tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54137760789636504242024-03-05T23:46:10.774+00:00Smalls' Marathon effortMarathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-44217622537330542792009-01-30T18:25:00.003+00:002009-01-30T18:28:49.306+00:00PainIt hurts, i should'nt have run on it yesterday. The whole of the right shin is wounded, I'm psychologically shotMarathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-14942142180220770802009-01-29T21:07:00.000+00:002009-01-29T21:08:47.257+00:00Out for 2 weekswhole front shin has gone a bit strange, strange enough that it hurts to walk on. A short break will do it some good. I now plan to use a bike a little bit more.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-12148246542893394522009-01-28T20:55:00.002+00:002009-01-28T20:57:41.700+00:00Crocked for over 4 daysshin splints - pain in the bum. They haunt the lower left side of the inside of the right hand leg and get worse and better when you are / are'nt expecting it to.<br /><br />When you run you can go through the pain but the morning after brings a dull ache to a chisel like thrust. I'm trying to grin and bear it without foregoing the rest period that would jeapodise the entire marathon campaign.<br /><br />I think my friend will be ibuprofen and my bicycleMarathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-27281991460456668682009-01-11T18:40:00.002+00:002009-01-11T18:45:38.299+00:00after a week of using the garmin, its getting easier and better.<br /><br />The software gives you a plan and graphs of every bit of information and statistic you could want. Its great, it takes about 30 seconds to locate satellites though - a drawback but I don't think I could go run without it now, bulky but light it will come into its own when looking at pace and trying new excercises like fartlek.<br /><br />The only thing slightly wrong is the compression socks which have resulted in numb legs after 4 miles and other very strange sensations. Its giving good recovery and less tight legs for the next day though I'm concerned about the numb legs.<br /><br />It may be better to feel no pain and nothing rather than agonising pain?Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-18121739785189198162009-01-03T11:39:00.002+00:002009-01-03T11:41:49.134+00:00Just signed up to two half marathons for March. one's £19 and the other £32. I'm placing money with the second due to the locality saving cost on transportation.<br /><br />I've also realised today that I've worked out my 16 week marathon schedule wrong so I could start next week, I'll still go on and go for 3 today and 7 tomorrow. Garmin toy should be around on Monday so this could be the last week of being away from technology forever.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-80301785208880466662008-12-02T21:31:00.002+00:002008-12-02T21:35:12.583+00:003 mile rune around the normal harbourside loop - taking in some crane activity by the pump house - it looks as though a giant half-pipe skate ramp is being lifted in by a floating crane. plenty of lighting and cold activity by a frozen workforce at 1800.<br /><br />An ache is beginning to form on the outside of the right shin for some reason. no matter of stretching or loosening will do it any good. I'll just have to bear with it.<br /><br />Much more of an up right and relaxed running stance now, the extra days' running is bearing fruit. Plenty of runs but at short distance is beginning to work for the injury prevention at the moment.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-1884072457147483532008-11-30T16:14:00.002+00:002008-11-30T16:18:13.914+00:00No new gear being used today but the great task was the first injury free 20 mile week for ages, usually its a real chore to pass through the sunday mark without some significant pain or ache causing discomfort or real jarring pain.<br /><br />3 yesterday, a 6 today and these are real gingerly taken steps in order to step up to 25 miles and then further for the next few weeks.<br /><br />A change of shoes has helped - they were the cheapest I have ever bought - and also not using the elliptical trainer has improved my right foot's gait. Its also recently got a lot colder so theres more of a pressing opportunity to use all of the impressive gear recently bought to no avail.<br /><br />Excited and not cynical at present.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-3705560906388575252008-11-13T07:16:00.001+00:002008-11-13T07:17:43.806+00:004.3 mile yesterday without any of the usual nagging pains. 3 for tonight and that will prove to me that these legs are fit enough to run in.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-19015328570966335982008-11-11T20:26:00.003+00:002008-11-11T20:32:05.177+00:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2Oh59xjTd1kYQJKj4GOD9JvM9Lrnr9sFilW0vei6fpM_IKqF5e-eUPz52c8qlvsy40MaMIZ9wZTE_0a7nkRNeGduyq_1n3YTob3p23TsfvsMOhX30msC5mzX94zr1iZ4H3jm6BKj9hU/s1600-h/82954384.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267499928431743490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2Oh59xjTd1kYQJKj4GOD9JvM9Lrnr9sFilW0vei6fpM_IKqF5e-eUPz52c8qlvsy40MaMIZ9wZTE_0a7nkRNeGduyq_1n3YTob3p23TsfvsMOhX30msC5mzX94zr1iZ4H3jm6BKj9hU/s320/82954384.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>been well out of touch, injury afflicted to the outside of the foot probably caused by my eliptical trainer has made me put on about 1 stone and 2 inches around the waist. I tried on a dinner suit today which was fine 2 years ago this time and i embarrassed myself - I hope this excess can be lost in time for the holidays. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Cheeriness from the day was halted by this discovery though not all the day was confined to fear. I got myself a new toy for £11 under the asking price. </div><br /><p> </p><p>I fear as to its usefulness but it got me out of a rut. Next up will probably be the descent into mad electrical toys, like gps etc but not yet. 3.5 miles today - good to get out into the cold wind and open moon. </p><p>Just discovered genius on the itunes after fearing its information hoover sucking all my records from the laptop, its pretty cool after all. </p>Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-89768613502826684842008-10-03T06:59:00.002+01:002008-10-03T07:00:57.542+01:00Ran home from work with bulky rucsac, dropped it off and continued. Felt like I'd lost pounds of weight, was free and running without abandon. 2 mile stretch with that thing and then a 4 mile stretch without. The shorter seemed longer.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-48156333976463218572008-09-25T20:39:00.003+01:002008-09-25T20:47:18.196+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6IfaD4DuDXeT3SZD-pW7x216Cppuv8ALCPPwdoeXSngKp3FC85brNAiDh1_QDZHylr49Us_lhHu6SiZL8wcYS_B0oQvatYNoHzhSHBV3qZHr8whe5NcfPlSAISOpomEXxq-j9eNd3so/s1600-h/1191832942-43602500.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250047397431631074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6IfaD4DuDXeT3SZD-pW7x216Cppuv8ALCPPwdoeXSngKp3FC85brNAiDh1_QDZHylr49Us_lhHu6SiZL8wcYS_B0oQvatYNoHzhSHBV3qZHr8whe5NcfPlSAISOpomEXxq-j9eNd3so/s320/1191832942-43602500.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Does anyone know about how healthy your feet will become after using Nike Free Trainer's. I've sported them to work on occasion and found them to be supple and a welcome break from rigid running shoes. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm chicken enough not to run in them however - I'm worried that they don't provide the needed cushioning. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br />Those are the ones on the above right. I bought them like so many impulse buys - meaning well enough to warrant expenditure but then using them as carpet slippers due to their comfort. I like the look of them. They own cosmetic credibility due to their prescence coupled with an ipod nano on the Nike Ipod crossover deal but they are also rare and rarely used by serious runners.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-61517083293810942322008-09-24T19:08:00.002+01:002008-09-24T19:17:21.083+01:00found it difficult over the weekend to run particularly after a party friday night so I chilled saturday and went for a two hour bike ride to bath and back on sunday, this hurt the outside of my right foot in an alarming way to therefore warrant another rest on monday.<br /><br />A swift 2 mile home run yesterday led to a 4.5 mile this evening, so I feel back in the mood.<br /><br />Evening darkening - getting cooler, I sported an insulating headband as a result.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-24033246612819705952008-09-17T19:14:00.002+01:002008-09-17T19:26:20.631+01:00Disrupted running this week, boiler broken with consequences of smelly doom.<br /><br />No hot water so a reliance on Fitness First showers means a re-jigging of routine and not a happy one. Fitness First relies on customers not wanting to improve their fitness but just their aesthetic and cosmetic look.<br /><br />I tire of people not actually thinking about what is going on inside their lungs, skin, capilaries or arteries but boosting their self-esteem via the act of curling a dumbell in front of a mirror. This phenomenon grows on the monday evening for the populace to diminish as the time approaches friday. This is when the clientele will be frequenting the nightlife of bristol to show off this hard earned "look".<br /><br />Back to it to burn off the excesses on the monday then. <br /><br />I don't mind the idiocy too much to want to overtly leave, but it does make me long for my shower at home. I must have joined years ago and cling to the membership (a good rate) due to a fear of injury and a need of rehabilitation through the gym's steppers and cross-trainers. I do wonder though.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-72690472257455220432008-09-13T10:37:00.003+01:002008-09-13T10:40:03.121+01:00will have to really go some in order to be as lazy as this week. Gardening had taken over schedule on Sunday only for a monday 3 miler to precede drunken antics on wednesday night after the victorious 4 - 1 England match.<br /><br />Suffering as I was at work for the next day, the evening run resulted in 20 minute sweater of a crawl before last nights 3 miler again, I feel I'm letting myself down. This will all change for a 6 miler this morning.<br /><br />Gardening<br />Football<br />Work<br />Food<br />Drink<br />Birthdays<br /><br />are all taking precedence over this marathon training and I'm wanting to cut back on the above.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-75518965490418519142008-09-08T18:16:00.002+01:002008-09-08T18:23:20.422+01:00More thinking during the run on Saturday, missed the Sunday's run due to Gardening responsibilities.<br /><br />Can there be too many obstacles, hurdles and distractions on the pavement during a normal run? To try and add them all together during a run is too taxing<br /><br />Glass<br />dog eggs<br />dog's leads stretching across the path<br />wobbly bicycles<br />airbourne insects<br /><br />another 3 mile easy one, easy on the legs, lungs and nipples.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-4107234630930226502008-09-05T19:34:00.002+01:002008-09-05T19:38:06.737+01:00Instead of the run home from work - it was the dreaded walk in the rain. past the temporary urinals in the centre of bristol and past all the flunkeys trying to stagger toward them, it was only 1800.<br /><br />I am grateful for the extra bounce for the run after the day-off. we'll see what happens tomorrow. Running without a pack full of office produce - therefore - lighter.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-15809696016925177682008-09-04T20:15:00.003+01:002008-09-04T20:35:41.016+01:004.7 mile run, rainy, thinking........<br /><br />5 de-motivating tunes<br /><br />The Smiths - Heaven knows I'm miserable now<br />Blur - No distance left to run<br />The Flaming Lips - The Sound of Failure<br />Johnny Cash - Hurt<br />Muse - Blackout<br /><br />If you can think of 5 better, please commentMarathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-29561487249755171392008-09-03T19:43:00.001+01:002008-09-03T21:34:47.389+01:00reduced effort today, back to normal hours at work brought its toll.<br /><br />I started up my hill at Brandon Park and then descended toward the SS great Britain, Its at this point when doubts enter your mind, should I do more? Less? I then settlled on the old adage of conservation and then opting to do more later in the week -Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-43435068970672934282008-09-02T19:44:00.001+01:002008-09-02T20:59:08.848+01:00<div>3 mile short run in the rain (or misty drizzle - dry rain?). An opportunity to try the new watch and sunglasses sent over by Wiggle. As per usual with new kit, you look forward to the usage beforehand during work, and then the pain and monotany during the run takes away the gloss of new purchases.<br /><br />Was it ever not so? Like a toy which does'nt live up to its premise.<br /><br />I got some cheap sunglasses which have gaps at the top line of the frame so as to give ventilation, I wisely avoided expensive running glasses by considering that the collection of mist inside will always occur no matter what the spin of the branding and advertising. Perhaps I'm missing out by not shopping adidas.<br /><br />I saw £135 shades with the most brilliant description of anti-mist proofing on the inside. Is it ever wise to invest in something that we only see through?<br /><br />The rest of my kit adopts a kind of used and bedraggled look but I'd like it to improve. Aiming for the seasoned look but avoiding the old-school cotton shirted 'T' and anything involving campri, bukta or flourescent bum-bags, (that goes for fanny packs too) I'd rather go for shorts than the Ronhill classics, New Balance than Nike (sweatshop issues) and running after work to get away from the place. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Lots of excitement this week due to a countdown to the Bristol Half, lots of participants in the streets wishing they'd done more before. I've chosen to avoid the event due to the slow build-up to April but I cannot help feeling left out - No Matter though. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCiFZYqsaGya5YfR7-eQG_7zWOe1EwauFxPBQzN8IryiaBW7PfAgE1TC41grs3Sd3xY2OY9QX2VwTFr-12MthXYKPApOtrkLcQLd353HF1_0q4A6w5jp8NIgRpvczoYpbNhO9frk9beQ/s1600-h/subpicture_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241515626114998354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCiFZYqsaGya5YfR7-eQG_7zWOe1EwauFxPBQzN8IryiaBW7PfAgE1TC41grs3Sd3xY2OY9QX2VwTFr-12MthXYKPApOtrkLcQLd353HF1_0q4A6w5jp8NIgRpvczoYpbNhO9frk9beQ/s320/subpicture_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This is the rainy glaze on the road of the Portway approaching the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. The Half takes a course around the centre and then out and back along this long road. </div>Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-43632548020935493182008-09-01T17:51:00.000+01:002008-09-01T17:53:15.929+01:00Day Off,<br /><br />I always get anxious as if I should be doing something active.Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5413776078963650424.post-25757238402501544282008-08-31T20:52:00.001+01:002008-09-02T20:41:23.537+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdgu8ltuBispoVeLbEQWFtCuXB3K-rvh-brLSN6zuCJh_2SO2W0Xf8vOXsospYG0C6YAO_VIo7hCIVhF_MjgitAuQ1mfF0S2vltmVP1PtU06PJbjTHiThM7DtiuxK82xltQPhTEjR-hQ/s1600-h/ashton+court+06.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240774454566221474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdgu8ltuBispoVeLbEQWFtCuXB3K-rvh-brLSN6zuCJh_2SO2W0Xf8vOXsospYG0C6YAO_VIo7hCIVhF_MjgitAuQ1mfF0S2vltmVP1PtU06PJbjTHiThM7DtiuxK82xltQPhTEjR-hQ/s320/ashton+court+06.jpg" border="0" /></a>My first post, <div><br /><div>It comes after a bit of hill training during a 5 1/2 mile trot around Ashton Court in Bristol. This used to be home to a very popular festival cancelled some 2 years ago.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.weloveashtoncourtfestival.org/">http://www.weloveashtoncourtfestival.org/</a> see picture of blogger in red. </div><div> </div><div>The windy uphill route was in a weird, misty dry rain which was such, that I could'nt make out the difference if the wet was coming from within or not within. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I was motoring up the hill to max on 172 bpm and to then walk or stagger to decrease the bpm to 152 and to then continue uphill. I'm hoping that this sort of fartlek with slope will improve my all round running fitness. I then had to avoid the kites and mountain bikes for the slippery trip back down to the bottom. The process does not last long, but I want to recognise progress if the process becomes increasingly painless. (poetry with p's) Does anyone think this to be a good idea - a sort of fartlek on a slope?</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Scrapheap Challenge filming on the water provided a diversion, with their dingys trailing a geekmade hydrofoil or something. A big roped off area was guarded by the Nova Scotia. </div><div></div><div>This is all just small fry before London but I'm hoping that before I start seriously whipping out the big distances, I will have had a good 25 mile/week basic fitness to then build on.</div></div>Marathon Smallshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792329514389370633noreply@blogger.com0