Last week I was vegan. An initiative of the Plant Powered Cool Runners group, those of us who were not vegan decided to give it a go for a week.
I was terribly unhealthy. I thought Right, I'm vegan. Vegan food is good food. I will bake some vegan muffins, vegan banana bread, vegan pancakes, go to the local World Vegan Festival and buy lots of vegan muffins and vegan raw chocolate. But you know what? Muffins are still muffins and chocolate is still chocolate no matter what label you want to give it. Hence I had a week of terribly bad health. So today I am back to my normal diet. I felt the need to cleanse myself of this terrible vegan eating so for dinner tonight I had a huge bowl of vegetables. Potato, squash, zucchini, green beans, cherry tomatoes and broccoli. I feel sooo much better after that!
It's funny, there seem to be a lot of barefoot or near barefoot runners who run long distances and are vegan. They are a bunch of hippies. They are like the beautiful people at doofs in the bush who dance barefoot all night and all day.
Eating vegan food is one thing that makes me feel closer to the earth. I remember several years ago I came home from Rainbow Serpent and wrote down a list of things that I wanted to do to be myself. One of the things I wrote down was to walk outside barefoot at least once a day, even if it's just in my back yard, so I could connect with the earth.
Has anyone checked out the 100 Pushups Challenge? Who wouldn't want to be able to complete 100 pushups in a row? ONE HUNDRED FULL PUSHUPS! Well I am giving it a go starting tonight, I did Week One, Day One.
And I am not doing any of this girly knee pushup business. Full man pushups all the way baby! It makes such a difference. The girl pushups are so lame I think, even though at the start of the year I could only do 10 before collapsing. I have noticed with full pushups I really feel my core working, and that is what I need.
I have been building up to this for a while, working on my girly pushups so I can do 35 in one hit without a break. Then I suddenly went from being able to do 5 full pushups to 10 to 15! I tried again this morning, but with correct form I could really only do 10 full pushups. So I started the 100 pushup challenge tonight. J is doing it too so it will be good to compare notes :) We have made a rule to start today and to do full pushups with correct form - No cheating!
I suggest anyone who is interested in general fitness and strength to give it a go. Who knows when you will need to impress someone with your ability to do so many pushups?
Monday, 27 October 2008
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Operation Recovery
Nearly two weeks ago I saw a podiatrist about my achillies issues. I figured since the Melb Mara attempt, I didn't really have a long run to recover from so I could use the time where I would have been recovering from the marathon more wisely by seeing a professional and get some guidance on recovery of a more important issue.
I have seen a pod in the past regarding shin splints and also the fact I only ever get injured in my right leg but I didn't agree with him. He came well recommended by various runners but I just can't do what someone says if I don't think they're right. His answer to my problems at the time was to wear heavy supportive shoes with orthotics and to rest for a few weeks if that didn't improve things. I did the exact opposite and started running in the Five Fingers. Injuries cured!
Fast forward to now, I think I upped my mileage a little too quickly several times this year. I felt invincible in the Five Fingers and I guess although I am much better biomechanically, I am not immune to overuse issues. I ran a 53.5k ultra in the Five Fingers when my previous longest distance in them was 30k. What was that they say about building up gradually in them? I also added a few runs home from work, which happens to be 18k mostly uphill, and I think wearing the Five Fingers may have put some strain on my achillies during these runs, but also I did wear Asics too sometimes on these runs, and they added pressure to swollen bursa, particularly on my right foot.
This time I found a podiatrist who is a distance runner. Some of his published articles are on his website and I liked what he had to say. He advocates the Nike Frees as a training tool so I figured this guy was about natural foot strength and not heavy cushioned bricks with orthotics. He had no surprised reaction when I mentioned the distances I do and although he had not seen the Five Fingers before, he did not think anything weird about them. As I have been told several times before, he said my feet were perfectly aligned. He had me do some single leg squats and lifts and said I was strong, which I have also been told before. As I have had PF and achillies issues, he suggested tight calves were a cause, in combination with increase mileage. When he mentioned the tight calves I realised that yes, they are so tight that they sometimes are on the verge of cramping and it is just mind power that I force them to relax, although they still remain tight. I have haglunds deformity in both heals, but mostly the right. That is bony growth that will never disappear but the pod said I will be running pain free if I do what he says.
Operation Recover consists of halving my mileage for 2 weeks, running in the Nike Frees (I got the 3.0s although the pod did prefer the 5.0s), and using a heal lift in my shoes to alleviate the achilles. I need to stretch, massage and ice. And he had no doubt about me doing the 64k Bruny Island Ultra in November. Already I am noticing improvement with my achillies! I feel a bit of a dill that I had to pay someone to tell me to stretch and ice (duh!) but that with the small heal lifts make all the difference. I have been running in the Asics DS Trainers for a week and then I got the Nike Frees and have been wearing them for a few days. They are so nice. I will be wearing them at the Bruny Island Ultra.
I can't wait for my achillies pain to disappear completely. At the moment my left foot is 100% and my right foot is 85%. I want to be able to run in the Five Fingers again, but they just touch the sore spot on my right heal so I can't wear them just yet. Dad was in the States for most of this month and he bought me a new pair of the FFs! I wanted the next size up so I could wear socks more comfortably and also hoping they will not put so much pressure on the haglunds bump. The shop didn't have the next size up in woman's, but they did have the same size in men's which seem to be about the equivalent of one size up. Dad's partner tried them on for me and the results seem good so far. Unfortunately her feet are a couple of millimetres smaller than mine and that makes all the difference in the FFs but I think these should be good. Dad will send them up to me next week and I just can't wait to wear them! According to Cool Running, 2 other people will be wearing FFs at the next Sri Chinmoy race so even though I wasn't sure about going to that one (all the way in the western suburbs) I am now really looking forward to it to meet other FF wearers. I find it funny there are now 3 of us in Melbourne wearing them but there is no shop here even to try them on!
I want to say a few things about the Nike Frees if anyone is reading this and is curious about them. I tried on the women's 5.0s and found them a little narrow, especially as I am used to being able to wiggle my toes about. They were very difficult to get on my feet because they do not open up wide where the laces are. They were not particularly light, and the upper was some fake suede material, so not even particularly breathable. I found this odd as I had heard several guys say how light and great the Frees are. So I tried on the men's shoes. What a difference! Naturally they are wider, the upper is all mesh, and they weigh next to nothing. I bought the men's 3.0s. I just can't believe how comfortable they are. They are the first shoes I've bought that don't give me blisters! They feel like wearing regular shoes, but are almost as light at the Five Fingers! They are like Five Fingers with cushioning. My heart rate is low in them, like in the Five Fingers (my HR is noticably higher in heavier shoes), so I can run faster with less effort. They are great for rough surfaces and long distances when you can't be bothered using your feet muscles! My feet are improving in them. My blisters from the Asics are disappearing the same way they disappear when I wear the Five Fingers. Once my achillies get better, I will continue to wear the Frees for long runs and take much more time building up longer distances in the Five Fingers.
Incidentally I also got a pair of the Asics Speedstars. I was thinking they would be a good choice for the Bruny Ultra and I've been looking for them for ages and even got my dad to look for them in the States with no luck. I just happened to win some! I have tried them on and they fit ok, but I haven't run in them yet because I am still enjoying the Frees and they just don't compare in terms of weight. I also won heaps of Asics clothes! The material on them is really nice, it's part bamboo/part polyester. The bamboo just feels so luxurious and silky smooth. Unfortunately Asics are not my favourite running clothes brand. I just prefer the fit of Adidas and the material of Nike. But I don't care if it's free! On yesterday's long run I felt like an Asics billboard! Cap, singlet, shorts and socks all Asics! I was wearing the Frees though so not quite head to toe in the one brand. There is a competition on the Asics site to win all this stuff and they are drawing a winner each month. I entered again because I would really like to try the Pirhana shoes. They look like nice flats and a good option for road marathons if my feet aren't up to it in the Five Fingers.
I don't know why I am suddenly interested in all these shoes. I guess it is my achillies injury. The truth is I can't wait for my achillies to improve so I can get back to the Five Fingers. They are my favourites, they are the coolest, and they are great conversation starters in races! Local runners seem to know me in the Five Fingers and now instead of making comments about my odd footwear, they now make odd comments to me if I don't wear them!
I have seen a pod in the past regarding shin splints and also the fact I only ever get injured in my right leg but I didn't agree with him. He came well recommended by various runners but I just can't do what someone says if I don't think they're right. His answer to my problems at the time was to wear heavy supportive shoes with orthotics and to rest for a few weeks if that didn't improve things. I did the exact opposite and started running in the Five Fingers. Injuries cured!
Fast forward to now, I think I upped my mileage a little too quickly several times this year. I felt invincible in the Five Fingers and I guess although I am much better biomechanically, I am not immune to overuse issues. I ran a 53.5k ultra in the Five Fingers when my previous longest distance in them was 30k. What was that they say about building up gradually in them? I also added a few runs home from work, which happens to be 18k mostly uphill, and I think wearing the Five Fingers may have put some strain on my achillies during these runs, but also I did wear Asics too sometimes on these runs, and they added pressure to swollen bursa, particularly on my right foot.
This time I found a podiatrist who is a distance runner. Some of his published articles are on his website and I liked what he had to say. He advocates the Nike Frees as a training tool so I figured this guy was about natural foot strength and not heavy cushioned bricks with orthotics. He had no surprised reaction when I mentioned the distances I do and although he had not seen the Five Fingers before, he did not think anything weird about them. As I have been told several times before, he said my feet were perfectly aligned. He had me do some single leg squats and lifts and said I was strong, which I have also been told before. As I have had PF and achillies issues, he suggested tight calves were a cause, in combination with increase mileage. When he mentioned the tight calves I realised that yes, they are so tight that they sometimes are on the verge of cramping and it is just mind power that I force them to relax, although they still remain tight. I have haglunds deformity in both heals, but mostly the right. That is bony growth that will never disappear but the pod said I will be running pain free if I do what he says.
Operation Recover consists of halving my mileage for 2 weeks, running in the Nike Frees (I got the 3.0s although the pod did prefer the 5.0s), and using a heal lift in my shoes to alleviate the achilles. I need to stretch, massage and ice. And he had no doubt about me doing the 64k Bruny Island Ultra in November. Already I am noticing improvement with my achillies! I feel a bit of a dill that I had to pay someone to tell me to stretch and ice (duh!) but that with the small heal lifts make all the difference. I have been running in the Asics DS Trainers for a week and then I got the Nike Frees and have been wearing them for a few days. They are so nice. I will be wearing them at the Bruny Island Ultra.
I can't wait for my achillies pain to disappear completely. At the moment my left foot is 100% and my right foot is 85%. I want to be able to run in the Five Fingers again, but they just touch the sore spot on my right heal so I can't wear them just yet. Dad was in the States for most of this month and he bought me a new pair of the FFs! I wanted the next size up so I could wear socks more comfortably and also hoping they will not put so much pressure on the haglunds bump. The shop didn't have the next size up in woman's, but they did have the same size in men's which seem to be about the equivalent of one size up. Dad's partner tried them on for me and the results seem good so far. Unfortunately her feet are a couple of millimetres smaller than mine and that makes all the difference in the FFs but I think these should be good. Dad will send them up to me next week and I just can't wait to wear them! According to Cool Running, 2 other people will be wearing FFs at the next Sri Chinmoy race so even though I wasn't sure about going to that one (all the way in the western suburbs) I am now really looking forward to it to meet other FF wearers. I find it funny there are now 3 of us in Melbourne wearing them but there is no shop here even to try them on!
I want to say a few things about the Nike Frees if anyone is reading this and is curious about them. I tried on the women's 5.0s and found them a little narrow, especially as I am used to being able to wiggle my toes about. They were very difficult to get on my feet because they do not open up wide where the laces are. They were not particularly light, and the upper was some fake suede material, so not even particularly breathable. I found this odd as I had heard several guys say how light and great the Frees are. So I tried on the men's shoes. What a difference! Naturally they are wider, the upper is all mesh, and they weigh next to nothing. I bought the men's 3.0s. I just can't believe how comfortable they are. They are the first shoes I've bought that don't give me blisters! They feel like wearing regular shoes, but are almost as light at the Five Fingers! They are like Five Fingers with cushioning. My heart rate is low in them, like in the Five Fingers (my HR is noticably higher in heavier shoes), so I can run faster with less effort. They are great for rough surfaces and long distances when you can't be bothered using your feet muscles! My feet are improving in them. My blisters from the Asics are disappearing the same way they disappear when I wear the Five Fingers. Once my achillies get better, I will continue to wear the Frees for long runs and take much more time building up longer distances in the Five Fingers.
Incidentally I also got a pair of the Asics Speedstars. I was thinking they would be a good choice for the Bruny Ultra and I've been looking for them for ages and even got my dad to look for them in the States with no luck. I just happened to win some! I have tried them on and they fit ok, but I haven't run in them yet because I am still enjoying the Frees and they just don't compare in terms of weight. I also won heaps of Asics clothes! The material on them is really nice, it's part bamboo/part polyester. The bamboo just feels so luxurious and silky smooth. Unfortunately Asics are not my favourite running clothes brand. I just prefer the fit of Adidas and the material of Nike. But I don't care if it's free! On yesterday's long run I felt like an Asics billboard! Cap, singlet, shorts and socks all Asics! I was wearing the Frees though so not quite head to toe in the one brand. There is a competition on the Asics site to win all this stuff and they are drawing a winner each month. I entered again because I would really like to try the Pirhana shoes. They look like nice flats and a good option for road marathons if my feet aren't up to it in the Five Fingers.
I don't know why I am suddenly interested in all these shoes. I guess it is my achillies injury. The truth is I can't wait for my achillies to improve so I can get back to the Five Fingers. They are my favourites, they are the coolest, and they are great conversation starters in races! Local runners seem to know me in the Five Fingers and now instead of making comments about my odd footwear, they now make odd comments to me if I don't wear them!
Monday, 20 October 2008
Melbourne Marathon - Carnage on the Course!
I haven't got around to typing about my first DNF until now. I've had some mixed emotions about the whole thing.
As planned, I ate as healthy as I could in the lead up to the marathon, went vegan for the couple of days beforehand and of course drank plenty of water. The day before the marathon I went to the chemist to buy some Gastrolyte in preparation for the hot weather on the day.
On the day I woke up early. Decided I didn't need any Gastrolyte since I'd already run an ultra without electrolytes, so why would I need them today? Wore my Asics DS Racers knowing that they would mean I recover quicker. Because I got in for free courtesy of Samsung, I wore the required Team Samsung singlet, which may have become my new favourite singlet.
The race started off well. It was warm but overcast. As we ran over the start line, the speakers played Angry Anderson's Bound For Glory. Very appropriate. Even though I knew I was probably only in 4hr 30 condition, I felt good and headed off ahead of the 4 hour bus. It was amazing seeing the fast and fit leading HMers pass us by. A girl and a guy started talking to me and we ran for about a km together. The girl was aiming for sub 4hr and the guy was in the same boat as me, hoping for sub 4 but actually injured and knew just finishing was a more realistic goal. We lost each other at a drink station.
I was conscious of drinking plenty of water early on to avoid cramps. But because it was quite hot, I was naturally more thirsty so drank much more water than I usually would. My stomach was so full from all the water but I was still so thirsty. I felt like I was running with a water balloon for a tummy. I couldn't keep going and had to take my first walk break at around 17k. This wasn't so bad, as I did notice people as early as 12k taking walk breaks. I kept drinking water at each drink station but I just felt that my body wasn't absorbing it and I was just pointlessly filling my tummy with more water. Why didn't I take that gastrolyte in the morning again?
From about the 20k point onwards, I noticed bodies strewn along the side of the road. People lying on the ground with cramps, people on stretchers, people not looking happy. The clouds had cleared and the temperature was heating up to 30 degrees. There was no shade. Just a long hot road, with the beach to one side. Oh how I wanted to just skip the run and go into the water!
The support was great on the course. Kids were handing out jelly beans and snakes, one guy was offering 100 metre piggy backs for $10, all sorts of people had come out to watch people run by.
I was taking many walk breaks and finding it difficult to run. I had no energy, and when I thought I did, I struggled to run due to my bloated tummy. Both the 4hr and 4:15 buses overtook me and I knew it would be a long hard day.
Shortly after the turnaround Duckgirl from the Tan Ultra caught up to me. J, her friend, felt nauseous and pulled out at just 15k! This was so tough. I ran with Michelle for about a km but couldn't keep up. She told me not to drink any more water, gatorade only. She knew the signs of hypnotremia and said I should ask the St John's Ambulance people if they had any Gastrolyte. After I let her pass I half walked and half did the "Fuck This Shuffle" for what seemed like hours. I named it the Fuck This Shuffle because I was so over it and by shuffling and making up the Fuck This Shuffle Song in my head I was able to keep moving forward while attempting to lift my spirits. I walked up to a St John's and asked for some Gastrolyte but they didn't have any so I kept going.
I was watching the time tick by. My lower back got quite sore and every now and then I stopped to stretch. I was mostly walking by now and decided to call it a day at the next St John's. Well, they had their hands full with a guy lying on the ground screaming. I kept going. The kms were ticking over so slowly it was unbearable. I was at the back of the pack with many other stragglers in the same boat. Bodies lay on the side of the road, those that were walking generally had their head facing down while they focused on their own private hell. Spartans, who had run a minimum of 10 Melbourne Marathons, were mostly walking or shuffling. Some of these people were getting on in years and some had even done every single Melbourne Marathon, this being their 31st.
I was starting to get waves of dizziness. The headwind was strong and the dust caused me to cough which made me feel sick. Finally at 33k I got to the next St John's and said I was just dehydrated and needed some salts. They had none. They gave me some oxygen, which did nothing, and some glucose which did lift my spirits a bit. They said there was a bus coming in about 10 mins or so.
I sat in the gutter with two other guys. They both had cramps in their legs. As we waited for the bus, I watched the sorry souls with their heads down pressing onwards. I was in awe of their ability to keep going in such hot conditions and in such a slow time. I just didn't want to walk all the way to the finish in the heat with no shade while feeling terrible. Was I a wimp for dropping out? Further up the road I heard a scream and saw someone collapse. Fortunately, nearby runners caught her fall. The St John's near us raced up to help. I heard it was "the old lady". Shirley Young. Nearly 80, she is the only woman to have done every single Melbourne Marathon. But she was to DNF with cramps this year. Amazing.
I got on the Sag Bus. They had apples and bananas on offer, but I didn't have any, although I knew I should have. They said that there were 4 buses driving up and down the course picking up bodies. As we drove along, we stopped at every St John's point to see if anyone needed collecting. At one point the bus even pulled over to a limping runner to see if they were ok. We didn't pick up any other stragglers, although I heard the driver on the radio conferring with other drivers, volunteers and St Johns' talking about how many other people were to be picked up on the course.
We got dropped off near the MCG. As I walked closer, I could hear ACDC's Highway To Hell being played on the speakers. Very appropriate. At this point I was feeling much better and even thinking that I could've kept walking, like so many others I saw on the course. But I had already made my decision. I collected my things and heard from the volunteers that they had seen people collapsing and people being taken away on stretchers as soon as they'd finished. It really was a tough one.
I called A and he was already in town. He picked me up and we went to the market. I had some hot chips with salt. Just what I needed.
My splits are:
10k 57:25
21k 1:11:34
Obviously a big slow down even that early on.
I was feeling pretty shit about the whole event but I did learn a few things. I know that I should just bloody well take the electrolytes even if I don't think I need them. I know I am tough and strong but there is a limit. I think ultras are easier because there is no pressure to go faster. I was reminded again how great and supportive runners are. They really are good people.
As planned, I ate as healthy as I could in the lead up to the marathon, went vegan for the couple of days beforehand and of course drank plenty of water. The day before the marathon I went to the chemist to buy some Gastrolyte in preparation for the hot weather on the day.
On the day I woke up early. Decided I didn't need any Gastrolyte since I'd already run an ultra without electrolytes, so why would I need them today? Wore my Asics DS Racers knowing that they would mean I recover quicker. Because I got in for free courtesy of Samsung, I wore the required Team Samsung singlet, which may have become my new favourite singlet.
The race started off well. It was warm but overcast. As we ran over the start line, the speakers played Angry Anderson's Bound For Glory. Very appropriate. Even though I knew I was probably only in 4hr 30 condition, I felt good and headed off ahead of the 4 hour bus. It was amazing seeing the fast and fit leading HMers pass us by. A girl and a guy started talking to me and we ran for about a km together. The girl was aiming for sub 4hr and the guy was in the same boat as me, hoping for sub 4 but actually injured and knew just finishing was a more realistic goal. We lost each other at a drink station.
I was conscious of drinking plenty of water early on to avoid cramps. But because it was quite hot, I was naturally more thirsty so drank much more water than I usually would. My stomach was so full from all the water but I was still so thirsty. I felt like I was running with a water balloon for a tummy. I couldn't keep going and had to take my first walk break at around 17k. This wasn't so bad, as I did notice people as early as 12k taking walk breaks. I kept drinking water at each drink station but I just felt that my body wasn't absorbing it and I was just pointlessly filling my tummy with more water. Why didn't I take that gastrolyte in the morning again?
From about the 20k point onwards, I noticed bodies strewn along the side of the road. People lying on the ground with cramps, people on stretchers, people not looking happy. The clouds had cleared and the temperature was heating up to 30 degrees. There was no shade. Just a long hot road, with the beach to one side. Oh how I wanted to just skip the run and go into the water!
The support was great on the course. Kids were handing out jelly beans and snakes, one guy was offering 100 metre piggy backs for $10, all sorts of people had come out to watch people run by.
I was taking many walk breaks and finding it difficult to run. I had no energy, and when I thought I did, I struggled to run due to my bloated tummy. Both the 4hr and 4:15 buses overtook me and I knew it would be a long hard day.
Shortly after the turnaround Duckgirl from the Tan Ultra caught up to me. J, her friend, felt nauseous and pulled out at just 15k! This was so tough. I ran with Michelle for about a km but couldn't keep up. She told me not to drink any more water, gatorade only. She knew the signs of hypnotremia and said I should ask the St John's Ambulance people if they had any Gastrolyte. After I let her pass I half walked and half did the "Fuck This Shuffle" for what seemed like hours. I named it the Fuck This Shuffle because I was so over it and by shuffling and making up the Fuck This Shuffle Song in my head I was able to keep moving forward while attempting to lift my spirits. I walked up to a St John's and asked for some Gastrolyte but they didn't have any so I kept going.
I was watching the time tick by. My lower back got quite sore and every now and then I stopped to stretch. I was mostly walking by now and decided to call it a day at the next St John's. Well, they had their hands full with a guy lying on the ground screaming. I kept going. The kms were ticking over so slowly it was unbearable. I was at the back of the pack with many other stragglers in the same boat. Bodies lay on the side of the road, those that were walking generally had their head facing down while they focused on their own private hell. Spartans, who had run a minimum of 10 Melbourne Marathons, were mostly walking or shuffling. Some of these people were getting on in years and some had even done every single Melbourne Marathon, this being their 31st.
I was starting to get waves of dizziness. The headwind was strong and the dust caused me to cough which made me feel sick. Finally at 33k I got to the next St John's and said I was just dehydrated and needed some salts. They had none. They gave me some oxygen, which did nothing, and some glucose which did lift my spirits a bit. They said there was a bus coming in about 10 mins or so.
I sat in the gutter with two other guys. They both had cramps in their legs. As we waited for the bus, I watched the sorry souls with their heads down pressing onwards. I was in awe of their ability to keep going in such hot conditions and in such a slow time. I just didn't want to walk all the way to the finish in the heat with no shade while feeling terrible. Was I a wimp for dropping out? Further up the road I heard a scream and saw someone collapse. Fortunately, nearby runners caught her fall. The St John's near us raced up to help. I heard it was "the old lady". Shirley Young. Nearly 80, she is the only woman to have done every single Melbourne Marathon. But she was to DNF with cramps this year. Amazing.
I got on the Sag Bus. They had apples and bananas on offer, but I didn't have any, although I knew I should have. They said that there were 4 buses driving up and down the course picking up bodies. As we drove along, we stopped at every St John's point to see if anyone needed collecting. At one point the bus even pulled over to a limping runner to see if they were ok. We didn't pick up any other stragglers, although I heard the driver on the radio conferring with other drivers, volunteers and St Johns' talking about how many other people were to be picked up on the course.
We got dropped off near the MCG. As I walked closer, I could hear ACDC's Highway To Hell being played on the speakers. Very appropriate. At this point I was feeling much better and even thinking that I could've kept walking, like so many others I saw on the course. But I had already made my decision. I collected my things and heard from the volunteers that they had seen people collapsing and people being taken away on stretchers as soon as they'd finished. It really was a tough one.
I called A and he was already in town. He picked me up and we went to the market. I had some hot chips with salt. Just what I needed.
My splits are:
10k 57:25
21k 1:11:34
Obviously a big slow down even that early on.
I was feeling pretty shit about the whole event but I did learn a few things. I know that I should just bloody well take the electrolytes even if I don't think I need them. I know I am tough and strong but there is a limit. I think ultras are easier because there is no pressure to go faster. I was reminded again how great and supportive runners are. They really are good people.
Yesterday I ran a Sri Chinmoy 4k with E + M. I did it in 19:07 and came 3rd in my age group and got a medal! If only there was money involved like in eistedfodds. But then I guess there would be no slow people like me getting placings :)
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Free stuff!
And now for something more positive. I just received an email from Asics saying I've just won some shoes and some clothes from their new Commitment Line! SO COOL! I've asked for the Speedstars as I have been looking for them. Hopefully they'll be able to supply those for me :)
I will also take this opportunity to express my happiness at being able to run the Melbourne Marathon for FREE as part of Team Samsung, which also provides a FREE awesomely cool singlet (possibly my new favourite) and a massage etc post event.
I am starting to feel more positive about the marathon today. I think it's because I just won some free stuff. My legs are also feeling happier today since I couldn't drag myself out of bed this morning and they have had their first day of complete rest. I have resigned myself to wearing the DS Trainers in the race, meaning my time will be compromised, but I should recover quicker. I would be struggling for a good time even if I was 100% fit because the forecast is 28 degrees and windy! What hell!... I mean... What a challenge!!
So until The Day I will be resting resting resting. Eating fruit and vegies and nutrients. And looking after myself.
I will also take this opportunity to express my happiness at being able to run the Melbourne Marathon for FREE as part of Team Samsung, which also provides a FREE awesomely cool singlet (possibly my new favourite) and a massage etc post event.
I am starting to feel more positive about the marathon today. I think it's because I just won some free stuff. My legs are also feeling happier today since I couldn't drag myself out of bed this morning and they have had their first day of complete rest. I have resigned myself to wearing the DS Trainers in the race, meaning my time will be compromised, but I should recover quicker. I would be struggling for a good time even if I was 100% fit because the forecast is 28 degrees and windy! What hell!... I mean... What a challenge!!
So until The Day I will be resting resting resting. Eating fruit and vegies and nutrients. And looking after myself.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Taper Time
As of last week I have been in official taper mode for the Melbourne Marathon, although it actually feels like I've been tapering for the past month.
The plan was to run only in Five Fingers but since they just happen to touch the tender spot on my achillies, they aggravate it more, leaving me barely able to walk. So I have been mixing up my footwear. Had a great interval session on the track with the Nike Waffles. It felt so natural to wear those shoes on the track and I was running faster than ever before. I've been wearing the Asics DS Trainers quite abit. Although I believe they are the cause of my injury, they actually hurt less overall. The only problem is I am noticing some shin pain in my left leg. In the past this has always been an indicator of overuse but at the moment I don't see how that is possible. I think it could be because I am not wearing the Five Fingers so much and my biomechanics are being compromised.
I had a long run last week in the Asics. It was about 29k and although I had zero energy, it was really not as bad as I expected. My biggest pain was actually when I was trying to scramble up a steep hill (read: cliff) and I scratched my thigh on a branch. Blood was streaming down and I must've looked a real Crazy! It was fun though.
Yesterday I went for a pleasant very-short-long run with some Cool Runners along the Rat Trail. This is a coastal path around the Black Rock/Brighton area. Took it easy, had pleasant company, caught up with DG from the Tan Ultra and enjoyed a soy hot chocolate at a cafe afterwards. There was some mild achillies pain and some mild shin twinges but nothing too bad. Today I couldn't be bothered to get up and skipped my run or walk or whatever it would've been and injury wise I am not feeling too bad. It could be worse.
So now it is real real taper time. I will focus on eating plenty of nutrient rich foods. I will go for walks during the week, maybe attempt a run, and test how the Five Fingers affect the achillies. I really really really want to run the marathon in the Five Fingers. Thinking about it some more though, I should consider how close the Bruny Island Ultra is and my marathon recovery might take longer if I run in the Five Fingers. I really should have built up the distance in them rather than doing one 30k run in them and expecting to do 53k without building up to that! Even though my running is so much better, biomechanically, there is no denying the feet still feel the impact from the forces of running. It's gravity. It's a fact.
My conflicting thoughts are:
I want to run the marathon fast in the Five Fingers.
I want to recover quickly, which would mean running in the DS Trainers.
I want to run in the Five Fingers coz they look cool.
I don't want to aggravate my achillies by running in the DS Trainers.
I don't want to aggravate my achillies by running in the Five Fingers.
I don't want to have to lift heavy shoes in the DS Trainers.
I don't want my HR higher in the DS Trainers.
I want to feel light and free in the Five Fingers.
To summarize, I want to run in the Five Fingers and not in the DS Trainers, and I want to run in the DS Trainers and not the Five Fingers. If I were to tally up my thoughts then it would seem the Five Fingers are the winner. But realistically I am still not sure. Hopefully I will decide before the day.
The plan was to run only in Five Fingers but since they just happen to touch the tender spot on my achillies, they aggravate it more, leaving me barely able to walk. So I have been mixing up my footwear. Had a great interval session on the track with the Nike Waffles. It felt so natural to wear those shoes on the track and I was running faster than ever before. I've been wearing the Asics DS Trainers quite abit. Although I believe they are the cause of my injury, they actually hurt less overall. The only problem is I am noticing some shin pain in my left leg. In the past this has always been an indicator of overuse but at the moment I don't see how that is possible. I think it could be because I am not wearing the Five Fingers so much and my biomechanics are being compromised.
I had a long run last week in the Asics. It was about 29k and although I had zero energy, it was really not as bad as I expected. My biggest pain was actually when I was trying to scramble up a steep hill (read: cliff) and I scratched my thigh on a branch. Blood was streaming down and I must've looked a real Crazy! It was fun though.
Yesterday I went for a pleasant very-short-long run with some Cool Runners along the Rat Trail. This is a coastal path around the Black Rock/Brighton area. Took it easy, had pleasant company, caught up with DG from the Tan Ultra and enjoyed a soy hot chocolate at a cafe afterwards. There was some mild achillies pain and some mild shin twinges but nothing too bad. Today I couldn't be bothered to get up and skipped my run or walk or whatever it would've been and injury wise I am not feeling too bad. It could be worse.
So now it is real real taper time. I will focus on eating plenty of nutrient rich foods. I will go for walks during the week, maybe attempt a run, and test how the Five Fingers affect the achillies. I really really really want to run the marathon in the Five Fingers. Thinking about it some more though, I should consider how close the Bruny Island Ultra is and my marathon recovery might take longer if I run in the Five Fingers. I really should have built up the distance in them rather than doing one 30k run in them and expecting to do 53k without building up to that! Even though my running is so much better, biomechanically, there is no denying the feet still feel the impact from the forces of running. It's gravity. It's a fact.
My conflicting thoughts are:
I want to run the marathon fast in the Five Fingers.
I want to recover quickly, which would mean running in the DS Trainers.
I want to run in the Five Fingers coz they look cool.
I don't want to aggravate my achillies by running in the DS Trainers.
I don't want to aggravate my achillies by running in the Five Fingers.
I don't want to have to lift heavy shoes in the DS Trainers.
I don't want my HR higher in the DS Trainers.
I want to feel light and free in the Five Fingers.
To summarize, I want to run in the Five Fingers and not in the DS Trainers, and I want to run in the DS Trainers and not the Five Fingers. If I were to tally up my thoughts then it would seem the Five Fingers are the winner. But realistically I am still not sure. Hopefully I will decide before the day.
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