Catan.

Well, I didn't get the bike out on Sunday evening. Instead, D and I decided we needed to entice my daughter out of her room for a few hours and socialise with the family, rather than with her MSN friends.

We enjoy board games from time to time and a current favourite is "Settlers of Catan" for which most other things can stop, so we gave the game an airing, with the Seafarers expansion for a change. D thrashed us.

Family matters sorted for a while, I set the alarm time for an early morning outing - but forgot to click the switchy thing to make it actually go off at 6:30. At 7am, I'm blearily staring at the numbers trying to figure out what day it is and what I should be doing. Ah. Get up ... run ... shower ... eat ... drive to work ... perform design miracles on computer networks ... drive home. A plan. I might achieve some of it.

I know that my leg is going to complain about it, but as discussed previously, I'm starting to dislike cycling, so I'll take my chances again. A walk to the end of the road and then 8:1s again as this seems like a reasonable balance point at the moment.

For a change, I decide to run with a compression/support bandage on my calf and I think this might have helped by keeping my calf muscle from flapping around, whilst also apparantly slowing me down further, the whole run averaging a 10:09/mile pace, far slower than normal.

The first half mile went with the usual calf tightness and a slight mistep off a cambered pavement onto the road brought a sudden stab of pain, but thankfully only momentarily. It was an "oh my God" moment though - I must be more careful on that corner. At the 15 minute mark, both calf muscles felt warmed up and pretty relaxed about the whole thing - even when climbing uphill - and the remainder of the run went nice and easy.

So, yes, my leg is now sore. Yes, I'll be icing it (in about 5 minutes) and yes, I aim to go again Wednesday morning before my Physio appointment.

Update you then!

Mr Stumble.