FEBRUARY 2012, 91 miles
Feb. 27
At the moment it's very frustrating that I'm unable to run as much as I'd like because of foot pains. The Achilles tendon is still playing up but I've also done something to my other foot. Probably a pulled muscle. The weather is so good for running and the rest of my body is in tip top shape. Contemplating a trip to a foot doctor if things don't change soon.
Feb. 21 - 26, 11 miles
Feb. 20
It's the day after the London Ultra. Here's my account.
In the days leading up to the ultramarathon I had a lot of aches and pains. In particular my Achilles tendon, which hurt a lot. I was also getting headaches, nausea and feeling faint as the day drew closer. I knew it was probably nerves but knowing that didn't help. By the evening before the run I was finding it difficult to eat. All the delicious food I'd stocked up on looked disgusting to me. A friend reminded me that I must eat, even if I was stressed and sick. So counterintuatively I forced some yoghurt, white toast and molases, and a small portion of pasta down me.
On the actual day, my nerves had gone and so had all the aches and pains. I arrived at the sports ground fairly early and watched the other runners arrive. Nobody looked like a novice. Most people looked as though they ran ultramarathons on a regular basis. I decided I would be at the back if I was lucky and left behind if I was unlucky.
There were 195 runners in total and it was exciting to be so close to the elites. The top runners in the country were pointed out to us but I don't remember their names (I'll look them up later).
When the race started I was surprised that, despite how professional the runners looked, we set out at a much slower speed than my previous marathons. This put my mind at ease about being left behind. So long as my body is able to warm up slowly, the tendon and my asthma can be dealt with without too much of a problem.
Because of the sore tendon I decided to set out in my old Nike Lunarglides, which I'd put in storage when I took up minimalist running last October. I hadn't trained in these shoes at all so my feet weren't used to them. I'd anticipated that I'd struggle with them so I'd given a friend who was meeting me at the checkpoints my Vibram Fivefingers in case I wanted to change. The Lunarglides were horrible to run in now that I'm used to minimalist shoes. They were so clumpy and hot. Also, the hills and uneven ground were very unsteady because I'm not able to spread my toes out for balance. I kept them on until the second checkpoint (mile 11) when I changed into my Vibram KSO Treks. However, these gave me a blister under my big toe as I hadn't been training in them either. So at mile 18 I changed into my favourites; the Vibram Sprints, which were a little slippery on the muddy slopes of Richmond Park but otherwise lovely to run in. It's possible, when wearing these shoes and you can feel every texture on the ground to actually have a sensation close to flying. That might sound ridiculous but there are a lot of weird feelings when running long distances that are hard to explain. Once, I had the sensation that my body was a taxi and I was being taken along for the ride. When I told me bodywork therapist he looked a bit worried and said my brain was probably low on energy!
One of the best things about endurance running is that connection to the detailed workings and strugglings of the body. I noticed that after about 20 miles my legs felt numb to any pain from my knees downwards. I think that's a result of the endorphins and other biochemicals that are pumping round the body at that point. I wasn't totally pain free though. My biggest problem was stomach ache as a result of food/drink consumption or dizziness as a result of low energy stores. Getting the balance right isn't easy.
The last 6 miles were very difficult. Signposts were missing and the map was hard to follow. I went off course at the end but because I didn't have any GPS gadgets I don't know my exact distance.
My parents met me near the end, which gave me a real boost. They saw me at about 200m from the finish line at a point when I felt so tired I was wondering whether I was really able to make those last steps. They started running with me and I got a burst of energy and sprinted to the finish where I collapsed and did some lying down stretches. Being the idiot that I am I shouted to the man with the medals 'Give me my medal quickly, I need it badly!'. He put it on me in a bit of a panic!
I finished the course in 6:43:25. The fastest female was former pro triathlete and sports writer Alice Hector who did 4:31:12 (blog). The fastest man was pro athlete Crispian Bloomfield who made it at 3:53:09.
It was a tough race with crazy hills but it's put me in good stead for the London Marathon in exactly 2 months. I'll be working on speed from now till then!
So, the day after and my legs are in agony but it's a great feeling that I haven't felt for months. It's the feeling of getting stronger.
As for my Achilles tendon, it hasn't given me any problems since mile 20! I'll be watching it though.
Feb. 13 - 19, 41 miles
Feb. 16
Three days before my first ultramarathon and I'd like to reflect on what I've learnt recently. I've learnt a lot.
First and foremost there's my Achilles tendonitis which has either got worse or, equally possible, every ache and pain has magnified ten fold the closer the ultramarathon gets. At the moment I'm terrified when it hurts, which is when it lengthens and contracts though walking, going upstairs, standing and probably running (although I haven't run for three days because I'm told rest is best).
I've been reflecting and researching the possible cause of the injury. I think that running in cold weather without warming up and down properly started it, but over stretching aggravated the condition massively. Also, I've just read that the most common cause of Achilles tendonitis is simply irritation from the heel-tab of your running shoe. I bought a new pair of running shoes last Friday that do dig into the tendon and the problem escalated at that point! I've made so many mistakes!!!
Something else to note is my asthma, which has worsened over the cold snap. I've just about got it under control with the preventative inhalors but stretching my pecs has also been beneficial. It's something that has caused problems with the speed training I had scheduled, distance training doesn't aggraviate the asthma. Between this ultramarathon and the London Marathon in April, speed and improving my asthma are the things to work on.
Hopefully these days of rest and going back to my old shoes will sort me out and I'll be fit on Sunday.
Feb. 6 - 12, 18 miles
Feb. 7
I want to write a little note about the dangers of running in cold weather.
London is finally experiencing it's first really cold snap of the winter and I've just heard about my favourite DJ/runner, Gilles Peterson having to drop out of the Tokyo marathon because of a torn calf muscle. Injuries are a common story among the running community this week.
I got back from Brazil last week to minus temperatures in London and snow. The day after I arrived, I saw my bodywork therapist who warned me of the dangers of running in the cold without properly warming up and warming down. Although I stretched and jumped up and down for a few minutes before leaving his place, I still set out in less than suitable running gear, hoping that I'd warm up by running carefully. It was so cold and windy that I hated every step. Since that run I've had pain in my achilles tendon and the arches of my feet. I've ran three more times since then in equally cold weather but warming up before and after by walking up and down many flights of stairs for 15 mins worked well and my Achilles tendon is repairing. I'm terrified by my ultramarathon next week but I really don't want to suffer an injury at the last minute. At Run Dem Crew tonight I'll warm up well, wear many layers and run with a slower group to be safe.
Jan. 30 - Feb. 5, 21 miles
Feb. 2
With the ultramarathon on the 19th I'm working out my plan for the day. I've just seen the route I'll be running. Not only is it 50k but it's also hilly.
I'll be starting at 8.15am at City of London School Sports Ground, 147 Marvels Lane, SE12 9PP.
Running through Crystal Palace Park, Streatham Common, Tooting Common, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Kew Gardens and Brent Valley Golf Course. Finishing at about 2pm at Perivale Park Athletics Track, Stockdove Way, Greenford, UB6 8TJ.
I can't really believe I'm doing this. The friend who got me into it has dropped out! Eeek!
I think I owe it to my bodywork therapist that I've been keeping injuries at bay. I only hope I've trained enough to get me through.
