DECEMBER 2011, 144 miles
Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, 27 miles
Dec. 26
Just a quick note about this past Christmas week. I didn't run the number of miles I would have liked because I bruised my heel then went for run, which I had to cut short. I was overcompensating for the bruise with the other foot and sprained it slightly. I didn't want to repeat the same thing again so I've rested for a few days - frustrating. I'm hoping that the foot will be pain free tomorrow and I'll manage a 21-mile run. The highlight of the week however was the 3 miles I did today on Wentworth golf course at sunset, the foot hurt slightly but the run was gorgeous.
Dec. 19 - 25, 27 miles
Dec. 21
On Monday I ran 18 miles. It was the longest run I've done in minimalist shoes and since the Venice marathon in October. I felt pretty exhausted afterwards; I was hurting at the top of my right illio-tibial band (outer thigh, just under the hip) and generally all over.
At the moment I cannot imagine doing the 31 miles of the London Ultra in February.
The good thing was my feet and calves felt strong and didn't hurt. The FiveFingers are serving me well.
Dec. 12 - 18, 62 miles
Dec. 15
This week has been a good week for running. 13 miles on Monday, 15 on Tuesday... on Wednesday my feet and calves were aching so I took a day off and went to Pilates for some good stretching. Now, on Thursday morning I have 2hrs before a meeting - gonna head out now for a fast 9 miler, then clock another 6 later this evening. I'll be shifting the focus at the weekend to Christmas party time so I'm not sure how much running I'll be able to do.
Just a quick note about my appetite though. When I start running a lot, like I have been this week, an unusual hunger takes over me where I literally cannot eat enough. My stomach cannot hold all the food I want to eat and I feel like I'm in a little bit of a frenzy. I think it's for this reason that my diet in general has changed towards a lot more fruit and salads, which digest quickly and I can eat in massive quantities.
Dec. 12
Finally my cold is behind me and I'm back to running - after almost a week off.
As well as this, the muscles in my lower calves and feet have finally become strong enough for some serious training in the Vibram FiveFingers.
Did 13 miles this morning along the canal and around Victoria park and felt great!
Dec. 5 - 11, 18 miles
Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 10 miles
Dec. 1
So here's the first post for my runner's blog, inspired by a newly acquainted fellow runner who says he reads quite a few blogs every day and my old friend Natasha who is writing her own blog on her passion (and another of mine): www.foodIfancy.com
I thought sharing what I'm doing in terms of running might be interesting to some people and would be a chance for me to keep track of my progress. However, I feel somewhat vulnerable writing about running which is strange. I don't worry anymore about showing my art works or performance - even though it's far more likely these will be judged. It's just that writing a blog is really opening up myself in a way that kind of freaks me out. Anyhoo...
I wanted to do a long run this week (22 miles) but I've been feeling like I'm on the verge of a cold for a while now and it's getting worse. Not only that but I'm still getting used to my Vibram FiveFingers which I've been wearing for about three weeks now and I'm still building up the muscles needed to run properly without putting too much strain on my back. I was so excited when I got the shoes that after the initial break-in period of about 3 days of short 2 mile runs I did a flat 2 weeks of 6 - 13 mile runs with only one or two days off.
As for the cold, I'm not sure if I've been over-training, over indulging or whether it's just a regular December cold, but if I'm going to keep up with my plans for the week I'm having to slow down on the running a little. December is always a busy month with me. I dedicate December to my friends and family and it's a month of parties, catching up and buying people drinks and gifts to let them know I value them in my life.
Not to say I'm not running today, just not a real run. I'm going to a dinner in Angel which is a couple of miles away and will take my Vibrams with me and my new running backpack with a pair or sandals to change into when I'm there. So long as I don't break too much of a sweat I guess it won't be anti-social! Besides, I think a flannel and deodorant will fit into the side-pocket!
