Decision Made...

Sadly, I have to report that I have made the big decision and there will be no London marathon for me this year.

The problem with my knee is not going away - and the worst part is that the knee pain is just a symptom of the two injury sites in my left leg.

Having completed (after a fashion) a 20 mile run last weekend I know I could get around the 26.2 miles but that is what last year was about. This year I wanted more than just getting around. I wanted to get under the 4 hour mark or maybe even better.
Then there was the pain issue. The thought of dealing with the amount of intense, localised pain I experienced during that 20 miles not just for the marathon but for the 2 very long and 1 longish run left in the schedule before the big day had me wincing at the thought.
Then finally there was the long term damage issue. I could have got around, slowly and in pain and then found that I was unable to run for the following three months (or worse). I am hoping to push on with my half marathon running later in the year having achieved a 1:38:42 with this injury I can only hope that injury free I will be able to go even faster.

So I have made the choice to defer. At least it means I won't have to worry about securing a place for 2011, if I wasted this years place I might have to wait another 5 to get in again. Hopefully I can recover now, build back up again nice and slowly and be ready, fighting fit for an even bigger challenge in 2011!