Week 30: 6 months of running

Well I have been running for over 6 months now and clocked up some 800 kilometres.  Its hard to remember how the thought of running three and half kilometres around the local reservoir daunted me.  I have learnt a lot about training, stretching, warm up, running gear, injuries and much more.  I have experienced the pleasure and satisfaction of getting out into the fresh air and running.  I have seen how my mental state improves after a run.  But I have also experienced demotivation, pain and frustration.  The journey is by no means over.  Today I find myself on a plateau, with little progress in terms of speed or distance.  I know I have got to keep my head down, slog away and have faith that all this gradual work will pay off.
I decided to take a rest day on Monday that, with ice packs, seemed to pay off.  I then decided on a gym session concentrating on core strength to give my knee more time to get better.  However on arriving at an empty gym I decided to jump on the running machine.  I started with a fast walk then gradually increased the speed.  As nobody else came in to the gym, I continued on the machine for forty five minutes.  Alternating fast walks with gradual speed build ups.  My knees did not feel to bad afterwards so fingers crossed I have sorted out this problem.  I did some hill sets towards the end of the week, and then as I have a busy weekend I did my long run on Friday.
My last run of the week was really positive.  I hadn't decided what I was going to do.  I parked up at the local reservoir and warmed up.  Then headed directly up through the pine woods.  I passed a friend, who also trail runs, he chastised me for not carrying any water.  However he reassured me that it was normal to walk the steep sections.   At the first junction I faced a choice, head back down or continue upwards.  Of course I carried on uphill, and at the next junction I did the same.  I finally climbed 700m before deciding that I wasn't dressed correctly for the cold and snow, I encountered at 1000m, and I really should have taken some water.  I was really enjoying the little birds, the woodpeckers, the Jay's and even a Chamois that jumped across the path in front of me.  Nevertheless I decided it was prudent to begin my descent.  I felt great and for the first time I really let myself go.
I great end to the week that set me up for my son's rugby tournament that was threatening to occupy my Easter weekend.