It's been far too long since I've updated my blog. I had first my sister and then my mum to stay, so fitting in running around family commitments had priority. This has led to a couple of odd weeks of training, with rest or easy run days next to each other followed by several days in a row of long slogs or hard sprints.
Last weekend's long run was brought forward to Friday to accommodate the Amnesty International National Conference, conveniently located at Heriot Watt University. If I'd known it had such a lovely green campus I would have packed my trainers. As it was, I contented myself with admiring the cute baby bunnies while walking between venues.
The conference was my first and a great way to remind myself that one of the reasons I'm running is to raise money for this great cause. Some moving speakers told of their experiences working with the victims of war and violence against women; being wrongfully imprisoned; and facing the death penalty. One thing they all shared was their praise for Amnesty and the hope that letters of support gave them. Visit www.justgiving.com/ruthruns to donate.
Back home, I'd actually enjoyed my 16 mile long run, which felt really good with a strong finish. However, speed training both Tuesday and Wednesday having forgotten my support bandage has left my knee sore again so I'll take it easy today. I've also remembered the bandage and am wearing it all day - with my skirt and boots - not a great look! I've also been neglecting my exercises, so I practiced standing on one leg and bending my knee this morning while eating toast, brushing my teeth and waiting to cross the road.
If it stops raining I'll try a gentle four miles. Otherwise I'll wait for tomorrow for a 9 mile steady run. At least it's lovely and light in the evenings now.
The speed training, much as I loathe it, it crucial to improving. I've come on quickly since moving to training five days a week but I'm still not up to where I was last year and bloody Al is popping off 18 mile runs like they're nothing! As always with me, the distance is not a problem but the speed is. I've no qualms about the Forthside half marathon on Sunday, but I know I won't be able to to it as quickly as last year and that is frustrating.
The only solution is to crank the treadmill up to 13 kmph and sweat away in front of my colleagues. Nice.
Thursday 29 March 2007
Monday 19 March 2007
The long way round
Having established that no-one was even remotely interested in accompanying me to the Alloa Half Marathon, I gave up the loosing battle and accepted several glasses of wine and some whisky at dinner with friends in lieu of the race. The next morning I thoroughly enjoyed the lie-in I'd effectively paid my £14 entry fee for and hit Runfinder to plan a route that would be the distance of a half marathon and also allow me to pick up the car, which I'd left at my friends'.
This was easier said than done, considering they only live about three miles away. I plotted out a coastal route, heading east to Portobello followed by a huge loop north west to Cramond and cutting back through Crewe Toll. Very scenic and seasidy - apart from the sewage works. And it would have been further improved with the removal of the gale force northerly, which left me stumbling into the freezing head wind for an hour. As soon as I turned around things got much easier!
There was an unusually high spring tide too, with the grey waters of the Forth swirling around the legs of benches at Trinity. All in all, the run certainly blew the cobwebs away!
More importantly, my knee held up well thanks to a support bandage and judicious use of sticky sports tape on my foot: creating an artificial arch by hauling my instep up and strapping it in place. Instead I've developed a whole new pain in my hip, which I'm hoping is just the previously unused muscles kicking in to make up the difference.
An eight mile runs awaits tonight. Can't wait for the hour change when I can do all this in daylight!
This was easier said than done, considering they only live about three miles away. I plotted out a coastal route, heading east to Portobello followed by a huge loop north west to Cramond and cutting back through Crewe Toll. Very scenic and seasidy - apart from the sewage works. And it would have been further improved with the removal of the gale force northerly, which left me stumbling into the freezing head wind for an hour. As soon as I turned around things got much easier!
There was an unusually high spring tide too, with the grey waters of the Forth swirling around the legs of benches at Trinity. All in all, the run certainly blew the cobwebs away!
More importantly, my knee held up well thanks to a support bandage and judicious use of sticky sports tape on my foot: creating an artificial arch by hauling my instep up and strapping it in place. Instead I've developed a whole new pain in my hip, which I'm hoping is just the previously unused muscles kicking in to make up the difference.
An eight mile runs awaits tonight. Can't wait for the hour change when I can do all this in daylight!
Saturday 17 March 2007
To race or not to race?
Went to see Graham the Physio yesterday. It was a slightly unnerving experience to stand there and be told (in the nicest possible way) that I had flat feet and knobbly knees and couldn't stand up straight!
After some standing on one leg, jumping up and down and Graham doodling on my leg with Biro, the verdict was that my feet were the main problem - falling inwards, they in turn make my knees turn in which irritates the iliotibial band as it passes the knee. Apparently this is not something that can be solved with a bit of a massage: the band is attached to the bone all the way down the thigh so there's not much you can do to loosen it. The solution instead is to correct my posture and knee alignment. Which sounds a lot more like hard work. I've to go back and see their foot specialist, who will probably recommend orthotics. In the meantime, lots of stretching exercises to strengthen bizarre muscles in odd places like the back of my hip, and I've to practise standing on one leg in front of the mirror.
Graham was great, and I thoroughly recommend Caledonian Physiotherapy to anyone near Edinburgh who needs a physio. Even if he did say that he didn't think my tactic of hoping that Al would just get bored half way through the marathon would pay off.
So there's nothing to stop me doing the Alloa half marathon tomorrow except the fact that neither Al nor Colin (whose idea it was and who persuaded me to sign up) have bothered to get a place! A bit disappointing since it won't be much fun to go on my own. Plus my sister is staying and I can't see her enjoying getting up at 6.30 to stand in the cold on her own for 2 hours and watch me. So I may give it a miss. Annoying though, when I have my race number stuck to the fridge all ready to go. And it cost £14! Maybe I will go on my own, just to get my money's worth. Bloody boys - that's the last time I trust them to organise anything.
After some standing on one leg, jumping up and down and Graham doodling on my leg with Biro, the verdict was that my feet were the main problem - falling inwards, they in turn make my knees turn in which irritates the iliotibial band as it passes the knee. Apparently this is not something that can be solved with a bit of a massage: the band is attached to the bone all the way down the thigh so there's not much you can do to loosen it. The solution instead is to correct my posture and knee alignment. Which sounds a lot more like hard work. I've to go back and see their foot specialist, who will probably recommend orthotics. In the meantime, lots of stretching exercises to strengthen bizarre muscles in odd places like the back of my hip, and I've to practise standing on one leg in front of the mirror.
Graham was great, and I thoroughly recommend Caledonian Physiotherapy to anyone near Edinburgh who needs a physio. Even if he did say that he didn't think my tactic of hoping that Al would just get bored half way through the marathon would pay off.
So there's nothing to stop me doing the Alloa half marathon tomorrow except the fact that neither Al nor Colin (whose idea it was and who persuaded me to sign up) have bothered to get a place! A bit disappointing since it won't be much fun to go on my own. Plus my sister is staying and I can't see her enjoying getting up at 6.30 to stand in the cold on her own for 2 hours and watch me. So I may give it a miss. Annoying though, when I have my race number stuck to the fridge all ready to go. And it cost £14! Maybe I will go on my own, just to get my money's worth. Bloody boys - that's the last time I trust them to organise anything.
Thursday 15 March 2007
New shoes!
Yes, it was back to Run and Become yesterday to try out the Asics Gel-Tabuco IX WR they'd had sent up from London for me. I love the way they name these things - it reminds me of the Nimbus 2000 broomstick in Harry Potter.
I decided I preferred the Asics Mohave trail shoe, which is more versatile, with a bit more cushioning so you can use it on roads and trails. Hopefully these will have a better grip than my road shoes so I can venture on to (and over the top of) Arthur's Seat and the Pentlands.
I'd show you links to these shoes, but it has to be said that, despite making great trainers that fit my triangular-shaped feet, Asics has a terrible website that is really hard to navigate. Get it sorted, Asics!
In other news, Al's friend Graham, a sports physiotherapist, very kindly fitted me in so I have an appointment tomorrow. My knee has been much better lately, with an elastic support bandage helping a lot. But I certainly don't want a relapse so we'll see what Graham says.
With the knee a bit better and my job getting in the way of the 'little and often' training I was following, I've changed to the Runner's World sub 3.45 schedule. This means only five runs a week, but I've got a toughie today - 4 miles in 33 minutes, sandwiched between a warm up and warm down. I can do short sprints, and I can do long slow runs. But 4 miles in 33 minutes is going to be both boring and painful...
I decided I preferred the Asics Mohave trail shoe, which is more versatile, with a bit more cushioning so you can use it on roads and trails. Hopefully these will have a better grip than my road shoes so I can venture on to (and over the top of) Arthur's Seat and the Pentlands.
I'd show you links to these shoes, but it has to be said that, despite making great trainers that fit my triangular-shaped feet, Asics has a terrible website that is really hard to navigate. Get it sorted, Asics!
In other news, Al's friend Graham, a sports physiotherapist, very kindly fitted me in so I have an appointment tomorrow. My knee has been much better lately, with an elastic support bandage helping a lot. But I certainly don't want a relapse so we'll see what Graham says.
With the knee a bit better and my job getting in the way of the 'little and often' training I was following, I've changed to the Runner's World sub 3.45 schedule. This means only five runs a week, but I've got a toughie today - 4 miles in 33 minutes, sandwiched between a warm up and warm down. I can do short sprints, and I can do long slow runs. But 4 miles in 33 minutes is going to be both boring and painful...
Sunday 11 March 2007
New socks!
What does it mean when a special treat is a trip to a running shop to buy socks? On Saturday Al and I nipped off to Run and Become, a mecca of Edinburgh runners on Dalry Road. He needed road running shoes, having done all his training so far in trail shoes. And I needed trail shoes and a knee support.
I forgot about the knee support when faced with all the lovely new shiny trainers though. I decided I needed trail shoes a while back when I signed up for the Rat Race, which involves off road running and cycling. Plus I'm hoping to do the Derwentwater Trail again and last time I got stuck in a bog. Once my knee's better (soon, please!), off-road running should help me stay injury free as it avoids the repetitive strain of pounding the pavements.
As it happened, the best-looking shoe wasn't available in my size so I get to go back and perv at them all again next week when they've sent me a pair from London to try. I made do with some super deluxe new go-faster socks instead. Apparently they're specially designed for the feet of female runners, with no less than three different trade-marked high-tech materials. As my toe went through the second of my only two existing pairs of running socks today, it seemed a timely purchase.
My schedule called for a 45 minute slow run yesterday, which I skipped in favour of yoga and the walk back from Murrayfield having watched Scotland snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And today I managed a slow 13.5 miler without my knee giving me any trouble, though it's a bit sore now. It was a good run, though, including Arthur's Seat where all the gorse flowers are out and smelling lovely and coconutty.
I've signed up for the Alloa Half Marathon next week, but am not expecting a good time, let alone a PB! I was a mite worried that Al had suddenly picked up his training a lot, but it turns out he was accidentally following a schedule aimed at the London Marathon - which is a month earlier than Edinburgh!
Speed work picks up next week, so I'll keep you posted on that and my return trip to Run and Become. Just keep running!
I forgot about the knee support when faced with all the lovely new shiny trainers though. I decided I needed trail shoes a while back when I signed up for the Rat Race, which involves off road running and cycling. Plus I'm hoping to do the Derwentwater Trail again and last time I got stuck in a bog. Once my knee's better (soon, please!), off-road running should help me stay injury free as it avoids the repetitive strain of pounding the pavements.
As it happened, the best-looking shoe wasn't available in my size so I get to go back and perv at them all again next week when they've sent me a pair from London to try. I made do with some super deluxe new go-faster socks instead. Apparently they're specially designed for the feet of female runners, with no less than three different trade-marked high-tech materials. As my toe went through the second of my only two existing pairs of running socks today, it seemed a timely purchase.
My schedule called for a 45 minute slow run yesterday, which I skipped in favour of yoga and the walk back from Murrayfield having watched Scotland snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And today I managed a slow 13.5 miler without my knee giving me any trouble, though it's a bit sore now. It was a good run, though, including Arthur's Seat where all the gorse flowers are out and smelling lovely and coconutty.
I've signed up for the Alloa Half Marathon next week, but am not expecting a good time, let alone a PB! I was a mite worried that Al had suddenly picked up his training a lot, but it turns out he was accidentally following a schedule aimed at the London Marathon - which is a month earlier than Edinburgh!
Speed work picks up next week, so I'll keep you posted on that and my return trip to Run and Become. Just keep running!
Thursday 8 March 2007
First hurdle
Hello and welcome to my running blog. I promised my sponsors and supporters that I'd keep them entertained in return for the cash they pledged to Amnesty International, but rather than send lengthy emails I thought you'd prefer a blog which you can read as much - or as little! - of as you wish.
So I'm training to run the Edinburgh Marathon on 27 (checks date in diary...), yes 27 May. Less than 12 weeks to go! And the first hurdle referred to in the title is a nagging injury.
Boring injury section:
Two weeks ago I developed a pain down the outside of my left knee while on my long run. I'd had a similar thing two years ago while training for Prague, diagnosed by the sports scientists at the college I then worked at as iliotibial band syndrome. It's a referred pain from the thigh, caused by over-use: very common in runners ramping up their mileage for a marathon. It cleared up with a bit of rest that time. But now it's back with a vengeance.
After a week of very gentle running I tried another 14 mile run last week. Not to be: the pain began just four miles in and I ended up jogging most of the way and walking the last two miles. Why, how amused and heartened I was by the helpful characters who urged me to pick up the pace as I limped into Easter Road.
So to the doctor. He prodded my knee and asked if it hurt. He then shrugged and told me I needed physio. And with that my notes were tossed into a teetering heap in the corner marked 'urgent physio appointments, 2009' and I exited sharpish.
The upshot of which is that I have changed my training strategy slightly. Instead of running three times during the week and a long run at weekends, I'm training more often but for shorter periods. I'm also doing proper warm ups and stretching - those of you who have witnessed my lackadaisical approach to these activities in the past may as well have your last laugh now. I've been to BodyBalance (a yoga, pilates and tai chi class) more often, as that really seems to help.
Hopefully this will avoid irritating my knee. The downside is that I'm in the gym or on the run every day. It's extremely frustrating not to be able to push my limits, especially as I'm not used to having any problems. My body has always done what I told it before! And Al has actually started training, so he's hot on my heels.
I will at least be able to include sprints in the new schedule. And Al has promised to ask a physio friend if he can fit me in. So I'll keep you posted on how I work up to my the Alloa half marathon, now only 10 days away. Amusing photos may well result.
In the meantime, visit my fundraising site to see how close I am to my target.
So I'm training to run the Edinburgh Marathon on 27 (checks date in diary...), yes 27 May. Less than 12 weeks to go! And the first hurdle referred to in the title is a nagging injury.
Boring injury section:
Two weeks ago I developed a pain down the outside of my left knee while on my long run. I'd had a similar thing two years ago while training for Prague, diagnosed by the sports scientists at the college I then worked at as iliotibial band syndrome. It's a referred pain from the thigh, caused by over-use: very common in runners ramping up their mileage for a marathon. It cleared up with a bit of rest that time. But now it's back with a vengeance.
After a week of very gentle running I tried another 14 mile run last week. Not to be: the pain began just four miles in and I ended up jogging most of the way and walking the last two miles. Why, how amused and heartened I was by the helpful characters who urged me to pick up the pace as I limped into Easter Road.
So to the doctor. He prodded my knee and asked if it hurt. He then shrugged and told me I needed physio. And with that my notes were tossed into a teetering heap in the corner marked 'urgent physio appointments, 2009' and I exited sharpish.
The upshot of which is that I have changed my training strategy slightly. Instead of running three times during the week and a long run at weekends, I'm training more often but for shorter periods. I'm also doing proper warm ups and stretching - those of you who have witnessed my lackadaisical approach to these activities in the past may as well have your last laugh now. I've been to BodyBalance (a yoga, pilates and tai chi class) more often, as that really seems to help.
Hopefully this will avoid irritating my knee. The downside is that I'm in the gym or on the run every day. It's extremely frustrating not to be able to push my limits, especially as I'm not used to having any problems. My body has always done what I told it before! And Al has actually started training, so he's hot on my heels.
I will at least be able to include sprints in the new schedule. And Al has promised to ask a physio friend if he can fit me in. So I'll keep you posted on how I work up to my the Alloa half marathon, now only 10 days away. Amusing photos may well result.
In the meantime, visit my fundraising site to see how close I am to my target.
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