I went for a run today!
After a 10 day "break" I felt I was ready to head out again - so I did a mighty 1.35 miles in Bushy Park! I'd missed the park and I was very happy to be there again. However, after the cough and cold my chest isn't in the same condition as it was for the Finchley 20 and the legs grumbled today too. Only time will tell as to whether this is the start of a return to fitness or simply misplaced optimism.
The only thing I can do now is listen to my body. However, even I have to concede the thought of going from 1.35 to 26.2 miles in less than 17 days is a daunting prospect. What will be, will be.
Friday, 29 March 2013
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Hiatus v2
It would seem I spoke too soon.
I woke up on Monday morning to muscles so tight that walking was hard and stairs were almost impossible. I bathed, stretched and massaged but it made little difference. Using the cross-trainer on Tuesday was out of the question. Unfortunately I couldn't bring forward my appointment with Jennie and so I hobbled through to Wednesday evening.
Jennie tried to reassure me it's just tight muscles (nothing's damaged) and this is perfectly normal for this stage of my training. In fact, she says it's relatively mild compared to some cases she's seen. The cause is probably a combination of high mileage, hard surfaces and weak muscles which allow my knees to roll in (the rest of the muscles in the leg then tighten up to compensate for the area of weakness). She gave me a thorough massage last night but I'm still walking with a limp today. The good news is that my left calf is much better this week - perhaps switching trainers has made a difference there.
An added complication is that I've developed a cough - and not just a wee tickle in my throat but one that rattles through my chest. Given the marathon is only 24 days away I saw the doctor this morning. He declared it to be a viral infection which I just have to wait for my body to fight off.
Although neither Jennie nor the doctor have prohibited running I'm clearly in no fit state to run. I'm absolutely gutted that after five months of sensible, steady paced training, following all the sound advice I've received, my training should come to a juddering halt so close to the marathon.
I woke up on Monday morning to muscles so tight that walking was hard and stairs were almost impossible. I bathed, stretched and massaged but it made little difference. Using the cross-trainer on Tuesday was out of the question. Unfortunately I couldn't bring forward my appointment with Jennie and so I hobbled through to Wednesday evening.
Jennie tried to reassure me it's just tight muscles (nothing's damaged) and this is perfectly normal for this stage of my training. In fact, she says it's relatively mild compared to some cases she's seen. The cause is probably a combination of high mileage, hard surfaces and weak muscles which allow my knees to roll in (the rest of the muscles in the leg then tighten up to compensate for the area of weakness). She gave me a thorough massage last night but I'm still walking with a limp today. The good news is that my left calf is much better this week - perhaps switching trainers has made a difference there.
An added complication is that I've developed a cough - and not just a wee tickle in my throat but one that rattles through my chest. Given the marathon is only 24 days away I saw the doctor this morning. He declared it to be a viral infection which I just have to wait for my body to fight off.
Although neither Jennie nor the doctor have prohibited running I'm clearly in no fit state to run. I'm absolutely gutted that after five months of sensible, steady paced training, following all the sound advice I've received, my training should come to a juddering halt so close to the marathon.
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Finchley 20
It was with great trepidation that I left home this morning for the Finchley 20. Although my calf and knee had felt much better yesterday I worried how I'd get on today and what it would mean for my training over the coming four weeks. I wanted to run 10 miles; I'd hoped to run 15.
I did my usual warm up and straight away my calf started protesting. Thoughts of not even starting the race filled my mind. After warming up I stretched and Chris massaged my calf, trying to coax it into submission.
Thankfully, as soon as the race started the calf felt fine. It niggled only a few times, as did the knee. In the end I ran 15 miles and finished strong. I could have gone on and done another lap to complete the 20 miles but I just felt that would be pushing my body too hard. Instead I came away from the event a happy bunny, having covered the miles I'd hoped for, with few niggles and feeling good at the end.
The event itself was good. There were 700 entrants, of which 502 finished: it's popular with people running the London and other spring marathons. It started on time and the route was clearly marked and well marshalled. Of note was the wonderfully enthusiastic lady on the corner of Westcote Rise - she was so positive, encouraging and generous of spirit. There were several volunteers at both water stations (although some servings of water were a little small for my liking). Facilities at the clubhouse were good - but the smell of bacon butties before the event was torture! As I didn't complete the full 20 miles I have no idea what was in the goodie bag. The route was reasonably flat and otherwise unremarkable. The only downside was the weather - at times it was wet out there today. Should I ever run another spring marathon, I'll come back to the Finchley 20.
Finally: a big thank you to Chris for being my chauffeur and masseur. :-)
I did my usual warm up and straight away my calf started protesting. Thoughts of not even starting the race filled my mind. After warming up I stretched and Chris massaged my calf, trying to coax it into submission.
Thankfully, as soon as the race started the calf felt fine. It niggled only a few times, as did the knee. In the end I ran 15 miles and finished strong. I could have gone on and done another lap to complete the 20 miles but I just felt that would be pushing my body too hard. Instead I came away from the event a happy bunny, having covered the miles I'd hoped for, with few niggles and feeling good at the end.
The event itself was good. There were 700 entrants, of which 502 finished: it's popular with people running the London and other spring marathons. It started on time and the route was clearly marked and well marshalled. Of note was the wonderfully enthusiastic lady on the corner of Westcote Rise - she was so positive, encouraging and generous of spirit. There were several volunteers at both water stations (although some servings of water were a little small for my liking). Facilities at the clubhouse were good - but the smell of bacon butties before the event was torture! As I didn't complete the full 20 miles I have no idea what was in the goodie bag. The route was reasonably flat and otherwise unremarkable. The only downside was the weather - at times it was wet out there today. Should I ever run another spring marathon, I'll come back to the Finchley 20.
Finally: a big thank you to Chris for being my chauffeur and masseur. :-)
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Elite athlete?
I've been reading old copies of Runner's World Magazine and the October 2012 edition described the anaerobic threshold (AT). Apparently this is the point at which the body produces lactic acid faster than it can be removed; ideally the AT should occur as close to the maximum heartrate as possible.
"The average human will have an AT located at roughly 55-60 per cent of their maximum heartrate. Elite athletes will reach as high as 85-90 percent".
Across all my training runs my average heartrate has been 90% of theoretical maximum: the Watford Half Marathon was run at 92% of max; last summer I ran 5 miles at an average 99% of max. The possibility that there is any measure which defines me as "elite" amuses me - and I'm in need of smiles at the moment!
"The average human will have an AT located at roughly 55-60 per cent of their maximum heartrate. Elite athletes will reach as high as 85-90 percent".
Across all my training runs my average heartrate has been 90% of theoretical maximum: the Watford Half Marathon was run at 92% of max; last summer I ran 5 miles at an average 99% of max. The possibility that there is any measure which defines me as "elite" amuses me - and I'm in need of smiles at the moment!
Friday, 15 March 2013
Hiatus
For the last few weeks I’ve felt tightness down my left calf and into my left ankle. I’ve had regular massages and I’ve just run through it – afterall, no-one said training for a marathon would be plain sailing. However, last Sunday I went to Richmond Park and ran a half marathon. The tightness in my ankle was joined by discomfort around my right knee and my form degenerated into a lumber. At that point I realised running through it was no longer an option.
Tuesday this week I decided to replace a 5 mile run with 50 minutes on the cross trainer. That went OK, although I was disappointed not to be running.
Wednesday I had a day’s annual leave so I could run at a more sociable hour than my usual 6AM. However, I spent the day on the sofa, catching up on the running related reading I’ve missed out on in recent weeks.
That evening I saw Jennie. Thankfully she diagnosed no damage and no joint problems, just tight muscles which she teased into a more relaxed state. By working together we decided the problem might be caused by my new trainers which aren’t correcting my overpronation. The plan, therefore, is to run in older trainers which should correct it.
This morning I was on annual leave again and managed to get to the park for a 5 mile run in the older trainers. It wasn’t perfect (the ankle still niggled) but it was better than recent runs. And it was great to be outside again! The orthotics felt more pronounced than usual, so I think switching shoes will have an effect.
I’ve entered the Finchley 20 on Sunday. The original plan was for it to be more “event” experience combined with the longest run of my training programme – 20 miles. However, I’ll decide on Sunday whether I run. The good news is that the course is four laps of a 5 mile circuit which means I can get the benefit of going to and starting an event but then drop out after 5, 10 or 15 miles, depending on how things feel.
Whilst I’m desperate to run and stick to my training programme as much as possible, I really want to run the marathon in just 30 days time. I know the latter won’t happen if I push too hard now.
Tuesday this week I decided to replace a 5 mile run with 50 minutes on the cross trainer. That went OK, although I was disappointed not to be running.
Wednesday I had a day’s annual leave so I could run at a more sociable hour than my usual 6AM. However, I spent the day on the sofa, catching up on the running related reading I’ve missed out on in recent weeks.
That evening I saw Jennie. Thankfully she diagnosed no damage and no joint problems, just tight muscles which she teased into a more relaxed state. By working together we decided the problem might be caused by my new trainers which aren’t correcting my overpronation. The plan, therefore, is to run in older trainers which should correct it.
This morning I was on annual leave again and managed to get to the park for a 5 mile run in the older trainers. It wasn’t perfect (the ankle still niggled) but it was better than recent runs. And it was great to be outside again! The orthotics felt more pronounced than usual, so I think switching shoes will have an effect.
I’ve entered the Finchley 20 on Sunday. The original plan was for it to be more “event” experience combined with the longest run of my training programme – 20 miles. However, I’ll decide on Sunday whether I run. The good news is that the course is four laps of a 5 mile circuit which means I can get the benefit of going to and starting an event but then drop out after 5, 10 or 15 miles, depending on how things feel.
Whilst I’m desperate to run and stick to my training programme as much as possible, I really want to run the marathon in just 30 days time. I know the latter won’t happen if I push too hard now.
Friday, 8 March 2013
Spring has Sprung!
This morning I noticed the daffodils were in bloom - which means that spring is finally here! As much as I love the cold, frosty mornings, I much prefer the comforting warmth of sunshine in spring and summer. I hope there are signs of spring where you are.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
400 miles
Today I officially clocked up over 400 miles of training runs. Given my love of Excel, here's how my training looks to date:
"Run, Forrest, Run!"
Sunday, 3 March 2013
By the Seaside, Part II
This weekend I went to Brighton, primarily to attend today's training workshop for "key taper and race day tips". This contained several nuggets of information, from the reassuring (it's normal to be paranoid about every niggle) to the practical (bring your own toilet paper). I was relieved to realise I'm reasonably well clued up on this marathon training lark, yet there were times when I felt like floatsam at sea. Is six weeks away from race day too late to start thinking about threshold runs?? Overall, I thought the workshop was useful.
The other reason for going to Brighton was to do this week's long run on the marathon route:
My run mostly followed the marathon route so it's not a surprise on the big day. It's very different running through a city, as opposed to the green beauty of Richmond and Bushy parks. That most Westerly loop through the industrial estate (aka "the road to hell") probably was the most uninspiring and soul destroying route I've ever run. I really am spoilt on my training runs!
Beady eyed people will notice I took a couple of wrong turnings - I'm optimistic that on the day I'll have someone to follow and navigation won't be an issue! ;-)
I was pretty emotional by the time I finished the run. It turns out that running alone for almost three hours, covering 18.32 miles, in a strange city and without music took a little determination. However, I again proved to myself that I can run the miles I set out to cover - all the way to the finish line. That's a great experience for my final weeks of training.
Thankfully the niggles I developed after last week's long run came to nothing; this weeks niggles are relatively minor and par for the course.
Onwards!
The other reason for going to Brighton was to do this week's long run on the marathon route:
Beady eyed people will notice I took a couple of wrong turnings - I'm optimistic that on the day I'll have someone to follow and navigation won't be an issue! ;-)
I was pretty emotional by the time I finished the run. It turns out that running alone for almost three hours, covering 18.32 miles, in a strange city and without music took a little determination. However, I again proved to myself that I can run the miles I set out to cover - all the way to the finish line. That's a great experience for my final weeks of training.
Thankfully the niggles I developed after last week's long run came to nothing; this weeks niggles are relatively minor and par for the course.
Onwards!
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