Who’s in charge? Me or you?!

I’ve learnt a staggering amount about running and myself since I started running back in Aug’10. But this lesson in particular is a biggy.

It came on todays long run of 15 miles. Previously my longest run was 13.3 miles. I should have done 14 last week, but due to foot pain and exhaustion I could only manage 13. Which, is significant. I’ve been able to quiet my mind during a run before. The motivational effects of Dean Karnazes’s book Ultra Marathon Man are not to be under estimated. However, I gave the book to a friend who hadn’t read it and haven’t bought another copy since.

I know I can do 10 miles. So it was no shock that things started hurting at 10.8 miles. The inner conversation went something like this:

• Body: Your right hamstring is about to give out and your feet have had enough. You’re struggling. I don’t know how much longer you can go on.
• Mind: Wait. Who’s actually in charge here? Me or you?
• Body: Erm…
• Mind: Yes. Me, and I say we continue.
• Body: …..
• Mind: It’s a lovely afternoon for running isn’t it?
• Body: …..

And that was it. I imagined the central communication system between my mind and body to be a motorway. On the body side of the carriageway it was packed. Rush hour. Masses of messages about what body part is about to give out next. On the Mind side of the carriageway, nothing. 2am in the morning. You could hear birds cheeping.

So… what’s the difference between last weeks 13-miles-couldn’t-do-14, and todays 15? Answer: nothing. Only attitude. If anything I’d say I felt a bit more beat-up than last week. I’ve been trying to fit a kitchen at the same time, but that’s another story.

So here’s the comparison between last week and this week:

Last week’s 13 miles
		This weeks 15 miles

Not so much distance, but more loops		More adventure and getting lost

So, slower than last week, in a nutshell, but the lesson learnt was off the scale and so worth it. So… on to 16 next week!

The Holy Beast

I’ve talked previously about how running fits [or doesn’t, sometimes] into family life here.

Which is why I’m such a fan of lunchtime running at work. The impact on family/home life is minimal. Also, if you’ve got the benefit of flexi-working hours, you can also get those longer runs in. Talking of which…

In my quest for longer long runs, I’ve started upping the distance at lunchtimes. Which has made me look at alternative routes around the Cotswold countryside. Yesterdays route took in 3 smaller routes.

I name thee The Holy Beast

Two reasons:

1. If you look from the air, it resembles a holy cross.
2. At the last hill, you’re not human unless you utter ‘Holy Fu**’ under your breath.
3. It’s a beast of a run…

Here are the stats:

I’m more than happy with 9.something m/m over 11ish miles. Pace has been an issue lately, but with new found form, I seem to be able to push it more.

Don’t remember stopping for a wee half way round!? But the garmin thinks I did!

It’s like one of those cards with a blob on it and they ask what you see… First I saw a church cross, but second I saw a bird with long tail feathers.

Shoes hide issues

I went through quite a long period during summer of walking barefoot at home, and around the office in sandals when I could, to get my feet used to no support or cushioning.

When I do wear my work shoes to get to work, then walk around the office in socks, the difference in what I can feel in my feet and legs is massive. I’m so much more aware, in just the socks, of where I have tight spots in my feet and lower legs. I’d have no idea otherwise.

Back when I was running in shoes with a lot of cushioning, not only were the muscles in my lower legs not being engaged properly, but when I’d finished, I’d put on my work shoes and have no idea what the state of the whole setup was below the knee afterward either.

The truth was, certain muscles were being over used, and it wasn’t until I stretched one time, that the tibialis posterior tendons in both legs called time and gave out. They’d done far too much, but of course, I had no idea there was a problem until it was too late.