I've not done any running since Wednesday as mentioned. My knee is still a little tender even when I walk on it, so running is definately out of the question. I have been icing it periodically and trying to stay off my feet as much as possible.
I did a half an hour of water-jogging this evening, followed by a short swim. The idea of water jogging was to give my legs a workout but less impact on my knee.
I still felt my knee ache though, so didn't push it any longer. You certainly feel it on your quads and ankles after just a half hour. I think wearing shorts in the pool didn't assist my cause, as they create quite a lot of drag. Still, I feel better for at least doing something this weekend.
I have another physio session on Tuesday and no plans to run until at least Wednesday. Even then, if I don't feel 100% I won't run. Thursday I am working away, and Friday evening I go to Ibiza for the weekend. I get back early on Tuesday morning. If I manage to run on Wednesday or Thursday then I will likely fit in a run on Saturday or Sunday morning in Ibiza. I hear the weather hasn't been too good there recently. This suits me to be honest, as I don't want to be running in 30C+. heat.
Any developments this week i'll let you know.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Healing time
After taking tuesday off, following treatment, I tried a short 4 mile interval sessions last night. After 2 miles my knee was feeling sore and aching with every footfall. Not a good sign. It was the whole knee area, rather than the tendons. I guess this was brough about by running further than I should have done on it, on Sunday. I've caused a general knee problem.
To stand any chance of even making the start line for NY I am going to have to take some time off from running. It's the last thing I want to do right now. This is when my training is peaking, and my head is telling me to run all the time to prepare. However, I know there is a real danger that I'll do even more damage and end up with a NY sight seeing trip, instead of a marathon. This morning it feels sore, and not right when I walk on it. I'm going to keep it raised as much as possible and ice it every hour.
I'm not going to run for a week now and see how it feels then. I'm losing valuable training time, but I have no choice. Next weekend (29th Sept) I am in Ibiza for the weekend. I was planning on running there, and still might, but I'll just have to see. When I get back I will only have 2 more weeks of training before taper. It may be that I have to sacrifice a week of taper to make up my training. I'm just not sure right now, and until I see how things progress I'll play it by ear.
I'm now concerned that I should not even attempt any 20 mile training runs at all. Maybe i've only got one 20 mile run in my legs, and I should save that for Marathon day. If I attempt a 20 miler in 3 weeks and my knee goes, that is the marathon gone for certain.
Worrying times...
To stand any chance of even making the start line for NY I am going to have to take some time off from running. It's the last thing I want to do right now. This is when my training is peaking, and my head is telling me to run all the time to prepare. However, I know there is a real danger that I'll do even more damage and end up with a NY sight seeing trip, instead of a marathon. This morning it feels sore, and not right when I walk on it. I'm going to keep it raised as much as possible and ice it every hour.
I'm not going to run for a week now and see how it feels then. I'm losing valuable training time, but I have no choice. Next weekend (29th Sept) I am in Ibiza for the weekend. I was planning on running there, and still might, but I'll just have to see. When I get back I will only have 2 more weeks of training before taper. It may be that I have to sacrifice a week of taper to make up my training. I'm just not sure right now, and until I see how things progress I'll play it by ear.
I'm now concerned that I should not even attempt any 20 mile training runs at all. Maybe i've only got one 20 mile run in my legs, and I should save that for Marathon day. If I attempt a 20 miler in 3 weeks and my knee goes, that is the marathon gone for certain.
Worrying times...
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Ouch
I paid a visit to the chiropractors yesterday. He performed a lot of muscle tests on both legs, which rapidly showed that my right leg was much weaker than the left. It's usually the other way bround as I favour my right leg; it's the strongest.
He established that my pelvis was twisted out of alignment and set about crunching it back into place. It went back with a string of cracks, one after the other. He also adjusted my spine, pushing down firmly from the base right up to between my shoulder blades. Quite a few vertabrae slipped back into place too.
Finally, he crunched my neck. Again it was out of alignment on the right side.
As soon as he'd finished I performed better in the muscle tests. Immediately the tendon pain in my knee eased off as well. So, something worked.
Today I saw the Physio. I know it was a good session because it really really hurt. I was in agony when we was working on my calf muscles. I told him he needs some leather to bite down on, attached to his treatment table!
The lump I mentioned on my calf appears to be very very tight muscles. I forget which ones he said, but he said they were inside my calf muscles, deeper towards the bone. He spent 40 minutes on my right leg, also stretching out my hamstring. Again this was incredibly painful. He then did my left leg. I had not experienced any problems this week with the left, however it was equally tight in the same places and hurt an awful lot too.
He checked my back, which after yesterdays chiropractic session was fine as I'd expect.
Finally he did 10 minutes of ultrasound on my right leg. The knee tendon and hamstring.
I left the room sore. He advised more rest days, and less mileage.
I'm not running today (Tuesday's session), but I will see how I get on tomorrow. I'm also going to really work on stretching my calfs. I stretch them after every run, using the push against the wall stretch that you see all runners doing.
However, my gym instructor showed me a better one. Find a small step, keep the heel on the ground and raise the toe end upwards to rest against the step, then push against the wall. You get a much stronger stretch. It's painful at the moment, so I know the muscle is tight.
I'll see how I get on this week. Everyone is advising me to take it easy for a week or two. I know this is good advice, but so close to the marathon this is when my training is peaking and I should be running the most! I have a good base of fitness and I should be able to jump straight up to 20 miles in 2 weeks time. I'll take it easy for a week or two. Try and keep up the speedwork and not do so many miles.
I'll keep you posted.
He established that my pelvis was twisted out of alignment and set about crunching it back into place. It went back with a string of cracks, one after the other. He also adjusted my spine, pushing down firmly from the base right up to between my shoulder blades. Quite a few vertabrae slipped back into place too.
Finally, he crunched my neck. Again it was out of alignment on the right side.
As soon as he'd finished I performed better in the muscle tests. Immediately the tendon pain in my knee eased off as well. So, something worked.
Today I saw the Physio. I know it was a good session because it really really hurt. I was in agony when we was working on my calf muscles. I told him he needs some leather to bite down on, attached to his treatment table!
The lump I mentioned on my calf appears to be very very tight muscles. I forget which ones he said, but he said they were inside my calf muscles, deeper towards the bone. He spent 40 minutes on my right leg, also stretching out my hamstring. Again this was incredibly painful. He then did my left leg. I had not experienced any problems this week with the left, however it was equally tight in the same places and hurt an awful lot too.
He checked my back, which after yesterdays chiropractic session was fine as I'd expect.
Finally he did 10 minutes of ultrasound on my right leg. The knee tendon and hamstring.
I left the room sore. He advised more rest days, and less mileage.
I'm not running today (Tuesday's session), but I will see how I get on tomorrow. I'm also going to really work on stretching my calfs. I stretch them after every run, using the push against the wall stretch that you see all runners doing.
However, my gym instructor showed me a better one. Find a small step, keep the heel on the ground and raise the toe end upwards to rest against the step, then push against the wall. You get a much stronger stretch. It's painful at the moment, so I know the muscle is tight.
I'll see how I get on this week. Everyone is advising me to take it easy for a week or two. I know this is good advice, but so close to the marathon this is when my training is peaking and I should be running the most! I have a good base of fitness and I should be able to jump straight up to 20 miles in 2 weeks time. I'll take it easy for a week or two. Try and keep up the speedwork and not do so many miles.
I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Lots of miles...
It's been a tough mixed week. Last weekend I did the 24 mile walk with the 10 mile run the day after.
I had some physio on Tuesday. After the walk the large tendons behind my knee's were very sore. Similar happened after the last 25 mile walk. I did quite a lot of stretches after this weeks sessions too.
This week, I ran 6 miles of intervals on Tuesday. A 6 mile pace run on Wednesday, and another 6 miles interval session on Thursday. All went well.
Friday my usual gym session went well.
Saturday I did an 8 mile pace run. I was intending to run at 8:30 pace, but I felt so comfortable I ran it at 8:11 minute miles. The route is posted above. Plenty of ups and downs.
So all good so far.
Sunday I had my first ever 18 miler scheduled in. I ran a completely unfamiliar route and carried a scrap of paper with the map printed on it. As my schedule indicates I ran at 10 min miles. I ran with my backpack containing 1.5 litres of water, and 4 SIS Go gels. I guess this with the pack and water it adds 2 more kilos of weight, but I have no choice with no feeding stations!
After just 4 miles my tendon pain really started, and I almost pulled out my mobile and stopped right there. However, I pressed on, as apart from that I felt fine and was running comfortably. My knee bothered me badly again at 12 miles. At 15 miles I paused to stretch it out. As soon as I stopped the tendon tightened instantly and I could feel the rest of my knee starting to inflame. I could have hobbled on and finished the other three miles, but I was too concerned that I could do serious damage to my leg and screw up my marathon due to injury. To be honest I should have stopped a lot sooner, but I wanted to equal my furthest distance so far. I pulled out my phone and called in a lift back. I walked another 1/2 mile before my gf showed up. We got back to her parents house, I showered and then I begged 2 x 400mg ibuprofen and put my feet up. Half an hour later and my knee had eased considerably. Also on the run I noticed my back was very tight.
This week I am not taking any chances and will get some more physio and probably a chiropractor session too. I've not had my back 'cracked' in a while and it could well be the route cause. I've also noticed a large lump at the back of my calf that is tender to touch. I guess the muscle is all knotted up. It's very difficult to try and stretchh out. Hopefully with spine cracking and soft tissue massage I can get this sorted.
It's a shame about today, but I'm not too dissapointed as I know I did the right thing. Up until I stopped I felt fine and could have upped the pace for the last few miles if necessary.
When I inlcude last weeks activities, over the last 8 days I have clocked up 75 miles. That's an awful lot in my books!
I don't think I'll have any issue with the 50-60 minute runs this week, and next Sunday's is a 2 hour run. I'll see how it all goes this week and let you know.
I had some physio on Tuesday. After the walk the large tendons behind my knee's were very sore. Similar happened after the last 25 mile walk. I did quite a lot of stretches after this weeks sessions too.
This week, I ran 6 miles of intervals on Tuesday. A 6 mile pace run on Wednesday, and another 6 miles interval session on Thursday. All went well.
Friday my usual gym session went well.
Saturday I did an 8 mile pace run. I was intending to run at 8:30 pace, but I felt so comfortable I ran it at 8:11 minute miles. The route is posted above. Plenty of ups and downs.
So all good so far.
Sunday I had my first ever 18 miler scheduled in. I ran a completely unfamiliar route and carried a scrap of paper with the map printed on it. As my schedule indicates I ran at 10 min miles. I ran with my backpack containing 1.5 litres of water, and 4 SIS Go gels. I guess this with the pack and water it adds 2 more kilos of weight, but I have no choice with no feeding stations!
After just 4 miles my tendon pain really started, and I almost pulled out my mobile and stopped right there. However, I pressed on, as apart from that I felt fine and was running comfortably. My knee bothered me badly again at 12 miles. At 15 miles I paused to stretch it out. As soon as I stopped the tendon tightened instantly and I could feel the rest of my knee starting to inflame. I could have hobbled on and finished the other three miles, but I was too concerned that I could do serious damage to my leg and screw up my marathon due to injury. To be honest I should have stopped a lot sooner, but I wanted to equal my furthest distance so far. I pulled out my phone and called in a lift back. I walked another 1/2 mile before my gf showed up. We got back to her parents house, I showered and then I begged 2 x 400mg ibuprofen and put my feet up. Half an hour later and my knee had eased considerably. Also on the run I noticed my back was very tight.
This week I am not taking any chances and will get some more physio and probably a chiropractor session too. I've not had my back 'cracked' in a while and it could well be the route cause. I've also noticed a large lump at the back of my calf that is tender to touch. I guess the muscle is all knotted up. It's very difficult to try and stretchh out. Hopefully with spine cracking and soft tissue massage I can get this sorted.
It's a shame about today, but I'm not too dissapointed as I know I did the right thing. Up until I stopped I felt fine and could have upped the pace for the last few miles if necessary.
When I inlcude last weeks activities, over the last 8 days I have clocked up 75 miles. That's an awful lot in my books!
I don't think I'll have any issue with the 50-60 minute runs this week, and next Sunday's is a 2 hour run. I'll see how it all goes this week and let you know.
Monday, September 11, 2006
New York Marathon information day
...continued from previous post.
I arrived at the Hawker Sports Centre at 10:30am. The room quickly filled up with around 160 people attending. The introduction was given by 2:09 events director, and former London Marathon winner Mike Gratton. He gave an overview of the day, a lot of information about travel arrangements and hotels. 1400 people are travelling to New York with 2:09 this year! 400 people are staying at the Crown Plaza in Time Square, me and my gf included. Mike briefed us on the security measures. We can't take any liquids or gels of any kind on the plane. and so I'm sure we'll all be pestering the cabin crew for water for the whole flight.
Registration takes place in the Javit exibition centre in New York from Thursday to Saturday. He warned everyone about excessive shopping and walking on the Saturday. Very good advice I think.
Mike then handed over to Steve Smyth, a man with 600 marathons behind him, best time of 2:29 minutes!
Steve advised on how to train from now until race day. He advised trying to run as many Sunday long runs as close to 20 miles as possible, but no more than one every two weeks. He also placed a lot of emphasis on speed work. He suggested intervals and phartlek sessions twice a week, with perhaps an 8 mile marathon pace run in the week too. My training schedule looks like this already, but i'll tweak it slightly if needed. I won't be doing anymore long distance walks on Saturdays until after the marathon either, so I'll be running on Saturdays too. This will only leave me with Monday as a day off.
Next up was Pete Slater, director of Science in Sport nitrition. The talk was on nutrition, but Pete was really there to push SIS products, and I think it worked since I'll be ordering some. I already use their REGO Nocte nightime recovery drink now and again. I'll now order some REGO post training drinks and some bars and gels to see if they'll work for me. At the NY marathon they hand out Gatorade, and with no experience of using it, it's too much of a gamble. I'll try and get used to using gels and water only I think. Pete advised a light breakfast, some sports drink an hour or so before the run. Take a gel just before the start of the race, and then one every 30 minutes throughout. They handed out some samples to try. I'll give one a try in the week.
At 1pm we all jogged down to Richmond park at split into 4 training groups.
6-7 minute miles (about 3 people joined this group!)
8-9 Minute, 9-10 minute and a group for everyone else to run slower. Most people joined the 10 minute plus group, but still the two middle groups had a large turnout too.
The weather was hot, it was 26C. I thought I'd play safe and go in the 9-10 minute mile group. We all set off following our pacer. After a couple of miles I thought "This is too fast for 9-10 minute miles". We asked the pacer what his GPS said. He said 8:30 minute miles. He thought he was supposed to be running 8-9, not 9-10. We glanced behind and apart from a half dozen of us, the other 30 or so people were strung out for hundreds of yards.... oops..
Also, people had dropped back from the group in front of us, some were already walking. It turned out that the pacer for that group has run at 7:45 to 8 minute initially too.
Our pacer said he was going to slow down to the right pace, and it was up to us what pace we wanted to do. Me and another girl felt comfortable at 8:30 pace, so we carried on throughout. We passed a lot of people from the group in front who were walking. This was mainly becuase of the heat. Not all of them had been sensible and taken water along. I noticed how everyone really suffered on what they called hills. I slowed down for the girl I was running with up the hills. It was amazing how much pace people lost. These were just little gradients to me, not hills at all. I guess that's the benefit of training in a hilly area. We finished the 9.5 mile run, I'd say more or less at 8:30 pace. Over the next 40 mins everyone else finished and after lunch Mike Gratton closed the information day with a talk on the course itself.
All of the speakers had commented on the course being hilly. They reckoned that especially after 18 miles the whole course seemed uphill to the finish. That sounded a bit worrying, but I'm hoping their defintion of hills, and mine, and hills apart! Looking at the elevation profile diagram on the NY marathon website it does not look too steep. However, I know from experience elevation profile diagrams are not always that true-to-life. I guess i'll expect the worst and hope for the best. As long as I remember to take it steady up the hills and stride out on the downhills and flat, I'm sure I'll be ok. I really want to try and do 4 hours. I think that this is a really tall order for a first marathon given my running experience and background. It means me running 9 minute miles, if I slip to 9:11 minute miles I won't beat 4 hours.
I'm going to have to push the boat out in training for the next 8 weeks, but not injure myself.
I'm going to put a lot of effort into speed sessions, as recommended, but also try and get plenty of very long runs in on the Sundays.
I'll post a revised schedule for the next 2 months training later today.
I arrived at the Hawker Sports Centre at 10:30am. The room quickly filled up with around 160 people attending. The introduction was given by 2:09 events director, and former London Marathon winner Mike Gratton. He gave an overview of the day, a lot of information about travel arrangements and hotels. 1400 people are travelling to New York with 2:09 this year! 400 people are staying at the Crown Plaza in Time Square, me and my gf included. Mike briefed us on the security measures. We can't take any liquids or gels of any kind on the plane. and so I'm sure we'll all be pestering the cabin crew for water for the whole flight.
Registration takes place in the Javit exibition centre in New York from Thursday to Saturday. He warned everyone about excessive shopping and walking on the Saturday. Very good advice I think.
Mike then handed over to Steve Smyth, a man with 600 marathons behind him, best time of 2:29 minutes!
Steve advised on how to train from now until race day. He advised trying to run as many Sunday long runs as close to 20 miles as possible, but no more than one every two weeks. He also placed a lot of emphasis on speed work. He suggested intervals and phartlek sessions twice a week, with perhaps an 8 mile marathon pace run in the week too. My training schedule looks like this already, but i'll tweak it slightly if needed. I won't be doing anymore long distance walks on Saturdays until after the marathon either, so I'll be running on Saturdays too. This will only leave me with Monday as a day off.
Next up was Pete Slater, director of Science in Sport nitrition. The talk was on nutrition, but Pete was really there to push SIS products, and I think it worked since I'll be ordering some. I already use their REGO Nocte nightime recovery drink now and again. I'll now order some REGO post training drinks and some bars and gels to see if they'll work for me. At the NY marathon they hand out Gatorade, and with no experience of using it, it's too much of a gamble. I'll try and get used to using gels and water only I think. Pete advised a light breakfast, some sports drink an hour or so before the run. Take a gel just before the start of the race, and then one every 30 minutes throughout. They handed out some samples to try. I'll give one a try in the week.
At 1pm we all jogged down to Richmond park at split into 4 training groups.
6-7 minute miles (about 3 people joined this group!)
8-9 Minute, 9-10 minute and a group for everyone else to run slower. Most people joined the 10 minute plus group, but still the two middle groups had a large turnout too.
The weather was hot, it was 26C. I thought I'd play safe and go in the 9-10 minute mile group. We all set off following our pacer. After a couple of miles I thought "This is too fast for 9-10 minute miles". We asked the pacer what his GPS said. He said 8:30 minute miles. He thought he was supposed to be running 8-9, not 9-10. We glanced behind and apart from a half dozen of us, the other 30 or so people were strung out for hundreds of yards.... oops..
Also, people had dropped back from the group in front of us, some were already walking. It turned out that the pacer for that group has run at 7:45 to 8 minute initially too.
Our pacer said he was going to slow down to the right pace, and it was up to us what pace we wanted to do. Me and another girl felt comfortable at 8:30 pace, so we carried on throughout. We passed a lot of people from the group in front who were walking. This was mainly becuase of the heat. Not all of them had been sensible and taken water along. I noticed how everyone really suffered on what they called hills. I slowed down for the girl I was running with up the hills. It was amazing how much pace people lost. These were just little gradients to me, not hills at all. I guess that's the benefit of training in a hilly area. We finished the 9.5 mile run, I'd say more or less at 8:30 pace. Over the next 40 mins everyone else finished and after lunch Mike Gratton closed the information day with a talk on the course itself.
All of the speakers had commented on the course being hilly. They reckoned that especially after 18 miles the whole course seemed uphill to the finish. That sounded a bit worrying, but I'm hoping their defintion of hills, and mine, and hills apart! Looking at the elevation profile diagram on the NY marathon website it does not look too steep. However, I know from experience elevation profile diagrams are not always that true-to-life. I guess i'll expect the worst and hope for the best. As long as I remember to take it steady up the hills and stride out on the downhills and flat, I'm sure I'll be ok. I really want to try and do 4 hours. I think that this is a really tall order for a first marathon given my running experience and background. It means me running 9 minute miles, if I slip to 9:11 minute miles I won't beat 4 hours.
I'm going to have to push the boat out in training for the next 8 weeks, but not injure myself.
I'm going to put a lot of effort into speed sessions, as recommended, but also try and get plenty of very long runs in on the Sundays.
I'll post a revised schedule for the next 2 months training later today.
24 Mile hill walk, plus London Journey
I've had a busy week. I went to physio on tuesday and experienced some pain as my tight muscles were worked. I was given some stretched to do which I have been doing after each run. My left hamstring/quad has (had) eased and the leg strength had improved. I've had my gf help me with assisted streches and she has noticed the strength improve. My trainer at the gym said the same.
Last Sunday I did 11 miles whiles whilst working in Swansea. In the week I did a mix of interval training and marathon pace work; Tuesday I did 10 mins jog, 25 mins intervals, 10 mins jog. Wednesday I was working away and could not train. Thursday I did a 6 mile pretty hilly route. Half road and half trail. I stuck to a strict 9 minute mile pace. Friday I did intervals again, similar to Tuesday.
On Saturday I took part in another Long Distance Walker associated event. It was a 24 mile event titled "Hills and Dales" in the Derbyshire peak district. It started from Hish Ash field study centre near the Roaches (Leek) and travelled up to Flash, Three Shires Head, Gradbach, the Roaches, The Rock Inn, The Mermaid, Butterton, then back up to High Ash. I set off at a slightly slower pace that I did the last LDWA walk at (I walked at 3.4mph). There were less fast walkers in this event and I believe I was only perhaps the 3rd walker to finish. There were some tough hills (a few thousand feet of climbs); an 800ft climb over 2 miles to Roach End at 1600ft was the biggest gain. I didn't have any problems on the walk with my legs at all and finished in a time of 6:44. I didn't rush at all and could have finished much faster if I had wanted to.
The event was very well organised with 170 people taking part. Each checkpoint was manned by friendly volunteers. I made sure I stayed to chat for 5 mins at each checkpoint. There was food and liquid at each checkpoint too! After the event there was a meal included as well. Such good value for £6. Most people paid a little more and also left a donation as the walk was for the Children of Chernobyl charity. I'll definately enter it again next year. Photo's along the way above.
I had picked up a couple of small blisters were I had not taped up the tips of my toes (big lesson learned there!) and was naturally feeling some tightness in my legs. However, my day was not yet over. I drove the 25 miles home, grabbed a quick shower, threw my kit into my rucksack and then was dropped off at the train station. I caught the train down to London Euston, Underground to Vauxhall, then another train to Kingston Upon Thames. I arrived at around 8pm and wandered the streets until I located the travelodge (Hotel from hell).
I checked in, got a quick and unusually unhealthy bite to eat. I wanted to eat fast and sleep and so had pizza. Still, once in a while won't kill me! I was in bed for 10pm only to be woken at around 11pm by the people in the room above tramping around like elephants. I didn't get back to sleep until almost 2am as the pubs closed, drunk assholes came back to the hotel, shouting down the corridoors and knocking on peoples doors. The elephants above still tramped around until I got out of bed a threw one of my trainers at the ceiling at about 60mph. Things went quieter after that. I got more sleep, still woken now and again and late arrivals. I slept in late, until 9am to try and recover. In the morning I has bags under my eyes and looked pretty tired. Looking forward to a hot shower I went into the bathroom only to find that there was no shower attachment...
I then noticed grab handles and bars all around the bathroom. They'd put me in a disabled persons room, and not advised me. I wasn't very happy. Too late to do anything about it, I just washed, shaved and went down to reception. I told the receptionist I was not happy. He couldn't give a toss and just nodded. I'll email Travelodge today and see if they are inclined to refund any of the £70 they charged me for that hell-hole.
I walked the mile distance to the Hawker sports centre and to the 2:09 events New York Marathon information day. I'll put a new post in for this, see next.
Last Sunday I did 11 miles whiles whilst working in Swansea. In the week I did a mix of interval training and marathon pace work; Tuesday I did 10 mins jog, 25 mins intervals, 10 mins jog. Wednesday I was working away and could not train. Thursday I did a 6 mile pretty hilly route. Half road and half trail. I stuck to a strict 9 minute mile pace. Friday I did intervals again, similar to Tuesday.
On Saturday I took part in another Long Distance Walker associated event. It was a 24 mile event titled "Hills and Dales" in the Derbyshire peak district. It started from Hish Ash field study centre near the Roaches (Leek) and travelled up to Flash, Three Shires Head, Gradbach, the Roaches, The Rock Inn, The Mermaid, Butterton, then back up to High Ash. I set off at a slightly slower pace that I did the last LDWA walk at (I walked at 3.4mph). There were less fast walkers in this event and I believe I was only perhaps the 3rd walker to finish. There were some tough hills (a few thousand feet of climbs); an 800ft climb over 2 miles to Roach End at 1600ft was the biggest gain. I didn't have any problems on the walk with my legs at all and finished in a time of 6:44. I didn't rush at all and could have finished much faster if I had wanted to.
The event was very well organised with 170 people taking part. Each checkpoint was manned by friendly volunteers. I made sure I stayed to chat for 5 mins at each checkpoint. There was food and liquid at each checkpoint too! After the event there was a meal included as well. Such good value for £6. Most people paid a little more and also left a donation as the walk was for the Children of Chernobyl charity. I'll definately enter it again next year. Photo's along the way above.
I had picked up a couple of small blisters were I had not taped up the tips of my toes (big lesson learned there!) and was naturally feeling some tightness in my legs. However, my day was not yet over. I drove the 25 miles home, grabbed a quick shower, threw my kit into my rucksack and then was dropped off at the train station. I caught the train down to London Euston, Underground to Vauxhall, then another train to Kingston Upon Thames. I arrived at around 8pm and wandered the streets until I located the travelodge (Hotel from hell).
I checked in, got a quick and unusually unhealthy bite to eat. I wanted to eat fast and sleep and so had pizza. Still, once in a while won't kill me! I was in bed for 10pm only to be woken at around 11pm by the people in the room above tramping around like elephants. I didn't get back to sleep until almost 2am as the pubs closed, drunk assholes came back to the hotel, shouting down the corridoors and knocking on peoples doors. The elephants above still tramped around until I got out of bed a threw one of my trainers at the ceiling at about 60mph. Things went quieter after that. I got more sleep, still woken now and again and late arrivals. I slept in late, until 9am to try and recover. In the morning I has bags under my eyes and looked pretty tired. Looking forward to a hot shower I went into the bathroom only to find that there was no shower attachment...
I then noticed grab handles and bars all around the bathroom. They'd put me in a disabled persons room, and not advised me. I wasn't very happy. Too late to do anything about it, I just washed, shaved and went down to reception. I told the receptionist I was not happy. He couldn't give a toss and just nodded. I'll email Travelodge today and see if they are inclined to refund any of the £70 they charged me for that hell-hole.
I walked the mile distance to the Hawker sports centre and to the 2:09 events New York Marathon information day. I'll put a new post in for this, see next.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Catch Up
I've been very busy with work for the last few weeks, hence the lack of updates. I won't post all the maps I've run as there are so many.
I've had (got) some problems with tightness in my left thigh, hamstring possibly. But then again i've had aches and pains from the knee upwards all over the place.
I've got a physio tomorrow to see what's going on. The week after the half marathon I did a very tough 13 mile run. Very hilly and I think that's what set it off. I ran to schedule that week, but the following week I eased off the mileage. The Sunday after I only ran 5 miles, then walked for 2.5 deliberately as I could feel my lef really tightening. During that week I ran 4 miles on Wednesday and 4.5 at pace on the Thursday. My leg seemed to feel a little better. I did 10 miles Sunday just gone, but my leg was still pretty tight for the second half.
I'll see what the physio says tomorrow
I've had (got) some problems with tightness in my left thigh, hamstring possibly. But then again i've had aches and pains from the knee upwards all over the place.
I've got a physio tomorrow to see what's going on. The week after the half marathon I did a very tough 13 mile run. Very hilly and I think that's what set it off. I ran to schedule that week, but the following week I eased off the mileage. The Sunday after I only ran 5 miles, then walked for 2.5 deliberately as I could feel my lef really tightening. During that week I ran 4 miles on Wednesday and 4.5 at pace on the Thursday. My leg seemed to feel a little better. I did 10 miles Sunday just gone, but my leg was still pretty tight for the second half.
I'll see what the physio says tomorrow
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
