatly and inconspicuously at the ankles, rather than presenting bagginess at the knees. What is it with ankle zips anyway; under what circumstances would a bloke remove his tights without taking his shoes off first? Answers on a dirty postcard…please.

The tights were £12.99. I’m glad to see a good drawstring around the waistband too - after a season of washes, can you rely on elastic alone when running? No you can’t; and you’ll get arrested for sure!

So, bring on the cold weather, I’m well sorted! Knee injuries permitting.

Happy running, folks! 🙂

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Sounds like you’re ready for the cold weather running Ian. I’m still in shorts and vest and steadfastly avoiding tights for now. I can’t bring myself to wear them without shorts mind. I’m just not that bold 😬

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Still in shorts here, Brian. Unseasonably warm for the end of October - but I hear snow could be on its way. ☹️

[Hidden]

Im really sorry about your injury Ian, but your post has properly made me laugh out loud 😂😂😂

Signed note from Mum 😂

😂😂😂😂

I know what you mean, it makes you feel that way 😂

I hope you can get yourself back on track as comfortably as possible.

👍

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Alan. I’ve done the usual prodding around and it doesn’t feel too serious, like a mild bruise to touch, but can’t be too careful with knees - or any joints!