Am I Running Or Jogging?

Maximus Alexander · 17-11-2015 09:10PM

Two days' rest after the parkrun had me itching to get out, though unfortunately not without some concerns. I had a niggle in the left foot again, that left foot that strikes fear into my heart since it knocked me out of action in December '14, the last time I tried to turn myself into a runner. I also discovered what glutes are, because one of them has been bothering me, though I think that's just a bit of tightness.

I didn't cycle home from work today because I dipped into the cycling forum and spotted some cyclists with much more experience than I suggesting that it might be best to avoid doing so if possible, and if someone likes cycling enough to be a regular on a forum about it, I'd be inclined to defer to their judgement.

I was glad I listened too, because on the way home I saw a number of cyclists being blown a couple of feet off course and out into traffic, though thankfully without grim consequences. Another lady had the glasses blown clean off her face and I had to sprint after them and retrieve them for her. Well, I didn't have to, but I'm not an asshole. 'Twas madness out there altogether.

So, instead of my usual 10k cycle warm-up, I had to settle for a 4k walk instead.

3 Miles Easy (supposedly):

The legs were absolutely packed full of energy despite the niggles, and I set out way too fast for an easy run. Every time I looked at the watch I was going faster than I intended, and I would slow down, only to be going too fast again the next time I looked at the watch. It was more of a moderate effort in parts, but really enjoyable. There were far fewer people out than there normally are on this route, so that made me feel pretty good about myself.

Splits: 5:31 - 6:18 - 6:07 - 5:54 - 5:42 - 2:58 (5:30/km)

Total: 5.54km @ 5:52/km

Too far and too fast, I'll probably pay for that tomorrow or Thursday.

I've been keeping an eye on my resting heart rate over the last few days and the average is implausibly low: 44.5 bpm. Are you supposed to check it the moment you wake up or am I doing it wrong??

Man I write long-winded log entries. Also I love running.

Maximus Alexander · 18-11-2015 09:22PM

Fortunately the foot problem seems to have eased off today but the glute didn't. I'm not sure if it was worse or if I was just more aware of it because I wasn't bricking it about my foot any more. I was walking with a hint of a limp all day though.

Insomnia again last night meant I had to battle with myself to get out for this run - a couch nap seemed so much more appealing - but I managed to trick myself out the door by saying "Well at least do something, even if it's just 30 minutes easy" and then once we were outside revealing that "We're actually doing the planned run, sucker!"

40 Minute Tempo:

Hal reckons that the first and last ten minutes or so should be at easy pace, with the wedge in the middle at a higher effort. I turned off auto-lap on the watch this time for the splits (cheers for that suggestion last time Muppet). I could have planned my route better because the tempo section started on a 1.3km slight uphill directly into the wind. :rolleyes:

10 mins easy: 1.53km @ 6:32/km
20 mins tempo: 3.73km @ 5:23/km
10 mins easy: 1.61km @ 6:06/km

Total: 6.88km @ 5:48/km

One of those runs that I didn't want to do in the first place, suffered a bit during, and was really happy about afterwards. I was running with a limp by the end, but I stretched the glutes and, for now anyway, that seems to have helped.

Popped into the gym on the way home to weigh myself for the first time in ages. 76.5kg, down from 79kg. Happy enough with that, though at 186cm I wouldn't want to be getting much lighter so it's probably time to go order a pizza.

Maximus Alexander · 20-11-2015 08:14PM

I was meant do do this easy run last night but I decided to defer and let the glute rest. Felt better all day today and then started to aggravate once I started running. :mad:

3 Miles Easy:

Aerobically speaking, this felt like perhaps the easiest run I've ever done. Unfortunately, the physical mechanics of running were quite uncomfortable. The splits were also some of the most even I've ever managed to pull off (if you just sort of squint your eyes when you look at the last kilometer).

6:15 - 6:11 - 6:17 - 6:15 - 6:03

Total: 5km @ 6:12/km

Now, pub, pack and off on holidays tomorrow. The runners are coming with me!

The Muppet · 20-11-2015 09:04PM

Sorry to read of the gluts acting up again, it looks like the holiers are perfectly timed , enjoy.

FIFA2004 · 20-11-2015 09:38PM

Enjoy the holiday! U deserve it after all your hard work recently! Hope the niggles get better!

tony1980 · 20-11-2015 10:34PM

Great log, really enjoying it, keeping me motivated on my journey!

Just curious on the left foot problem, I am having something similar on some runs but only every now and then.
My left foot, just between the shin and the foot gets very stiff on some runs, makes it very difficult to run properly but sometimes eases off before I finish the run. It usually happens about half way in and eases off in the last km, hate when it happens as it ruins the run!

Is your issue something like this?

Maximus Alexander · 20-11-2015 11:34PM

tony1980 wrote: »

Great log, really enjoying it, keeping me motivated on my journey!

Just curious on the left foot problem, I am having something similar on some runs but only every now and then.
My left foot, just between the shin and the foot gets very stiff on some runs, makes it very difficult to run properly but sometimes eases off before I finish the run. It usually happens about half way in and eases off in the last km, hate when it happens as it ruins the run!

Is your issue something like this?

Hey Tony, that sounds different from the problem I have which is around the outside if the foot on the fifth metatarsal.

The feeling you're describing sounds familiar though, are you relatively new to running? I don't mean that in an insulting way, but I remember getting a stiff feeling around the area when I first started out and I found stretching really eased it for me. Like this:

tony1980 · 21-11-2015 03:22AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Hey Tony, that sounds different from the problem I have which is around the outside if the foot on the fifth metatarsal.

The feeling you're describing sounds familiar though, are you relatively new to running? I don't mean that in an insulting way, but I remember getting a stiff feeling around the area when I first started out and I found stretching really eased it for me. Like this:

That is probably it, I am back about 8 weeks now and really sticking with it this time and actually starting to look forward to each run. I must try some of those stretches specific for the ankle, thanks for the tip!

Maximus Alexander · 21-11-2015 11:17PM

5 Miles Easy:

A few drinks last night and then travelling all day had me pretty dehydrated setting out, but 8k in the early evening Tenerife heat left my tongue like sandpaper.

I went up the promenade along the sea front for 4k and back again. Nice opportunity to explore some of the town.

Total: 8k @ 6:06/km

Downed a litre of water when I got back to the apartment and was thirsty again about 10 minutes later. Limping badly when walking now with the glute, but oddly can still run.

The Muppet · 22-11-2015 12:49PM

This arrived in my inbox this morning and I thought it may interest you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlHeyCFRDuM&feature=youtu.be&list=PLrbwxlLsQTFOhc58jxAthgrPPHzXqCRBn

Maximus Alexander · 22-11-2015 01:02PM

Looks good, thanks for that! I'll incorporate that into my routine.

Maximus Alexander · 22-11-2015 07:40PM

7 Miles Easy:

26°, sore glute, not easy. :eek:

Was smart and brought water this time.

Total: 11.2km @ 6:00/km

Maximus Alexander · 24-11-2015 07:39PM

3 Miles Easy:

I thought it would be nice to head down to the beach and do this barefoot with the waves lapping at my toes. The reality was not as idyllic as it sounds. It was nice, but beaches are angled into the sea and this one particularly so, which meant it was putting pressure on my joints in an odd way.

I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

Total: 5km @ 5:58/km

Glute felt much better today and the run stirred it up a little, but nothing like last time. Seems to be heading the right direction.

Maximus Alexander · 25-11-2015 07:06PM

I'm not best pleased with today but at least I got something done. It was supposed to be 8x400m and the plan was to use the warmup to find somewhere appropriate to do them around here where most of the streets are packed with tourists.

During the warmup though the glute fired a warning shot and made it pretty clear that anything approaching sprinting today would be met with a swift and devastating response.

Perturbed, but not beaten I morphed this run into some sort of tempo \ progression frankenmonster. Auto lap was off for the 400m repeats but I started at about 6:40/km and finished at about 4:50/km.

Total: 5.03km @ 5:33/km in 27:52

Maximus Alexander · 27-11-2015 07:14PM

3 Miles Easy:

It was overcast today and, while still warm, it was much cooler than the last few days. That meant running felt easier which meant I went a bit faster than I intended. It would be a bit of a stretch to call this easy effort for me, enjoyed it though.

Total: 5km @ 5:48/km

Firedance · 27-11-2015 08:10PM

Hows the glute holding up?

Maximus Alexander · 27-11-2015 11:52PM

It's okish, its giving me the odd sharp jolt but I'm not limping anymore. I've two longer runs tomorrow and Sunday so I'm a little worried it could flare up but sure we'll see. If it does I'll have to start thinking about a physio.

Maximus Alexander · 29-11-2015 06:11PM

Mixed feelings today. I was supposed to do 5 miles 'fast' yesterday, but with checkout at 11am and not getting back to Dublin until around midnight there just wasn't an opportunity. I was disappointed but I'm not annoyed about it because it couldn't be helped, life will get in the way sometimes, I've decades ahead of me to make up for it. Hopefully.

So I had to decide whether to do yesterday's 'fast' run today and drop the long run, or just carry on according to the plan. Since I keep hearing that miles are the most important thing, I thought I'd stick with the long run and add in a few quicker kilometers somewhere in the middle for the best of both.

7 Miles Easy:

It was a delight to be running in the freezing cold again. I actually mean that - it's so much easier! I genuinely felt like I could run forever today, that is until the last kilometer when my legs suddenly began to tire badly. My heart and lungs seem to be way ahead of my legs and I wasn't breathing heavily at any point during this, which is probably the source of my problems - it leads to me running farther and faster than my legs are able for I think.

1-5km: 6:15 - 5:51 - 5:56 - 6:00 - 6:00
6-10km: 6:00 - 5:27 - 5:35 - 5:47 - 5:21
11-12km: 5:44 - 5:58

Total: 12km @ 5:50/km

Garmin Connect tells me this was both my farthest distance and contained my fastest ever 10k. I really enjoyed this run and was full of the joys of living, everything was going superbly until later in the run when the issue I have been blaming on the glute for the last couple of weeks suddenly flared up. However, I now think I've been diagnosing it incorrectly because it seems like it might actually be my ITB. It's hard to say, especially because I thought that often manifested as knee pain which I'm not experiencing. I probably should just go to a physio, but I worry they'll prescribe rest and I really don't want to rest!

After about 11k, my legs suddenly tired rapidly and my form went to crap. I think this was because I had been compensating for the above issue for a couple of kilometers and I should probably have just stopped but I stupidly kept going. When I did stop, I was limping badly.

So yeah, mixed feelings. A really enjoyable run but I don't think I did myself any favours.

The Muppet · 29-11-2015 06:30PM

Nice session. Sorry to hear of the problem.

The knee problem sounds somewhat familiar. You know what needs to be done .

Maximus Alexander · 30-11-2015 11:56AM

I have to do Jingle Bells next Saturday - it's not optional, so I'll wait until after that when I'll be between plans to deal with it.

On a brighter note, mileage is heading in the right direction:

Week|Km|mi
31 Aug | 4.13 | 2.58
7 Sep | 4.02 | 2.51
14 Sep | 9.89 | 6.18
21 Sep | 12.07 | 7.54
28 Sep | 8.06 | 5.03
Sep Total | 38.17 | 23.86
5 Oct | 20.00 | 12.5
12 Oct | 26.42 | 16.51
19 Oct | 29.09 | 18.18
26 Oct | 23.29 | 14.56
Oct Total | 98.8 | 61.75
2 Nov | 32.65 | 20.4
9 Nov | 16.92 | 10.58
16 Nov | 36.65 | 22.9
23 Nov | 27.06 | 16.91
Nov Total | 113.28 | 70.8
YTD | 250.25 | 156.4

Weird to think that my monthly mileage is still just a week's running for some folks.

The Muppet · 30-11-2015 12:33PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I have to do Jingle Bells next Saturday - it's not optional, so I'll wait until after that when I'll be between plans to deal with it.

Don't tell anyone but that's been my thinking for the last week or so too, I'm dont know how wise it is though, It just displays our determination and commitment, admirable traits in a longish distance runner.:) Sure if worst comes to worst we can hobble around together.

Maximus Alexander · 01-12-2015 10:26PM

I had serious thoughts about dropping this run out of sheer laziness which hasn't happened in a while. Being back in work after a leisurely week away has left my sleep patterns even worse than usual and I just felt knackered, but just as I was about to flop down on the couch some part of my brain put the foot down and out I went.

3 Miles Easy:

My legs felt pretty weird today, I guess Sunday's run was probably pretty tough on them even though I enjoyed it, but I didn't realise how much so until I hit the pavement today. My knees felt a bit tender, which never happens, and I was just generally feeling heavy, but it got easier as I went. Still, I kept it nice and slow because the last thing I want to do is hurt myself in the last week of the plan.

The glute / ITB / whatever it is was pretty quiet throughout which was great. I'll probably tear it to shreds come Saturday, but as long as I get to the finish line I can worry about that later.

Total: 5k @ 6:21/km

Firedance · 01-12-2015 11:28PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

The glute / ITB / whatever it is was pretty quiet throughout which was great. I'll probably tear it to shreds come Saturday, but as long as I get to the finish line I can worry about that later.

Total: 5k @ 6:21/km

having learned that one the hard way, I'd worry about it now. Jingle bells is one race, of hundreds and it'll be there next year. Don't do anything that will keep you out injured or worse(!). Just be careful

Maximus Alexander · 02-12-2015 12:31AM

Firedance wrote: »

having learned that one the hard way, I'd worry about it now. Jingle bells is one race, of hundreds and it'll be there next year. Don't do anything that will keep you out injured or worse(!). Just be careful

In fairness I know you're probably right, but I just can't drop this race. It was the whole reason I started this plan in the first place, the reason I started taking running more seriously and I've committed with colleagues and we've even formed teams.

As persistent as this problem has been the last couple of weeks it has never prevented me from running, so it's not that severe. It's a worry, but I'm pretty confident that it'll go away if I just stick to short easy runs for a couple of weeks after the race. I hope.

Maybe being stubborn will mean that this is one of those lessons I'll have to learn by experience, but I won't be able to talk myself out of doing Jingle Bells.

Maximus Alexander · 03-12-2015 09:17PM

Well I'm just in from the last run of the 5k plan, all that's left to do is race. I dropped last night's final tempo session because I felt it was more likely to aggravate my injury than offer any benefit at this stage.

2 Miles Easy:

Plan called for 2 easy miles, but I did a little bit extra. I felt really sluggish and laboured throughout for reasons that I don't understand.

Total: 4.46km @ 5:54/km

I should be feeling pretty satisfied right now and excited about Saturday, having come to the end of what I set out to do at the beginning of October with only the reward of the race itself left, but instead I'm feeling pretty negative. I felt completely lethargic today and have no confidence that I'll put in a good performance at Jingle Bells. After the parkrun a couple of weeks back I had my sights set on breaking 24 minutes, but I don't think that's a possibility right now and, to be honest, I feel like I might even fail to match the PB that I set in Marlay. I don't know what's gotten into me really, but I'm feeling pretty glum and sort of like I've gone backwards in the last couple of weeks.

I wasn't going to post that moany bit, but sure the point of the log is to be honest and maybe someone will be where I am at some point, stumble upon this and (hopefully) find out on the next page that was all in my head or something.

The Muppet · 03-12-2015 09:34PM

Race day will be a lot different than your solo training run, the atmosphere, having people to follow or chase down and your own adrenaline flowing, The best of luck on Saturday, all you can do is give it everything and see where that gets you..

tony1980 · 03-12-2015 10:56PM

Hopefully the weather improves for it, doing the same run myself, just going to try and enjoy it and not worry too much about time, my first official 5k. Best of luck in it :-)

Singer · 03-12-2015 11:43PM

tony1980 wrote: »

Hopefully the weather improves for it, doing the same run myself, just going to try and enjoy it and not worry too much about time, my first official 5k. Best of luck in it :-)

Best not to talk about Saturday's weather forecast...

Anyway, your training has looked pretty good, I wouldn't rule anything out. Jingle Bells is a notoriously PB friendly course so just give it all on the day and you might well surprise yourself.

If I don't meet my own target on Saturday, after blaming the weather (obviously), I'll sign up to another 5k over Christmas and see if more favourable conditions will lead to a better time

tailgunner · 04-12-2015 10:15AM

Good luck tomorrow. I think you'll surprise yourself!

Maximus Alexander · 04-12-2015 10:40AM

Cheers guys, that wasn't intended to sound like a pity party, I just feel drained this week for whatever reason. But sure, I could have a good night's sleep tonight and wake up feeling great tomorrow - you never know!

I hope you all get what you're after tomorrow, even if it looks like the weather is conspiring against us!

Tony, have you thought about starting a log?

Am I Running Or Jogging?

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