(oh OOOH) Trouble x3

Ten weeks to go and there is a very real chance I won't be able to run the marathon.

Man, it sucks to acknowledge that.

Two weeks after pulling up after three miles I'm still struggling with my knee. The dull ache and stiffness on the inside of my left knee is showing no real signs of abating.

I've seen the physio who felt the knee itself was structurally sound but may have been suffering from some referred pain from the quadricep which might be the source of the problem. I had acupuncture on the knee (I was dead brave/it doesn't hurt) and a deep massage on the quad but nearly a week later and the problems are still very much here.

I've been so worried about losing the fitness I had built up over the last few years - I've ran a minimum of twice a week for nearly two years - that I've been on the exercise bike almost daily, whilst dragging myself to the local swimming pool three times in the last week as well. 

That comes with its own challenges. Not only are swimming pool changing rooms minging, I spend 45 minutes weaving in and out of slow, angsty people who are quite frankly fuming to be sharing the pool with someone who is actually looking to swim, rather than drift their way down the pool, waffling on to Margaret about Theresa May's shoes. 

I've been doing all sorts of stretches and manipulation of the knee exercises that Dr Mark and friends on YouTube recommend whilst I've been doing enough squats to put Nicki Minaj to shame.

But still, problems.

I ran yesterday morning and for a mile and a half to two miles, it felt ok but the third mile was uncomfortable at best. It's then been very sore for the best part of 24 hours following.  

I feel like the next two weeks are pivotal. If I can't get out and running without discomfort by the eight-week-countdown-klaxon sounding on the 31st July, then it's looking particularly bleak. I plan to see the physio again and I will continue my array of stretches and non-impact exercise, and hope upon hope it begins to improve.

It is beyond frustrating and disappointing.

And I'm getting my arse handed to me on the Fitbit workweek hustle as well. 

Sakes.

In the mean time, if anyone has a spare knee, knows a magical healer or has a truckload of horse placenta lying around, give me a shout.