Category: running

Ultra Training Update: Week 4.5

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Anyone who read Too Much Too Soon will know that I was (predictably) too enthusiastic about having signed up to an ultramarathon as I managed to injure myself within a week. Having seen the lovely Hampshire rugby physiotherapist, I have suspected tib post tendinopathy. I won’t bore you with the details but it kind of falls under the umbrella term shin splints. This means that, since week 1 of training, I haven’t been running – not the best start.

 

Unfortunately I’m the most impatient, gung-ho person on Earth so this has been mega frustrating. However, it has encouraged me to diversify my training. I’m still yet to develop a consistent exercise programme as I’m more of a “wing it” person than a person capable of sticking to rules and schedules, but (like my uni work) I know this is something I should really do.

 

It turns out there’s more to cardio than running. In the gym I’ve spent a lot more time on the cross trainer, ventured onto the exercise bike and dabbled with the rowing machine, as well as trying to maintain my weights routine. The cross trainer was particularly good as I managed to get some uni reading done and watch a few things on iplayer, but I had to limit my time on it after it started to make my shin ache. Cycling also got my heart rate up and rowing is surprisingly tiring but, like anything, seems to get easier once you’ve pushed through the initial tough 15 minutes or so.

 

I also dipped my toes into the pool, as you may have read in Swimming Rediscovered. I’ve only gone three times, for which I blame my pain-in-the-backside knot-forming, slow-drying hair (a rubbish excuse I know) but each time I’ve done at least a mile and it’s felt really good. I also swam in the river at Shawford (very cold) and the quay at Bosham (almost balmy), which were both invigorating experiences that I’d only recommend if you’re okay with unseen things touching your feet.

 

Over the early May bank holiday a miracle happened: the sun got lost and ended up in England. I dug my beloved and too-long-neglected Specialized Rockhopper out the shed and treated it to a beautiful ride in the New Forest. I’ve always considered myself a through-and-through mountain biker, but this 20-ish mile route around the North West of the Forest showed me the light of road cycling (but that’ll be another post).

 

Two days later I cycled the short (16 mile round) distance from Winchester to Alresford and back and was reminded of the simple formula that prevented me ever achieving regular cyclist status: saddle + bottom = ouch.

 

Between these bike days I braved the sunny Sunday traffic down towards West Wittering beach – big mistake. Over an hour’s worth of traffic later we launched the kayak at West Itchenor and spent a glorious afternoon paddling 6-ish miles around the creeks – the good, steady workout which inspired On Kayaking.

 

I went to rugby training last week to try a gentle jog on grass, and I was delighted that it felt okay – barely a twinge. I plan to start running again this week, and this time I really do intend to take it uncharacteristically gently and slowly.

 

All in all, I’m equal parts furious and exasperated at myself for causing this first hurdle, but also a little bit pleased to have had so much fun with other forms of exercise. I’ll definitely be incorporating cross trainers, rowing machines, bikes, kayaks, pools, rivers, seas and anything else I can get my hands on into my cardio regime, and fingers crossed I’ll be running around like a clueless, grinning idiot again soon.

 

Time to ditch our running shoes?

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In Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, a guy called Barefoot Ted swears by running with minimal foot protection and it kind of makes sense. Our feet evolved over millions of years to transport us everywhere, and we’ve have been running the entire time. Da Vinci called the foot “a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art”, and McDougall compares it to a complex, super-strong suspension bridge. It has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and some tendons (thanks Google). Thousands of nerve endings make the feet mega-sensitive to stimuli (hence they’re ticklish).

 

Such acute responsiveness to pain taught our ancestors to run the way evolution intended, not the way running trainers enable us to. In contrast with the super-long-term evolution of the foot, the cushioned, supportive, “corrective” running shoe has been around less than a century. 80% of trainer-clad runners strike the ground heel first, whereas we naturally run with a forefoot strike – as illustrated by the Tarahumara running people of Mexico and other runners from non-Westernised cultures. Try it; the impact on the uncushioned heel makes it too painful on the foot and the shock shoots up the lower leg, jarring the knee.

 

McDougall is critical of the corporate giants pushing the latest state-of-the-art, mega-cushioned, super-corrective miracle running shoes on unwitting consumers (I’m guilty as charged). He points out that the best tried-and-tested models are often pulled from shelves to encourage runners to stockpile favourite shoes, and that there’s always some brand new “technology” to entice buyers with its promise of easier runs and faster times. Not to mention any names, Nike (again, guilty as charged), but the big names definitely have a vested interest in convincing us success comes from the purse.

 

McDougall describes how a top running coach at some American university experimented on his runners. He bought one group top-of-the-range, big bucks, high-tech running shoes and another group cheap, minimalist trainers. He found that the expensive shoes caused the runners to tire quicker and suffer more injuries than the cheapie ones. Similarly, another running  expert advocated the use of worn out, battered old shoes that  had lost much of their spring over brand new trainers. Hmmm.

 

Born to Run highlights the lack of injuries suffered by native runners with minimal or no footwear. It suggests that joint problems associated with repetitive pavement-pounding are more likely to be caused by the poor technique and unnatural gait which result from the over-compensation and over-protection of modern trainers. Constant support, particularly under the arch of the foot, weakens the soft tissue as it’s no longer needed to do its load-bearing job.

 

Running shoes enable us to run faster and further than our bare feet would, and prevent us feeling the pain that we evolved precisely to respond to. It’s easy to run too much in trainers, particularly when beginning a training programme as I recently have. The cushioning prevents our feet telling us when enough is enough, so our joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments end up absorbing way more shock than they’re accustomed to, resulting in injury.

 

I tried running barefoot on the treadmill and was amazed at the difference. My arches ached very quickly and my feet were much more sensitive to what was underneath them; I trod really lightly and much slower than usual. It’s the sort of thing you’d have to build up really slowly (remember that our ancestors started building up shoeless foot strength and tough soles since they learnt to walk) but I imagine it’s really liberating once you get there.

 

So perhaps trainers weaken our feet and make us run wrong. Perhaps they don’t. I just wanted to write about this because I found it really interesting. All in all, I won’t be ditching my Nike Pegasus Air Zooms just yet but I do plan to invest in some of the funny-looking five-toed running shoes that act as a second skin (once I find some money) to give barefoot running a go. I’m by no means an expert in anything foot, running or anatomy-related, but the barefoot theory seems logical to my keen little brain, and I could do with saving a small fortune on my next pair of shoes.

Too Much Too Soon

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These four words sum up my life. I’ve always had a propensity to jump into things headfirst, blindfolded, at the deep end, hands tied behind my back. In 2008 I went on a bike ride, decided I loved mountain biking and (aged 13) saved up about £550 for my trusty Specialized Rockhopper. Then I spent £60 on a full face helmet. Within 6 months I rode down the steepest side of the steepest hill I could get to, resulting in an irreparably buckled wheel – a further £60.

 

I think I’ve done it again. After my last naively optimistic post, which gushed about how I’d fallen in love with running and run almost 40 miles in 5 days, I semi-rested on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday I walked 7.5miles around the New Forest (in flip flops, of course) and noticed a sharp, twanging pain shoot occasionally through the inside of my left shin. I had noticed a slight ache on last Thursday’s 9-mile run but thought nothing of it.

 

Yesterday I went for a gentle run and noticed it hurt about half a mile in; I applied my normal “rugby attitude” and decided to “run it off”. I only intended to do 2-3miles but the pain went away and I felt great so I did 6. Fitness-wise I felt unstoppable but knew I should turn towards home when it started to hurt again at about mile 4.5; I realised I had altered my gait to compensate for the pain.

 

Google helped me self-diagnose shin splints but I’m not 100% sure it’s that. I’m quite surprised as I’m a forefoot runner – the ball of my foot hits the ground first – and from what I’ve read most runners are “heel strikers”, which places more stress on the legs as the foot doesn’t absorb the shock. Also I’ve always done a lot of sport, run roughly every 2-3 weeks, go to the gym three times weekly and play rugby most weeks, so I thought I’d be fit and strong enough to not pick up a silly injury so soon.

 

The pain is bearable at the mo and I’m desperate to run it off, but I’m terrified of making it worse and having to rest properly. I’ve bought compression socks, kinesiology tape and ordered insoles (instead of paying uni fees) and I’m weirdly excited to try them out.

 

I’m concerned for the sake of my ultramarathon training, rugby-playing and general hyperactivity, so if anyone would like to offer help, advice or shin splint-related services please get in touch, Facebook has proved invaluable already. Just one proviso – if you’re going to tell me to rest, do it as last-resort-advice and please break it to me gently. And mention the words “stress fracture” at your own peril. #prayfornay

Ultra Training Update: Week 1

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It’s been almost a week since I signed up for an ultramarathon at 2am after an impromptu drinking session and for some reason I haven’t cancelled my booking. Friends have told me I should postpone it until another year to give myself enough time to train (alongside study and work), among them a personal trainer and an ex-marine.

 

Perhaps that’s why I’m keen to give it a go; being told I can’t do something triggers my resolve and makes me dig my heels in, absolutely determined to do (or at least attempt) whatever silly thing it is. So far it hasn’t proved fatal.

 

Anyway this week I started “training”. I’m reluctant to use that word as it seems too formal and serious, when really I’ve just been running a few times. I looked up 4-month 50-miler training plans, but a) they were aimed at seasoned marathoners, and b) I didn’t like them anyway. So instead I just ran. Maybe I’ll devise a written plan at some point, but for now I’ll focus on putting one foot in front of the other and not dying.

 

After last Saturday’s 13.1 miles, I ran 2.5 miles on Monday (with a friend, otherwise I would have gone further) followed by 10mins barefoot on the treadmill. I’m keen to train my body to run barefoot after reading Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, but that’ll be another blog post. I did 7 miles on Tuesday followed by 12mins barefoot treadmill, 5 on Wednesday (with another friend) and 9 on Thursday. I probably shouldn’t have run Weds or Thurs because of the blisters on the balls of my feet – from the treadmill, although I’m reluctant to admit it – but I have an addictive personality and I was addicted.

 

Unfortunately yesterday and today I admitted that I should let my feet heal (and my legs rest, although they’re itching to run) before I make them worse, so no running. Somehow one blister has extended to between my big and second toe, where the flip flop strap goes, and has left a sore, red split in the skin. This is super annoying as you’ll rarely catch me in anything other than flip flops or barefoot from April to October. If it wasn’t for that I’d be running now. I hate resting.

 

So far I’ve found that the first couple of miles are easy, the next three-ish are the toughest, then it gets easier again. At the end of each run I thought I could happily carry on, but stopped because I had plans or felt I should go easy on my body to begin with. I’m the most impatient injured person ever to have existed. My breathing has been fine, I’ve had no joint pain and the initial calf soreness seemed to ease after going barefoot on the treadmill, stretching and using a foam roller. I’m being kind to myself by focusing on distance, not pace, and enjoying each run.

 

Blisters on the balls of feet are particularly irritating as plasters don’t do much, seeing as you put pressure on them every time you take a step. I’d never burst a blister running until Thursday’s 9-miler, when I was happily into mile 7 and all of a sudden it felt like my left foot landed on one of those washing machine liquitab things. I didn’t even realise that blister was still there until then, but it was horrible. Would not recommend.

 

We’re coming to the end of a mini heatwave which started on Wednesday, so the 5 and 9-milers were  balmy. The meadows, fields and streams I stumbled through on Thursday’s run were picture-postcard lovely, but I felt like I attracted, inhaled and swallowed enough flies to hit my protein target for at least the next week. At one point I tried and failed to extract one from my eye mid-run, only to come across it later as I attempted to apply mascara on my way to the pub.

 

Another thing I noticed on that run was that when I went exploring and ended up on rocky, rooty, hard mud-ridged narrow paths, it got easier and I got quicker. I was amazed that I’d been struggling a moment before on the smooth road, yet I hit more technical terrain and ran better. I suppose that goes to show how significant the mental aspect of running is – despite considering myself relatively resilient and self-aware, I was sub-consciously focusing on my tired legs until I was forced to concentrate on my footing in order to not break a leg.

 

So that’s where I am with four months to go. I’m hoping to get a run in tomorrow, foot-dependent. In other news, I finished Born to Run and started Eat & Run by Scott Jurek, an ultramarathon legend who featured in the former book, I’ve got a couple more blog posts planned (very loosely, in my head), and today I swam in a cold, dirty river. Uni is boring and I’m still poor.

 

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The Accidental Half-Marathon

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Two days ago I downloaded the audiobook version of Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run to occupy my hour-long commute to uni. I wanted something outdoorsey-adventurey to remind me of the great big world beyond law books and inspire me to push on through my last couple of months in education. Perhaps I’ll reward myself with some crazy exploit in July-August, I thought, which will give me an incentive to work hard in the meantime.

 

I won’t review the book now as I’m only halfway through, but it’s good. So good, in fact, that today I accidentally ran a half marathon.

 

I enjoy running but rarely get round to doing it; I’ve only been once since February. Like anything, I think it’s about getting in the habit. I have a feeling that will change – having listened to the book, I’ve realised that I should run for running’s sake, not specifically to get faster or fitter. That way it’s not a chore.

 

Today I did that. I let myself enjoy each step the way a child enjoys aimlessly tearing around a playground, and didn’t beat myself up for not hitting sub-five minute kilometres. I planned to run from Winchester to Alresford via the back roads, about 8 miles. I think the furthest I’ve run before is about 10 miles, and that was a long time ago for a one-off charity event.

 

The first 2-3 miles were a breeze and I enjoyed not focusing on achieving a “good” pace. I felt a blister heat spot about 4 miles in but didn’t want to stop running, so ignored it. Miles 4-7 were probably the toughest, but then I realised that it had got easier – I had settled into a rhythm and wasn’t struggling despite the hills. My breathing was slow, the blister had eased (or gone numb) and my legs moved (almost) effortlessly. Perhaps I had got over the “wall” that runners go on about.

 

I felt so at ease that I decided to extend the run, first to 10 miles, then, when I still felt good, to 13.1 – a half marathon. I find that when I have a finite endpoint the last bit is tough, so the last half mile was a bit of a slog. Nevertheless I think I could have kept going, but I wanted to get to an exhibition that closed at 4pm (which was well worth it – How Many Elephants). I did it in 1hr55 and averaged 5mins 28secs per kilometre – not my best pace as I like to stick as close to 5-minute kilometres as possible, but I don’t mind as I didn’t expect to run that far.

 

To conclude (in a rush, as I’m already late for my plans), please go running. It took me 1hr 55mins to fall in love. Let yourself enjoy it, go as fast and as far as you feel like going, and realise that you’re capable of more than you think. Book review to follow…