Ok, just a quick update for now. I ran my farthest distance yesterday. 24kms. That'll seem like small potatoes in a few weeks time but for now that's about 3kms more than I've run before. I was tired at the end but not feeling too bad. Feet felt a bit rough though. I think I'm still getting used to the new shoes to some degree I think. The run went from home to the city and then onto Port Melbourne and then along the beach to St Kilda. It felt good to get myself so far from home. Bit of a pain having to take two trams to get me home though.
I had a good laugh during the run at one point somewhere between the city and Port Melbourne when I saw in chalk the word "Fat?" written on the track. I thought that was a bit odd until I ran a bit further and saw the follow-up which said "goveg.com". It's a vegetarian website run by PETA. So that's their advertising gimmick now? Call someone fat and then suggest vegetarianism is the solution? I love it. Can't see it working at all but at least it gave me a laugh.
After a bigger week last week, this week is a much lighter week. Time to give the legs some freshening up time.
Week 5 distance covered: 53.5 km
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Taking It Up A Notch
I've been thinking this week a bit about being a runner. The things that happen that make you stand out a little. Like Tuesday night after a run while I was waiting for the takeaway I had ordered from a Chinese restaurant. I was standing outside in a howlingly icy wind doing my cool-down stretches while the bored waiters and waitresses peered out through the front door to see what I was up to. They seemed quite amused when they eventually brought out my order in a white plastic bag and asked if I needed a fork as if they thought I was going to eat while stretching or something.
I keep thinking too about those moments that occur when you take your involvement in a sport up a notch. Running starts out with a shirt, shorts and some running shoes. You head out the door telling yourself that it's a simple sport. Just man, his stamina and his will to run. Anywhere you are, just pull on some shoes and you're out the door..etc etc. Then the accessories arrive. Back in about November I bought the expensive GPS running watch that tells you how far you've run, tracks your heart rate, tells you if you're going too fast or too slow etc etc. That was the first step up. Then it happened a couple of weeks ago when I purchased running gloves online. Not just normal gloves that could be used for running. No, these are running gloves. I guess they wick sweat better. All I know is that my hands still start out fairly cold on a chilly evening run. Perhaps they warm up quicker. I think having the gloves is more to help me get out the door than anything else. A mental aid. Anyway, perhaps a pair of knitted mittens would have been better for all I know. But no, I had to get the runners ones. Cos those gloves get me!
Taking it up another notch, this morning I was out running along the Yarra before the sun had risen. Cyclists hurtle along the mostly unlit bike track and in the dark I worry I'm not going to be seen before a rapidly rotating black bike tyre meets with my butt. So this morning I was wearing one of those camping miners lights on my head. I had it strapped into my cap and it was pointing a couple of metres in front of me. Partly helping me see stuff in my way, and partly so others could work out that that bouncing light moving through the air should be avoided. Very useful but yeah, took it up another notch I think. Maybe it's my way of saying that I'm such an awesome runner that my way must be lit at all times! Nah, but I do like that idea. If only it could roll out a little red carpet instead of just some light. I'd be cool with that.
I'm now considering buying one of those utility belt thingies that you strap to your waist that holds four small drink bottles. It makes you look like a cross between Batman and a total wanker. Yet it would be really handy for long runs when I'm not going to be coming across water taps regularly. So there's a definitely need. Which again means that I'm taking it up a notch. I'm such a great runner that my need for water can't be met by conventional means - I must carry water with me, but not in my hand - oh no, so that I can take a soothing sip of water whenever the urge takes me. I want it and I know it'll look silly.
Once I buy a running belt, I can't think of what else I'll want to buy. That should be it! Yet I'm sure i'll find something that is just going to be of such great benefit to my training that I'll not know how I ever did without it. I guess there's always another notch if you look hard enough. :)
I keep thinking too about those moments that occur when you take your involvement in a sport up a notch. Running starts out with a shirt, shorts and some running shoes. You head out the door telling yourself that it's a simple sport. Just man, his stamina and his will to run. Anywhere you are, just pull on some shoes and you're out the door..etc etc. Then the accessories arrive. Back in about November I bought the expensive GPS running watch that tells you how far you've run, tracks your heart rate, tells you if you're going too fast or too slow etc etc. That was the first step up. Then it happened a couple of weeks ago when I purchased running gloves online. Not just normal gloves that could be used for running. No, these are running gloves. I guess they wick sweat better. All I know is that my hands still start out fairly cold on a chilly evening run. Perhaps they warm up quicker. I think having the gloves is more to help me get out the door than anything else. A mental aid. Anyway, perhaps a pair of knitted mittens would have been better for all I know. But no, I had to get the runners ones. Cos those gloves get me!
Taking it up another notch, this morning I was out running along the Yarra before the sun had risen. Cyclists hurtle along the mostly unlit bike track and in the dark I worry I'm not going to be seen before a rapidly rotating black bike tyre meets with my butt. So this morning I was wearing one of those camping miners lights on my head. I had it strapped into my cap and it was pointing a couple of metres in front of me. Partly helping me see stuff in my way, and partly so others could work out that that bouncing light moving through the air should be avoided. Very useful but yeah, took it up another notch I think. Maybe it's my way of saying that I'm such an awesome runner that my way must be lit at all times! Nah, but I do like that idea. If only it could roll out a little red carpet instead of just some light. I'd be cool with that.
I'm now considering buying one of those utility belt thingies that you strap to your waist that holds four small drink bottles. It makes you look like a cross between Batman and a total wanker. Yet it would be really handy for long runs when I'm not going to be coming across water taps regularly. So there's a definitely need. Which again means that I'm taking it up a notch. I'm such a great runner that my need for water can't be met by conventional means - I must carry water with me, but not in my hand - oh no, so that I can take a soothing sip of water whenever the urge takes me. I want it and I know it'll look silly.
Once I buy a running belt, I can't think of what else I'll want to buy. That should be it! Yet I'm sure i'll find something that is just going to be of such great benefit to my training that I'll not know how I ever did without it. I guess there's always another notch if you look hard enough. :)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Week 4 Wrap-up
Mostly uneventful week this week. Saw the physio twice. Laughed and yelled while he jammed his elbow deep into the side of my leg. Oh, I missed a day of training on Wednesday. That's the first time that has happened just due to me not being able to find time to run. Work was so busy on Wednesday I had no time to get out at lunchtime. Couldn't run that evening because I was going out that night. Fortunately it was only a cross-training run. I'll need to be careful of lunchtime runs from now on. No guarantees they will happen.
Today was an odd one. I was out late last night in a couple of bars in Brunswick Street. Only drank two beers so I was being very disciplined. I discovered being disciplined is tough! At one point quite late I was asked what drink I wanted - I wavered a little and then went "oh make it a beer....NO, I'll have a water...". A wise choice but still, not easy! Eventually I called it a night and was finally home and into bed until about 3.30am. I think I only got about 5 - 5.5 hours sleep. I was supposed to run 22kms but was constrained by needing to be at my second cousin Pepe's first birthday somewhere between 1pm and 4pm. Anyway, I decided to split the run in half which had been suggested as a possibility by my running coach. It's not ideal but hey, it would do. So I ran 12kms in the morning and then in the evening, after eating plenty during the middle of the day, I knocked off the other 10kms. Having done it I don't think it's a great way to do it. 22kms should be a tough run for me but broken into 2 parts it was actually almost easy. Only a little tough towards the end and that was more to do with the wind blowing in my face while I ran uphill. I think I'll come up a bit sore tomorrow regardless but still, from now I'll be aiming to do all long runs in one go. Next Sunday is a 24km run. I'm looking forward to the challenge actually.
Week 4 distance covered: 51 km
Today was an odd one. I was out late last night in a couple of bars in Brunswick Street. Only drank two beers so I was being very disciplined. I discovered being disciplined is tough! At one point quite late I was asked what drink I wanted - I wavered a little and then went "oh make it a beer....NO, I'll have a water...". A wise choice but still, not easy! Eventually I called it a night and was finally home and into bed until about 3.30am. I think I only got about 5 - 5.5 hours sleep. I was supposed to run 22kms but was constrained by needing to be at my second cousin Pepe's first birthday somewhere between 1pm and 4pm. Anyway, I decided to split the run in half which had been suggested as a possibility by my running coach. It's not ideal but hey, it would do. So I ran 12kms in the morning and then in the evening, after eating plenty during the middle of the day, I knocked off the other 10kms. Having done it I don't think it's a great way to do it. 22kms should be a tough run for me but broken into 2 parts it was actually almost easy. Only a little tough towards the end and that was more to do with the wind blowing in my face while I ran uphill. I think I'll come up a bit sore tomorrow regardless but still, from now I'll be aiming to do all long runs in one go. Next Sunday is a 24km run. I'm looking forward to the challenge actually.
Week 4 distance covered: 51 km
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Week 3 Wrap-up
Ok, it's Sunday night and the end of week 3. Only 14 weeks to go. Actually, it feels like a good way off still. I registered for the Sydney Marathon on Friday night. It's paid for and locked in. Fantastic! Also a bit scary but mostly fantastic!
On yesterdays run I pondered what kind of walking stick I'll get if all this running wears down my knee joints to the point where I'm a hobbly old man with very bad knees. I think I'm torn. It's gotta be wooden. I know that much. One idea is that it should look like a stick that was just picked up off the ground on a walk through the bush with lots of knarled chunks sticking out. Strong and natural. It should not be particularly straight, thus deceiving the onlooker into thinking it might snap in half at any moment. If I can't have one of those then I'd like one that is varnished and shiny and a deep brown. Regardless of the sort of walking stick, it should have some weight on it so I can hit out at young whippersnappers if the urge takes me - I hope I'm not a grumpy old man with a walking stick but just in case, the hitting power of a walking stick needs to be taken into account.
Right, so that's walking sticks sorted out then!
I ran 18kms on a cool but sunny day today and it was a nice easy going run. 18kms is not a scary distance anymore. It'll start getting a little daunting again when I start going anywhere further than 21kms as that's the farthest I've run. Thoroughly enjoyed todays run actually. Great weather, the Yarra by my side to keep me company plus some great music.
Tunes listened to today while I ran:
1. The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out (the classic jazz album from 1959 - I had no idea that jazz can make good running music until today!)
2. Coffee Break Espanol - Lesson 7 (a spanish language podcast)
3. My Morning Jacket - Circuital (their new album which is starting to sound alright)
Week 3 distance covered: 49.25 km
Right, so that's walking sticks sorted out then!
I ran 18kms on a cool but sunny day today and it was a nice easy going run. 18kms is not a scary distance anymore. It'll start getting a little daunting again when I start going anywhere further than 21kms as that's the farthest I've run. Thoroughly enjoyed todays run actually. Great weather, the Yarra by my side to keep me company plus some great music.
Tunes listened to today while I ran:
1. The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out (the classic jazz album from 1959 - I had no idea that jazz can make good running music until today!)
2. Coffee Break Espanol - Lesson 7 (a spanish language podcast)
3. My Morning Jacket - Circuital (their new album which is starting to sound alright)
Week 3 distance covered: 49.25 km
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday night ramblings
After a sore and frustrating week of half-marathon recovery last week, this week has been much better. The legs have felt fresh and lively when I've been running and felt less like they might break down with any number of injuries. I did a rare morning run on Tuesday before the sun came up and I really enjoyed it. The program said to run 10kms so I headed out along the Yarra. It was a tad dodgy at times as the track is not well lit and there are cyclists flying past now and again. At least they are well lit. Couldn't say the same for myself. I need to get a light to attach to myself for these darker runs. Anyway, it felt nice running along the Yarra before work. It also made me later to work than I had planned so I need to get up earlier next time. I hate getting up early but the reward of feeling great afterwards is worth it.
I'm still seeing my physio about the tight ITB. On Thursday it was a new guy. While the other physio seems to prefer burying his pointy elbow deep into the side of my leg, this guy's preference was to apply pressure with his forearm and then slowly rake it all the way down the upper leg. VERY painful! For some reason I react by laughing. I don't really get that but I guess it's either that or I... I dunno... Anyway, for some reason laughter is how I deal with it. So he was repeatedly dragging his forearm along the arm and I was repeatedly laughing/yelping in pain. It's a day later and it's still sore from the harsh but fair treatment. That said, I'm sure it's good for it so I just gotta put up with it.
This weekend has me doing a 6km run on Saturday and then up to 18km for Sunday. Bring it on!
I'm still seeing my physio about the tight ITB. On Thursday it was a new guy. While the other physio seems to prefer burying his pointy elbow deep into the side of my leg, this guy's preference was to apply pressure with his forearm and then slowly rake it all the way down the upper leg. VERY painful! For some reason I react by laughing. I don't really get that but I guess it's either that or I... I dunno... Anyway, for some reason laughter is how I deal with it. So he was repeatedly dragging his forearm along the arm and I was repeatedly laughing/yelping in pain. It's a day later and it's still sore from the harsh but fair treatment. That said, I'm sure it's good for it so I just gotta put up with it.
This weekend has me doing a 6km run on Saturday and then up to 18km for Sunday. Bring it on!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Week 2 Update
First up, here's a couple of photos of the Williamstown Half Marathon. First up is me being chased down by an angry mob..
 | |
I also ended up at the physio during the week who told me what I already knew - that I have a tight ITB band that needs lots of stretching before it starts giving me some decent knee pain. He also looked at my feet and suggested I have partially collapsed arches. I'm not convinced of this. Standing on his plush carpet, I reckon any arch in the world would have sunk in a little bit! And anyway, "partially collapsed" is not a nice way to describe anything. Perhaps he could have gone with "a little lowered" instead. Or maybe "gravitationally inclined"?!
I bought new runners during the week at Active Feet. Asics Gel Kayano 17's if that means anything to anyone. I gotta slowly wear them in now. I'll do shorter runs with them for starters and build up from there.
Last week while running I had a bug fly up my nose. Not very pleasant. Got him out pretty quick but he had no place being up there!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)