I took a little time to reflex during my run last night.
Now I'm not exactly sure what people think about my exploits
(or Triathletes in general). Some think
we're crazy. Some simply can't see why
we all do what we do. Some just 'get it'
and don't need to question at all.
I suppose that everyone finds their own way to unwind / distress
/ chill out / relax / find a different place - whatever takes your fancy. Some people drive fast cars. Some take foreign vacations. Some get drunk. Some go Clubbing. Some read!
Me? I look for the moments like
last night run ......
The calf injury is all but gone. I don't think about it anymore. Focus has now moved to the Right shin (!)
with a single sore point just above the ankle.
Running is still quite limited to once a week. It's still progress compared to the first
couple of months though, so I'm happy.
I'd like to be doing more, but at the moment I feel 90 years old the
next day!! Gentle is the key word for me
still.
Having had a really positive run last Wednesday evening when
I really tried to reign in any notion of time / distance / thoughts of previous
runs and concentrate on technique and relaxation, resulting in a fantastic
feeling that I could go on and on, a light heart rate and no real element of
stress or tightening up, I again left it a full week to ensure there was not a
delayed reaction or anything bizarre going on with the leg.
I did the exact same run last night, again just focussing on
form and low energy exertions. This
together with an almost perfect clear sky, moonlight to guide the way (lack of
street lights in some areas!), the decent of a little fog, a chill in the air
and the country-side was just M.A.G.I.C.
That is what makes training worth-while and keeps me motivated. Now that is Running Dark!! Tremendous.
So, the secret? (N.B.
This might be all cobblers / psychological etc, etc - but it seems to
work, so I don't really care). Over Christmas I read a book about Chi
Running. While I do quite like the image
of this Tai Chi stuff in some desolate Country Park, alone with just a pack (!)
of Stags watching from a misty hill-top and the sound of the odd Chinese Gong /
birds (do I watch too many movies?), I'm not necessarily convinced by the
'inner Chi' / 'let your Chi flow' preaching’s.
You can't measure it, see it or buy it.
I do however like the idea behind the 'technique' side of
Chi Running - A strong CORE, standing tall with head / shoulders / hips and
ankle aligned, and using the tilt from the ankles to allow gravity to provide
forward momentum, not necessarily your legs so much.
At the moment, this is what I think of while on the run,
together with the recollection pointed out time and time again through the book
- Remember when you were a kid running around without a care in the world,
never thinking about running or getting knackered? Run like that kid again!!
Now, my memory isn't all that good, but it does give you a
bit of focus and helps relaxation. It
also subconsciously helps with pace.
Although I'm still really early out of injury, I'm well up on my target
race pace. Last night’s run was 7.5
miles at just under 8 minute mile average (believe it or not, I actually
remembered to not only charge my Garmin, but USE the bleed'in thing too - Happy
days).
Progress indeed. I
won't look for a pace any greater than this, just build in Brick sessions (hard
ride into a medium distance run as the training regime builds up) and try and
maintain this.
Enough of running.
Went Mountain Biking with the Club last Sunday. One word - MUDDY :) Another word - BLOODY MARVELOUS (OK, two
words. Sue me).
The Ashford Tri entrant list for this Outlaw is down from
Six to Five (Hope Andy recovers soon and get's back on that horse (Wrong
sport?). The rest of us have taken to
gather about once a month to have a catch-up, brag about training pace, worry
about how quickly this event is coming round, talk nutrition, training plans,
compare injuries and anything even vaguely related. It's a really great evening. A sort of
self-help group! Last week was all round
my place. Apart from the dog embarrassing
herself, I didn't cook, so no food poisoning at all. Bonus! I may have inadvertently scared Sally
about the bike distance. Real sorry Sal!
Stuff to do next - not necessarily in this order:
•Visit the Osteopath again.
I will try to maintain this as I'm sure that I'll be constantly battling
the lower leg injury.
•Book another Swim Analysis at TheTriLife. May be a bit too late to change anything
drastic, but I'd appreciate the guidance of more experienced triathletes
•Get out on the TT Bike
•Get out on the TT Bike
•Go running
•Get out on the TT Bike
•Purchase some of the race neutrition products and get
experimenting with the re-fuelling on the go (HIGH5)
•Re-charge the Garmin
•Take some pictures of the TT Bike
•Post about the TT Bike
•Obsess about the TT Bike
Later people.
W.
