February 2005 - Week 2

[Sweder]

Time: 13:00 Hrs
Location: Lewes – South Downs
Distance: Appx 4 miles
Duration: 35:09
Conditions: Warm, sunny, strong breeze (Westerly)
Companions: 3 hounds

I decided against a town lope. I’m scheduled for a 16 mile off-road jaunt tomorrow morning, and I need to know if the hamstring is up to the off-road buffeting. I opted for shorts (easy access!) and wore the Tubigrip™ support bandage on my right thigh.

Very gentle start uphill towards the dew pond and stables. I decided to cut my normal 5 mile run short, missing the toughest section (the climb to Black Cap). This would mean a decent workout without the excess strain of the steepest climb.

I reached the stables and felt comfortable, still at a very modest pace. In line with the advice from Dr Foot I adjusted my stride pattern (shorter strides) to reduce the stretch on the hamstrings. I would of course be more likely to stretch out on the return/ down slope (with the wind), and told myself to concentrate on that thought at the turn. The footpath from the stables to the foot of Black Cap proved tricky, pools of muddy water surrounded by treacherous patches of sludge. I danced along the edges, taking advantage of the long grass flattened by cattle and horses, weaving around the occasional razor-sharp thorn bush.

The gate at the foot of Black Cap seemed a good place to turn. The split time of 19:46 for just under 2 miles was pretty good, and I wondered at how sometimes you can run ‘easily’ and yet stay pretty close to your usually pace.

Re-focused on a shorter stride pattern we set off down the mud track towards home. The wind at my back tempted acceleration, but I throttled back. My calves said good afternoon, and my right shin seemed a little uncomfortable. I welcomed the reports, the prominence of minor complaints meaning all's quiet in the hamstring department. The dogs rejoined me after their customary (fruitless) rabbit-hunt in the thickets behind the gallops. The descent through the (vacant) sheep field was without incident, apart from Willow (Cocker Spaniel) cooling off in the dew pond, submerged to her Pre-Raphaelite ears in the freezing, muddy water.

The round trip time of 35 minutes for just less than 4 miles reflects the easy pace, but the objective was achieved with no after-effects felt in the legs.

On reflection I believe my troubles this week have been exacerbated by poor stretching disciplines after runs. It’s easy to get blasé about post-run attention to the limbs, and I’ve been guilty of this of late. Not so now, though. Dr Foot’s Stretches here I come.