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1000km Done - The Next Challenge?
So there it is - I’ve hit the 1000 km mark since Jan 16th 2011.
I’m really pleased with this - but I’m more pleased with the fact I’ve found another hobby that I absolutely adore.
I had no idea there was so much pleasure to be gained from running and I feel physically and mentally brilliant because of it.
So - thats old news - whats next?
Well I guess the logical progress is to set myself a target next year of 1000 miles!
As it’s not going to be easy in only my second year of running (It’s the equivalent of over 3 marathons a month) but I want to run it for what I consider to be the most amazing charity - Claire House.
I was almost embarrased to only recently find out about the amazing work that Claire House do for poorly children and their families which is why they have inspired me to take this challenge. More can be found on the charity here…
http://www.claire-house.org.uk/
I’ve set an initial target of £1000 for the year but really hope to smash that with various things I’ve got lined up throughout the year - but I wont start bugging you guys for cash just yet (we’re all not exactly flush right now eh?). Through your generosity I raised just short of £3000 for charities last year - so thank you so much for that!
I’ll be competing in a number of organised events but mainly I’ll be logging the miles through my www.runkeeper.com account where I’ll set the miles back to zero on January 1st 2012. Below are the events I’m currently signed up to…
It is going to be a challenge and I’ll be setting up a website to launch on the 1st if January where you’ll be able to follow my progress. In the meantime if you fancy forgeoing a pack of mince pies or two you can head over here to start me off.
http://www.justgiving.com/LC1000
I’m not expecting much between now and the end of Jan - it is after all…
…a marathon - not a sprint! :)
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500K’s and KG’s
So thats the magical 500K mark up since I started training/running!
I say magical, it wasn’t…
…in fact it came and went without me giving it a second thought (I’m actually on 536K) because the focus is so massively on the Marathon.
Part of that training is getting down to racing weight. When you start to run regularly it comes pretty easily - but now I’m just 3kg’s away from target weight its started slowing down. Completely expected however and not something I’m worried about with 10 weeks to go to the Marathon.
If you are serious about getting to a good racing weight I’d seriously suggest a set of these (other brands and suppliers available ;)).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Omron-BF511-Family-Composition-Monitor/dp/B0033AGBW0/ref=pd_sim_d_7
Warning!
Unless you’re a seasoned runner/fitness type person you wont like what you read when presented with your first weigh in stats! One of my mates at work bought one and it seriously put him on a downer at first!
But wait…
Its extremely encouraging when you start to control the numbers and when you see visceral fat (the bad stuff around your organs) falling first! It spurs you on and you don’t fear the scales anymore!
I’ll post a picture around the time of the Marathon of Lee before and after finding running! Quite a difference now.
Losing the weight is a great bonus - but running itself is still prime motivator for me #addicted
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Pro Physio Fun
Whenever I do get a knock or strain…
…I reluctantly go to the NHS. I say reluctantly because no matter what injury I get it’s always the same ‘treatment’.
“Rest for a week and take Ibuprofen 3 times a day”
Sadly this just doesn’t do it for me now as I take running more and more seriously. Don’t get me wrong - I’m a MASSIVE fan of Great Britains wonderful NHS but sports injuries just aren’t a priority (it appears).
So I found myself a Pro Physio privately. It came from a recommendation (always best I think) from a colleague (thanks Gareth) at work. The guy used to be a Physio for a Premiere League club so I figured he must know what he’s talking about.
He did.
I’ve had a pain in lower leg/foot, not something thats stopped me running but has had me worried for a while now. So much so I went to the NHS with it earlier in the week - they xrayed it, and the treatment was…
“Rest for a week and take Ibuprofen 3 times a day”
Thankfully my physio had other ideas. He asked about the pain, where it was and how long I’d had it. he went on to ask if I’d stepped up my training recently or even introduced some speed work?!
Bingo!
I’ve added fartlek training into the regime! That was it! He instantly identified the muscle at fault (not in my foot as it happens) and then basically applied pain to me for 20 minutes! The tendon in my foot (connected to the anterior tibialis at fault) that was tight as a banjo string (I didn’t know it was until this morning!) is now loose and normal.
I wish I’d have done this when I started running. He knew the answers to all my questions, and knew half the questions I was going to ask before I asked them!
He reckons another session on the treatment table next week will be all I need to get back to normal training. He also told me to run 4k 5 times this week and showed me where to ice and massage after each run.
Beats Ibuprofen 3 times a day and a weeks rest!
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PB’s and Injuries.
So I went out for a 6-8k run yesterday lunch time as per my marathon training schedule.
After 7k I was trotting along and realised I was very warm now (I noticed a dip in my pace so whipped off the windproof jacket) and looked down at my Garmin. I was on pace to beat my 10k PB (which I did with the motivation of 3000 other runners by my side). I thought “Sod it - lets go!”
By this point I was at 8k and it was warm - very warm now. I pushed through and lopped 1.32 off my time for a new PB of 54.02. (I’d love to know what time I’d have got if I’d have set out with 10k in mind!)
Today I’m suffering though right?
I remember when I did my first 10k - I could barely walk afterwards. The difference this morning is I happily cycled the hilly 13k into work today without an ache! For someone who was so prone to injury this is good news but it’s seemingly the trend now.
Since my last injury (6 weeks ago) I’ve been taking my diet very seriously and supplimenting it with Cod Liver, green tea extract and Jointace for athletes. Since then an ache (if I get one) lasts no more than a few hours after the run. Of course this must be because my musculoskeletal system is now catching up with my CV progress too. I don’t think there’s one single factor contributing to my ability to stay injury free and recover quickly, it’s got to be a combination of all the above. Of course I’m bound to get strains and tweaks over the next few months, but right now injury free running is good!
Long may it continue! :)
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400k Up
Just hit the 400km mark since January! The next hundred is going to come pretty quickly as the Marathon training fully kicks in.
To get down to the right weight for the race I’m now also cycling in to work (25k round trip). The weights dropping off (not through some rubbish faddy diet I may add - just through physical effort and being sensible.)
I hadn’t quite realised just how much extra effort I had been putting into running with that extra stone on board but as I lose the weight it’s literally like taking off a heavy coat.
There’s some mathematical formula somewhere but it’s something like you have to put 15% more effort in to achieve the just the same as someone 1.5 stone lighter. I want my 15% back! :)
Anyway, I leave you with this iphone shot of the ferry section of my cycle into work - almost worth the trip on its own!
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1st Race Retrospective
So that’s that! The first race done!
And I enjoyed every second of it! I ran with my Bro in Law (middle - 52mins) Father in Law (Right - 1:08:00) and there’s me on the left (55mins).
Despite the vile weather it was an amazing experience - the idea of running alongside 3200 people with the same goal was quite primeval! There was something that felt very natural about it.
The atmosphere was incredible, people cheered each other on, fellow runners helped injured runners and at the end there was nothing but broad smiles across everyones faces despite the torrential rain and 25mph wind!
Will I do it again? Just try to stop me!
To top it off I raised over £1200 for the wonderful Macmillan Nurses!
The next major challenge is the Marathon in October - next post will be outlining the two charities I’m running for and I’ll keep you updated on the training!
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The Long and Winding Road[Race]
4 months ago I decided to get off my backside and start running!
It all started with a slow walk/jog/walk cycle near where I live. I did this for about 3k and was exhausted at the end. BUT I felt amazing!
Since then I’ve lost nearly 2 stone in flab and feel better than I’ve ever felt although I’ve become slightly obsessed by running now!
I’ve had numerous injuries (one requiring a trip to A&E) but I’ve come through just in time for my first 10k race this coming Sunday. I’m aiming for sub 60mins so Paula Radcliffe neednt worry just yet.
To drive me on I’m running this race for Charity - the wonderful Macmillan Nurses, They got myself and my family through a very rough period back when my mum had cancer so it feels right that it should be them.
After this race the preparations begin for the Marathon, a very different proposition to the 10k so I want to approach this in a very disciplined manner. On this blog I’ll share my progress (blisters and all) as I head towards my first 26.2 miler!
If you want to donate to the Macmillan nurses I have a ‘Just Giving’ page set up here…
http://www.justgiving.com/Lee-Carus
Do stop by and say hi on this blog - I’ll try my best to respond to anyone! :)
Lee
