A lot has happened…

Last Updated on Monday, 23 February 2009 08:54 Written by The Virtual Runner Sunday, 30 November 2008 09:32

Of course it has! I haven’t written anything in ages.

I could go on about how I’m not a regular writer but if you’ve read any of these before, you are already aware of that fact.

I am another year older and have attained the dizzying heights of 37. It was a really good birthday and it was nice and quiet just like I wanted. I spent the day with my family and in the morning I got my gifts. One gift was received early and that was my new Adidas running shoes which I’ve mentioned previously. On my actually birthday I received a new toy which is designed to keep me from running! A PS3 from my fiance, my mother-in-law, my daughter and her husband. I was very surprised and happy because I wasn’t expecting it at all. I’m also impressed that my fiance was able to keep it a secret for so long.

To change the subject, my best friend Rob is somewhere in northern Quebec (Canada) training sled dogs. I’ve been trying to stay in regular contact with him and it seems he’s having a fantastic time. Especially if you go by the pictures he’s been posting on Facebook.

As for running, I had a bit of a break just to relax for a few days and give muscles time to heal. I started up again on Friday and went again today, although I didn’t do my usual long run. I did 12km just to keep it relaxed.

I’ll run every day this week except for Monday and Saturday and then I’ve got the Santa Run on Sunday (6km).

The Santa Run should be good fun because all of the runners (including me) will be wearing a Santa suit. Since it’s not that far and it’s for charity I’m not doing any hard speed; just a comfortable pace. It isn’t like I’m an elite runner anyway!

I’m keeping it as relaxed as possible until the new year and then I have to look to increase the training on a gradual basis.

Super Six

Last Updated on Monday, 23 February 2009 08:55 Written by The Virtual Runner Friday, 14 November 2008 04:11

Runnersworld.co.uk had a competition which offered a prize for 6 individuals which would provide the following:-

• One-to-one coaching and support from one of three top coaches – Steve Smythe, GB Olympic athlete Liz Yelling or Nick Anderson
• Personalised nutrition advice from the Lucozade Sport Performance Team, as well as a four-month supply of Lucozade Sport products
• Entry and return travel to key warm-up events
• Opportunity to attend two hands-on training seminars with Liz Yelling
• Lucozade Sport Super Six adidas running kit (including trainers) and a state-of-the-art Garmin Forerunner 405
• A night’s luxury hotel accommodation, travel costs to and from London and VIP hospitality on race day

You don’t even need a place in the race (done by ballot); they can take care of this as well!

In return, I would have to commit to following a marathon schedules/training plan and share my experiences with Runner’s World for the duration of the project.

I entered on the 7th and decisions were going to be made by today… I’ve heard nothing. Oh well. Life goes on!

My current training is going okay, however I did some speedwork on Wednesday which consisted of 1 min fast run, 1 min slow recovery jog, 2 min fast, 2 min slow, 3 min fast, 3 min slow, 4 min fast, 4 min slow, 5 min fast and 5 min slow (30 mins in total). I had a 10 minute jog to warm up and some stretches beforehand.

The next day (Thursday) my achilles on my left foot (it’s always my left foot) was kind of tender again and stiff, which means this injury of mine isn’t going to go away anytime soon! I took a day off from training on Thursday and stayed at home. I have always continued to do stretches for my legs of every shape and size as well as strengthening exercises and I’ll keep doing these.

I don’t want it to get so bad that I need physio or anything because I’ve been to physiotherapists before for other things and they seem to make them much worse before they make them better! I don’t have good experiences with them.

Ran today (an hour – 10.3 km) and will have a long slow run on Sunday.

My weight is still hovering around the 100.5 kg mark and I’m pushing for the big drop to the double digits! I’ll let you know when it happens.

Achilles/Calf Stretches

Step1 – Gastroc stretch. Lean into wall, keeping affected leg back straight, heel on floor and turned slightly outward. Stretch should be felt in calf.

Step2 – Soleus stretch. Similar to above with affected leg back but knees slightly bent; lean into wall until stretch is felt in lower calf.

Step3 – Achilles tendon stretch. Stand with toes on stair, heels off the edge. Raise up on toes, then down as far as possible. Return to starting position.