April Cools

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Let's get the bad news out of the way first ... took off for my scheduled long run yesterday intending to complete 22kms, but threw in the towel after slightly less than 4kms ... some days are just bad days, and it's clearly not going to work out. I was happy with my decision, but there was no escaping the fact that I still had to do that long run...

Today was a much happier day. First off, some good news... I have a new physiotherapist, the lovely Abby. Abby does not inflict severe pain. In fact she seems genuinely concerned when causing any discomfort. Perhaps I have crossed that threshold labelled "Older Runner - Handle With Care"? None the less, she knew her onions. I went with the intention of getting a tailored stretching and mobility regime, something which takes into account my dodgy left knee and my running aspirations. This she did with professional ease and I left happy with her package of stretches and exercises, though slightly worried by her admonition that she will know all too well upon my return visit in two weeks time just how often I have been following the plan and how well.

She confirmed much of what I already half-knew, particularly that my glutes are "woeful", my hamstrings "awfully tight" and my overall flexibility "not good at all". She was however pleased with the state of my calf and quad muscles, so we built a plan to maintain my strengths and work principally on my weaknesses without putting any load on the knees. Her diagnosis was remarkably similar to that given to Glaconman (here) just the other day - I suspect it might be true of many runners who don't stretch or crosstrain sufficiently?

A little later I headed off on a second attempt at the week's long slowie. Slowing it right down, I felt really good and completed a very pedestrian but quite comfortable 24km (15mi), and of course immediately followed it with a lengthy stretching session, and I have to say, it felt bloody good. Really did loosen up the muscles tightened by the run but also gave those that missed out a work-out too.

Of course, I have to do these stretches and exercises three times a day, as a sort of mobility boot camp, but I'm going to tackle it, as I feel my flexibility has suffered in recent years (perhaps causing my loss of speed), and my knees "need" all the help they can get, too.

So anyway that was my last long run before the half mara in two Sundays time. It won't be a fast race for me, but the main thing is to have a bit of fun and continue building a good base mileage.

So far all is good in Camp MLCM. Stay tuned.