Through a twist of luck and happenstance (I don't believe in fate) I have the opportunity to take part in a race which I thought I would miss out on this year. DirtRunning have organised an exciting 5 mile trail run through the woods of the Ashridge estate near Bedfordshire. As an amateur trail runner, the fact this is on my doorstep and through the trees is very exciting to me.
And when an opportunity to attend occurred this week I grabbed it with both hands.
Just recently I've been off my game. I feel like I've been taking running and my health for granted. Having lost a load of weight and really turned my lifestyle around this year, I felt old habits creeping back in and felt powerless to stop them.
Just the idea of having an event to train for has really boosted my spirits and got me focussed on healthy eating and living as well as the trainng. But this made me wonder why I need to have an event to train for to feel that I should take care of myself?
Surely the thing that makes great athletes or even great people great is the fact that they have the willpower and self discipline to maintain a chosen path regardless of outside pressures. How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself rather than your sport? Because one injury or one bad result can really spoil your self confidence.
It felt strange to realise that running had stopped being a release valve for stress. Instead the need to be good at it had become a source of stress and I look forward to runs now with an air of nervousness and reflect on them with a sense of disappointment. When did running stop being fun and become an obsession.
Maybe a long run will clear my head and help me find the answer...
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Sunday 21 August 2011
Time to up my game I think
Wednesday 17 August 2011
My first real step into barefooting
After the realisation set in that I wouldn't be running a marathon in October and that my knee may take nore than an ice pack and some wishful thinking to heal, I came to the conclusion that I would be best starting from scratch.
Having accomplished many goals in running over the past two years, I decided that it was time to review those goals, dust them off and make sure they were still relevant. And while there will be more to follow on this, I decided a good way to a fresh start would be some new shoes.
Inspired by Born To Run and some serious bloggers (BarefootAngieBee being one) I decided to take the first step (pun intended, and I now it's obvious) into barefooting.
Having bought some very good Vibram Fivefinger immitations (damn you believable graphics and unregistered websites) I went all old fashioned and went to a shop.
The staff in Ellis Brigham in Milton Keynes were excellent and after 5 seconds of deliberating I bought the new Merrell Trailglove. This new shoe coincided perfectly with a return to running and gave me an excuse to drop my distance while I put some strength back into my knees and some minimalist shoes on my feet.
With my knee still hurting and an allergy to Ibuprofen, I set out tentatively, feeling in my heart that I was ready to run, to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. To soar like an.......
I wasn't ready.
Hobbling home wondering how long I'd have to wait to be fixed, a strange thing happened. Something made me stop running. By something I mean some people.
And by some people I mean 5'000 angry rioters.
Next thing you know I'm called into work and churn out an 82 hour work week. No time to run. No time to diet. I literally sleep and work, not always at different times.
And a week later I finally come out of my work coma. Kit on, new trainers in place, eyes myopically adjusting to the big bright ball in the sky. I stretch, I warm up and with baited breath I take my first steps in my Trailgloves.....
The review
Despite how substantial they look be under no illusion, The TG (TrailGlove) is a minimalist shoe. There is a surprising amount of support, especially in the midsole and they have plenty of traction. The lacing system ensures a snug fit and after a 5k blast on mixed terrains, there was no discomfort and no rubbing. The materials on the upper ensure the foot is kept cool and these things weigh nothing. You really feel like you are barefoot.
There is enough sole to ensure that stones and gravel don't hurt but it's thin enough that you can feel every part of the terrain. As yo can se in the picture below the sole is insanely flexible and it allows the foot to move naturally, encouraging a neutral running style. The toebox is big enough to allow toes to splay which helps with finding stability.
Over wet and dry terrain, grass, gravel mud and chalk the shoes gave good response, great traction and excellent support. I'm looking to get back up to 10 k in the next two weeks so we'll see how they do over a longer distance. I'd recomment these to anyone who wants to move towards barefoot running but doesn't want to go naked just yet.
UPPER/LINING
• Microfiber and breathable air mesh upper
• Merrell Omni-Fit™ lacing system secured with welded TPU provides a precise, glove-like fit
• Fused rubber toe bumper provides ultimate durability
• Synthetic leather rear foot sling provides stability
• Flexible plate in the forefoot protects the foot from stone bruises
• Non-removable microfiber footbed treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution resists odor
MIDSOLE/OUTSOLE
• 4mm compression molded EVA midsole cushions
• 1mm forefoot shock absorption plate maintains forefoot flexibility and protects the foot by distributing pressure
• 0mm ball to heel drop keeps you connected to your terrain
• Wash as needed in cold water, gentle cycle and air dry
• Vibram® Trail Glove Sole/ Rubber Compound TC-1
• Microfiber and breathable air mesh upper
• Merrell Omni-Fit™ lacing system secured with welded TPU provides a precise, glove-like fit
• Fused rubber toe bumper provides ultimate durability
• Synthetic leather rear foot sling provides stability
• Flexible plate in the forefoot protects the foot from stone bruises
• Non-removable microfiber footbed treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution resists odor
MIDSOLE/OUTSOLE
• 4mm compression molded EVA midsole cushions
• 1mm forefoot shock absorption plate maintains forefoot flexibility and protects the foot by distributing pressure
• 0mm ball to heel drop keeps you connected to your terrain
• Wash as needed in cold water, gentle cycle and air dry
• Vibram® Trail Glove Sole/ Rubber Compound TC-1
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Back to basics (and conisdering the next step)
After several days of rest, I've ventured out for a couple of short runs and I'm happy to report that my knee seems to be holding up. There was some tightness for sure and I stopped a couple of times to stretch it out, but overall it felt great.
The new shoes are working well (full review to follow) and in keeping with the minimalist theme I went out without music on this run. It may sound a little corny but I felt much more focused on my running style and barefoot form than when I'm plugged in. I still took the iPhone with me, but maybe the minimalist running thing has something to offer.
I certainly appreciated the scenery around me more and was more aware of the environment I was running through, rather than just focusing on the tunes. It also helped to keep the increased cadence needed for the barefoot style (about 180p/m).
Having given up on the Eden dream for now I've started to reassess what I want to achieve. I'm excited about the ten k coming up in October and have hopes for a London (VLM) marathon placing next year, but I'm starting to think beyond that, and perhaps further than I ever have before. I've been in contact with some amazing people recently, who have achieved truly amazing feats. Following the progress of @rungeordierun as he ran
3100 miles across the states, the ongoing mission of @100mara100weeks and @dryingout among others really inspires me to consider what I could achieve, and makes me believe that I could achieve them.
It is people like these who remind us that we are all capable of so much more than we dare to dream.
If you aim to reach the stars you may on l reach the top of the tree. But if you aim for the top of the tree, you may barely leave the ground.
Monday 1 August 2011
It's not your pace that makes you a runner....
It had to happen eventually. Everyone said that if you don't take care of yourself or if you increase distance too quickly you'll end up with an injury. But did I listen?
For anyone who knows me in the real world you will know full well that I never listen to good advice.
I approached my marathon training plan with my usual level of enthusiasm and completed an above target 16.5 miles and felt amazing. I kid you not, at the end that run I was certain I was heading for some sort of bright future in running, maybe a late call up to TeamGB for 2012.
If I could increase my distance that quick and maintain pace surely I could achieve anything. For one bright and shining moment I felt invincible. A god among mortals. An athlete among amateurs.
So excited was I that I set up my playlist for the next run a week in advance and went on to a couple of 60 minute interval sessions during the week, looking forward to topping 17 miles the following Sunday.
But that Sunday never came. Tuesday and Thursday (now known as Bastard Thursday) saw to that.
Long story short I limp home from both runs with a knee that feels like its been bent forward at 90 degrees. There is no flexibility and no strength there whatsoever.
Over the following two days I pitched wildly between never running again and planning ultra marathons to prove my knee wrong. But however I tried to look at it I was still a frustrated runner who could barely walk let alone run.
It took 48 hours for me to stop seeing this as a tragedy and start seeing it as what it is.
It's just another challenge. I have faced a lot and I will face plenty more.
And if there's anything that running has taught me it's that you can accomplish anything with determination and stamina. I'm not racing to complete my first marathon any more, I'll go when I'm ready. I've cancelled Eden and realised that for now my goal is recovery and focusing on the 10k I'm running in October.
I'm working on strength and flexibility in my legs and core to compensate for gammy knee and will be back on the trails soon.
One thing I learned this week was how great the running community is. Lots of people have wished me well but Twitter has proved an invaluable source of support and information with one guy @100mara100weeks being a constant source of inspiration and support. He is an ex-soldier and is running 100 marathons in 100 weeks to raise awareness and funds for Help for Heroes. He's a legend and well worth a follow/mention. I've decided to donate my entry money from the cancelled run to him as I think he is amazing and a true inspiration having never run a marathon before!
There's a lot to be said about the benefits of running, mentally and physically. For me it's an opportunity to unplug my brain and let subconscious sort things out. Difficult decisions seem less daunting and somehow trivial once you spend some time under the sky with the world passing you by, realising what a small part of it you really are. It's a huge destresser for me and speaking to friends recently I know others feel the same.
And it doesn't matter how fast you are. It's not your pace that makes you a runner, but your ability to put one foot in front of the other, over and over again.
For anyone who knows me in the real world you will know full well that I never listen to good advice.
I approached my marathon training plan with my usual level of enthusiasm and completed an above target 16.5 miles and felt amazing. I kid you not, at the end that run I was certain I was heading for some sort of bright future in running, maybe a late call up to TeamGB for 2012.
If I could increase my distance that quick and maintain pace surely I could achieve anything. For one bright and shining moment I felt invincible. A god among mortals. An athlete among amateurs.
So excited was I that I set up my playlist for the next run a week in advance and went on to a couple of 60 minute interval sessions during the week, looking forward to topping 17 miles the following Sunday.
But that Sunday never came. Tuesday and Thursday (now known as Bastard Thursday) saw to that.
Long story short I limp home from both runs with a knee that feels like its been bent forward at 90 degrees. There is no flexibility and no strength there whatsoever.
Over the following two days I pitched wildly between never running again and planning ultra marathons to prove my knee wrong. But however I tried to look at it I was still a frustrated runner who could barely walk let alone run.
It took 48 hours for me to stop seeing this as a tragedy and start seeing it as what it is.
It's just another challenge. I have faced a lot and I will face plenty more.
And if there's anything that running has taught me it's that you can accomplish anything with determination and stamina. I'm not racing to complete my first marathon any more, I'll go when I'm ready. I've cancelled Eden and realised that for now my goal is recovery and focusing on the 10k I'm running in October.
I'm working on strength and flexibility in my legs and core to compensate for gammy knee and will be back on the trails soon.
One thing I learned this week was how great the running community is. Lots of people have wished me well but Twitter has proved an invaluable source of support and information with one guy @100mara100weeks being a constant source of inspiration and support. He is an ex-soldier and is running 100 marathons in 100 weeks to raise awareness and funds for Help for Heroes. He's a legend and well worth a follow/mention. I've decided to donate my entry money from the cancelled run to him as I think he is amazing and a true inspiration having never run a marathon before!
There's a lot to be said about the benefits of running, mentally and physically. For me it's an opportunity to unplug my brain and let subconscious sort things out. Difficult decisions seem less daunting and somehow trivial once you spend some time under the sky with the world passing you by, realising what a small part of it you really are. It's a huge destresser for me and speaking to friends recently I know others feel the same.
And it doesn't matter how fast you are. It's not your pace that makes you a runner, but your ability to put one foot in front of the other, over and over again.
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