Go on you good thing

So the month of February has been a little difficult for me. The running, however, has been going great. I have built up my long run to 28k now, and I am on schedule for my required training plan for the E/B 50k. The Tuesday interval workouts have also been great, and I have enjoyed these thoroughly. I have been following the Harriers for these, but if the scheduled workout is too "downhilly" I have chosen to play it safe and do my usual flat interval route the following day instead.
The reason why I saying that things have been difficult is that the frequency has not been great...at all. I have been running consistently 3 times per week only, and the base mileage barely cracking the 40k mark. This is surely nowhere near it needs to be.
It has been difficult balancing work, my role as the Provincial Badminton Commissioner, and being a good dad to 3 children. It is my hope that with the badminton coming to an abrupt end next weekend, that I will be able to have more time and focus for my training. I also have fallen off the wagon with my core training, and this will need to be there if I am to be at the top of my game this year. I rely on doing my training mostly at work (break times), but these 'windows of opportunity' have simply not been there.
My knee has been alright. It has never given me trouble when I run, but it has been sore from time to time after my runs. This has been a little concerning as of late. I fear that this year may be a year - again - where I cope with this knee thing until September. I may in fact need to take September/October/November off again to fix the knee. If it gets progressively worse over the year, then an MRI may be in the works as well. However, I am still hopeful that the knee will slowly get better over the next few weeks (as I have been told it is supposed to).
Time will only tell.
I still remain cautious, but am wanting to step up my training, so that I can compete at the level that I know I am able.
I am aiming for 4 times of running this week, and the usual core exercises, so hopefully it happens. I am certainly committed, I just need the time.

Back on the Racing Circuit

After a solid month of training in January, I have now full optimism that I will be back to my old self very soon. Last week, I ran my usual Henderson intervals as fast as I have ever run them in my life. Last Harriers workout, I was right in with the top guys. My speed definitely looks good.
As for my distance, I am up to 22k - which is great so far. If someone told me at the end of December that I would be in this condition at the end of January, I would be very satisfied.
I am still just running 3 days per week, which is not nearly enough, but keeping my knee in top condition - which includes rest - is paramount. I hope to bump the frequency up in a couple of weeks.
In the last couple of days, I also entered my first race. The Elk/Beaver 50k race will definitely be the first "A" race of the year for me. I will likely sign up for the Comox Valley 1/2 Marathon as a good lead-up race as well. The Comox Race is on March 22nd, so that leaves me with 5 weks until my first race.
In that time, I will look to build my distance, maintain my speed, and get sronger for what should be a great year of running.