I have to admit that I´m not any advanced runner (or have been). I am running as an amateur but with a great interest in track & field or similar sports. Actually, I completed a half marathon in 1988 (Malmövarvet) at 1.37. I was really an amateur in those days, no fancy gear or sports wear. I used a pair of Nike Air (bought at reduced price at some outlet) and didn´t really mind about such things. A couple of weeks ago, I bought a pair of New Balance M767SB and last week I got me the latest Craft gear (knickers and a shiny blue t-shirt). I don´t know if these things makes me a better runner, but that´s how it feels. To keep my knee in good shape, I use a Rehband knee support (with a hole for the patella). I have also added silicon cushioning insoles (only heel). This combination make a difference! I also try to run on plain and hard surfaces (mainly asphalt) since I have discovered that this makes me run easier. If I´m running on gravel roads or tracks I need to concentrate much more on how the foot strikes the ground. This in turn make me more tense and less relaxed in other parts of my body.
I started my preparation for Göteborgsvarvet in Januar this year. I began with my standard training round at approx. 6,5 km once a week. In februar I tried to increase to 8,5 km and sometimes twice a week and this went on until March (I caught the flu in mid March). In April I managed to increase to a 10 km round and at least twice a week. The last two weeks I´ve been doing 10 km every second day at 52-54 min. (and it is not a plain track!). I ran 15 km last friday and that was very encouraging, no pain or ache in my knee. I begin to feel quite confident about the possible outcome of the half marathon.
