Lighter

It's supposed to be 18 degrees and sunny today. It's currently neither. But it is nice weather for a run. I just nipped out, keeping to yesterday's route along Redington, home via Frognal. I'm pleased to report it was easier-going on both my lungs and ankle. Also, the ponds and lido re-open today. Happiness. Though also coldness. Stats: 2.1 miles.

Gravity

Another little run. It was tough. Now there's more of me to move, it's a lot trickier to get momentum. It's a grey old windy day and didn't look that inviting through the window but once out it was lovely. My ankle held up. I walked a bit, ran a bit, zig zagged a bit - an attempt to use different muscles. And I added the length of my road and back to the last run. Turns out that's an extra 300 metres. A useful distance if I ever feel like sprinting again. Stats: 2 miles; again, no idea of time.

A little run

Went for a gentle run this morning. It was punctuated by walking - not least so I could safely negotiate the traffic and give fellow pavement people plenty of room. In the past I'd go out before or after the commute but I got the urge at eight today and felt I should strike while the iron was red hot. It was good. Stats: 1.7 miles; no idea of time.

Single leg jumps compass

When I was at youth club my friends and I would line up and do a certain dance. I don't know what you'd call it but the dance involved two steps forward, three steps back, a kind of little jump then you recommenced the move. This is the worst description but it was a versatile dance you could do at every speed to every song - from Come on Eileen to Eye of the Tiger. We took it very seriously. I was reminded of it today during ankle rehab. 'Single leg jumps compass' involves standing on one leg then hopping onto the other around the points of the compass. It aims to build strength and proprioception. It occurred to me after a couple of sets it was not dissimilar to my 1980s' youth club dance. So I put on a record and did the dance instead. Even with an additional 38 years and five stone, it was most enjoyable.

Disorganised collagen

...is what's causing the swelling around my left ankle. Physio gave it a good massage and it's already more flexible. I need to do this myself, which will be challenging. It's so unjust I'm not healing like Wolverine. However, the ankle is improving and while I can't run, I'm allowed (and encouraged) to hop 5 times a day. Progress of sorts.

Foot hurts

My enthusiasm for the resistance band has waned. I was hoping I could start running instead but my foot has all the mobility of a breeze block. I'm booking in to see the physio this week. Hope he can fix it. Stats: Yesterday: 7.2 mile walk; approximately 2 hours; hence the sore foot today.

Persevering

Two rest days. Two resistance band days. After a year of working/sitting from home, my fitness is gone. I feel like I've melted. Saying that, today's workout was marginally easier and marginally more enjoyable. But that might be because I did it while watching Death in Paradise. What I wouldn't give for a sunset drink in Catherine's bar?! Ahhhhh... here's to sunnier times. Stats: 15-min resistance band workout.

Nemesis

Day 2 of resistance band workout. Weaker than usual due to hay fever caused by tree pollen. I live under several large trees. They're beautiful and make me feel like I'm living in a den, 12-year-old-me's dream. However, this time ever year the symptoms arrive - swollen eyes, red nose, additional feebleness. I can barely open a door, my hands are so trembly. Hopefully a large dose of Clarityn will help. That aside, my slightly aching limbs from yesterday's workout fill me with hope they're being employed and, in a few weeks' time, will be marginally stronger! Stats: 15-min resistance band workout.

I just tried to do one press-up

And failed. Well at least I now know the benchmark. Because my ankle is still too sore to run properly, I've switched to a resistance band workout. Before I could do this, I had to rearrange my flat to make space. For context, my studio flat is so small I can redecorate by changing the duvet. After a morning of clearing and cleaning, I had a suitable area and managed 15 minutes on the resistance band. Hopefully a few weeks of this will remind my core I have a core. Stats: 15-min resistance band workout; half a press-up.

Best run in ages

Only run in ages. I sprained my ankle mid January. Since then it's been increasingly swollen and angry, much like me. Today I took it for a test drive - a cautious run/walk down Finchley Road and back. No more than 20 seconds of running to a minute of walking. After some tetchy stiffness, it improved. Feel better already. A good day. Stats: About a mile; about 20 mins.