Oops - keep forgetting to update!

Oops - I had intended to keep updated each week but that's not happened so I'm going to give a quick over-view.

Lee-anne and I have now reached Week 7 Day 1 of our C25k journey - second time around for me, first time for Lee-anne.   We're doing ok  (see my "pages" for a comparison chart between my first attempt at c25k training which I did on a treadmill and this second attempt - which I've done around 95% outdoors)

My lower back continues to give me problems. I'm having regular treatment with my chiropractor as well as doing stints on my gym ball to keep my back moving.  In the morning it tends to feel very stiff when I get up but by the end of the day it's moving a little more freely.  I suspect I may have a touch of arthritis.   I'm still being advised to run on a treadmill or grass only (although down the local park I'm running on woodland pathways which can be quite compacted - but still not as hard as a pavement) I'm advised NOT to run on pavements or other hard surfaces AT ALL. I have ignored this advice only once and paid the price the following morning when my back was more tender than usual.

For my birthday Lee-anne bought me an hour long session in a floatation tank, which is supposed to be very relaxing.  I found that my shoulder niggled during the hours floatation which sort of spoiled the experience a little bit as I wasn't able to fully relax.  I also found my back ached more than normal the following days. I do think I'll try the tank again though - and use a neck pillow next time to see if this makes any difference.

 I still have a quietly burning ambition to run a marathon before I die and I was very inspired to learn of a 101 year old gentleman running and finishing the London Marathon 2012.  Awesome.  There was some talk that his age wasn't confirmed as he'd been born in India at a time when birth certificates weren't available - however, I think they're missing the point.   This very elderly gentleman achieved a feat that many people half his (alleged) age wouldn't tackle.  In fact, he did what most 20-30 year olds wouldn't be able to do!    During the Great North Run last year there was an interview with a man who was in his 90s.  These older citizens inspire to me plod on with my ambition.

Although my back is giving me grief I don't want to give up running and I really do hope that one day I'll be able to do a marathon.  I wouldn't even mind if I just do the distance, without the official tag.  We'll see!

For now I'll be happy to get to running 5k again.  My plan is to run 5k's for a little while then start working on 10k again, then work on half marathon again if I remain fit and healthy enough.  I  wonder if maybe I pushed on to the longer distances too quickly last year?   Time will tell!

Hopefully I'll update again soon and keep you posted.