PAR. 3 weeks to go. 20 miles and a swollen right knee.

I was On-Call this past weekend so I had to do my long run on Friday. If I can run 18 miles, I can run 20 miles.

I set off at 830, straight after dropping the kids off. It was going to be a sunny day – also good training for running in warm weather, which seems to be the trend these days. I thought I would just run the seafront twice – this would be 18 miles.

As I was approaching the west end of Southsea… I decided to run the whole Portsea Island instead. I immediately had to make a plan as I know Portsea Island is not 20 miles, so I needed to make up the difference somewhere.

Luckily, I had my running vest on with water and gels. First added loop was Gunwharf Quays to see the Spinnaker Tower.

Then I figured I would stop for Lucozade and the toilet at the Mountbatten Centre (11 miles). Just when I was about to start running again, I felt my knee buckle. I had to stop, reassess, stretch, shake it off, focus. Whatever I had to do to get back home. I did think about just taking an Uber. I ran a bit slower instead for a bit, until the knee loosened up again. I still had 9 miles to go (about 1.5 hours more).

Next challenge was when I got close to the Havant Bypass (still next to the water)… all of a sudden the underpass and bridge were both closed. I had to divert towards a tunnel and ended up in an industrial area in Havant (2 weeks ago… Hayling Island industrial area). I could see the Havant Bypass so I just snaked around a random road which led to the Eastern Road roundabout. Phew.

Then another decision to make… to run home or the Farlington Marshes. No question… the Marshes! During these long runs, there is a period when I question why I do this to myself… ‘Do I really like running in the first place?’ Then I get to places like the Farlington Marshes… and yes, this is one reason I love running… getting to places like this!

Then I took it slow and stopped to chat with a bird watcher. He told me about the Mediterranean Gulls that have started coming in as it is starting to get warmer. He let me use his binoculars to watch them a bit closer. Then it was time to go.

5 miles to go. Home stretch. Last gel. Then I let my playlist lead the way. 2 miles to go… Pulp’s Common People followed by Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. This song always takes me back to the Berlin Marathon – a little girl was holding a radio and this was playing and I automatically thought about Xavier as he loved this song around that time. ‘I never miss a beat. I’m lightning on my feet.’

Finally… last mile. After 19 miles-tired legs, I wondered if I had any juice left and I went for it. 10:13 mile! And STOP! I could have ran all the way home but nah… Save the knee.