Am I Running Or Jogging?

Maximus Alexander · 06-01-2016 09:04PM

5k Easy:

After 5 days without a run I finally got back out today. Tired and still not fully recovered, but well enough to do it. I also got back on the bike today which I secretly haven't done since early December.

Total: 5.79km @ 5:57/km

Hopefully I can get back into my stride now with no more injuries or illness for a while. It's good to be back!

Maximus Alexander · 09-01-2016 06:18PM

10k Easy:

Easing back into things. Lovely daylight run today, got rained on a bit towards the end. Nearly time for the new plan!

Total: 10k @ 5:49/km

tony1980 · 09-01-2016 10:10PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

10k Easy:

Easing back into things. Lovely daylight run today, got rained on a bit towards the end. Nearly time for the new plan!

Total: 10k @ 5:49/km

Just curious, what do you use to track your times and distance? I went for a nice run today with the brother. When we finished, Strava was showing 11.9km for me and his suunto watch was showing 11.2 and the times on our splits were hugely different too. I know the watches are more reliable but didn't think the differences would be so big!

Think it might be time to invest in a decent watch for me, even one off adverts so I can keep a more accurate record of my progress.

Just curious if you have had a similar experience?

Maximus Alexander · 10-01-2016 02:58AM

tony1980 wrote: »

Just curious, what do you use to track your times and distance? I went for a nice run today with the brother. When we finished, Strava was showing 11.9km for me and his suunto watch was showing 11.2 and the times on our splits were hugely different too. I know the watches are more reliable but didn't think the differences would be so big!

Think it might be time to invest in a decent watch for me, even one off adverts so I can keep a more accurate record of my progress.

Just curious if you have had a similar experience?

Hey Tony I've got a Garmin Forerunner 225 and I find it very accurate. It's much more convenient than carrying a phone around, but I can't say I've ever compared the accuracy of the two. All I can say is that the watch has always matched very closely the route that I took on the map!

Maximus Alexander · 10-01-2016 05:46PM

5k Run:

A bit more quicklier today. In daylight, glorious daylight.

Total: 5km @ 5:30/km

Maximus Alexander · 11-01-2016 08:43PM

Plan - 3 Mile Run:

First day of the new plan and I began to wonder if it was a good idea to run back to back ahead of it this weekend, given that I'm in terrible shape and there's plenty of running to be done this week - but sure we are where we are.

Monday means evening, which means back in the dark, but it was a crisp evening at least which is always a pleasure to run in.

The one advantage of dark cold evenings, one would think, is that you'd have the footpaths to yourself. Not so. Plenty of people walking three abreast or with dogs on those extendy leads making my life miserable. :P

Total: 5.77km @ 5:44/km

A really refreshing run - perked me right up after a moody Monday.

Maximus Alexander · 12-01-2016 09:39PM

Plan - 4 Mile Run:

Not much to report. Similar to yesterday but a bit longer.

There was, what appeared to be, some sort of running club out running my loop in the opposite direction. Dozens of runners spread out over about a km. I found the faster they were the more accommodating they appeared to be in terms of sharing the footpath. Those trailing at the back basically forced me out onto the road.

Total: 6.61km @ 5:46/km

The Muppet · 13-01-2016 01:16PM

Going well I see, have the niggles cleared?

Maximus Alexander · 13-01-2016 01:33PM

The Muppet wrote: »

Going well I see, have the niggles cleared?

Ah I basically always seem to get niggles when I start to crank up the mileage. Hip / glute and left foot always seem to the the culprits. I'm just trying to stretch more, massage more, and run through them. I'm trying not to moan about it as long as they're not preventing me from running.

tony1980 · 13-01-2016 06:27PM

Someone suggested some Pilates to me which might help with the niggles, I might try it out soon. What plan have you decided to start following for the new year?

I started the Hal Higdon HM Novice 2 plan myself this week which should help to really increase the mileage which has been my issue so far. Hoping to do the Tralee HM in March and I am going to do the Milford Hospice 10k at the end of this month which should be a lovely run on the grounds of UL!

The Muppet · 13-01-2016 11:26PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Ah I basically always seem to get niggles when I start to crank up the mileage. Hip / glute and left foot always seem to the the culprits. I'm just trying to stretch more, massage more, and run through them. I'm trying not to moan about it as long as they're not preventing me from running.

Sounds familiar . Have you tried those stretches ososlo linked to on my log . They might help.

I think a lot of runners carry little niggles anyway I'm the same the knee thing is always in my mind on runs now though it's behaving itself of late. Think I've lost a bit of pace over the Xmas too having added a few pound in weight.

Maximus Alexander · 14-01-2016 01:42AM

tony1980 wrote: »

Someone suggested some Pilates to me which might help with the niggles, I might try it out soon. What plan have you decided to start following for the new year?

I started the Hal Higdon HM Novice 2 plan myself this week which should help to really increase the mileage which has been my issue so far. Hoping to do the Tralee HM in March and I am going to do the Milford Hospice 10k at the end of this month which should be a lovely run on the grounds of UL!

I'm doing the HH 15k Intermediate myself, I'll probably follow it up then with a HM plan. Same as yourself I want to increase the mileage, gradually for me between now and the summer, but I don't want to go straight into a HM plan either because I want scope to do a bit of speed work also. I need to get that 5k time down!

Sounds like you've got some nice target races to keep you motivated, you should start a log! I'd like to read it and personally I find it helps keep me focused.

The Muppet wrote: »

Sounds familiar . Have you tried those stretches ososlo linked to on my log . They might help.

I think a lot of runners carry little niggles anyway I'm the same the knee thing is always in my mind on runs now though it's behaving itself of late. Think I've lost a bit of pace over the Xmas too having added a few pound in weight.

I haven't tried them yet - I keep telling myself I will but I'm the worst for doing supporting work like strength and stretching. I just can't motivate myself on that front and it's something I'd really like to improve on!

I'd say most of us are guilty of putting a few pounds on over Christmas, but it won't be long coming off either. It's impossible to resist all the temptations that time of year.

Glad to hear the knee is holding up. I've been fortunate on that front because I have a long term knee problem from an old snowboarding injury, but for whatever reason it has never impacted / been impacted by the running. Knees freak me out!

Firedance · 14-01-2016 01:57AM

Snowboarding! Urgh

separate sslopes should be provided

On the stretches, .motivation should be the more you do them the more you can run, get into the habbiit now, the AIS stuff is really great ,& doesn't take long once you've got the hang of it.

Maximus Alexander · 14-01-2016 02:04AM

Firedance wrote: »

Snowboarding! Urgh separate sslopes should be provided

On the stretches, .motivation should be the more you do them the more you can run, get into the habbiit now, the AIS stuff is really great ,& doesn't take long once you've got the hang of it.

Hey, some of us know how to control our boards! :P (Except for that one time that I hurt my knee)

I know you're right about the stretches. I just have some sort of mental block. I know once I start and do it a couple of times it will become routine - I just need to take that first step and sit down and learn what to do properly.

You know what? I'll do that Saturday. There, I wrote it down. Now I have to.

Maximus Alexander · 14-01-2016 09:24PM

Plan: 4 x 800m @ 5k Race Pace (jog recovery):

I haven't really run with any pace since Jingle Bells, over a month ago. So I was both looking forward to this and dreading it in equal measure. The only reference point I have for 5k pace is Jingle Bells, so I went with that even though I am undoubtedly slower now having been injured, then eating all in sight over Christmas, then being sick since.

Target pace was 4:45/km for the intervals and I set the watch up so that it would buzz at me if I was too far off. It's the first time I've used that feature and it's pretty sweet.

Warm up: 1km @ 6:09

1. 3:47 (4:44/km)
2. 3:45 (4:41/km)
3. 3:48 (4:46/km)
4. 3:45 (4:41/km)

Cool down: 1km @ 6:13

Total (incl recoveries): 7.07km @ 5:35/km

There was nothing to dread in the end. I really enjoyed it and feel great afterwards.

Maximus Alexander · 15-01-2016 08:49PM

Plan - 2 Mile Run:

Honestly, two miles Hal? It's surprisingly difficult to motivate yourself to get out on a freezing cold Friday night for what amounts to a warm up, immediately followed by a cool down. But, I've established before that I'm not going to argue with Higgy, so it's done.

Total: 3.2km @ 5:52/km

Maximus Alexander · 16-01-2016 06:05PM

Plan - 6 Mile Run:

Having run in some form on 7 of the last 8 days, the legs started to feel pretty tired about half way through this and I was happy to stop by the end, but I still enjoyed it. Nice and crisp out and, more importantly, daylight. I definitely feel like I've shaken off the December cobwebs already though, which is nice. I'll enjoy a beer tonight and a rest day tomorrow.

Total: 10.05km @ 5:52/km

Maximus Alexander · 19-01-2016 01:55AM

Plan - 3 Mile Run:

Just a bread and butter 5k. I was feeling pretty ropey today for some reason and I was a whisker away from knocking this on the head, but I managed to force myself out and get it done. It's reflected in the pace - I wasn't trying to go any slower than usual, and didn't feel like I was either.

Total: 5.19km @ 6.02/km

Maximus Alexander · 20-01-2016 03:02PM

Tuesday:
Plan - 5 Mile Run:

Another one of those weeks has come along where quality sleep is hard to come by - that combined with my increased volume had the legs feeling rather tired, and a bit banged up. I took this real slow.

Total: 8.03km @ 6:12/km

Wednesday:

The plan tonight has a 30 min tempo, which I was looking forward to. However, in the last couple of km of last night's run I began to feel an odd sort of pressure at the outside of my left knee. Today, it's been replaced by a sharp pain when I perform certain actions, that sounds a lot like ITBS. Actually, it hits precisely on every checkbox for ITBS here. So, this is a new one, and probably completely my own fault for increasing my volume too quickly. Again. I do this every time.

I reckon that means dropping tonight's session would be prudent, and I'll see how I am tomorrow.

The Muppet · 21-01-2016 07:54PM

Hows the knee today Maximus

Maximus Alexander · 21-01-2016 08:41PM

It seems maybe a bit better but not runnable. Just stretching and foam rolling and crossing of the fingers for today.

Maximus Alexander · 23-01-2016 07:20PM

I went out for a test run today, I made it about a kilometer before I started to feel something in the knee. It wasn't sore as such, but clearly would have been if I kept going. It was the hardest thing in the world to convince myself to abort, but I did.

I headed to the gym then and did 30 mins on the stationary bike with heart rate at ~165. I had planned to do 60 minutes to make up for the run, but it was too excruciatingly boring. It's a relief to see that the bike doesn't affect / isn't affected by it so I can at least maintain my aerobic fitness that way if this thing hangs around for a while.

Then I hopped on the treadmill for another test, since the knee only seemed to flare up on downhill slopes and I could keep the treadmill flat. Felt fine for about 1km again, but I could feel something after that and again, decided to abort.

I think it's on the mend though, I'll just keep stretching and rolling.

The Muppet · 24-01-2016 01:32PM

Sounds familiar max. But it seems you have it covered .rest and then slowly rebuilding the milage and stretching and rolling appears to be working for me. Hope you're back in full flow soon.

Maximus Alexander · 24-01-2016 04:51PM

Cheers. Glad you're recovered, hopefully I won't be too far behind!

Went back to the gym today for another 30 minutes on the stationary bike. I followed it up with 1km on the treadmill, but there was no change. It's pretty embarrassing getting on the treadmill for one slow kilometer, then getting off. I can imagine what the folk on the adjacent ones are thinking. :pac:

In better news, I've shifted the Christmas weight - back to 76kg today. If I could just get free of injuries I'd be flying.

Maximus Alexander · 26-01-2016 09:37PM

Today: Stationary bike. Strength. Misery.

tailgunner · 29-01-2016 11:39AM

How's the knee Maximus?

Maximus Alexander · 29-01-2016 12:29PM

tailgunner wrote: »

How's the knee Maximus?

Getting there, it feels much better thanks. I was going to try a run last night but I decided to defer one more day and play it safe, so I'll know more tonight. Keeping everything crossed.

Maximus Alexander · 29-01-2016 09:48PM

I ran! Ran with my own legs and feet and nothing hurt!

I called it quits after 20 mins / 3.5km so as not to push my luck, but I'm fecking delighted. I jumped on the bike then for 20 minutes to round out the aerobic side of things without any potentially aggravating impacts. Also - finally got to take those new Asics DS Trainers for a spin. They're super light and I like them, but probably wouldn't use them for long runs.

Back in the game!

Maximus Alexander · 02-02-2016 01:29AM

So now that I'm back on my feet I've decided to restart the 10 mile plan from the beginning. I'm not going to risk jumping back into week two after nearly two weeks out of action. In fact, I'm going a step further and adding a week onto the beginning to ease the mileage back up. I'll call it Week 0.

Plan - 3 Mile Run:

Headed to the gym and hit the treadmill, to keep it easy on these apparently glass legs of mine while I get back up to speed. The problem with treadmills is not so much the boredom, I can cope with that, it's the heat! After about 5 minutes of running on the things I feel like I'm in a sauna. It did the job though and I hopped on the bike for a cooldown afterwards.

Total: 5km in 28:00

Maximus Alexander · 03-02-2016 08:46PM

Back to the soft, flat belt of the treadmill to continue my gentle rise back to abject mediocrity this evening.

Plan - Little Tempo:

10 mins @ 6:00/km
10 mins @ 5:00/km
10 mins @ 6:00/km

Total: 5.33km in 30:00

Onto the bike afterwards for a nice cooldown. My knee is back to feeling more or less like what I would imagine a normal person's knee feels like so I should be safe enough to venture back out into the elements soon.

Am I Running Or Jogging?

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