Wokingham half marathon

So I have updated my pb section as last Sunday saw my début on the half marathon circuit. I didn't trouble the front runners - indeed I got lapped by Liz Yelling at 12 miles on her 'warm down' second lap...harumph!

However, I hit my target and all my chums achieved personal goals which is great! I had such a great day - the sun shone and my injury didn't flare up as I thought it would. Changing to new trainers did the job - the old pair are being binned asap. It's surprising how quickly they wear out and cause injury to wonky runners like me.

Now I'm focusing on my 10k target for The London 10k in July as well as taking a couple of weeks off running and getting back in the air. I feel the need for speed....and all that ;-)

Pictures to follow soon.

ZOMG!1

Cool!

I saw the podiatrist last night to get my orthonics fitted - that's inserts in my shoes to sort out my spakky mechanics. I honestly couldn't feel much difference in the exam room but walking back to the station was a revalation! No knee pain - comfort and joy ensue ;-)

Hopefully I'll head back towards 5K and then upward in time for the Regents Park summer 10k series.

I'll be away for a couple of weeks so I'll post back on my return.

How are your mechanics?

I haven't been able to pound the roads or the treadmill (bringer of pain!) for a week or so now as my right knee has been somewhat uncomfortable. As I am aiming for the longer distances these days I thought it was about time - if not a little too late - to consult the experts on how wonky I actually am as a runner.

So, I pootled off to East Acton last night (a nice looking neighbourhood as it happens) to have my 'gait' analysed. Very interesting stuff! It may sound like I am a physical wreck with a twist to the pelvis and mild over pronation causing the discomfort and rubbishing my efficiency but these are common conditions. As my doctor once said about me - unremarkable. Thanks dude...

Anyway, a physio session and some wedges in the shoes should sort these issues out and I'll be back in training for the Budapest half marathon in '08.

All in all, understanding the mechanics of running was fascinating. I recommend anyone looking to extend distances beyond 5k investigate having their gait analysed. Its cool stuff to know and can save frustrating injury.

On the road again

Ah, deep joyous aching legs. The weather is good, I am healthy and so I got to run today for the first time in three weeks. I won't post a time here 'cos it's just too embarrassing but I did a full 5k with no stops and a 1k warm down so not too bad.

Next week will be tricky to find the time to run as I have a lot of travel with work which means carting this behemoth of a laptop around...too much weight for running comfortably and after all, I do this for fun - not to get injured.

Fingers crossed, the two trips next week should really spell the big kick off for Moneyspyder and hopefully a third will come on line too.

Next weekend is going to be taken up by our first trip to Budapest this year to furnish our flat...no time for running but Hungarian food and beer means I really will need to run some after the trip ;-)

Happy, busy days!

Watch the times tumble!

10K progress yesterday - watch this space. Cross training and longer distances beckon.

Happy New Year!

Thinking about new year resolutions I almost elected for a rather geeky resolution to have no resolution...hmm too ironic.

No - I'm going to eat better breakfasts and make more time for my friends. Previously I have resolved to be less tolerant of idiots which has resulted in fewers friends - they're muppets but they're my muppets!

Can I reduce my carbon footprint? Yup - send China, Europe and the United States back to the jurasic period.

Realistically? Maybe an iota or two but not in any meaningful way. Is that feeling of helplessness just reality biting for the first time in '07 or is it the arse-end of the last hangover from '06? No answers on a postcard pls...

Aha! Another resolution - form complete scentences and reduce usage of '...'

Those resolutions didn't last too long so I'd better go get some brekky.

ps. decided on '07 running targets - speed, not control darling!

The O-God of hangovers

Yup - well and truly in the post Christmas party hangover club but I'm still in work before my colleagues. I guess that makes me the dumb one!

There'll be no pictures of me in my new skins that I was sporting around the office before departing last night. I was hoping to try them out on a run into the office tomorrow morning but logistics just won't work out for me it seems...

I've added a current PB section on the left for my chosen distances. I'm not going to be troubling Paula any time soon but it not about records - more of a personal battle. As a type II diabetic battering down barriers like running and flying is high on my personal list of 'Things to do before the operations start'.

Come to think of it, diabetic or not I'd be bashing down these barriers anyway. When ambition runs out - its time to serisously rethink ones life strategy.