I bet you thought that this blog had gone the same way as 97% of most blogs eh? Starts off with good intentions on a wave of great enthusiasm and then…nothing. Aye, me too.
I think the time that’s passed between this post and the last one can be split into two (ish). The first half, I was probably just fed up with running (I do prefer the Scots word scunnered) or maybe more specifically the aches and pains that have been associated with my running. And the second half, well, I’ve just been scunnered with the world. The last few weeks have felt quite intense with stuff that is probably not wise to write about here but suffice to say a lot of time has been spent thinking about / worrying about people whose lives have changed irrevocably, and not for the better.
Not for the first time, running has been a wee escape from the intensity. I wouldn’t say I’ve got myself into a regular schedule, but I’ve certainly managed to get out a few times a week. There hasn’t been much of a structure to the running, harsh critics might refer to a lot of my recent runs as ‘junk miles’, but ‘clear the heid runs’ are priceless runs.
In terms of pace, I’ve got a range of anywhere from low five minute kilometres (what I’m now calling parkrun pace) up to 5:40/5:50s, but probably spend most of my runs somewhere in the middle of that. The pace from a few years ago is nowhere to be seen and I’m not convinced it’s coming back regardless of any improvements in fitness and endurance. I’m sure that a big part of that is down to me being hesitant to ‘push it’ for fear of aggravating the knees and achilles that have been the cause of countless injuries and setbacks over the last few years. My left knee is certainly ‘bothering’ me just now, but I’m not sure I’d call it painful. Maybe I’ve learned to manage it better…or just mastered kidding myself that it’s not really sore.
But when I’m out there on the road, I’m enjoying it. The first few kms of any run, irrespective of pace, definitely feels much tougher than it once did but things usually settle down after that, including the breathing which can be a bit all over the place early doors. I’ve been a bit surprised with the distance that’s in the legs, 10-15km runs feel manageable and there’s a big bit of me tempted to try a half marathon or at least HM distance soon – although I do see the pace dropping off the further I go. I’ve taken a gel with me on the last two Sunday runs and that’s helped and I’m trying out a running belt now to see if it’s going to work for carrying the drinks and nutrition come race day (so far, so good).
As much as I am enjoying the semi-regular running, doing it 2-3 times a week feels like it’s probably the limit – at least for now. The temptation, especially when it feels so great for my head, is to get out there every day or increase it to 4-5 runs a week. But I know that would probably end up with more time on the sidelines nursing an injury and feeling sorry for myself – and I’m kinda done with both. But there’s a big part of me wondering if the legs – with all the injuries they’ve endured the last four years – are going to cope with the training schedule that comes with a marathon. The race distance itself, I feel ok about, but the hundreds of miles that go into the preparation, less so. Coaches and physios and runners more experienced than I am will regularly tell you to ‘listen to your body’. The problem I have is that if I genuinely listened, I’d hear my legs say, ‘just pack all this in, we hate it, we’re sore and we’re going to keep giving you hassle until you listen to us’. So I hear you legs…I just sometimes choose not to listen!
I am going to start swimming on the days I’m not running and I’ll keep the odd rest day or two in the calendar. I haven’t swam in a long time, but I can get myself up first thing in the morning for a swim more than I can for the gym. I’m also starting to travel a bit more again for the first time in a while. That makes scheduling runs (and swims and gyms) a wee bit trickier, but it does mean a few new locations and a change of running scenery. Who knows I might even treat you to a photo of them given I’ve not posted three text only blog posts!
This started off as a quick post to say I’ve not abandoned the blog and turned into a bit of a ramble so let me send you off to read an incredible article that stopped me in my tracks last week. It’s a situation that is completely unimaginable to so many of us but you’ll read the quotes from these incredibly brave runners and in a world that makes increasingly little sense, their words will.
Chicken Legs Runs... 