Off season 2012

[marathondan]

Back on the road!

Well, off it mostly, but you know what I mean.

The doc signed me off last week so I've resumed some general plodding. Three three milers to the good this week, each 50/50 grass/tarmac. I need a solid month of that before I think about any increases in distance, or use of a stopwatch. Post-run stretching will also be compulsory. My former mantra was that while I wasn't getting injured, I wouldn't bother stretching. Well, as of last season, I'm getting injured - so it's no longer negotiable.

As this is a fresh start, I'll try and get into some good technique habits - good stance, shorter strides, front foot landing. Today I measured my cadence for the first time. At what I thought was a fast footfall, certainly faster than my usual one, it came in at 160. After 3 more attempts, the last of which felt pretty silly, I'd got it up to 170. The funny thing was, as soon as the time trial ended, I relaxed into my old tempo. It will take a while for this to feel natural. It's all good, though.