After writing about my other runs this week which didn't go particularly well at times, I've just got back from a long run which went just right. I started out intending to do 8 or 9 miles. The weather is cool and breezy and I started off slow and decided to incorporate walking breaks, 1 minute for every 6 minutes of running, to give the calf a chance to work better. - I am reading Jeff Galloway's book about Marathon training at the moment and this is his method, its supposed to be good for increasing distance and recovering from injuries.
I took my mp3 and the miles quickly went by with no trouble from the calf at all. I went back home after 6 miles to get a sports drink and carried on until I had done another 4 miles. Still feeling good I ate an energy bar and the dog and myself went out for a further 3 miles. I did start to get a soreness in the right achilles in the last half a mile which I have iced, will have to keep an eye on that, other than that everything was good and although I stopped there, I could have carried on quite easily.
The result is that the new method of running is working well and coupled with the walking breaks made me go further than I have in several weeks.
I now have the confidence again to run in the Southend Half Marathon in two weeks time and know that I can do the distance.
I also found that although I was losing seconds when walking, I am faster with this other method and I didn't lose any overall time.
All in all, I'm quite chuffed.

13 miles
2 hours 28.31
Average HR 147
Peak HR 167
Average pace 11.4