As I have been gently reminded, it has been far too long since I updated everyone on what's been happening. So, here we go...
I had originally thought about jumping straight into training for Tasmania's Cadbury Half Marathon in January, however since my knee still isn't terribly happy with me increasing distances, I've had to do the smart thing and scratch that plan. Instead, my physio has me relegated to "technique work".
Why technique work? Because my bad running mechanics is probably what's contributing to my knee issue. How do we know this? I endured the humiliation of seeing myself running on video. My my, wasn't that an experience and a half? And not a terribly pleasant one let me tell you! I can liken the experience to one that most people have probably had, where you look back at old photos and gasp in shame at what you used to wear (I'm sure any ladies that had "80's hair" will know exactly what I'm talking about). And back then you thought it looked good, right? Having yourself videotaped evokes similar feelings.
Not that I ever deluded myself that I actually looked GOOD while I was running. Oh dear no. I've never been one of those enviable "natural runners" that look like they're effortlessly gliding along the ground with the grace of a gazelle. If I had to liken my running style to an animal, it would more likely be something along the lines of a hippopotamus being forced to run on its hind legs. Oh, and one of those hind legs is prosthetic. Ker-THUMP, ker-THUMP... Yes, that fits my mental image nicely. Because, I do actually run somewhat lopsided, as the video showed.
I tend to lead with one side (as one glute is stronger than the other), which puts excess strain on the hip and knee on the other side, plus my hip drops far too much when my foot hits the ground. Because the hip drops when my foot is on the ground, I have to lift the hip on the other side to bring my leg underneath for the next stride. This means my hips are kind of going all over the place when they really should be staying fairly level. Anyway, interesting running mechanics information aside, it means I have to do some serious work on my technique before I can even think about running higher distances again.
So, I run for 30-45 seconds with perfect technique, then walk for 15-30 seconds, and repeat. And repeat. And repeat some more until I can't hold that good technique properly any more (usually about 30-40 minutes). It is hard, it is mentally draining, it is monotonous, and I feel really silly stopping and starting like that when all I want to do is just keep running. But, all whining aside, I'm sure I'll be thankful for it in a couple of months time when I'm back to running properly again. In the meantime, if you're around the Brisbane river and you happen to see me doing my thing, please try your hardest to not laugh out loud? Cheers.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
I may be the slowest thing on two legs...
Run - 8km (00:06:45 pace)
... But I get there in the end! I ran my old favourite 8km return route along the river from the Kangaroo Point stairs, past Southbank and out to West End, and despite my legs feeling totally dead at the end, it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it was going to be.
Actually, it was great. For the first time since coming back off my knee injury, I was able to ignore my struggling body long enough to appreciate the cloudless star-sprinkled sky, the brisk breeze, and the lights sparkling off the river. I'd forgotten how much I love running at night! Running during the day carries feelings of urgency, of being overwhelmed by the bright sunshine and the energy-sapping heat, but at night its peaceful and even somewhat relaxing.
Plus, there's the added feeling of achievement that comes from pushing myself through 8km, which is the longest distance I've done since hurting my knee. Next week, I'm gonna make it 10k!
... But I get there in the end! I ran my old favourite 8km return route along the river from the Kangaroo Point stairs, past Southbank and out to West End, and despite my legs feeling totally dead at the end, it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it was going to be.
Actually, it was great. For the first time since coming back off my knee injury, I was able to ignore my struggling body long enough to appreciate the cloudless star-sprinkled sky, the brisk breeze, and the lights sparkling off the river. I'd forgotten how much I love running at night! Running during the day carries feelings of urgency, of being overwhelmed by the bright sunshine and the energy-sapping heat, but at night its peaceful and even somewhat relaxing.
Plus, there's the added feeling of achievement that comes from pushing myself through 8km, which is the longest distance I've done since hurting my knee. Next week, I'm gonna make it 10k!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Slowly but surely...
Run - 6.4km total
10min walk warmup
2 x 3.1km (00:06:30 pace) with 200m walking recovery
10min walk cooldown
I still feel like a tortoise, but its getting easier.
I've never been a fan of running in the heat, I much prefer to hit the pavement either early morning or in the evening, but with the way my uni schedule is at the moment, I have to squeeze runs in whenever I can. So, I guess I'm just going to have to get used to coming home and dripping little pools of sweat all through the house like I did after my 10am run today. Nice.
10min walk warmup
2 x 3.1km (00:06:30 pace) with 200m walking recovery
10min walk cooldown
I still feel like a tortoise, but its getting easier.
I've never been a fan of running in the heat, I much prefer to hit the pavement either early morning or in the evening, but with the way my uni schedule is at the moment, I have to squeeze runs in whenever I can. So, I guess I'm just going to have to get used to coming home and dripping little pools of sweat all through the house like I did after my 10am run today. Nice.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Pant, gasp...
Run - 6.4km total
10min walk warmup
2 x 2.5km (00:06:20 pace) with 200m walking recovery
1 x 1km (00:06:00 pace)
10min walk cooldown
6.4km! Four long, long months ago, 6.4km would have been nothing more than a tiny blip in my weekly mileage. Now however, the excitement of actually having gone as far as 6.4km is eclipsed only by the fact that I did a grand total of 18km last week. The joy, the rapture! It is so worth the stabs of pain that radiate from my quads with every thud of my foot on the ground. It is so worth the burning in my chest and the rasping sound of my own breathing heavy in my ears. And most of all, its worth the occasional twinges of pain from my knee, even though I still gasp in fear each time I feel one.
All in all, my knee has been quite well behaved through all of this "return to running" business. It has its moments of course, and plenty of times that, while it doesn't actually hurt, it just doesn't feel 100%. But I'm playing by the rules, doing my stretches and taking things fairlyly slowly, so I guess all I can do is keep on hoping, and keep on running!
10min walk warmup
2 x 2.5km (00:06:20 pace) with 200m walking recovery
1 x 1km (00:06:00 pace)
10min walk cooldown
6.4km! Four long, long months ago, 6.4km would have been nothing more than a tiny blip in my weekly mileage. Now however, the excitement of actually having gone as far as 6.4km is eclipsed only by the fact that I did a grand total of 18km last week. The joy, the rapture! It is so worth the stabs of pain that radiate from my quads with every thud of my foot on the ground. It is so worth the burning in my chest and the rasping sound of my own breathing heavy in my ears. And most of all, its worth the occasional twinges of pain from my knee, even though I still gasp in fear each time I feel one.
All in all, my knee has been quite well behaved through all of this "return to running" business. It has its moments of course, and plenty of times that, while it doesn't actually hurt, it just doesn't feel 100%. But I'm playing by the rules, doing my stretches and taking things fairlyly slowly, so I guess all I can do is keep on hoping, and keep on running!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Just a quickie!
Run - 5km total
10min walk warmup
4 x 1km (00:06:25 pace) with 200m walking recovery
5min walk cooldown
Its late, I'm tired, so this will be a short update.
This was one of those runs I probably shouldn't have done, but my pig-headedness asserted itself and I did it anyway. My knee had felt a bit iffy all day so I was a little wary of running on it, but things turned out ok. Actually, I felt great afterwards. Instead of heading down to the river as I usually would I decided to stick close to home, and did a few laps around the local streets. Nice for a change.
10min walk warmup
4 x 1km (00:06:25 pace) with 200m walking recovery
5min walk cooldown
Its late, I'm tired, so this will be a short update.
This was one of those runs I probably shouldn't have done, but my pig-headedness asserted itself and I did it anyway. My knee had felt a bit iffy all day so I was a little wary of running on it, but things turned out ok. Actually, I felt great afterwards. Instead of heading down to the river as I usually would I decided to stick close to home, and did a few laps around the local streets. Nice for a change.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
"On the road again... "
"... Just can't wait to get on the road again..."
Run - 10min walk warmup
4 x 1km (00:06:30 pace) with 200m walking recovery
10min walk cooldown
And she's back.
Now that I'm feeling like I'm training properly again, this blog can be more about running and less me whingeing about not being able to run! So, while these reports will in no way compare to the speeds and distances I was doing pre-Gold Coast, they're still better than nothing. Gotta start somewhere eh?
Not even dreary weather and drizzling rain could have kept me from hitting the road this morning. In fact, I think I'm glad of the unfriendly weather because it kept the majority of people indoors and left me with the river path all to myself. No one to leave me feeling like a plodding, slow-moving sloth as they cruise past me with gazelle-like grace. No one to hear my somewhat tortured breathing as I struggle to make my legs go forwards when all they want to do is stop and have a rest. No one to see me pulling what I'm sure are amusing grimaces and assorted other facial expressions as I sternly berate myself for being a wimp and wanting to turn around and go home. Nope, it was just me, the puddles, and the steady plop of rain on the brim of my cap. And it was great.
I'd love to say I cruised, but in truth it was a struggle. My heart-rate skyrocketed, my quads were burning, and that niggly voice in the back of my mind kept saying "Come on, that's enough for today, you're going to hurt your knee again". My stubborn pig-headedness won out however, and I finished the total of 5k feeling on top of the world. That's the longest distance I've covered since Gold Coast. Now all I have to do is keep up the momentum and I'll be back up and ready to race again!
Run - 10min walk warmup
4 x 1km (00:06:30 pace) with 200m walking recovery
10min walk cooldown
And she's back.
Now that I'm feeling like I'm training properly again, this blog can be more about running and less me whingeing about not being able to run! So, while these reports will in no way compare to the speeds and distances I was doing pre-Gold Coast, they're still better than nothing. Gotta start somewhere eh?
Not even dreary weather and drizzling rain could have kept me from hitting the road this morning. In fact, I think I'm glad of the unfriendly weather because it kept the majority of people indoors and left me with the river path all to myself. No one to leave me feeling like a plodding, slow-moving sloth as they cruise past me with gazelle-like grace. No one to hear my somewhat tortured breathing as I struggle to make my legs go forwards when all they want to do is stop and have a rest. No one to see me pulling what I'm sure are amusing grimaces and assorted other facial expressions as I sternly berate myself for being a wimp and wanting to turn around and go home. Nope, it was just me, the puddles, and the steady plop of rain on the brim of my cap. And it was great.
I'd love to say I cruised, but in truth it was a struggle. My heart-rate skyrocketed, my quads were burning, and that niggly voice in the back of my mind kept saying "Come on, that's enough for today, you're going to hurt your knee again". My stubborn pig-headedness won out however, and I finished the total of 5k feeling on top of the world. That's the longest distance I've covered since Gold Coast. Now all I have to do is keep up the momentum and I'll be back up and ready to race again!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Do not pass go, do not collect $200...
Yes, it does feel a little like I'm back to square one... My first "run" since the Gold Coast Half Marathon was an exercise in humility, as someone that thinks of themselves as a "runner" was reduced to the position of "runner-wannabe". I panted and staggered my way through my 5 x 30second intervals at a speed barely above walking pace, gasping like a fish that had flipped out of its tank and feeling like my legs were made from reinforced concrete. Nothing could have stopped the exhilaration though, the unadulterated excitement at being able to RUN! And it got better from there.
I've done a few more sessions since then, and each one has improved upon the last. Friday I did 3 x 800m repeats with 1-2min walking recovery, and last night I did 4 x 800m repeats. Its probably a little above what I should be doing, but as long as my knee isn't hurting I don't see the harm. I'm back to see the physio on Wednesday so if he yells at me I'll just accept it as justified and do my best to stick to whatever program he gives me. My stubborn and pig-headed side is very hard to subdue though! Especially since someone mentioned to me a marathon/half-marathon in January that, can you believe it, starts and finishes at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Tasmania! That race must have been made for me! Could I be ready for another half-marathon in 13 weeks? I really don't know, either fitness-wise or knee-wise, so I guess I'll casually mention it to the physio on Wednesday and see what his reaction is.
Meanwhile, I got some runnin' to do!
I've done a few more sessions since then, and each one has improved upon the last. Friday I did 3 x 800m repeats with 1-2min walking recovery, and last night I did 4 x 800m repeats. Its probably a little above what I should be doing, but as long as my knee isn't hurting I don't see the harm. I'm back to see the physio on Wednesday so if he yells at me I'll just accept it as justified and do my best to stick to whatever program he gives me. My stubborn and pig-headed side is very hard to subdue though! Especially since someone mentioned to me a marathon/half-marathon in January that, can you believe it, starts and finishes at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Tasmania! That race must have been made for me! Could I be ready for another half-marathon in 13 weeks? I really don't know, either fitness-wise or knee-wise, so I guess I'll casually mention it to the physio on Wednesday and see what his reaction is.
Meanwhile, I got some runnin' to do!
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