A few updates

Not much running
Since getting around the half successfully the other week, I've been away for work for 3 nights in Cardiff and decided to get 3 small runs in, as Cardiff is a very nice place to run.  The hotel I was staying at was right opposite a huge park (where Cardiff parkrun is), which itself is along side the River Taf.  On two nights I ran away from the City and then one the third night I ran down to Cardiff Bay.

I really enjoyed this, but I'm sad to say that the achilles flared right back up again.  For the "old me", 3 small runs in a row is nothing so I've come to the realisation (probably about 2 or 3 months too late!) that I need a complete break as the type of running I'm resigned to at the moment (mainly plodding, and very short distances) isn't what I want to be doing.  So, in order to try to keep my sanity and some level of fitness, I've dusted off the old bike, signed up to Strava and been out for a few rides.  I must say, I'm really enjoying it so far although the weather has been perfect for cycling and I'm currently not sure if I'll brave the wind and rain if/when it arrives.  I've decided to give cycling a go though for a whole month with absolutely no running, and then to reassess.

Pod
I've also been to the podiatrist again since my Half and he is now referring me to get the achilles scanned.  He mentioned bursitis and a scan should spot if that's the cause of the issue.  I have obviously heard of bursitis before, but this is the first time it's been mentioned to me about my injury.

I have a strong feeling that he was almost expecting to have to refer me for a scan, but he had to try me on the insoles first.  I don't know how long it will take to get referred, but I suppose it could take a few more weeks.  He has also given me some different inserts to try (rather than lowering the front of the foot these raise the heel, which is what I thought I was going to get in the first place) so it all seems a bit trial-and-error at the moment which is very frustrating to be honest.

Steve Way and the Commonwealth Games
In my last blog entry I mentioned Steve Way and that he is representing England in the Commonwealth Games.  Well, as I read his brilliant blog regularly and feel that he is a "normal" runner who has worked very hard (read this brief biography about his from the Guardian, but in summary not all that long ago he was an unfit, 16.5stone smoker), it seem a large number of the running community are getting behind him and are wishing him all the best for the Games.

A friend of Steve Way has organised some technical T-Shirts with Steve's motto for running (and life, I suppose) on the front.  I thought I'd get one as it seems a pretty good motto to me.