Nexus Ray

14 days out: Cyprus half marathon - slightly under 1:55 and I am super happy. Even yesterday on the plane, I considered not participating. I’m still sick, hadn’t trained for 10 days, and that goddamn knee doesn't hurt but keeps making cracking sounds. I don't usually drink, but I needed a reset yesterday and had a couple of beers with a friend. So this run was about getting past all those problems and finally having that ‘yes I can’ moment. The run itself wasn't very challenging - it felt casual. I may pay for it with a longer illness, but oh well!

23 days out. HRV 63 (high), but RHR jumped to 56 bpm. Warning: Not a recovery issue, but infection incoming. Swollen throat, chills, no appetite. Unbelievable obstacles lately - first the knee, now this. #hm140

26 days out. Just a boring 10k in Z2 (avg HR 135). But boring is good - it means I don't have to worry about anything going wrong. Everything is holding up. Post-run knee rehab done. Steady as she goes. #hm140

28 days out. First 18 km long run in a long time, kept it strictly in Z2 (avg HR 139 bpm). Everything is holding up perfectly - no pain, just steady progress. On track for 22.03. The mission continues. #hm140

31 Days out. 3 x 3 km threshold session with a progressive finish. Split the intervals at 4:55 -> 4:45 -> 4:35 min/km. Zero knee issues and felt a massive surge of energy in the final stretch. My chances are looking much better after today's training. My coach is giving me a 75/25 chance that I can do it on 22.03 under 1:40. The Phoenix is officially in flight. #hm140

33 days out. I am reborn. Phoenix has risen from ashes. I managed to have a 6.57km running session on the treadmill at an average pace of 6:30 min/km (Z2) and avg HR 137 bpm with no knee problems. Followed up with a serious "Repair & Stability" circuit: Bulgarian split squats, barbell hip thrusts, and reverse nordics to bulletproof my joints for the future. The aerobic base is still there. Now, the real fight for 1:40 begins. It's going to be tight, but I’m ready to suffer for it. #hm140

36 days out. My doctor’s visit this morning was very promising. That 'creaky' feeling in my knees started to fade yesterday, and the doctor encouraged me to resume my workouts - as long as I keep them slow and controlled. I think I’ll make treadmill walking a staple part of my training. Let’s see if I can still get close to 1:40 in 36 days! #hm140