May as well ... 2014

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

No excuses. That seems to be the mantra of successful people, and as I lay there in bed it was true that I couldn't think of a single one. Nup. Body felt fine. Weather was fine. Garmin was charged, I had clean running kit and I had nothing else on my schedule for the day.

Darn it, I was just going to have to get out there and do the sodding run.

To tell the truth, it was a glorious autumnal day, just perfect for running, so I'm not sure why I was even reluctant. I headed out through Lane Cove National Park for a planned 22km and it was fabulous - really very, very pleasant running indeed. However on my return to suburbia at about the 19km mark I tanked badly, and called it quits after 20.3km. A little disappointing, but it is a very hilly run and I haven't been feeling at my best lately, so I'll take it. A 20km run is a 20km run after all.

Despite tanking, I'm mighty glad I made the effort. Otherwise, what's a day off for?

[Antonio247]

Well done, MLCMM! 20.3 hilly kms is really tough. I haven't done that distance since Almería half and it is not too hilly.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Thanks Antonio - I followed that run with a similar run today. 21.2km over the same course but a little faster and a little stronger. I still need a few more of these under my belt however as a good base to build on for my marathon training which starts in earnest just as soon as I've run the Sydney Half Marathon on May 18.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

A most satisfying hilly run this morning, with 11.2km completed at what is for me on these hills a cracking pace of sub-6:00/km. It's kind of funny, because I've just finished reading Askwith's second book "Running Free" and am currently devouring Boff Whalley's "Run Wild", both of which exhort me to ditch the watch and GPS and run with nary a care nor concern for pace, time or distance. I do understand where they are coming from, but the reality is that I'm chuffed with this morning's run, and doubly so because I have empirical evidence via the faithful Garmin that it was as good as it felt.

I do think that the lack of charm of suburban street running can be overcome to a large extent by recording data about your running of them. It may not sound very endearing, but those accumulating lines of data in the spreadsheet, and ever-improving line and bar-charts provide a tremendous amount of satisfaction. Not because they "prove" very much (no-one else even sees them), but they neatly encapsulate what road running primarily means for me, and that is the maintaining of general fitness and the delaying of the inevitable aging process. Plus my oft-quoted line about never ever wanting to take my generally good health for granted; and data helps to keep me honest about that, if only to myself.

I dare say if I had some wonderful countryside or mountains to run in, I'd be less inclined to fret about logging my runs, but that isn't the case. There's rather less charm about the streets of my neighbourhood than the fields of "southern Northamptonshire" where Askwith runs... but I digress. I'll write more about that when I review both books soon.

The wonders of my spreadsheet also reveal that my run today was my fastest this year, and is approaching my pace of a year ago, and so I am finally making up the ground I lost over summer. With ten days to go until race day (Sydney Half), I'm in a good place at the moment with my running. Mind you, it's probably just as well, because a long line of night shifts starting tomorrow will probably enforce a ten-day taper, so today's hit-out was a a good one at the right time.

In other good news, my knees, which have been a little troublesome of late were better today, with no need for ibuprofen, which is likewise encouraging.

In yet even more good news, I am confirmed for another trip to Europe around this time next year, sadly too late for the Moyleman, but in time for the London marathon (should I succeed in the ballot) or possibly the Three Forts marathon in Sweder's neck of the woods a week or so later. Although to be honest, my knees are wincing at the thought of all the downhill sections of that race, whilst my brain is struggling to cope with the thoughts of the ascents.

But then, I live for the hills ... or so I keep telling myself.

Rock on, hill lovers!



Golly - forty years ago!

[Sweder]

Nice pre-half session. Good to finish on a high before the long dark nightshift of the soul, too.
I feel both Askwith and BW were a little too easy to dismiss those trapped in urban running hell, and, at times, annoyingly pious. I never take my location for granted. I do wonder, though, if, free from the restrictions of school-age kids and elderly dependents, I might consider relocation were I so restricted. Running, and a good environment, is a big and important part of our lives (ahem, usually).

Again, not everyone can just up sticks and head for the green rolling hills.
It's just food for thought.

[marathondan]

I haven't read either book - I may yet, but perhaps not till I'm back to running a bit - but even the banter here has given me pause for thought. I've always baulked at the idea of driving to a running location - it just feels so wrong - but maybe cycling a few miles to get away from it all might not be so bad, at least for the long runs.

[marathondan]

Oh, and great work MLCMM. As Sweder says, it's good to have those miles banked with a busy period coming up. You can't change your fitness in 10 days, so you can just tick over as and when time allows.

[marathondan]

Oh, and I should mention that I actually enjoy (sub)urban running. It's not often one gets to look around one's neighbourhood for a couple of hours with nothing much on the agenda. It's nice to be among the town going about its business. If only the streets were paved with rubber, it would be perfect...

[Charliecat5]

It's kind of funny, because I've just finished reading Askwith's second book "Running Free" and am currently devouring Boff Whalley's "Run Wild", both of which exhort me to ditch the watch and GPS and run with nary a care nor concern for pace, time or distance. I do understand where they are coming from, but the reality is that I'm chuffed with this morning's run, and doubly so because I have empirical evidence via the faithful Garmin that it was as good as it felt.

I've just started reading "Running Free" which has led me to reflect on what kind of runner I am, or indeed want to become, and whilst I am not interested in being labeled it is curious to think about where this running lark is taking me.

Quite a few people try to persuade me to enter formal events such as local park runs and 10km races but I am just not that interested. The question I ask myself is why. I am a little worried about running with others, I don't feel ready but I think more fundamentally I run because I like the freedom that comes with it... the ability to leave the house and head out into the hills to escape for a while is what drives me on. I don't want to be surrounded by people as that defeats the purpose.

That is not to say I'm not competitive, because I am, and that's where I am happy to marry Running Free with my Garmin... I continuously like to better myself whether that is distance or time and recording my stats is a key part of that.

I really don't know where this running is taking me... I am planning to try 10 miles at the weekend, but have little idea of what comes next and you know what, I don't care because I'll make that up next week.

Having said that, I am beginning to imagine that the Moyleman might be in my grasp...

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

... I think more fundamentally I run because I like the freedom that comes with it... the ability to leave the house and head out into the hills to escape for a while is what drives me on. I don't want to be surrounded by people as that defeats the purpose.

That is not to say I'm not competitive, because I am, and that's where I am happy to marry Running Free with my Garmin... I continuously like to better myself whether that is distance or time and recording my stats is a key part of that.

I don't like crowds, and I am not competitive at all (except like you, with myself), but I do like to collect the bling of races - the race numbers and the medals. It's a nice thing to collect, because it requires effort, and each number and each medal has to be earned through sweat and discipline, and I think it's nice to have mementos of those efforts. However the freedom you speak of is important - I value freedom, and enjoy being able to run out my door and not have someone tell me where I can or can't run. It's this freedom that Whalley and Askwith are really trying to convey in their books I think. But that doesn't mean that organised big city sponsored events are all bad, either. There is an undeniable buzz you get from the shared experience with thousands of others doing something difficult and worthwhile. You should at least try one race - it may not be for you, but don't be afraid to check it out. You might be surprised. The camaraderie of a big city race is a great thing!

I really don't know where this running is taking me... I am planning to try 10 miles at the weekend, but have little idea of what comes next and you know what, I don't care because I'll make that up next week.

Having said that, I am beginning to imagine that the Moyleman might be in my grasp...

Once you do ten miles, then a half marathon is just a small step away, and then ... well you know what is next. And yep, the Moyleman would be a good one to aim for!

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Oh, and great work MLCMM. As Sweder says, it's good to have those miles banked with a busy period coming up. You can't change your fitness in 10 days, so you can just tick over as and when time allows.

Yes thanks fellas - I will manage some shortish runs between now and race day just to keep me in trim. I suspect race day itself will be a bit underwhelming and most unlikely to be in any way fast. Coming off the back of night shift takes time to re-adjust, so I'm not expecting much. It will be fun however, and that's the main thing.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Oh, and I should mention that I actually enjoy (sub)urban running. It's not often one gets to look around one's neighbourhood for a couple of hours with nothing much on the agenda. It's nice to be among the town going about its business. If only the streets were paved with rubber, it would be perfect...

I quite agree. In this day and age we seem to interact less and less with our neighbours and local community. Running the streets is a great way to re-engage; to actually get to know your local area and see what goes on in it.

And I'm seeing new research that suggests road running is in fact less damaging to your ligaments and joints than off-road running. I've often thought this to be true - after all if the shoe company's claims are even half-true, then the shoe should be cushioning you against the impact, and the road surface is far more stable than grass or dirt with less strain on muscles and ligaments. And one research article I read said that the impact to kness of most surfaces is pretty the same!

[marathondan]

And I'm seeing new research that suggests road running is in fact less damaging to your ligaments and joints than off-road running.

YOU ARE KIDDING ME!!!

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

And I'm seeing new research that suggests road running is in fact less damaging to your ligaments and joints than off-road running.

YOU ARE KIDDING ME!!!

Well yes and no ... I've seen at least two articles on the matter (but ahem, can't quite put my finger on them just at the moment) which attempt to dispel the alleged myth that hard surfaces are somehow more damaging than soft ones. If that were true, then barefoot runners would also get injured running on roads, yes?

And with Vibram now in the news for all the wrong reasons over their Five Fingers, maybe some truth about road running will emerge.

But look, that said, I'm still not saying this, that or the other is the truth of the matter. Who really knows for sure? All I'm saying is that in my experience, road running is no worse, and in fact is more generally better for my knees than off-road surfaces or even grass, and that you shouldn't just accept the "road running is worse for your knees" mantra that is so often spouted without thought or evidence.

I think in any case there is a very simple test to find what works best for you: run down a street that has a grass verge. If you find it easier to run on the grass than the tarmac or concrete, then stick to soft surfaces. If like me, you actually find the harder surface easier to run on, then go for it. Why the hell not?

And yes, it is true that I have dodgy knees, but it's also true that they are much, much better when I regularly run decent distances, most of which is on concrete and tarmac. My occasional forays onto grass and trail often results in sore knees, but of course that's not a fair comparison. Unless I did a few weeks of constant off-road running I wouldn't be able to say for sure.

As we always say here on RC, we are an experiment of one and you have to see what works for you. And as I always say, "Question everything"!

[marathondan]

The other factor of course is that we all have our weak spots. Knees for you (I've never had even slightly sore knees in 10 years of running), ankles for me, calves for El Gordo... each of these reacts differently to different surfaces no doubt. One supposed downside of tarmac is the lack of variety in the surface, so the muscles used for balance don't get strengthened. But even so, the ankles of a pavement runner have got to be stronger than the ankles of a couch potato..?

[Sweder]

Great debate on injuries. We're all different, of course. I'm a knee sufferer and there is no doubt that in my case off-road is better for me. I've had far fewer injuries since I dropped road running from my training. When I do hit the hard-top I get a negative reaction right away.

Interesting, but not new or surprising, comments re: barefoot injuries. McDougall is clear about making small changes and restricting yourself to shorter distances, building up gradually. It seems many people go at it hammer and tongs then wonder why their feet fall apart. I'll go back to it once I've lost a few layers of blubber. Again, for me, minimal cushioning and off-road running strengthen the muscle around my joints, the uneven surfaces and different conditions encouraging a wider range of movement than the steady, heel-heavy slap-slap of the well-heeled tarmac plodder.

City runs can be terrific. I've seen Montreal and Paris up close and intimate, all thanks to running. No better way to see a City in my opinion.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Beautifully warm, delightful autumnal weather today - ideal for running, and particularly so as the planned run was a "junk miles" bonus, just a few extra kilometres to add to the running log and to loosen the legs a little.

And so I headed out, still groggy from too little sleep and wondering if breakfast wouldn't have been a better plan than running the streets semi-comatose. I kept to the flattest areas possible, with no need nor any desire to run severe hills this time. A nice easy relaxed run was all I was after with a big cooked breakfast to follow.

Funny then that after the first kilometre I just sort of went into auto-pilot and surprisingly really hit my straps. I began flying without any conscious effort and running became delightfully easy, fluid and immensely enjoyable. This is the sort of running which is the reward for weeks of hard work and which says I've hit a new level of fitness. Even the last large, unavoidable hill was a relative breeze this time and I was only disappointed there was no-one around to see my arrival at the top in great form, still running strongly.

The result was that I was out for longer than planned, with 11.6km covered at good pace and even better form, which was the really encouraging thing. This gave me a total of 44km for the week, my biggest and probably best week of the training program yet. With 19 weeks still to go to marathon race day, it's an excellent platform from which to start my serious mara training through the winter.

First however is the Sydney half marathon in seven days time. I was thinking about the best way to tackle this whilst out on my run today. It's very tempting when you're flying along feeling fabulous to aim for a good time on race day, but I seriously must resist this, as I don't want to then have to take time off to recover from a hard race. This will just be another training day, albeit with a few thousand fellow runners alongside and a medal at the end.

But man, what a fabulous run today!

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

City runs can be terrific. I've seen Montreal and Paris up close and intimate, all thanks to running. No better way to see a City in my opinion.

Of course you are correct (although a good pub crawl is another excellent method of absorbing what a city has to offer). Really I think all aspects of running have their pros and cons, just like most things in life. If Askwith and Whalley have made a mistake in their books, it's in suggesting that their notion of running is better than any other. Of course it isn't - fabulous though it is, it's just different to urban or cross-country running.

They are totally right to promote fell-running and "free" or "wild" running because it is every bit as amazing as they suggest. But comparisons (especially deprecating ones) to commercialised, urban running are not warranted or even necessary.

Run on, friends, wherever and in whatever way you see fit. It's all fabulous!

[Sweder]

Perhaps the way to view this is 'what's best for you'. There's no doubt I have a simply-shod foot in the Askwith camp. I've given the Big City marathon slog a fair go, but I've moved on to another area of my running life. I can still appreciate the discipline and effort required to build a schedule, I just don't want to have to deal with it. Askwith's notion of the (st)ages of running resonates with me. I've reached a stage when I want to enjoy every run. That means, at the moment, minimalist off-road running without a care in the world.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Fittingly, I finished reading Boff Whalley's "Run Wild" whilst on a quick trip to the mountains, so nothing for it but to go for a run and "experience" the landscape as Whalley insists we should.

It wasn't a particularly long run - just 8.4km (doubtless Whalley would facepalm at the thought of my carrying a GPS on such a run, but hey, old habits die hard) but it was essentially alone, at dusk, and took in a brilliant lookout with views of Blue Mountain ramparts, pink sundown clouds hovering overhead and the roar of a distant unseen river far, far below in the canyon at my feet. Wrens and bellbirds fussed about in the scrub and wallabies crashed through the undergrowth as I plodded along, struggling at first with a dazed and maladjusted body clock from night shifts, but surprisingly came alive at about 6km, and fair sprinted the last part of the run, feeling very much alive as Whalley would have us on every run. It was not, as I say, a long run, but one of the best of recent times. It is nice to get into the mountains once in a while, immersed in whatever nature feels like throwing at you, rather than dealing with traffic fumes and dodging dog walkers.

But, that was very much just a day-and-a-half crammed-in trip to the mountains. Now I'm already back home preparing for more night shifts. It's all good training though, and a run like that last one is great because it rams home the fact that no matter how tired you are, you can always run a little further, and if you do so, the fatigue will pass and you'll hit another purple patch. Never fails.