Ten is a Magic Number

So, ignoring my long absence from blogging (ahem), things have been going well on the running front.  I resumed running at the end of July, with no ill effects at all from the break to the toe. Holidays caused a bit of disruption, but I managed to fit in some interesting runs in France and Ireland.

I've also tried to develop a varied routine (if that isn't an oxymoron) to my running, so instead of running somewhere between 3 and 5 miles each time, I have included an interval session and a long run each week.  The long run has gone up from 5 to 10 miles.  In fact this morning's early run was the first run longer than 10 miles, which I am very pleased about.  I have also discovered that careful planning of the route so that at least two thirds is off-road makes the long run more interesting, more relaxing and a lot less painful on my joints.

To be honest, my favourite run is the interval session.  Inspired by my training with South London Harriers many years ago, I do 10 minutes gentle warm-up, then alternate 1 minute of "fast" running with 2 minutes of slower recovery running, with a warm down of 5 to 10 minutes at the end.  (Speed is, of course, relative.  My "fast" running is slower that my slow running used to be, but what does that matter?)  The changing pace makes things a lot more interesting, and also seems to slightly speed up my running during other sessions.

So highlights of today's run: unexpected pumpkin fields and ostriches, and laughing at a naughty greyhound giving its owner the run-around (literally).  The low point: coming face to face suddenly with a rottweiler off its lead with no sign of its owner, if only for a few seconds. No damage done.  :)

Being Patient. Mostly.

It's been a while since I've posted because there hasn't been much to write about, exercise-wise.  I taped my toe to the one next to it for two and a bit weeks.  Since then, it's been OK to walk on, but achy walking downstairs and if I walk on it too much.  However in the last week, it's felt much better.


Number of bike rides since breaking toe: 1.  Very poor!  More to do with terrible weather (I'm a fair weather cyclist) and lack of time than anything else.
Number of sessions on the cross trainer: 10.  Much better!  I do suffer from extreme boredom when doing any kind of gym-related activity but I balanced my phone over the display and watched Pointless and Dead Boss on iPlayer, which just about kept me interested and occupied.


The good news is that I've been in touch with my Sempai and will be back at karate tonight trying some light training.  :)


I haven't been tempted to run, apart from a few yards across the garden today.  I won't be kicking anything at karate tonight but am most concerned about the warm-up, as, when I start running, I really want the security of a supportive trainer round my foot, rather than running barefoot.


However I am ecstatic about getting back into exercise.  Must not overdo it though.  The goal is to do the marathon next May, not to run 10 miles in the next week.


I'll let you know how I get on.

Walls

It's been over a week since I've been out for a run and I am climbing the walls.  Sooo hard not to keep training.  No karate either, and the planned bike ride this week didn't happen for various reasons (heavy rain being one of them!).

To maintain a reasonable level of fitness, I have been using a cross trainer.  It's very convenient as it's at home, so can use at any time (so far have been on it at 7am and 9:30pm).  But it is so *boring* compared to being out in the countryside running!

I have also been doing some fitness training for karate - mainly press-ups and sit-ups.  Could also maintain leg strength by doing squats, but see above for boredom factor.  Hoping to get out on the bike this week as that should hit the spot.

Yup - It's Broken

I went to Minor Injuries at the local hospital yesterday as I thought I'd better get the toe and foot checked out, as they continued to turn interesting shades of pink and purple and were painful to stand on.  I picked a good time - short queues and was seen by a Nurse Practitioner and had X-rays taken within an hour.


It was very interesting to see my foot X-rayed - and to see the clear break at the base of my toe.  I'm told that it is an evulsion fracture - a little chip completely separated from where my toe was bent backwards.  Thankfully there was no break in the foot itself.  My toe was strapped to the one next to it and I've been told not to run (or do karate) for at least 4 weeks, then see how it is.  I can, however, do non-impact sports, so will be riding my bike and going on the cross trainer, which hopefully will stop me from going completely stir crazy.


Watch this space.

Sports (In)compatibility

Although running is dominating my mind and time at the moment, I also take part in karate and cycling regularly.  Cycling and running seem to work pretty well together, although they use different leg muscles.


Karate is rather different.  Being more focussed on strength and suppleness, it complements running really well.  (When I am only running, I do have to work on stretching so that my calves and hamstrings don't shorten.)  Running seems to boost my cardiovascular fitness most, which is really important to me as I have asthma.  When I was a competitive club runner (15+ years ago), indoor circuits in the gym suited me much more than some of my faster distance running companions. I enjoy (that might not be the right word!) the press-ups and sit-ups involved in karate.  I certainly enjoy feeling toned around my upper arms and middle  :)


But karate isn't all about the exercises.  The style I practice is full contact.  Bruises are common, broken bones not so.


However last night I clashed feet during sparring with a partner and now have a very sore toe and foot.  I managed to "run" home after karate (actually something between a jog and a limp).  Today my foot has been slowly turning more purple and, although I have been able to put weight on it, I've only been able to hobble around.  I am still pondering whether to go to hospital to have it checked out.  I will be, um, either furious or completely despondent if I have broken a bone.  From past experience, broken toes are not even x-rayed, just strapped to another toe and left to heal for 6 weeks.  I'm as worried about my foot as my toe.

Hmm, not a good start to marathon preparation at all  :(

Wild Weather

Now, a little bit of rain doesn't put me off running  :)  I'm not quite so keen to go out in a downpour, but the cool and wet start to the summer quite suits me.  I find heat, especially the humid kind, a killer.

So I was quite happy on my "long" (7 miles) run this week to go out after a deluge on an off-roader.  Only problem was that in the mild, wet weather, the nettles had grown chest-high.  And then flopped over the path in the rain.  I don't mind a few nettle stings, but they were draped across the path at above knee height for about half a mile; it was like trying to run in knee-high water.  I came home with my legs solidly stung all over, with blood dripping off from brambles.  Two days later, my legs are now tingling, rather than buzzing. Who knows? Perhaps it'll ward off arthritis in years to come.

New Shoes!

My trusty old New Balance off-road running shoes aren't going to be up to the job of on-road training, so have treated myself to a new pair of Nikes with custom insoles to reduce pronation.  Bought them a week ago and am still getting used to them.  Compared to the old shoes, they feel incredibly bouncy, like I have some foam rubber strapped to my feet - great for distance on the road, but I still prefer my old shoes (and running off-road) at the moment.

Marathon Place Booked!

After the 2012 Belfast Marathon on 7th May 2012, bookings opened for the 2013 event.  Unlike the London Marathon, places appear to be on a first come, first served basis.  I have booked my place!

From the results online, it looks like there were 2918 finishers this year, with the first home in 2:13 and the last in 7:36, with the runners in the middle finishing in 4:11.

I must stop thinking about times - my goal is to finish!

In the Beginning

A long, long time ago - in 1983 to be precise - an 18-year-old attempted the Belfast Marathon.  Despite following a sound training programme, she struggled from 20 miles and stopped at 23 miles.  She has never quite forgiven herself for this.

On 6th May 2013, the 30th anniversary of that marathon, I will attempt to at last complete the run, now known as the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon.  This time I am determined to finish, even if I have to crawl the last few miles.  Please feel free to remind me of this!