I'm running the London Marathon 2010 for ChildLine

Sunday 28 February 2010

15 miles completed

I set myself a target to complete 15 miles yesterday, and I did do that.  However, in the end it was more of an exercise on just seeing the mile reading on the Garmin tick over to 15 miles as it was a truly awful run.

I'm not sure what happened really, but before the run I was feeling fine and up for it (although I was very tired from work), but after about only 8 miles I was feeling pretty dreadful.  I carried on though as sometimes I 'run out' of these issues, but not yesterday unfortunately.

It wasn't a great run because:
  • I somehow didn't have the energy after about 8 miles.  I've done several runs at this distance, and over, but this was the worse I've felt.  The annoying thing is that I'm not totally sure why.  I've eaten sensibly in the run up to the long run, drank plenty of water, stretched a fair bit etc.  I think it must be fuel related in some way though.  I've heard of the phrase 'hitting the wall', and I think what I had yesterday must have been approaching that feeling.
  • When I ran back to the car, I knew there was a banana in my bag, which I usually eat after the run.  This time though I just felt the need to devour it, which I did, and then started to feel a bit better.
  • I ran out of water.  There are drinking water taps at several points along the route that I run, but they were all turned off.  I'm guessing they are only turned on in the summer, which wasn't much use to me yesterday.  I had to run/jog back to the car where I had another bottle of water with me which did keep me going.
  • It was actually pretty warm out and I think I overdressed a bit, which didn't help.
Trying to take some positives from the run:
  • I did actually get to see 15 miles on the Garmin, which was my aim.  The time never has been (and still isn't) important.
  • My knees, although a little tender after the run, were fine on the run itself.  They weren't the reason for the poor performance yesterday which is actually a real positive.
So in summary, it's one to put down to experience and learn and move on from.  If it hadn't been my weekend target, I'd have just stopped at around 8 and tried again today.  However, one of the issues with this training stuff is that it kind of takes over your whole life.  Certainly the 'long run' on the weekend has to be scheduled in so that we can make plans for the weekend. 

I have been sleeping very well, but I still feel very tired.  What with the India trip (which took me several days to get over) and a long week at work this week, I wasn't ideally prepared for this run unfortunately.

I've spent some time looking at race fuelling techniques, and I've made my decision on that and have ordered some gels.  I do not want to be feeling like I did yesterday on race day itself.  I've ordered some SiS GO Gels which get very good reviews.  I've just oredered six from eBay for now, to see how I get on with them.  I'm hoping they'll arrive before next weekend so I can try them out on my next long run.  I've also ordered a "gel belt" off of eBay to carry the gels, plus it has space for a mobile, keys, credit card etc on race day itself.

Back in October  I set myself a rough training schedule, which I am slightly behind on.  I was hoping to be doing 18 miles at the end of February, which hasn't happened.  My aim now is to get to 18-20 miles by the end of March/beginning of April and if I can get to that, I'll be very happy.  This is the important phase of training now and even though yesterday was a slight setback, I'm still happy with my progress and looking forward to getting the miles covered.

Thursday 25 February 2010

Work training course this week, but I went for a small run today

Did a 4.4 mile run after work today, in the rain.  Not a long run, but it's better than nothing.  I haven't done anything since the weekend as I've been on a work training course this week.  I did take my running stuff with me to the training course, but there wasn't a gym where we were staying and also there were no street lights in and around the hotel grounds.  As the course finished late, there were no opportunities for a run out.

I've got plans for a 15 miler on Saturday and maybe a smaller run tomorrow, depending on work etc.

Sunday 21 February 2010

6.3 miles today....

...and feeling good.  I felt I was going pretty quickly today, but RunSaturday says it was more or less an average pace for me.  It was the second session with the knee support and jogging bottoms and I suffered no adverse affects with no knee pain on the route, which is great news.  I had been out for a few drinks yesterday, but purposefully took it easy and this morning felt fine to go out for a run.

My mate I've been emailing recently has pointed me towards another website, which looks at IT band stretches using a foam roller.  I will look into this and see how I get on with it.  He suggests:
  • the foam roller will help stretch out the IT band.
  • not using it every day, but maybe every other day or so.
  • it helps to lengthen the IT band, which is an area that a lot of runners suffer with.

Friday 19 February 2010

Today was a big day with regards to training

I've been struggling with my knee, so today was a big day.  I've been doing a lot of stretching throughout the week and concentrating on leg exercises at the gym for a while.  Those things, together with the decision to run with a knee support and jogging bottoms (both for the first time) meant that there was a fair bit riding on my run out today.  If I'd limped home in pain again, I wouldn't have been a happy man.

I'd set myself a 10-mile target today and I ended up doing nearly 13-miles, which I'm really pleased about!  The time isn't all that relevant (just over 2hrs) but it was just really great to be out on the road and ending the session feeling positive.  I could have easily carried on as well, which is a great feeling.

The knee support felt a little restrictive at first, but after a couple of miles I forgot about it.  I just enjoyed the run, the great Torbay scenery on a clear morning and plodding along listening to my music.  After a couple of not very good sessions, together with a session or two that were aborted due to the icy conditions, I'm feeling good now.  All this on my day off from work, as well....that's dedication!

Since I've been back from India I've done 2 runs and 3 gym sessions, so I'm definitely back in the swing of things now.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Nearly £1000 raised....

....which is fantastic.  Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me....it is really appreciated!  It really helps to keep me motivated with the training, as even now I occasionally still wonder if I'm slightly mad taking this challenge on!

There's still a way to go (both in terms of the training and reaching the £1800 target), but it's for a great cause, so it'll all be worth it in the end!

Monday 15 February 2010

Back in the swing of things now

I had another gym session today, so I think I'm back in the swing of things now following my India trip.  I'm very conscious that I should be getting the miles in, and I'm hoping to get a reasonable run in on the weekend if I can, depending on my knee.

Regarding my knee, I have been emailing my old mate from school (who I mentioned in my previous post) who has given me lots of advice.  I also went to my local running shop today who gave me a few pointers and stressed the importance of warming up/down and stretching, which is something that I admit I don't give enough time to.  The main stretches are:
Also, as I have a desk job, it's been recommended that I get up from the desk regularly and do some of these simple stretches throughout the day.

The cold weather at the moment may be giving me an added problem and both my mate on email and the guys at the running shop stressed the importance of keeping warm.  Currently, I'm just running in shorts, but I'll give it a go with jogging bottoms to see how I get on.  I also purchased a knee support, which should help keep things in place, as well as help retain body heat in the joint.  Warmth in the joints will help keep everything loose as opposed to the ligaments contracting with the cold.

If I do happen to get another knee injury, the advice is to apply ice to the knee.  This helps to reduce any swelling, pain. bruising or muscle spasms.  Also, Ibuprofen before or after a run can be taken as required.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Some sobering news

A few updates today.

As I mentioned in my previous update, I was in India for a few days and last weekend we went to a particular bar for some Masala Chai.  It turns out that the area was bombed this weekend so it really puts things into perspective and kind of makes you reassess what's important.  My British colleague who is in India at the moment was in the restaurant 3 or 4 hours before the blast, so it's really sobering stuff.  I'm really glad that my British and Indian colleagues are unscathed.

On a lighter note, I've been to the gym this morning (results on RunSaturday) and I'm still suffering from recurring knee problems.  My gym have sports physio/massage sessions, so I may try a session to see if there is anything that can be done to help in terms of stretching or specific exercises.

My best mate from junior school sponsored me today, and it was really great to hear from him.  He mentioned that he Googled my name and saw I was running the Marathon and got in touch through my site.  That's the power of the Internet, combined with having an unusual name!  He doesn't live in the UK anymore, but is over in April time, so we'll see if we can meet up for a few beers and (maybe) a run.  I haven't seen him for at least 10 years, so it really was a blast from the past.  I remember me and him used to be really into Radio Control cars.  I had the Tamiya Hornet and he had the Tamiya Vanessa's Lunchbox.  Great times!

Saturday 13 February 2010

I've not been running/blogging for a little while....

....but I do have a good excuse.  I've actually been to India for a work trip for 10-days, which was a fantastic experience!  The people, country and culture are like nothing I've experienced before, and I would love to go back given the chance.  I did actually take my running stuff with me, but what with the long hours we were working, together with the heat and dangerous roads, the stuff I packed didn't make it out of my suitcase.

I got back on Thursday, but was absolutely shattered from the journey.  I was half thinking of going out yesterday, but I was still recovering, so today was the first time I could realistically get out for a run.  I just did an easy 6.5 miles or so, and it was good to be back out.  It was really cold though, and the difference between the temperature here (4 deg) and India (30+ deg) is very noticeable!