Thursday, 28 August 2008
The Tan Ultra
Wow. My first ultra went well. So well. I have either been too happy to make any sense or too tired to put it all into words. I will write a race report in the next few days. But for now I will say - ... or should I hold back? Actually... if anyone's reading... I wont give it away. Stay tuned....
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Lead up to First Ultra
3 days to go until my first ultra. I have been doing a few things in the lead up to make sure I am feeling good on the day.
Firstly, I bought some Dunlop Volleys. I thought it would be good to have some flat, unsupportive shoes for trail runs, rocky ground, and general situations where the Vibram Five Fingers may not be my first choice. I am also too cheap to buy some propper flats at the moment, although would LOVE to try on the Adizero PRs. I ran in the Volleys on Monday (felt good), Five Fingers on Tuesday (felt better), and my old Nike Waffles on Wednesday (legs felt great, pitty the shoes are so narrow). This switch in footwear has alleviated a lot of the recent achillies/bursa/metatarsal pain and my feet are feeling pretty good. I didn't run today, and probably wont run until the day, although I might sneak a short one tomorrow or Saturday.
Secondly, I have declared myself vegan from today until the ultra. I'm doing this for my health. I have been experimenting with food lately, and I do feel much healthier on a vegetarian diet. I have decided to go a step further and be temporarily vegan, mainly to cut out dairy, but partly just out of interest to see how difficult it is to maintain.
Now I just need to make a list of what I need to take to the ultra, foodwise. It's only 53k so it's quite possible I wont even need any solids. Lately I have noticed on my long runs that I do crave fruit towards the end. Based on that, my list is this:
Firstly, I bought some Dunlop Volleys. I thought it would be good to have some flat, unsupportive shoes for trail runs, rocky ground, and general situations where the Vibram Five Fingers may not be my first choice. I am also too cheap to buy some propper flats at the moment, although would LOVE to try on the Adizero PRs. I ran in the Volleys on Monday (felt good), Five Fingers on Tuesday (felt better), and my old Nike Waffles on Wednesday (legs felt great, pitty the shoes are so narrow). This switch in footwear has alleviated a lot of the recent achillies/bursa/metatarsal pain and my feet are feeling pretty good. I didn't run today, and probably wont run until the day, although I might sneak a short one tomorrow or Saturday.
Secondly, I have declared myself vegan from today until the ultra. I'm doing this for my health. I have been experimenting with food lately, and I do feel much healthier on a vegetarian diet. I have decided to go a step further and be temporarily vegan, mainly to cut out dairy, but partly just out of interest to see how difficult it is to maintain.
Now I just need to make a list of what I need to take to the ultra, foodwise. It's only 53k so it's quite possible I wont even need any solids. Lately I have noticed on my long runs that I do crave fruit towards the end. Based on that, my list is this:
- Water
- Orange juice
- Apple juice
- Homemade boysenberry cordial
- Kiwi fruit
- Bananas
- Promite sandwich on multigrain or similar bread
I will run in the Five Fingers, but take the Asics DS Trainers just incase. I'll also take a very old pair of Asicas Kayanos with orthotics that I had years ago. They are sooo comfortable. Not to run in, but to wear after a long run when your feet just don't feel like doing anything. The cushy cushy feeling and the orthotics moving your feet for you is just perfect after a long run!
If anyone reading has any further suggestions, please comment!
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Short Long Run
Today was a short long run. My right foot is not too happy at the moment, I wanted to do a long run, I should be tapering for the Tan Ultra, I wanted to wear the Five Fingers, I wanted to run on some gravel paths. This all meant I couldn't run very long, but I didn't need to go too short.
It was pouring with rain most of the time, and the dirt paths were just soooo muddy I had to walk through them. The five fingers were just too slippery and I would've have looked ridiculous wearing a white tshirt covered in mud if I slipped over. My legs were already splattered with mud so all the dog walkers I passed must have thought I was a nutcase.
I took this opportunity of a short run to try and run on some of the rocky gravel river paths in the five fingers. I thought it would really really hurt but you know what? It wasn't so bad. What hurt more was the gravel paths that had been worn so smooth but the odd sharp stone I didn't see would really hurt!
I only did about 17k today, including the Greensborough Hwy hill. I think I need to run that as often as possible because for some reason I just find it very tough and I reckon I could get used to it if I didn't try so hard to avoid it.
Throughout the run my right metartarsals were just not right. It feels like the soft tissue is bruised and swollen or something and it takes a little while to warm up. Virtually no achillies issues today, which is good. I need to decide which shoes to wear for the Tan Ultra next week. Do I go with the five fingers and have sore metartarsals or go with the Asics and have sore achillies? I will definitely bring both shoes so I can swap if necessary. Just what to start with? I would love to go the five fingers the whole way, but if it is raining like today my feet will just freeze and it will become too painful in the cold. It is not comfortable to wear the injinji socks.
It was pouring with rain most of the time, and the dirt paths were just soooo muddy I had to walk through them. The five fingers were just too slippery and I would've have looked ridiculous wearing a white tshirt covered in mud if I slipped over. My legs were already splattered with mud so all the dog walkers I passed must have thought I was a nutcase.
I took this opportunity of a short run to try and run on some of the rocky gravel river paths in the five fingers. I thought it would really really hurt but you know what? It wasn't so bad. What hurt more was the gravel paths that had been worn so smooth but the odd sharp stone I didn't see would really hurt!
I only did about 17k today, including the Greensborough Hwy hill. I think I need to run that as often as possible because for some reason I just find it very tough and I reckon I could get used to it if I didn't try so hard to avoid it.
Throughout the run my right metartarsals were just not right. It feels like the soft tissue is bruised and swollen or something and it takes a little while to warm up. Virtually no achillies issues today, which is good. I need to decide which shoes to wear for the Tan Ultra next week. Do I go with the five fingers and have sore metartarsals or go with the Asics and have sore achillies? I will definitely bring both shoes so I can swap if necessary. Just what to start with? I would love to go the five fingers the whole way, but if it is raining like today my feet will just freeze and it will become too painful in the cold. It is not comfortable to wear the injinji socks.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
The Test
Today was The Test. I wanted to do a 30+k run and see how I pulled up. If ok, I would let myself enter the Tan Ultra. If left limping and hobbling around like an invalid I would not enter the Tan Ultra.
I did 32k. It was a really nice route along the Plenty River Trail and then the Main Yarra Trail all the way into Fairfield, my former stomping ground, then along the streets back home. I wanted to wear the five fingers, but went with the Asics due to the amount of gravel sections I'd be dealing with. I took care to watch where I was going, like I would have in the five fingers, and knew I made the right decision. It will definitely take a lot more time before my feet are tough enough as some of the gravel was very rocky and uneven.
Because this was The Test, I was really hoping for it to go well. The start of the run was so nice along the Plenty River as all the wattle trees were in bloom. There are wattle trees just everywhere there! But you never notice until the yellow wattle comes out. It was so beautiful being surrounded by wattle. I felt like I was surrounded by gold, enclosed in wealth and richness. I knew it was a good omen for the rest of the run.
My pace felt pretty good. I was taking it easy in the hope of avoiding leg cramps. Incidentally I also ate 1/2 a bagel before the run and popped a magnesium tablet thinking the food would provide additional energy and the magnesium would also help with cramps (lately my calves have been cramping even just in aerobics classes). I also took water but didn't even finish the bottle before I got home. I was pretty thirsty towards the end but found it difficult to drink as it's really only easy to drink when you are cruising along and not out of breath. The mega hills towards the end (Rosanna horrible hill + Greensborough Hwy) really took it out of me. My body just wanted to stop and walk. I had to remind myself that this was The Test and to keep going and say to myself You can do it! because I knew I could do it, I just didn't want to!
I overtook a few people during the run which was great. I rarely overtake people in training, especially during long runs when I am just taking it slow so it was great to know my pace has picked up over time. Mind you, they were all girls I overtook, no guys!
On the way home along the streets it was mostly uphill. It got really tough. The morning had started off cool and overcast, but on the way home the sun was out and I could feel the sweat dripping off my forehead. The sun was in my eyes and it felt as hot as summer. So glad I opted for shorts and singlet as I was considering tights and a tshirt. Some of the hills really slowed me down to what felt like a snail's pace, although my Garmin told me I was going faster than I would have at the start of the year so I was OK with that. I started to get some wobbly leg action towards the end but I put that down to going slow and the hills towards the end. I don't think I've been running that many hills lately for some reason. Although I live in Hill Central, I've been quite clever in avoiding the nasty ones in the past few weeks. I think getting lost in Eltham a few times made me rethink my long run routes!
Injury wise, I felt absolutely no plantar fascia pain and only some mild discomfort in my metatarsals (thanks to the cushy cushy Asics). A quick check on my form corrected that. My achillies/bursa thingy was irritated by the Asics but I expected that. It wasn't actually as bad as I was expecting and I could mostly only feel it on the uphills.
I am actually thinking of getting some racing flats for rough ground. I think they wont irritate my achillies so much. I already have some Nike Waffles but find them too narrow. I'd love to try the Asics Pirhana's and the Adizero PRs. I think they only make them for men, which might be a good thing if it means they might be a bit wider in the toe box. The only problem is finding somewhere that stocks them. Anyone in Melbourne know? I've already unsuccessfully checked out the Adidas factory outlet. I'll have to check out their store in the city. I'd like to go to Runner's World in Kew but would feel terribly guilty going there just to try on shoes, only to buy anything I like online. Depending on the cost, I may even just opt for Dunlop Volleys.
Back to the run... As soon as I got home I stretched, drank water and ate a couple of oranges. Then I felt fine! My quads are a little stiff, but just that usual muscular soreness from exerting myself, nothing that could be an injury. My right foot is still not 100% but not as bad as I thought it would be.
So... I come to the conclusion that I passed The Test! This means I can enter the Tan Ultra!
When I was running this morning, I was wondering if I could do 20k more. The would be no way I would be able to run the hills 20k on. If it was flat, possibly. And what about nutrition? I was craving fruit on my run today so having some cut up orange, some kiwi fruit and maybe some apple juice would probably be enough for me. I'd also have to make sure I drank a lot more, although that would be easier with a pit stop every 3.8k rather than relying on a 600ml bottle to get through the run.
Oddly enough, I have yet to get enthusiastic enough to fill out the entry form. Perhaps I need to get some energy back first!
I did 32k. It was a really nice route along the Plenty River Trail and then the Main Yarra Trail all the way into Fairfield, my former stomping ground, then along the streets back home. I wanted to wear the five fingers, but went with the Asics due to the amount of gravel sections I'd be dealing with. I took care to watch where I was going, like I would have in the five fingers, and knew I made the right decision. It will definitely take a lot more time before my feet are tough enough as some of the gravel was very rocky and uneven.
Because this was The Test, I was really hoping for it to go well. The start of the run was so nice along the Plenty River as all the wattle trees were in bloom. There are wattle trees just everywhere there! But you never notice until the yellow wattle comes out. It was so beautiful being surrounded by wattle. I felt like I was surrounded by gold, enclosed in wealth and richness. I knew it was a good omen for the rest of the run.
My pace felt pretty good. I was taking it easy in the hope of avoiding leg cramps. Incidentally I also ate 1/2 a bagel before the run and popped a magnesium tablet thinking the food would provide additional energy and the magnesium would also help with cramps (lately my calves have been cramping even just in aerobics classes). I also took water but didn't even finish the bottle before I got home. I was pretty thirsty towards the end but found it difficult to drink as it's really only easy to drink when you are cruising along and not out of breath. The mega hills towards the end (Rosanna horrible hill + Greensborough Hwy) really took it out of me. My body just wanted to stop and walk. I had to remind myself that this was The Test and to keep going and say to myself You can do it! because I knew I could do it, I just didn't want to!
I overtook a few people during the run which was great. I rarely overtake people in training, especially during long runs when I am just taking it slow so it was great to know my pace has picked up over time. Mind you, they were all girls I overtook, no guys!
On the way home along the streets it was mostly uphill. It got really tough. The morning had started off cool and overcast, but on the way home the sun was out and I could feel the sweat dripping off my forehead. The sun was in my eyes and it felt as hot as summer. So glad I opted for shorts and singlet as I was considering tights and a tshirt. Some of the hills really slowed me down to what felt like a snail's pace, although my Garmin told me I was going faster than I would have at the start of the year so I was OK with that. I started to get some wobbly leg action towards the end but I put that down to going slow and the hills towards the end. I don't think I've been running that many hills lately for some reason. Although I live in Hill Central, I've been quite clever in avoiding the nasty ones in the past few weeks. I think getting lost in Eltham a few times made me rethink my long run routes!
Injury wise, I felt absolutely no plantar fascia pain and only some mild discomfort in my metatarsals (thanks to the cushy cushy Asics). A quick check on my form corrected that. My achillies/bursa thingy was irritated by the Asics but I expected that. It wasn't actually as bad as I was expecting and I could mostly only feel it on the uphills.
I am actually thinking of getting some racing flats for rough ground. I think they wont irritate my achillies so much. I already have some Nike Waffles but find them too narrow. I'd love to try the Asics Pirhana's and the Adizero PRs. I think they only make them for men, which might be a good thing if it means they might be a bit wider in the toe box. The only problem is finding somewhere that stocks them. Anyone in Melbourne know? I've already unsuccessfully checked out the Adidas factory outlet. I'll have to check out their store in the city. I'd like to go to Runner's World in Kew but would feel terribly guilty going there just to try on shoes, only to buy anything I like online. Depending on the cost, I may even just opt for Dunlop Volleys.
Back to the run... As soon as I got home I stretched, drank water and ate a couple of oranges. Then I felt fine! My quads are a little stiff, but just that usual muscular soreness from exerting myself, nothing that could be an injury. My right foot is still not 100% but not as bad as I thought it would be.
So... I come to the conclusion that I passed The Test! This means I can enter the Tan Ultra!
When I was running this morning, I was wondering if I could do 20k more. The would be no way I would be able to run the hills 20k on. If it was flat, possibly. And what about nutrition? I was craving fruit on my run today so having some cut up orange, some kiwi fruit and maybe some apple juice would probably be enough for me. I'd also have to make sure I drank a lot more, although that would be easier with a pit stop every 3.8k rather than relying on a 600ml bottle to get through the run.
Oddly enough, I have yet to get enthusiastic enough to fill out the entry form. Perhaps I need to get some energy back first!
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