A change is as good as a rest

Running has been hard recently. After my last trip to Budapest I came home feeling refreshed, relaxed and full of beans so I went out and ran and ran and ran. It ended up being my longest run ever at 14 and a bit km. I was pleased but could tell it was a couple of km too far. I had started a niggle. I know now there is one way to end a niggle - do not run. Stretch and rest for a week and see how things go. So, a couple of weeks of stretching and gentle 20min recovery runs midweek and I feel great again.

Last weekend I decided a 6k gentle plod would be in order but it was not to be. Poor prep meant I needed a pee after 3k and started to go hypo (low blood sugar) after 3.5km. So I run-walked back and felt a bit miffed.

Last night I ripped off all the old trance from my ipod shuffle and loaded up a total change of scene with more variety. This morning I got up early-ish had a good low GI breakfast with a banana, coffee and energy gel. I made sure the bladder was not going to nag and went out. I breezed through 10km with no stopping, good pace (apart from a car getting in my way requiring a stop) and rhythm (good word that - had to look it up!). I think the recipe below is one I will use again:

• Get up early


• Eat a good brekky


• Only one cup of coffe


• Energy gel




• Eat one before running


• Take one for every hour of running and one spare




• Important one here: Change the ipod playlist every 6 months

Call me a creature of habit but a routine or formula or recipe is needed for consistent measurable results. The coffee thing is key I feel. Normally Saturday starts off with a couple of small cups of hot brown from the machine - I nice wakeup jolt indeed! I have been reading about caffeine affecting blood sugar levels in diabetics. It seems the best word is 'destabilising' - blood sugar could raise or lower with caffeine depending on the individual. Seems to lower mine so it's going to be phased out over time.