It's been a long time between entries and a lot has happened. I think I'll just post the entries I've added to my Sport Tracks records:
21/4/08
Rang up the POD to inquire about the x-ray results, all good. Just have to wait for the orthotics now. I'll survive until then.
Footnote: Sunday was my first actual marathon ... the whole marathon concept is a life changing experience. The fun thing is that most people can do one!
20/4/08
Well there you go. My first marathon. 4:18 with a negative split. Huge credit goes to Michelle Healy who was pacing her mate Michelle (!) for 6 minute km's. I ran with them for 34km and found myself a little in front of them and wanted to keep moving as they were taking some small walks.
I pulled up incredibly well and my leg even appears to be improved (or maybe the injury's blended in with all the other aches. Seriously, I've felt worse after 20km training runs.
19/4/08
10 km - Just trying out the shoes as an excuse to try out my leg! Not truly comfortable but no worsening. Made the decision to do the Brisbane marathon tomorrow. Hoping to at least get close to 4 hours.
Anyway, got the results of my x-ray's yesterday, they look completely clear to me, but I guess it's up to the podiatrist to decide that . I'll be surprised if there is a fracture there.
15/4/08
Having taken a complete week off having seen a podiatrist (x-ray's on the cards but wanted to try some treatments first), I virtualy couldn't feel the leg this morning but certainly did when I tried out some shoes at Active Stride. Went for the 12km tonight which was not as bad as I expected but certainly not good. Decisions looming.
6/4/08
10 km - Went out with AT, ran late after weekend away so cut the 12km short to 10km. Leg situation is quite strange in as much as it's no worse or no better. Two yakking sessions went down well after swallowing a couple of bugs!
Sort of relieved after a bushwalk this morning at Mapleton, the uphill climb seemed to stretch the calves a little and I could feel very little discomfort afterward. Though Andrew was entertained by two bouts of vomiting after my failure to eject and insect of some kind that had wandered down my throat ... nice.
5/4/08
28 km - Really good run under a black cloud (because of the leg). Starting to fear the worst, maybe stress fracture. This would be a bit of an acid test (have I already said that previously). Anyway, didn't go too badly. Finished up sore but had a steady run. Great company in Ian, MichelleH and her mate Rachael.
1/4/08
12 km - Bad leg won't go away. Very comfortable starting out but after about 6km it started to be painful. Stupidly continued and with about 3km to go, was really sore. Got home in good time but I'm not looking forward to the morning. I have a V02 Max test tomorrow so that ought to be interesting to say the least.
30/3/08
12 km - Pretty good after last nights efforts. Legs were a bit heavy but happy to get through it at an easy pace
29/3/08
28 km - Night time training run. After last nights 12 I wasn't optimistic about my calf holding out and I'd had an upset stomach for most of the day too. As it turns out, it went pretty well, felt my calf for most of the way but was able to run in a pretty relaxed gait and have felt no ill effects some two hours later which I expected to have especially having sat in the car for the drive home. Tomorrow morning will be interesting.
28/3/08
12 km - Had to take the time off. Felt really good before this in as much as the rest seemed to have done me the world of good. Firsd few strides told me it wasn't over yet. Pretty uncomfortable really, but not too bad later. See how tomorrow goes and if it's ok will do the Wildhorse Mountain night run. There's always Voltaren!
19/3/08
21 km - This was hard. Definitely need to rest legs now. Will be taking Thursday and Friday off anyway but doubtful as to whether I'll be right for Saturday.
17/3/08
12 km - Ran tonight as opposed to early morning tomorrow, in order to give myself maximum recovery time to put 20+ in on Wednesday. Very surprised at the run, as though it was cool, it was hard going at times, heavy rain and wind. Leg held up ok which was a surprise. Thank god for voltaren!!
16/3/08
10 km - Just backing up from yesterday, trying to beat the light so cut the loop short to 10km. Hard going, right leg not so good.
15/3/08
24 km - Having slept through my alarm, lack of sleep catching up with me, I had to get out this afternoon instead. I had planned 36 km this morning (3 loops) but setting out at 1:40 in 30 degrees it wasn't really going to be on. The first loop hammered me and it was tempting not to do any more after that. Dug in and finished the second, that was enough. Probably valuable training but not what I had in mind.
12/3/08
21 km - Meant to take this really easy and see how I went. Another run where I reinforced my believe that I'm not as clever as I thought I was. Took off at a comfortable pace and ended up with 5:05 and 4:58 for the first two and I paid for it. TIme was no worse than I expected or wanted, but it could have been more comfortable. I have a week and a half to go before a rest week and I'm on the threshold of a breakdown I think so I'll have to be a bit more careful. Still satisfied that I've got it under my belt though.
11/3/08
12 km - Definitely carrying an injury. After pulling up the way I did on Sunday it's no real surprise, but maybe shouldn't have gone this morning. Nearly came back at the 2km mark but decided to take it easy and do 12km. Worth it I think apart from the insect swallowing episode!
9/3/08
15 km - Sunday with AD - proving to be very helpfull. I don't think I'd have the motivation to get out and do anything beyond 12 without some company on a Sunday afternoon.
Reasonable pace, steady run. Bit of a shadow over it as when we got home, I stepped out of the car and could barely walk, felt like a shin splint initially but after time is definitely muscular. Stretching, hot bath, anti-inflammatories and it was a lot better. We'll see what the morning brings.
First 80+ km week!
8/3/2008
20 km - CP8 - Confirmed what I already knew: this section is tough! I'll be happy when I get around this section in May. No such thing as a bad run though ... is there?
6/3/08
12 km - Great run to back up last nights efforts, just a little bit stiff. The HRM was playing up. Shot up to 240 a few times and 192 a few times. I distinctly don't remember having any heart attacks so maybe the contacts just need a good clean or maybe it's buggered! - on further research today I have found that I probably need to change the battery.
Will have to check it out. Best midweek set ever, might even have a few beers tonight!
5/3/08
21 km - Great run with AD. Couldn't be more pleased. Half marathon in reasonable pace and ran pretty comfortably throughout. Back it up with 10 or 12 in the morning and I'll be happy.
4/3/08
13 km - Very stiff this morning (!). After the first 500m - 1km I was seriously debating whether to cut short or not (and continued to think that for another three or four km's. Got through it though.
Combination of contributing factors, mainly the training over the last couple of weeks and the fact that there was no stretching done on Sunday. We'll see how it is tomorrow morning.
