It's poorly knees all round. Al has been for an ultrasound of his knee and discovered that a torn ligament will not only put him out of the marathon but probably also the Rat Race as well. He is not a happy bunny.
And I've had the worst week's training ever: after completing my 20 miles in 3 hours 10 minutes, as per schedule, on Monday, I've been really sore. Not only the old, left knee is hurting but now my right has decided to join in and to recruit my thigh for yet more fun. I'm a day behind my schedule so skipped a rest day on Tuesday to try and fit in 5 miles, including 3 miles at a 'brisk' pace. I managed the warm up and 1 mile brick before having to give up and jog/hobble the rest of the way.
Yesterday was no better, with speedwork in the gym. I was supposed to do three sessions of 10 minutes fast but only managed one and a half. A faster pace really puts pressure on my knees when I land. I can see in the mirror at the gym that my right leg is still swinging inwards with every step, even when wearing my orthotics. I hope they are just taking some getting used to and that my legs will sort themselves out in a few more sessions, but it had better be soon because I don't have much time left.
I did have a good short session last week. I went down to Bicester to watch my dad do a charity skydive for Amnesty (you can see his site here) and set out from the Travelodge next to the motorway with little hope of finding somewhere pleasant to run. But with a little nifty running across slips roads and climbing over a hedge I discovered the gorgeous National Trust wood, complete with well-maintained wood chip paths and covered in bluebells. If only all runs could be just three miles long and in such pretty surroundings!
Thursday 26 April 2007
Tuesday 17 April 2007
Summer running
It felt like summer for much of last week, even though it's only April. Blue skies and warm weather make running outside instead of in the gym a must. I'm still suffering a little with a cold, so used it as an excuse to keep up my milage but ditch all that nasty speedwork stuff. As a result, I spent a pleasant week plodding up, down and around Edinburgh's hills at an enjoyably slow pace.
Even so, I notched up 37 miles, finishing with a half marathon yesterday. Not a race this time but a timed run, aided by Al's GPS gadget. I was aiming for 1 hour 45 but only managed 1 hour 49, probably due to my cold and a stiff breeze off the Forth. It's amazing the difference it makes whether you are running into or away from the wind. And an article I read recently gives some insight into how marathon training can make you vulnerable to coughs and sneezes. Still, it could have been a better result so speedwork is back on the menu this week.
I did finish up yesterday's run at my friendly local physio and picked up my new orthotics. I'm to break them in slowly - no running in them for the first week - but can't wait to see if they make a difference. My knee is very sore after yesterday, maybe because I didn't strap my foot up tightly enough, so anything that can keep me on the road is welcome.
The next couple of weeks should see me reach maximum milage before my taper (hooray!), getting up to nearly 50 miles this week. This includes a 20 miler I'll have to fit in around a trip down south. I'll be packing my trainers.
Even so, I notched up 37 miles, finishing with a half marathon yesterday. Not a race this time but a timed run, aided by Al's GPS gadget. I was aiming for 1 hour 45 but only managed 1 hour 49, probably due to my cold and a stiff breeze off the Forth. It's amazing the difference it makes whether you are running into or away from the wind. And an article I read recently gives some insight into how marathon training can make you vulnerable to coughs and sneezes. Still, it could have been a better result so speedwork is back on the menu this week.
I did finish up yesterday's run at my friendly local physio and picked up my new orthotics. I'm to break them in slowly - no running in them for the first week - but can't wait to see if they make a difference. My knee is very sore after yesterday, maybe because I didn't strap my foot up tightly enough, so anything that can keep me on the road is welcome.
The next couple of weeks should see me reach maximum milage before my taper (hooray!), getting up to nearly 50 miles this week. This includes a 20 miler I'll have to fit in around a trip down south. I'll be packing my trainers.
Wednesday 11 April 2007
Easter running
Just back from a lovely relaxing Easter break on the west coast. I needed it after a hectic week that ended even more hectically with a plaintive email from Al, in Geneva, saying that he had skied into a rock and could I come to the airport to drive him and his car home? I left him in casualty overnight before driving him, with bandaged knee, another four hours to Ardfern, about 40 minutes south of Oban.
With Al out of the running, it was tempting to cut back on my own training. He's not to do any sport for a month, so although he could probably get round the marathon at the end of May he's better off deferring his entry until next year. Maybe we'll look into an autumn marathon, like Loch Ness. But I've decided to still see if I can beat my own previous time and set a high standard for him to beat next year!
Luckily we had glorious weather for a short run on Saturday and an 18-miler - my longest run to date - on Easter Sunday. I headed down the peninsula and back (pausing to open gates a couple of times) and then headed over the back of the hill on a forestry track to emerge at Lungha and the quaint neighbouring fishing village. 18 miles took me 2 hours 52 minutes: not too bad considering the hills.
On the plus side, Al had a great time teching me up with all of his geeky equipment, allowing me to measure my pace, speed, distance, time and heart rate the whole way. How useful. Apparently I slow down and my heart rate goes up when I run up hills. It's a good job they have the technology to tell me this stuff I'd never have guessed myself...I think secretly Al was keeping an eye on me and making sure I didn't just sit in the pub for three hours!
Missed a session yesterday because a road closure before Invarary meant it took an age to get home. I'll make up for it my training through every day the rest of this week, starting with my speed session tonight.
With Al out of the running, it was tempting to cut back on my own training. He's not to do any sport for a month, so although he could probably get round the marathon at the end of May he's better off deferring his entry until next year. Maybe we'll look into an autumn marathon, like Loch Ness. But I've decided to still see if I can beat my own previous time and set a high standard for him to beat next year!
Luckily we had glorious weather for a short run on Saturday and an 18-miler - my longest run to date - on Easter Sunday. I headed down the peninsula and back (pausing to open gates a couple of times) and then headed over the back of the hill on a forestry track to emerge at Lungha and the quaint neighbouring fishing village. 18 miles took me 2 hours 52 minutes: not too bad considering the hills.
On the plus side, Al had a great time teching me up with all of his geeky equipment, allowing me to measure my pace, speed, distance, time and heart rate the whole way. How useful. Apparently I slow down and my heart rate goes up when I run up hills. It's a good job they have the technology to tell me this stuff I'd never have guessed myself...I think secretly Al was keeping an eye on me and making sure I didn't just sit in the pub for three hours!
Missed a session yesterday because a road closure before Invarary meant it took an age to get home. I'll make up for it my training through every day the rest of this week, starting with my speed session tonight.
Tuesday 3 April 2007
New feet
When I grew up in the Netherlands there was a cartoon film about a baby dinosaur called, if I remember correctly, Platvoet or 'Flatfoot'. Well now I could star myself as physio number 2 has had a chance to laugh at my ridiculous gait. Apparently the cause of my knee problems is glaringly obvious to the educated observer. I didn't know my feet were funny. I thought everyone's feet were like that.
But the lovely Karen was very kind and mostly managed to conceal her amusement and offer helpful advice. I was measured up for orthotics in a trice, although as I didn't realise that I couldn't pay by credit card I'll have to head back later this week with a cheque. A very large cheque. Maybe I'll run there with it, since I may have to sell the car to pay for them.
On the plus side, the orthotics should only take two weeks to appear and I should have them broken in just in time for the marathon. Although since they cost exactly what I have so far raised for Amnesty, maybe I should have given the money to charity, not run the race and save everyone the bother!
Nope, Karen assures me that these miracle devices will save me from all sorts of associated joint problems in later life. And they last for ages - she says she sees a lot of army guys who wear them 'in the jungle', so the odd trail race should be doable.
In the meantime, I'm so happy with my progress that I'm considering cancelling my NHS appointment next week. What can they possibly provide that Graham and Karen haven't covered between them? It's worth every penny for prompt and friendly treatment that 'll get me round the course.
But the lovely Karen was very kind and mostly managed to conceal her amusement and offer helpful advice. I was measured up for orthotics in a trice, although as I didn't realise that I couldn't pay by credit card I'll have to head back later this week with a cheque. A very large cheque. Maybe I'll run there with it, since I may have to sell the car to pay for them.
On the plus side, the orthotics should only take two weeks to appear and I should have them broken in just in time for the marathon. Although since they cost exactly what I have so far raised for Amnesty, maybe I should have given the money to charity, not run the race and save everyone the bother!
Nope, Karen assures me that these miracle devices will save me from all sorts of associated joint problems in later life. And they last for ages - she says she sees a lot of army guys who wear them 'in the jungle', so the odd trail race should be doable.
In the meantime, I'm so happy with my progress that I'm considering cancelling my NHS appointment next week. What can they possibly provide that Graham and Karen haven't covered between them? It's worth every penny for prompt and friendly treatment that 'll get me round the course.
Monday 2 April 2007
Half way there
Slightly more than half way there is you count my training as having started in December. But as I really didn't pick up the pace until the end of January, now is about half way through the four months of serious training leading to the marathon.
And speaking of halves, yesterday I finished the Edinburgh Forthside Half Marathon in 1 hour 44 minutes and 34 seconds. Just over a PB, but better than I did on the same course last year and much better than I was expecting, given my injury and general lack of preparedness (including spending the night before standing in the cold drinking beer and waiting for Al to return from a 10km adventure race. In the dark.) According to the Forthside website, I was the 133 female and 76th in my category. Not sure what my category is....non-specific girl-type runner, I imagine.
It was a fun event because lots of people I know were taking part. Friend Rob, up for the event from Lancaster, finished an incredible 27th overall with a time of just over 1 hour 16 minutes! And Ailsa and Sarah finished their first half marathon distance races in the times they were aiming for, while Colin made it round taking it easy after the previous night's race!
The legs are stiff today but a sprint workout at lunch time went ok. The race has made me a lot more confident. I set off thinking I would try a few miles at 1 hour 50 pace and see how it went - thinking I would probably slow to 2 hour pace after that. But I was able to keep it up without too much bother, so decided to stick with it. The worst two miles were mile four, an uphill section, and mile 8-9 coming back from Crammond with the wind against us. I'm pretty sure mile 11 was measured short, as there's no way I made that in the 6 minutes 6 seconds I clocked it at!
But by the last few miles I realised I'd only have to push a little harder to make 1 hour 45. It was a great, positive run to have in the bag.
And speaking of halves, yesterday I finished the Edinburgh Forthside Half Marathon in 1 hour 44 minutes and 34 seconds. Just over a PB, but better than I did on the same course last year and much better than I was expecting, given my injury and general lack of preparedness (including spending the night before standing in the cold drinking beer and waiting for Al to return from a 10km adventure race. In the dark.) According to the Forthside website, I was the 133 female and 76th in my category. Not sure what my category is....non-specific girl-type runner, I imagine.
It was a fun event because lots of people I know were taking part. Friend Rob, up for the event from Lancaster, finished an incredible 27th overall with a time of just over 1 hour 16 minutes! And Ailsa and Sarah finished their first half marathon distance races in the times they were aiming for, while Colin made it round taking it easy after the previous night's race!
The legs are stiff today but a sprint workout at lunch time went ok. The race has made me a lot more confident. I set off thinking I would try a few miles at 1 hour 50 pace and see how it went - thinking I would probably slow to 2 hour pace after that. But I was able to keep it up without too much bother, so decided to stick with it. The worst two miles were mile four, an uphill section, and mile 8-9 coming back from Crammond with the wind against us. I'm pretty sure mile 11 was measured short, as there's no way I made that in the 6 minutes 6 seconds I clocked it at!
But by the last few miles I realised I'd only have to push a little harder to make 1 hour 45. It was a great, positive run to have in the bag.
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