Achilles problems are a right pain

It has been a frustrating two weeks. I have had a pain in my achilles which became particularly acute on my first attempt at a long run for my London Marathon training. I think I did the first damage on a very cold, steep walk in North Wales wearing my brand new 'Christmas walking boots', then running on it continually after this must have aggravated the injury....just so annoying! Having always been rather smug about my lack of running injuries, aches and pains, I have found it hard to actually admit to the fact that I actually have got an injury and the only cure is rest. So I've had 10 days complete rest now and did a little jog around the docks yesterday. I set off slowly and sensibly but I could feel it after just running a mile - so it's back to the drawing board. I've decided to withdraw from London and carry forward my lovely good for age entry to next year. That will give me a little extra time to rest before starting training for Stockholm....so it's stair exercises and swimming for me for a while. And I think it is definitely time to visit my friend John Hardy, orthopaedic surgeon, (thank you so much for the pheasants, by the way, John, they really were delicious), although I think my hopes of a miracle cure will be dashed and he'll probably recommend good old r and r.

Oh well, all the more time to 

create some new yummy running recipes. 

Today I made a sweet potato, coconut and orange cake, the ultimate high G.I. recovery cake to replenish those tired muscles after a big long training run....absolutely packed with fantastic nutrients to keep your vitamin and mineral levels topped up and to help prevent progressive glycogen depletion for all those lucky people who are doing serious training! A blog with the recipe will be posted over the next few days.