When I was in high school, our sadistic Physical Education teacher would begin each session with a 5km run around the local streets. Over the course of the year my times improved fairly dramatically, but there was one nasty, brutish little hill in Bowden Street that always defeated me. I never did manage to climb that hill without having to walk and it bugged me then and curiously, still bugs me now.
I was reminded of that hill on New Year’s morning on my first outing for 2012. I was exploring a new 5km addition to my usual 10km street circuit, and boy was it brutal. I thought it might be hilly, but it was far worse than I had envisaged and some of those climbs were not fun at all. And then there was that one bastard hill that took me back all those years to high school and the dreaded Bowden Street. Almost identical in that with an immense effort I could just get to the top but would then have to stop and walk – particularly horrid because just when I’m thinking I have it licked, it of course has the last laugh. A short, but genuine lung-buster. Wretched.
In fact the whole run was pretty awful. I guess I was due for a bad outing and this was it. Although I could have slugged it out for the intended 15km, I really wasn’t enjoying it, and decided to pull out for a relatively dignified 10km. If I’d pushed on it would have made it all the more difficult to get out for the next one.
I finished the run thinking “never again”, but now I’m inclined to give it another go. If I could handle those hills and see out the 15km it would be a fabulously useful training route – a reasonable distance and with about two-thirds of that distance being hills. Or maybe I’m just a masochist. A reluctant one, though.
Ah, to hell with it. I’ll just see how I feel about it next time.
It's four in the morning and what's more the dawnin'
Just woke up the wantin' in me. - Hank Snow
When it's too warm to run after sun up and you're working loooong days, what do you do? You check your sanity at the door and get up at 4 a.m. to get your run done.
04:11 and I'm out the door determined to get a quick 10km in before I have to leave for w*rk. There are two main benefits to running at this time of day. The principal one being that it's relatively cool - a mild 20C and little humidity; the second is the relative lack of traffic which meant I could run alongside the much flatter and well-lit Pacific Highway for 5km and back rather than the hilly but quiet and dark back streets. And the negatives of running so early? Well, I think you can probably work that out yourselves.
The result however was a pleasing 10km in under 57 minutes, with reasonably even km's of around 5:41 and I even managed negative 5km splits. At fo' in da mornin' I'm happy wi' dat.
I've run around those back streets you mentioned. They're hilly buggers, switching back and forth like a maze.
Good work. My own pre-dawn excursion was less successful. 60 mph winds running on a slick mudrink is about as close to slapstick as running gets. I managed 3.7 miles before I threw in the towel.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
(03-01-2012, 07:44 AM)marathondan Wrote: Let us know how many times you nod off during the day.
Oddly enough, although I dozed off on the train into work, I got through the rest of the day OK. I tend to agree with EG's oft-stated claim that an early run does set you up for the rest of the day. Not sure if it's endorphins or just rude good health, but I'm thinking there are definitely dividends paid out during the day after an early plod.
We are still in the death throes of silly season, meaning I had another late-night binge-fest dinner party last night. Knowing I had scheduled an early long run today, I tried to restrict my intake, but I was regrettably somewhat less than successful.
Needless to say, this morning I slept in.
The good news though was that the morning was reasonably cool so even when I finally took to the streets a little after 08:30, there was at least no heat or humidity to knock my hangover around.
I had planned 15-16km but thudding head and furry tongue suggested something closer to 10km might be in order. Call it 3 or 4.
Well no, actually, I got through the first few km's alright and pressed on. After about 10km I felt as if the excesses of last night had been purged and started to feel, if not strong, then at least normal again.
So I hung in there for a little over 16km. Not pretty, nor fast, and one brute hill called Barrie Street (not "Barry", but "Barrie" for some reason) reduced me to a walk for (according to my fabbo Garmin 405 and SportTracks software) 160 metres. Other than that, an uneventful, slow but satisfying run around the hilly back streets of home. According to SportTracks, 77.8% of my run consisted of hills so I guess that makes it a good workout. Not as steep as some other road routes around here, but hey, if the computer says it's hilly, I'm taking it.
And I can't let today go without mentioning Michael Clarke's astonishing undefeated 329 against India in the second test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Apart from the sheer brilliance of his batting and the records he broke (including the 109-year old record for highest test innings by anyone at the SCG) what was also astonishing was how fit Clarke is - he barely looked out of breath for the entire knock. He is clearly one of the fittest players in world cricket at the moment and used it to top effect today. Hussey (150 not out) and Ponting (134) also played blinders to take Australia from deep in trouble at 3/37 to be 4 declared for 659! It's one those test matches that come along about once per decade. Truly astonishing!
(05-01-2012, 03:55 AM)Mid Life Crisis Man Wrote: Oddly enough, although I dozed off on the train into work, I got through the rest of the day OK. I tend to agree with EG's oft-stated claim that an early run does set you up for the rest of the day. Not sure if it's endorphins or just rude good health, but I'm thinking there are definitely dividends paid out during the day after an early plod.
I totally agree, up to a point.
That point normally being somewhere around 2pm, when the post-luncheon dozing instinct kicks in.
I quite like hangover runs. Expectations are low, yet once the sweat starts to flow it's amazing how much bbetter you feel. Good on you for knocking out a decent distance. I'm only up to 12k at the moment but there's a tasty 20k in the offing on Sunday. Gulp.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
You seem to be on a hearteningly good roll, MLCM. It doesn't seem long ago that you were constantly beset by injury, beating yourself up and doing all your runs on a treadmill. Remind me -- what happened? How did you get out of that grim cycle?
Not that I have any particular reason for asking, like...
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
(06-01-2012, 01:11 PM)El Gordo Wrote: It doesn't seem long ago that you were constantly beset by injury, beating yourself up and doing all your runs on a treadmill. Remind me -- what happened? How did you get out of that grim cycle?
A good question EG. As usual there is no one simple answer, but in thinking about it I’d say there were three main things:
1. I had my podiatrist carefully fine tune my orthotics so that they did their job really well. This virtually eliminated the shin splints, plantar fasciitis and illotibial band strains I was suffering in one fell swoop as well as reducing much of the impact pressure on my knees.
2. Daily supplementation with glucosamine increased my knee cartilage significantly, and ginseng which improved the circulation to my toes (eliminating arthritic pain and stiffness) and my hands (reducing the swelling and numbness I was getting whilst running).
3. Altering my gait over the last few years to more of a mid-foot strike with a higher cadence has lessened the impact on knees and hips, further reducing the pain I was getting in those joints.
It’s probably also worth mentioning again that I largely replaced sprints and intervals with hill climbs, which give much the same benefit but without the heavy impact on the joints of sprinting.
Not sure how any of that helps you with your calf problem, but what I’d suggest to anyone with chronic issues would be to not give up: focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t, and keep talking to the professional medicos until someone starts making sense and actually identifies the real issues and can go about fixing them.
One of those runs today: despite a good night's sleep and an easy, relaxing day yesterday at the cricket, this morning's run was pretty ordinary. It never felt good and was slow and awkward. Still, it's in the bank and overall I've had a good week of running.
So, week one of the 2012 campaign is complete. Next up is a tricky week of night shifts, which always makes it difficult to schedule runs of any kind. We'll just have to see how it goes.
(06-01-2012, 01:11 PM)El Gordo Wrote: It doesn't seem long ago that you were constantly beset by injury, beating yourself up and doing all your runs on a treadmill. Remind me -- what happened? How did you get out of that grim cycle?
A good question EG. As usual there is no one simple answer, but in thinking about it I’d say there were three main things:
1. I had my podiatrist carefully fine tune my orthotics so that they did their job really well. This virtually eliminated the shin splints, plantar fasciitis and illotibial band strains I was suffering in one fell swoop as well as reducing much of the impact pressure on my knees.
2. Daily supplementation with glucosamine increased my knee cartilage significantly, and ginseng which improved the circulation to my toes (eliminating arthritic pain and stiffness) and my hands (reducing the swelling and numbness I was getting whilst running).
3. Altering my gait over the last few years to more of a mid-foot strike with a higher cadence has lessened the impact on knees and hips, further reducing the pain I was getting in those joints.
It’s probably also worth mentioning again that I largely replaced sprints and intervals with hill climbs, which give much the same benefit but without the heavy impact on the joints of sprinting.
Not sure how any of that helps you with your calf problem, but what I’d suggest to anyone with chronic issues would be to not give up: focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t, and keep talking to the professional medicos until someone starts making sense and actually identifies the real issues and can go about fixing them.
Believe me, it’s worth it!
Thanks very much for the info (and for the additional mail).
I've avoided the orthotics route so far -- partly because they can be expensive and come with no guarantee -- but mostly I suppose because I've never been told that they are the only, or the best, answer. Had a podiatrist expressed that very firm opinion, I'm sure I'd have done it. Most of the help I've had has focused on trying to address [what I've presumed to be] the underlying issue through stretching and exercises etc. But ultimately, orthotics might be the answer.
Glucosamine / nutrition. I am also, or have been, a Glucosamine man, though in recent times, I've frequently forgotten to take the stuff. I've never been sure if it has had any effect on me, but I will give it another go. I have plenty of supplies here. I take note of what you say in your email about potassium etc, and will look into this.
Altering gait -- this is the tough one for me. I've read the literature about the benefits of front-foot running and the wickedness of the shoe industry etc, but the problem I have here is that moving pressure to the front of the foot (as I often do on the treadmill and even the elliptical) just seems to increase pressure on the calf, which isn't what I want. But I'm giving it a go.
At the moment, the main thrust of my plan is a combination of weight loss, stretching, and core strengthening. I'm certain that the first of those is highly significant. It can't be reasonable to expect a 54 year old body to deal with all that plodding while carrying at least 30 pounds of excess weight. Things are proceeding well on that front. I've got rid of about 10 pounds since mid-December and about 20 since I was at my heaviest, a few months ago.
I've been doing quite a lot of gym work recently to toughen up generally. Trouble is, my routines are probably a bit hit and miss, and largely based on stuff I've come just arbitrarily stumbled across. I might have to bite the bullet and shell out to get some specialised advice at the gym. I'm actually quite optimistic as I am at least doing something, rather than pondering the situation over a glass or two of wine.
Anyway, I'd been struck recently by how much your fortunes have changed over the last year or so, which has given me even more cause to remain positive. Thanks for the unconscious encouragement.
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
It was too warm and humid to hit the streets for this afternoon's run so I stuck a couple of fans in front of the treadmill, put on the 1999 Kona Ironman video and ran 15km whilst bawling my eyes out watching the heroics of Team Hoyt and others which really do put what I laughingly thought of as my own tough run into its proper perspective. Honestly, these videos of each year's Ironman championship are about the most motivating things I have ever seen or heard... it's really difficult to not run well whilst watching these vids... another advantage of treadmill running I guess.
Anyway, I was pleased with this run. After two long night shifts exhaustion always makes it always difficult to put in a decent effort, but today went well... very comfortable indeed. I could easily have gone on further but had a dinner appointment to keep. It wasn't a fast run, but given the conditions I was extremely pleased.
A tough and ugly run this morning in hot, humid conditions. Dehydration and exhaustion added to my troubles and would normally have gotten the better of me but I pushed through and got the job done (and then some), which to be honest surprised me given my lack of race goals. I suppose in reality I do have a goal of sorts – to train well and be prepared for any race opportunity that does crop up during the year, but even so my determination this morning was somewhat unexpected.
It’s good to get through these tough ones. Cutting your losses and ditching them or aborting them early may be a sensible option at times, but I’m always left with the nagging knowledge that you can’t get that day back – the day is lost and in reality you can’t make it up later.
I had woken up tired and dehydrated (after yet another night on the turps – I really need to take a leaf out of EG and Sweder’s books and cut down a little) and late... the sun was already up and the day warm and muggy. I set out however for my planned 15km and was immediately in difficulty. Slow and sluggish, I could find no rhythm nor pace and immediately started questioning why I was doing this and how soon I could cut it short and go home.
But then those nagging, annoying thoughts started forcing themselves on me – if I quit now, the next run would be that much harder and conditions probably no better; if I was in the last 15km of an important race I’d persist, so why can’t I now? Those sort of things – I’m sure we’ve all had those thoughts many times before. And so I slowed my pace to something more comfortable, decided to reward myself with a sip of water at the top of each hill I climbed and put my head down for a long, slow trudge, determined to get the thing done.
And by and large I did OK. I had to stop for one walk break at about the 8km mark after getting lost and staggering up an unnecessary hill (only to have to turn around and head back down again before finding the hill I should have climbed) but other than that I got through it without stopping. I even added a further kilometre to compensate for the walk break and slow pace, so ended up one smug bunny as I happily added another 16km into the spreadsheet.
I even felt justified in having a mid-afternoon snooze. Happy days!
A slow, but completed longish run this afternoon. I almost put it off for a day, but glad I didn't. Coming off the back of night shifts and being again warm and humid, I was inclined to give it the flick, especially as my left achilles was a little tender. However I decided to hop on the treadmill and just take it flat and slow, thus giving me the option of bailing early if need be and avoiding the hills which could inflame the achilles.
The result was somewhat suprising and very pleasing - a steady 18km completed with little trouble. :)
And I had the pleasure of the third test match in Perth for company, and what a match! This India series is turning into a rip snorter!
Anyway, it is now a day later and the achilles is fine, and I'm very glad to have made the effort. It just shows that if you work with the conditions you can complete a run in trying circumastances, and it will sometimes surprise and amply reward you.
I can appreciate your enjoyment of the cricket mate but a rip-snorter? Shooting fish in a barrel more like. The Indians looked beaten when they pulled up in the tour bus. A horribly one-sided affair.
Your exploits on the treadmill are by comparison enthralling. I'm in awe of your consistency, the real cornerstone of any successful training campaign. My start has been comparatively tardy. Best add in a long run tomorrow morning ...
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
(13-01-2012, 12:00 PM)Mid Life Crisis Man Wrote: 18km, 1h 59:55.
Did you not consider clinging on for another 6 seconds?
Though I can well understand that after that long on the treadmill, you will have been even less capable of rational thought than normal. As much a mental feat as a physical one. Well done.
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
January 2012 - Here We Go Again
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