Saturday 23 May 2009
Hiking And Running
Since my last post ive been to Malham to do 23m hike and a MWL.
It was quite weird doing a MWL as i haven't really run fast (ish) for ages! It does feel quite frustrating as i know im not running as quick as i was. And the pace i was running at - which was 7.30 - 8.00 felt so tough! But i suppose that is to be expected when i haven't done any kind of speed work since Oct 2008 due to my achilles. Im so wary of not doing anything to agrivate it and am so aware of what it feels like when im running. I didn't feel anything during the 10k mwl and nothing the next morning either, which is a good sign. I did have very tight calves (both) , which is quite normal for me, hence why i always suffer with lower leg injuries.
I wasn't really sure what to expect for my first proper hike and i felt pretty unprepared really as i didn't have all the correct gear, except the shoes.
I managed to borrow a coat from Jon and then just used the stuff i already had for running really. I made a list (as i always do, of all the bits and bobs i needed to take). When i picked up my ruck sack, i thought "crikey, how on earth will i drag that around with me, best i eat all my stuff early to make it lighter!!".
Malham is a lovely little place and when we arrived the first place i wanted to visit was the youth hostel!! I knew it would be basic, but i didn't expect to have to make up my own bed !!
We started walking and all was going well for the first few hours and i was quite enjoying it. But then disaster.....heavy rain and gale force winds!! For around an hour and half. So this kind of spoilt it all! Ive never been so cold and wet in all my life, but all we could do was keep walking!
I started to feel quite ill and i needed help to get an extra jumper out of my bag as i couldnt really move very well!! And Jon made me have some of his (luke warm) tea!! And chocolate raisins. Apparently my lips had gone blue and Jon keeps reminding me he saved my life up there!!
It took around 9 and half hours altogether.....oh my god!! I think if id have known it would take that long i wouldnt have done it!! Another time i will stick to shorter walks of around 3 or 4 hours. If it hadn't of been for the rain i feel i would have enjoyed it far more, but i guess thats part of the "joys" of hiking!
It was quite weird doing a MWL as i haven't really run fast (ish) for ages! It does feel quite frustrating as i know im not running as quick as i was. And the pace i was running at - which was 7.30 - 8.00 felt so tough! But i suppose that is to be expected when i haven't done any kind of speed work since Oct 2008 due to my achilles. Im so wary of not doing anything to agrivate it and am so aware of what it feels like when im running. I didn't feel anything during the 10k mwl and nothing the next morning either, which is a good sign. I did have very tight calves (both) , which is quite normal for me, hence why i always suffer with lower leg injuries.
I wasn't really sure what to expect for my first proper hike and i felt pretty unprepared really as i didn't have all the correct gear, except the shoes.
I managed to borrow a coat from Jon and then just used the stuff i already had for running really. I made a list (as i always do, of all the bits and bobs i needed to take). When i picked up my ruck sack, i thought "crikey, how on earth will i drag that around with me, best i eat all my stuff early to make it lighter!!".
Malham is a lovely little place and when we arrived the first place i wanted to visit was the youth hostel!! I knew it would be basic, but i didn't expect to have to make up my own bed !!
We started walking and all was going well for the first few hours and i was quite enjoying it. But then disaster.....heavy rain and gale force winds!! For around an hour and half. So this kind of spoilt it all! Ive never been so cold and wet in all my life, but all we could do was keep walking!
I started to feel quite ill and i needed help to get an extra jumper out of my bag as i couldnt really move very well!! And Jon made me have some of his (luke warm) tea!! And chocolate raisins. Apparently my lips had gone blue and Jon keeps reminding me he saved my life up there!!
It took around 9 and half hours altogether.....oh my god!! I think if id have known it would take that long i wouldnt have done it!! Another time i will stick to shorter walks of around 3 or 4 hours. If it hadn't of been for the rain i feel i would have enjoyed it far more, but i guess thats part of the "joys" of hiking!
Monday 6 April 2009
Feels Good To Be Back!
Well, its been quite while since my last blog. Had quite a lot going on in my life since then.
In my last blog (Nov 2008), i said i have to stop running. I had a little chat with myself and accepted that and had mentally accepted that i wouldn't be doing my planned marathons of Rome and London for 2009. I was all prepared to do just gym work and non-impact excercise.
However, i wasn't prepared for redundancy on 3rd Dec. So, what with the stress of losing my job , i also couldn't run!! So the 2 things in my life that take up a lot of my time and 2 things that i really love in my life had been taken from me within a matter of a week or so.
When i went to see Keith (physio), i was in a pretty bad state of mind, what with having no job and feeling pretty useless and on top of that, not being able to run. So, he allowed me to do 20 mins outside running - very slow and on grass. My achilles was feeling better and he thought that it would help my mental state and help me to feel more positive. But if there was any reaction to the 20 mins, once or twice a week, i would have to stop.
So, lucky for me, i didn't have any bad reaction to the 20 mins and i was continuing to make progress with repair of my injury. I was religiously doing the exercises in the gym he was giving me and trying to keep up the cardio doing other things in the gym.
After 5 weeks, i managed to find a new job..... in a gym!! And at around the same i was told by Keith that i could start doing a little more than 20 mins as i was making good progress.
So week by week, i was able to add a little more. But im trying so hard not to make the mistake i made the last time i had time off and thats to "come back" too quickly. I upped my mileage too much too soon last time and i think that contributed to the injury returning - or maybe it just wasn't properly repaired at all. I took a month off after London 2008 (Keith told me then i should have 3 months off and i said NO WAY, i will do a month) On reflection, i know now, if i had have taken 3 months off , i would have been doing my marathons this year, 2009 - but, hey, you learn from your mistakes!
So, ive been gradually increasing my time, not worrying about the mileage, just trying to get used to running again. I remember that before, an hours run was quite a short one - "a quick hour" i used to think!! An hour recently has felt like AGES!!!!! - That was now my long run. Its amazing how your perception changes.
So, i was all booked up and had paid for Rome, but obviously cannot run 26.2 miles! I had decided that i would still go and support and see a marathon from "the other side". As the time came nearer, i was able to run 10m, so i thought i would do 10, then drop out. I thought id be fine with that, but when it came to the day, i was soooooooooooooooo gutted that i wasn't doing it all. I did drop out at 10m, having run with Jo S and i really enjoyed it. Ive never dropped out of a race, so it felt quite weird. As i walked back to the start/finish area (thanks to Jo S and Jons excellent directions) - i got lots of "oh dear, poor you, you've had to drop out" looks from the spectators!! I wanted to say, "actually, this is exactly my race plan!!"
I have been pleased that i dont seem to have lots too much speed. Im having to work harder, but it does still seem to be there. Just need to start introducing speed gradually. Ive been more concearned with getting some endurance back, before i worry about speed.
So, far i haven't had any reaction from my running - Keith always says if i get any reaction immediately after a run or the next morning i have to stop - "touch wood", im not getting any............ i just need to keep it that way!!
Ive realised a key part to keeping my injury under control is only running a max of every other day. So far ive been doing 3 times a week but i want to up that to 4. My problem is the more i do, the more i want to do. So, i need to keep a check on it.
London is in a couple of weeks and i was meant to be doing it. I have deferred my place. I am going to go and spectate, but i know im going to feel a bit weird as i was meant to be running it and have done for the last 3 years. But ive told myself, that this will be the only time i will ever get to watch it as every year, from next year, i will be in it!!
I would like to go back to Rome next year though, to be able to complete it, and Rome was such an AMAZING place....... but i do love running London. But we'll see. I just need to get back to full fitness first and keep injury free!!!
It feels good to be back folks!!
In my last blog (Nov 2008), i said i have to stop running. I had a little chat with myself and accepted that and had mentally accepted that i wouldn't be doing my planned marathons of Rome and London for 2009. I was all prepared to do just gym work and non-impact excercise.
However, i wasn't prepared for redundancy on 3rd Dec. So, what with the stress of losing my job , i also couldn't run!! So the 2 things in my life that take up a lot of my time and 2 things that i really love in my life had been taken from me within a matter of a week or so.
When i went to see Keith (physio), i was in a pretty bad state of mind, what with having no job and feeling pretty useless and on top of that, not being able to run. So, he allowed me to do 20 mins outside running - very slow and on grass. My achilles was feeling better and he thought that it would help my mental state and help me to feel more positive. But if there was any reaction to the 20 mins, once or twice a week, i would have to stop.
So, lucky for me, i didn't have any bad reaction to the 20 mins and i was continuing to make progress with repair of my injury. I was religiously doing the exercises in the gym he was giving me and trying to keep up the cardio doing other things in the gym.
After 5 weeks, i managed to find a new job..... in a gym!! And at around the same i was told by Keith that i could start doing a little more than 20 mins as i was making good progress.
So week by week, i was able to add a little more. But im trying so hard not to make the mistake i made the last time i had time off and thats to "come back" too quickly. I upped my mileage too much too soon last time and i think that contributed to the injury returning - or maybe it just wasn't properly repaired at all. I took a month off after London 2008 (Keith told me then i should have 3 months off and i said NO WAY, i will do a month) On reflection, i know now, if i had have taken 3 months off , i would have been doing my marathons this year, 2009 - but, hey, you learn from your mistakes!
So, ive been gradually increasing my time, not worrying about the mileage, just trying to get used to running again. I remember that before, an hours run was quite a short one - "a quick hour" i used to think!! An hour recently has felt like AGES!!!!! - That was now my long run. Its amazing how your perception changes.
So, i was all booked up and had paid for Rome, but obviously cannot run 26.2 miles! I had decided that i would still go and support and see a marathon from "the other side". As the time came nearer, i was able to run 10m, so i thought i would do 10, then drop out. I thought id be fine with that, but when it came to the day, i was soooooooooooooooo gutted that i wasn't doing it all. I did drop out at 10m, having run with Jo S and i really enjoyed it. Ive never dropped out of a race, so it felt quite weird. As i walked back to the start/finish area (thanks to Jo S and Jons excellent directions) - i got lots of "oh dear, poor you, you've had to drop out" looks from the spectators!! I wanted to say, "actually, this is exactly my race plan!!"
I have been pleased that i dont seem to have lots too much speed. Im having to work harder, but it does still seem to be there. Just need to start introducing speed gradually. Ive been more concearned with getting some endurance back, before i worry about speed.
So, far i haven't had any reaction from my running - Keith always says if i get any reaction immediately after a run or the next morning i have to stop - "touch wood", im not getting any............ i just need to keep it that way!!
Ive realised a key part to keeping my injury under control is only running a max of every other day. So far ive been doing 3 times a week but i want to up that to 4. My problem is the more i do, the more i want to do. So, i need to keep a check on it.
London is in a couple of weeks and i was meant to be doing it. I have deferred my place. I am going to go and spectate, but i know im going to feel a bit weird as i was meant to be running it and have done for the last 3 years. But ive told myself, that this will be the only time i will ever get to watch it as every year, from next year, i will be in it!!
I would like to go back to Rome next year though, to be able to complete it, and Rome was such an AMAZING place....... but i do love running London. But we'll see. I just need to get back to full fitness first and keep injury free!!!
It feels good to be back folks!!
Sunday 14 December 2008
Has To Be Done!
Well, as i expected.......no running for me.
Im now having to do what im told and take 12 weeks off. Keith (physio) keeps telling me that for an achilles injury to be fixed you need 12 weeks without running. I only took a month off after the marathon in April this year and the injury has returned now, so clearly a month was not long enough.
Its strange because ive been running so well all summer and have been getting quite speedy (for me).
But, i started to feel the classic achilles injury syndrome about a month ago (very tight heel upon getting out of bed) - so i knew something was occuring.
I have my orthotics back now, but am not running. Im just doing eveything but! Im cycling, rowing, cross trainer - ing !! And then weights. Im going to try to get into swimming, but i find it soooooooooooooo boring. Im starting with a managable 20 lengths then try to build up. I can swim more than that, but my boredom kicks in at around 3 lengths and i just want to get out!! So 20 is a target i will start with. I usually just by-pass the pool completely. I just do my work out in the gym then i walk past the pool to get to the sauna!!
I have accepted that i have to take 12 weeks off, otherwise i will have this injury for the rest of life. I wont be doing London in April as i wont be starting to run again til around end Jan/Feb. Then i can just build up slowly without any pressure of marathon training. So i will, for once, see London marathon from the "other side" - a spectators side! Not where i want to be , obvioulsy - but ive got to this time and just get rid of it.......once and for all.
Im now having to do what im told and take 12 weeks off. Keith (physio) keeps telling me that for an achilles injury to be fixed you need 12 weeks without running. I only took a month off after the marathon in April this year and the injury has returned now, so clearly a month was not long enough.
Its strange because ive been running so well all summer and have been getting quite speedy (for me).
But, i started to feel the classic achilles injury syndrome about a month ago (very tight heel upon getting out of bed) - so i knew something was occuring.
I have my orthotics back now, but am not running. Im just doing eveything but! Im cycling, rowing, cross trainer - ing !! And then weights. Im going to try to get into swimming, but i find it soooooooooooooo boring. Im starting with a managable 20 lengths then try to build up. I can swim more than that, but my boredom kicks in at around 3 lengths and i just want to get out!! So 20 is a target i will start with. I usually just by-pass the pool completely. I just do my work out in the gym then i walk past the pool to get to the sauna!!
I have accepted that i have to take 12 weeks off, otherwise i will have this injury for the rest of life. I wont be doing London in April as i wont be starting to run again til around end Jan/Feb. Then i can just build up slowly without any pressure of marathon training. So i will, for once, see London marathon from the "other side" - a spectators side! Not where i want to be , obvioulsy - but ive got to this time and just get rid of it.......once and for all.
Monday 24 November 2008
An Achilles Situation - Again
After putting in such a good performance at the St Neots half on 16th Nov getting a PB, ive been suffering for it ever since.
My achilles has been playing up a bit lately and both calves were very tight after St Neots. So I took the sensible decision of taking the week off running and then i ran the LB XC on Sunday as things were feeling ok.
I have woke up this morning with a tender achilles and have made an appoitmet to see Keith (physio). I thought my days of seeing the physio were over, hence why i spent £350 on orthotics!
Well, i think the orthotics could be part of the problem (well, lack of them).
When i first had them, i noticed that the left one was very uncomfortable - it pushed into the tendon across the bottom of my foot (plantar fascia i think). Graham (letchwth Podiatry) told me this is quite common for the initial stages of "breaking in" orthotics and to just go with for now. If it didnt improve in 2 weeks, to call him back. So, i stuck with it. I was only able to wear them in my shoes for 3 days in a row at a time as it became too painful. So, after 2 weeks of wearing them then not, i called him and said there was no improvement.
I then had to take the left orthotic back and it was sent away to be re shaped. So all in all, ive been without my orthotics for nearly 3 weeks. And its the last 3 weeks ive begun to notice my achilles again.
So, the only thing i can put it down to is that.
I did run hard at St Neots (without orthotics at that point still as they were still beig altered) so, i guess that has contributed. I do now have them back, but have not run in them yet, as im not running. I was hoping to get back into this week, but i will see what Keith says and take it from there.
I think i know what he'll say...........
I really dont want to go through all my marathon training again with this problem - exactly what i had to do last year.
My achilles has been playing up a bit lately and both calves were very tight after St Neots. So I took the sensible decision of taking the week off running and then i ran the LB XC on Sunday as things were feeling ok.
I have woke up this morning with a tender achilles and have made an appoitmet to see Keith (physio). I thought my days of seeing the physio were over, hence why i spent £350 on orthotics!
Well, i think the orthotics could be part of the problem (well, lack of them).
When i first had them, i noticed that the left one was very uncomfortable - it pushed into the tendon across the bottom of my foot (plantar fascia i think). Graham (letchwth Podiatry) told me this is quite common for the initial stages of "breaking in" orthotics and to just go with for now. If it didnt improve in 2 weeks, to call him back. So, i stuck with it. I was only able to wear them in my shoes for 3 days in a row at a time as it became too painful. So, after 2 weeks of wearing them then not, i called him and said there was no improvement.
I then had to take the left orthotic back and it was sent away to be re shaped. So all in all, ive been without my orthotics for nearly 3 weeks. And its the last 3 weeks ive begun to notice my achilles again.
So, the only thing i can put it down to is that.
I did run hard at St Neots (without orthotics at that point still as they were still beig altered) so, i guess that has contributed. I do now have them back, but have not run in them yet, as im not running. I was hoping to get back into this week, but i will see what Keith says and take it from there.
I think i know what he'll say...........
I really dont want to go through all my marathon training again with this problem - exactly what i had to do last year.
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