I’m frustrated. My knee is still giving me grief. It is on the mend but has also been for the last few months. I hurt it due to an increased load during July. Strava brought a new 300 km badge out which I thought would be fun to try and achieve in the lead up to our firstborn arriving. Previously I had been doing around 200 km a month. Can you see the problem? Can I blame Strava for bringing out a new badge? Probably not.

Instead of stepping up things gradually I increased the training load too quickly. As a result, I hurt my knee. I’ve never really had too many major injuries before – none that require more than a couple of weeks off it.

I just want to be running. Particularly as we, the residents in Melbourne are in lockdown and going for a run is the one time that you:

• Don’t have to wear a mask;
• Can get some fresh air; and
• Can blow off some steam and get refreshed after a day at work.

However, even if I was able to go for some long runs at present, I’m currently time poor – having a 4-week-old does tend to limit the amount of leisure time available. I can’t take them in the running pram just yet. I can’t reason with them if I leave for a run or get back from a run late or delay their bath or nappy change. It’s safe to say there’s a new boss in the house, and they’re shouting out orders from their bassinet!

Excuses, excuses. I’m full of excuses. What is the best running related excuse that you’ve heard or made?

How have I progressed

• Gear consolidation – I have worked out the running gear I have and some possible upcoming purchases that may be required are essential coming into Christmas (stay tuned!)
• Progressed by not aggravating my knee further – still taking it easy. Resting up. I think that’s best at this stage.

Stats since last update

• 10.52 km combination of grass running around my local footy oval and footpaths
• Irregular stretching