Its been almost a year since I managed to complete my firs 21k run. For the first 6 sundays in 2010 I ran 21k training runs, and it was a truely inspiring time in my life.
It was all in preperation for the Noosa 1/2 marathon which was to be my first official race of this distance.
As a runner this year has been massive for me, life altering and perspective changing.
I started the year with lots of training runs and came to the realization that running alone without music or other stimuli is a great way to find peace and calm within your thoughts. I started to value the calm that I found when I focused on my breathing and my feet hitting the ground.
I discovered what it truly meant to be high on life, the endorphin high after my training runs was one of the most incredible legal experiences I have had. There is nothing quite like walking around like a stoned teenager all because of running.
I found that the motivation to be active is always there, constantly doing battle with the motivation (or lack-there of) to sit on my ass and do nothing, to fall back into the lazy sedentary life style that I had before.
I discovered that in 13 months it is possible to complete your first 5k, and your first 42.2k marathon.
We as a family discovered that planning holidays around running interstate events is a really good way for the family to travel, and that the support of family is an always present warm feeling that keeps me running.
Knowing that Ben and Grace look at their daddy and see a runner, a man who is fit and active, and who chooses to be self disciplined in the pursuit of his goals makes me smile every time I think about it. What will my kids remember of their dad when they grow to be my age. I would like to think it would be along the lines of. "remember when dad ran that race at ......." or "remember the look on his face when he crossed the finish line of the marathon" or even "remember the first time we ran that 5k run together as a family"
This is what I hope for. That one day my kids will remember happy family times because we were active as a family, we worked towards goals as a family, and we ran as a family....one day :)
But the year has not been all good unfortunately, I rolled my ankle in June and lost a month of training towards the marathon in October. It was odd when it happened I cried a lot, I just couldn't help myself, but it was not the pain which made me cry. It was the mourning for my training, my stress relieving runs, I felt instantly that every run I had completed had been taken away from me, and that I would never get back to the point that I was when it happened.
After a month of physio and the fact that she recognized I would have a break down if I didn't start running again, I got back into it. It was scary running on it again as I didn't trust my ankle anymore. I was able however to get to a point where I completed the Melbourne Marathon in October.
The rolled ankle marked my first and only visit to the emergency department.
1 week after Melbourne I ran a 10k. I had underestimated the impact that running a marathon had on my body. I had felt ready to run again about 3 days after the marathon but waited on the advice of fellow runners.
The 10k felt great, it loosened my stiff muscles, got the blood pumping and was all good. Until about 2 hours afterwards when I got a sore throat, this turned into a killer headache and eventuated into 3 days in bed resting. Its amazing how psychologically I needed to run but physically my body just was not ready.
3 weeks later I ran the Marysville 1/2 marathon which was one of the hardest runs I have done due to hills and I still managed a time I was very pleased with.
All in all its been a great year for me. I am calmer, more patient, fitter and have more energy. As a result of making better lunch decisions (Home made salads instead of bought lunch) I have now managed to achieve a weight which I have not been down to since I was about 18 years old.
To put things in perspective I have gained the motivation, drive and passion it takes to be a runner, and really all I have lost is 20 off Kilos.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Betrayal of my inner runner
I was always under the impression that to get any benefit from bike riding you would need to spend hours on end riding through some god forsaken back roads or going around in circles.
However since getting my road bike it seems I need to rethink my strategy. Anybody who is serious about biking seems to cover mega distance, and I'm yet to decide if this is an addiction or if its just because most of them have nothing better to do.
Anyway that aside I feel like I am betraying my running brethren but getting on my bike, but its amazing the difference riding a road bike after having ridden mountain bikes for about 20 years.
The first thing you notice is that its a pain in the ass to get get your feet in the pedals (I have the strap style pedals not clip ones....yet!).
Next it becomes very evident you are relying on a lot less mass to keep you from falling in a heap. The riding position means your field of vision covers the front wheel and some of the handle bars but that's about it. Before I had bars, frame, big tires and felt that I had a substantial amount of stuff protecting me from the road. But with the road bike it feels like I am balancing on a razors edge and will end up crashing at any second.
One of the other differences is the amount of effort required to ride up hills is a lot less, its much easier to keep things moving when there is bugger all in contact with the road causing friction, and again after 20 years this is a real novelty.
Time is not something I have a lot of. Between Being a Daddy, Working, PS3, Running, Swimming and Bike riding, I just don't have hours to be out on my bike too often. So I decided I would try and sneak in some 5k rides of an evening using my 5k running route as good starting point to become more at peace with my new bike.
Last night I had a revelation at the end of my 5k ride. Its possible that if you ride hard (which is quite natural on a road bike) and keep the pace up for the whole 5k you can in fact work up quite a sweat in a short time. It seems that my thoughts and explanations as to why I don't ride were a little off target.
Anyway all that aside I think it wont be long at all until this blog becomes reflections of a triathlete.
However since getting my road bike it seems I need to rethink my strategy. Anybody who is serious about biking seems to cover mega distance, and I'm yet to decide if this is an addiction or if its just because most of them have nothing better to do.
Anyway that aside I feel like I am betraying my running brethren but getting on my bike, but its amazing the difference riding a road bike after having ridden mountain bikes for about 20 years.
The first thing you notice is that its a pain in the ass to get get your feet in the pedals (I have the strap style pedals not clip ones....yet!).
Next it becomes very evident you are relying on a lot less mass to keep you from falling in a heap. The riding position means your field of vision covers the front wheel and some of the handle bars but that's about it. Before I had bars, frame, big tires and felt that I had a substantial amount of stuff protecting me from the road. But with the road bike it feels like I am balancing on a razors edge and will end up crashing at any second.
One of the other differences is the amount of effort required to ride up hills is a lot less, its much easier to keep things moving when there is bugger all in contact with the road causing friction, and again after 20 years this is a real novelty.
Time is not something I have a lot of. Between Being a Daddy, Working, PS3, Running, Swimming and Bike riding, I just don't have hours to be out on my bike too often. So I decided I would try and sneak in some 5k rides of an evening using my 5k running route as good starting point to become more at peace with my new bike.
Last night I had a revelation at the end of my 5k ride. Its possible that if you ride hard (which is quite natural on a road bike) and keep the pace up for the whole 5k you can in fact work up quite a sweat in a short time. It seems that my thoughts and explanations as to why I don't ride were a little off target.
Anyway all that aside I think it wont be long at all until this blog becomes reflections of a triathlete.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
New Shoes
My new runners arrived via post yesterday and it reminded me of a quote from the "100 rules of running" book. Basically it says that all runner should smell their new shoes, its the smell of potential.
And they really do, unwrapping my new runners was a surreal experience, they are not stinky, they are not dusty, muddy or wet.....Yet.
They have the potential to run a marathon, run trails, run parts of triathlons, run with my kids trailing along laughing madly or even run up some bloody big hills.
They will get blood, sweat, rainwater, and muddy water on them. (and countless other fluids and compounds)
There really is a extra ordinate amount of potential in that small cardboard box.
I ran a 15k last weekend and made a route choice that had me hitting some BIG hills. I got thinking about how my body does automatic pace setting during my runs, and this was really evident last night when I ran the "Emma and Toms (fruit juice company) Annual Christmas Run"
If I set out on a long run my body makes me feel sluggish and almost lethargic, its hard to push my pace. However if I am embarking on a 5k then I don't get this feeling, I feel lighter and I feel like I can push forward and maintain a cracking pace. (Cracking for me not for a more naturally gifted runner with long legs and a lower body fat %)
Its a strange phenomenon that my mind is making my muscles reserve some energy so they can last what I have decided my distance is going to be, but its very real.
I can't however decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. This means that I will have to break down the mental barrier in order to go out hard in the first part of a race and cruise through the last part.
Anyway despite the heat and lack of shade I still managed to PB the 5k last night at 25:32 which I am really happy with. Average of 5:06m/k
And they really do, unwrapping my new runners was a surreal experience, they are not stinky, they are not dusty, muddy or wet.....Yet.
They have the potential to run a marathon, run trails, run parts of triathlons, run with my kids trailing along laughing madly or even run up some bloody big hills.
They will get blood, sweat, rainwater, and muddy water on them. (and countless other fluids and compounds)
There really is a extra ordinate amount of potential in that small cardboard box.
I ran a 15k last weekend and made a route choice that had me hitting some BIG hills. I got thinking about how my body does automatic pace setting during my runs, and this was really evident last night when I ran the "Emma and Toms (fruit juice company) Annual Christmas Run"
If I set out on a long run my body makes me feel sluggish and almost lethargic, its hard to push my pace. However if I am embarking on a 5k then I don't get this feeling, I feel lighter and I feel like I can push forward and maintain a cracking pace. (Cracking for me not for a more naturally gifted runner with long legs and a lower body fat %)
Its a strange phenomenon that my mind is making my muscles reserve some energy so they can last what I have decided my distance is going to be, but its very real.
I can't however decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. This means that I will have to break down the mental barrier in order to go out hard in the first part of a race and cruise through the last part.
Anyway despite the heat and lack of shade I still managed to PB the 5k last night at 25:32 which I am really happy with. Average of 5:06m/k
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tired vs Tired
After a discussion with my darling wife the other night I started thinking.
The discussion was about me claiming to be tired after work, she suggested that maybe I am doing too much running and swimming, and that maybe I should back off a little bit.
What I realized during this conversation was that I was not physically tired at all, I was mentally exhausted. In fact after our conversation I proceeded to go out and mow the lawns.
Mowing the lawns is an oddity in my life now, back in the days of unfit me, I used to mow the lawn and at the completion of the activity proceed to have a sleep because I was so spent I couldn't possibly do anything else for the rest of the day.
Now days I will often mow the lawns of an evening. One of the many revelations I have had because of running is to discover what it truly means to be tired. My job is to think all day, and often after a hard day of thinking I feel like my head is full of cotton wool, I get sluggish in my responses and Its almost like I'm drunk.
But this is nothing next to true physical exhaustion. After running the marathon I felt that I had some energy left, I was able to walk about 1k back to our friends place from the station, and was willing (although darling wife wouldn't have a bar of it) to push the pusher with both kids in it. The thing is though I felt that I still had energy in reserve. I should have pushed harder during the marathon but because I really didn't know what I was in for, and I was only looking to complete the distance, there was no need to push harder (next time will be different).
I have no regrets about my first marathon, it was an amazing journey, taking 13 months from my first 5k run, to complete the 42.2ks. This in itself is an incredible achievement for someone that used to have his colleagues collect things from the printer because it was too far to go.
A week after Melbourne I was ready to run again. In fact I was itching to run again, so I did. However I was not prepared for the aftermath of that run. It seems that Melbourne had taken a toll on me that would have been unseen should I have heeded everyone's advice and given myself another week before running. But anyway the net result was that my body had been fighting a cold and winning until I hit it with a 10k run, and the cold won. This was an incredible smack in the face for me but anyway I digress.
Feeling tired has become a very subjective thing for me, physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion and muscular exhaustion are different things. I don't have the energy to process what you are saying vs I don't have the energy to get out there and run vs my legs feel like lead because I have just run 42k on them, I really didn't have any comprehension of these things what I was sedentary me. One of my favorite states of mind is after a run when the endorphins are going nuts and I am calm. I feel like a wave that has broken on the beach and is all foamy and cruising up and down the beach.
I remember wandering around the supermarket on a Sunday afternoon like a stoned teenager because I had run that morning. This is easily one of the best things about running. A legal high that is actually healthy for you...no wonder they say that running is for people who cant handle drugs and alcohol.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
What it is all about
I swam 1k last night at the indoor pool.....the annoying part is that in a 25m pool that's 40 laps.
Anyway while I was there I noticed a father and his daughter arriving to swim together, she was about 15 and he was about 40. Firstly I think its great that they were there doing something active together, and I really hope that is me and my children one day.
The point here is that the father was very overweight. For me this was like a glimpse into what my future may have been had I not discovered my desire to run. I looked at this poor man with pity as he struggled with the walk between the seats and the pool, and I realised what my exercise regime is really about.
The way that we see ourselves is unlikely to motivate us to change our ways for the better. However once you have kids, all you need to do is imagine the way your kids see you and this is a much more powerful motivator.
I grew up with a father who was lean and fit from working in an active job. I don't remember him ever exercising as such but he had hardly an ounce of fat on him. When I think about what my kids see, its a father who is overweight because his job is to sit behind a keyboard all day. The physical aspects of my job involve walking to the cafe, and raising the coffee mug to my mouth.
Since running has entered (perhaps dominated) my life my kids see a daddy who runs real fast, who is active and committed. By the time they get to 15 I hope they see a daddy who is lean and fit, and works hard to lead an active lifestyle. Not one who (as I used to do) needs to have a lie down after mowing the lawns.
My son said the other day while playing with a car "Dadda this car is really fast, its almost as fast as you when you go out for a run" This is the kind of daddy I want my kids to see. He is starting to get upset when we go to runs and he cant run with me, but I'm not sure he is ready for a 5k just yet.
The point here is that he wants to run. Something I never did until I turned 32 and this will help to shape the man he will become in the future.
The human body is capable of amazing things but we all need to find the trigger inside us that will drive us to achieve amazing things. In the way my kids see me, I have found my source of motivation.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Mixing it up a little
Yesterday when I woke up, I knew I had a bad case of the CBFs. I started coming up with excuses not to run.
- Its too hot,
- I'm too tired
- I would much rather try and justify the purchase of Call of Duty black ops for PS3 by playing that instead.
This is not the first time I have been struck with this thought process and I'm sure it wont be the last.
I had decided to run a 21k run for my weekends challenge as the last one I did was Marysville and it didn't go so well. The idea was to try and nail the sub 2 hour 1/2 marathon, on a well shaded, very well graded gravel surface. Then the "don't do it because" thoughts popped into my head and I needed to come up with something new and exciting to do, to kick them in the but.
I had left my bike at the station and needed to pick it up so I decided to run to the station, pick up my bike, go for a swim and come home. Simple and different this should have been enough to get me interested enough to make it easy to get out the door.
However, I got my running kit on, packed my bike cage access card and headed out the door some negative thoughts still lingered for example, what if I ran too far and didn't have anything left for the swim, or what if I got chaffing issues from riding my bike while wet (I didn't take a towel).
I walked out the front. Looked up the hill. Looked down the hill. and started running (up the hill) I decided at that point to try and make the run segment about 5k. to do this I would run around some streets and through the park doing a bit of a loop. I was aiming for about 5min 30sec per k, as I didn't want to go too hard or too soft. One thing became very obvious very quickly...It was hot out there. So trying to stick to the shade as much as I could, I altered my course and made it to the station in 5.4k.
Next I hopped on the bike after some very strange looks from the local kids that frequent my station and decided to try and stretch out the run a little. I also at this stage decided to swing past the outdoor pool in the area and see if that had opened for the year. So I did both. After taking some unnecessary detours around the back streets I found my way to the outdoor pool, this totaled about 1.9k.
Yet again I found myself under some odd scrutiny from the staff at the pool and some more local teenagers when I wheeled my bike up the stairs took off my top, shoes, socks, heart rate strap etc and got in the pool. I was expecting the pool to be freezing, actually I had hoped it would be cold but alas it was solar heated and luckily not too hot. It was amazing swimming outside on a beautiful summers day.
Here is where I struck an issue. When I was a kid learning to swim we were forced to swim freestyle. As I have grown up I have become lazy. I would much rather amble along swimming breast stroke with my head out of the water. Anyway I decided to try and swim some of my swim freestyle. I managed 1/2 a lap which is more than I have previously been able to do. I have decided that my issue is having my face covered with water, frightens me.
I don't like the fact that bringing my face up sideways out of the water with it running across my mouth as gravity takes its toll. So what to do about this. I think the only thing I can do to break down this mental block is to swim more, and force myself to swim freestyle. The advice I have been given is that in a triathlon with an open water swim you will revert to the style of swimming you feel safest with. This came from someone who spent money on stroke correction classes etc.
So it looks like I have a new goal - swim freestyle. Goggles will probably help with this a little and its something I can keep working on.
Anyway I completed 10 laps of the pool. I was wrapped I had swam 250m after a run and a small bike ride, and it felt like I had some more left in me. on a side note I have found out that the outdoor pool is actually 50m not 25m so I had actually covered 500m not 250m.
So next it was time to put all the gear back on, compression top, hat, helmet, HR strap shoes, socks etc. and on my bike.
Where I parked my bike there is a drinking fountain and I had decided to have a drink before I headed off. In typical fashion of my local council the drinking fountain didn't actually work and I was left thirsty.
So I started heading for home and worked my way up a hill...at this stage I decided I needed something to drink so I headed to the 7-11 up the road for a powerade. By the time I got there I was really into the riding. It was such a nice day to be out and active and I felt great. I opted for an alternate route home which had some challenging hills, well one in particular.
Along my merry way I went. Before I knew it my watch beeped that I had covered 9k and I knew I would crack 10k before I got home.
As I approached "the hill" **See below** I pedaled my ass off, I rode up the hill at a good clip and was panting like a black dog in hot sun buy the time I hit the crest. Satisfied, tired and proud of my achievement I arrived home to 2 smiling kids who were ecstatic to see their daddy :)
** A note on hills.
when I started running I dreaded 2 parts of my 5k course that encountered hills. I soon discovered as I extended my distance that, its impossible to run very far without encountering some hills, especially when you are running more than 20k training runs. Now when I start a run I usually have an idea of where I am headed, and I know the hills I will encounter (especially around home) but my attitude towards hills has changed somewhat. there is one hill (referred to as The Hill above) that I have tried very hard not to let beat me. Before I lost weight and got fitter I rode that hill with my son on a bike seat. I had to get off and walk up it. On a 10k run about a year after that I found myself happily running up the same hill. The only time I let that hill beat me to a walk since was when I hit it at the end of a 30k training run. I felt bad about that so I decided that no matter what kind of pain I'm experiencing, that hill will not get the better of me again.
- Its too hot,
- I'm too tired
- I would much rather try and justify the purchase of Call of Duty black ops for PS3 by playing that instead.
This is not the first time I have been struck with this thought process and I'm sure it wont be the last.
I had decided to run a 21k run for my weekends challenge as the last one I did was Marysville and it didn't go so well. The idea was to try and nail the sub 2 hour 1/2 marathon, on a well shaded, very well graded gravel surface. Then the "don't do it because" thoughts popped into my head and I needed to come up with something new and exciting to do, to kick them in the but.
I had left my bike at the station and needed to pick it up so I decided to run to the station, pick up my bike, go for a swim and come home. Simple and different this should have been enough to get me interested enough to make it easy to get out the door.
However, I got my running kit on, packed my bike cage access card and headed out the door some negative thoughts still lingered for example, what if I ran too far and didn't have anything left for the swim, or what if I got chaffing issues from riding my bike while wet (I didn't take a towel).
I walked out the front. Looked up the hill. Looked down the hill. and started running (up the hill) I decided at that point to try and make the run segment about 5k. to do this I would run around some streets and through the park doing a bit of a loop. I was aiming for about 5min 30sec per k, as I didn't want to go too hard or too soft. One thing became very obvious very quickly...It was hot out there. So trying to stick to the shade as much as I could, I altered my course and made it to the station in 5.4k.
Next I hopped on the bike after some very strange looks from the local kids that frequent my station and decided to try and stretch out the run a little. I also at this stage decided to swing past the outdoor pool in the area and see if that had opened for the year. So I did both. After taking some unnecessary detours around the back streets I found my way to the outdoor pool, this totaled about 1.9k.
Yet again I found myself under some odd scrutiny from the staff at the pool and some more local teenagers when I wheeled my bike up the stairs took off my top, shoes, socks, heart rate strap etc and got in the pool. I was expecting the pool to be freezing, actually I had hoped it would be cold but alas it was solar heated and luckily not too hot. It was amazing swimming outside on a beautiful summers day.
Here is where I struck an issue. When I was a kid learning to swim we were forced to swim freestyle. As I have grown up I have become lazy. I would much rather amble along swimming breast stroke with my head out of the water. Anyway I decided to try and swim some of my swim freestyle. I managed 1/2 a lap which is more than I have previously been able to do. I have decided that my issue is having my face covered with water, frightens me.
I don't like the fact that bringing my face up sideways out of the water with it running across my mouth as gravity takes its toll. So what to do about this. I think the only thing I can do to break down this mental block is to swim more, and force myself to swim freestyle. The advice I have been given is that in a triathlon with an open water swim you will revert to the style of swimming you feel safest with. This came from someone who spent money on stroke correction classes etc.
So it looks like I have a new goal - swim freestyle. Goggles will probably help with this a little and its something I can keep working on.
Anyway I completed 10 laps of the pool. I was wrapped I had swam 250m after a run and a small bike ride, and it felt like I had some more left in me. on a side note I have found out that the outdoor pool is actually 50m not 25m so I had actually covered 500m not 250m.
So next it was time to put all the gear back on, compression top, hat, helmet, HR strap shoes, socks etc. and on my bike.
Where I parked my bike there is a drinking fountain and I had decided to have a drink before I headed off. In typical fashion of my local council the drinking fountain didn't actually work and I was left thirsty.
So I started heading for home and worked my way up a hill...at this stage I decided I needed something to drink so I headed to the 7-11 up the road for a powerade. By the time I got there I was really into the riding. It was such a nice day to be out and active and I felt great. I opted for an alternate route home which had some challenging hills, well one in particular.
Along my merry way I went. Before I knew it my watch beeped that I had covered 9k and I knew I would crack 10k before I got home.
As I approached "the hill" **See below** I pedaled my ass off, I rode up the hill at a good clip and was panting like a black dog in hot sun buy the time I hit the crest. Satisfied, tired and proud of my achievement I arrived home to 2 smiling kids who were ecstatic to see their daddy :)
** A note on hills.
when I started running I dreaded 2 parts of my 5k course that encountered hills. I soon discovered as I extended my distance that, its impossible to run very far without encountering some hills, especially when you are running more than 20k training runs. Now when I start a run I usually have an idea of where I am headed, and I know the hills I will encounter (especially around home) but my attitude towards hills has changed somewhat. there is one hill (referred to as The Hill above) that I have tried very hard not to let beat me. Before I lost weight and got fitter I rode that hill with my son on a bike seat. I had to get off and walk up it. On a 10k run about a year after that I found myself happily running up the same hill. The only time I let that hill beat me to a walk since was when I hit it at the end of a 30k training run. I felt bad about that so I decided that no matter what kind of pain I'm experiencing, that hill will not get the better of me again.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Weight, diet and body image
After years and years of being overweight i made a decision. I gave up trying to diet.
I have tried weight watchers, Jenny Craig, going it alone.....all of these things worked in varying degrees of success but never long term, and never to the degree I was looking for.
So I gave up diets, and set a brand spanking new goal....to run.
There had always been some appeal to the thought of coming home from a shit day at work and running out my frustrations. Hey that's what they do in the movies, and whenever you see someone running it almost always looks so easy. Catalyst to this descision was an incident where I was at a park about 500m from home and it started to rain, I ran home to get out raincoats and was basically written off for the rest of the day, sore, tired and struggling to breathe.
What I didn't understand when I started the first steps of this amazing journey was what it meant to run. The definition of a runner is someone who runs...right?
What I do understand now is that i was caught in a viscous cycle of bad choices, and half-hearted justifications. I did no exercise because I was too tired. I was too tired because I did no exercise. I ate too much and junk because "Im sure it doesn't make that much of a difference" and "I'm too tired to make the effort" and round and round we go.
So how do we break the cycle. It's actually quite simple. Self discipline.nyou need to be prepared to make a change and commit to it. Also set achievable goals. If I has said, I'm going to run and completely change my diet, all at the same time there is no way I would have succeeded. Instead. I broke the goals in two. I decided to run first and completed the c25k 9 weeks, which the last run was a 5k event in the yarra valley. After that I focused on running for longer until I was able to run for 5 hours in the marathon. With the long running comes speed, my 5k time looks pretty sweet at the moment.
But now it's come time to get serious about what goes in. I am at the point where my running has stopped being effective in weight loss. And I need to drop some weight to be a better runner.....sounds like a viscous cycle again.
But in the last week. I have taken steps to break out again and get my diet sorted out. It turns out that all the diet programs have taught me a few things about nutrition, for example I know that eating more raw veg is the key...and after 1 week I'm already seeing benefits of having a green salad and a can of tuna for lunch on a daily basis.
Thenother side to this is that after a dramatic change to my body over the last 14 months, having lost 18kg. That is the way I perceive myself. It's such a complex issue I don't know where to start. In my mind I am still the 106kg behemoth hat I used to be. I don't like it when my clothes cling to me, I feel like I occupy to much space on the train, I just imagine the old me everywhere. I guess this is the cost of being so lazy for so long or is this the way my body and psyche is keeping me focused on eating right and keeping on running.
I am really starting to appreciate why people have body image issues.
What I have discovered is that breaking out of cycles is very rewarding and the amount of effort required to maintain change diminishes as the rewards from the change stack up.
So what does it really mean to be a runner. I have discovered I can do things that require an enormous amount of energy. I have discovered true clear mindedness. I have almost boundless energy and most importantly I know what it's like to sleep because you have burnt the days allocation of energy.
People like to see the pain, the joint issues, the rolled ankles, the blisters and the photos of exhaustion as bad things. For me running has bought so much to my life I really don't know the person I would be without it. It has filled a gap I never knew existed (probably because it was full of maccas wrappers) and given me a source of hard but achievable goals.
I have tried weight watchers, Jenny Craig, going it alone.....all of these things worked in varying degrees of success but never long term, and never to the degree I was looking for.
So I gave up diets, and set a brand spanking new goal....to run.
There had always been some appeal to the thought of coming home from a shit day at work and running out my frustrations. Hey that's what they do in the movies, and whenever you see someone running it almost always looks so easy. Catalyst to this descision was an incident where I was at a park about 500m from home and it started to rain, I ran home to get out raincoats and was basically written off for the rest of the day, sore, tired and struggling to breathe.
What I didn't understand when I started the first steps of this amazing journey was what it meant to run. The definition of a runner is someone who runs...right?
What I do understand now is that i was caught in a viscous cycle of bad choices, and half-hearted justifications. I did no exercise because I was too tired. I was too tired because I did no exercise. I ate too much and junk because "Im sure it doesn't make that much of a difference" and "I'm too tired to make the effort" and round and round we go.
So how do we break the cycle. It's actually quite simple. Self discipline.nyou need to be prepared to make a change and commit to it. Also set achievable goals. If I has said, I'm going to run and completely change my diet, all at the same time there is no way I would have succeeded. Instead. I broke the goals in two. I decided to run first and completed the c25k 9 weeks, which the last run was a 5k event in the yarra valley. After that I focused on running for longer until I was able to run for 5 hours in the marathon. With the long running comes speed, my 5k time looks pretty sweet at the moment.
But now it's come time to get serious about what goes in. I am at the point where my running has stopped being effective in weight loss. And I need to drop some weight to be a better runner.....sounds like a viscous cycle again.
But in the last week. I have taken steps to break out again and get my diet sorted out. It turns out that all the diet programs have taught me a few things about nutrition, for example I know that eating more raw veg is the key...and after 1 week I'm already seeing benefits of having a green salad and a can of tuna for lunch on a daily basis.
Thenother side to this is that after a dramatic change to my body over the last 14 months, having lost 18kg. That is the way I perceive myself. It's such a complex issue I don't know where to start. In my mind I am still the 106kg behemoth hat I used to be. I don't like it when my clothes cling to me, I feel like I occupy to much space on the train, I just imagine the old me everywhere. I guess this is the cost of being so lazy for so long or is this the way my body and psyche is keeping me focused on eating right and keeping on running.
I am really starting to appreciate why people have body image issues.
What I have discovered is that breaking out of cycles is very rewarding and the amount of effort required to maintain change diminishes as the rewards from the change stack up.
So what does it really mean to be a runner. I have discovered I can do things that require an enormous amount of energy. I have discovered true clear mindedness. I have almost boundless energy and most importantly I know what it's like to sleep because you have burnt the days allocation of energy.
People like to see the pain, the joint issues, the rolled ankles, the blisters and the photos of exhaustion as bad things. For me running has bought so much to my life I really don't know the person I would be without it. It has filled a gap I never knew existed (probably because it was full of maccas wrappers) and given me a source of hard but achievable goals.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Goals and how to measure progress in a positive light
Yesterdays half marathon in Marysville was one of the hardest long runs I've ever done. For the first time I am really sore today. I had multiple muscles cramping during the run and after. Also because the run was partly on gravel roads I have a a toe that's almost more blister than toe.
I ran the 21kms in 2 hours and 15mins which is 7mins slower than my PB (2:08). I was asked if I was disappointed with my time. Hell no, I'm wrapped. The elevation profile for this course is nuts. In the last 8k there is 4k uphill then 4k down to the finish.
I ran with a woman who had a goal of running the whole way of a half marathon. I felt bad for her picking this one to do it. But she stuck to her goal and when I was running and walking my way up that nightmare hill she kept plodding along. Good for her. My goal for the day was to go for a long run in the countryside and enjoy the day.
I had originally entered the full marathon but it was going to be to hard on the family as it was a 7am start and we needed at least 2 hours to get up get ready and get there, so I dropped to the half. My wife voiced concern that I might feel like I failed after setting my sights on a marathon and dropping back to a half. But I didn't really see it that way so it was all good.
Setting goals when training for a specific race is tricky and there are a lot of things to consider. When preparing for the Melbourne marathon I decided my goal needed to be very clear so as not end up regretful or disappointed. My goal was to finish the whole race. To run when I could and walk when I needed to and I achieved exactly that.
Since then it appears that I'm not taking my goals seriously on a sub conscience level. Yesterdays goal was as I said to have a nice run in the countryside. However i couldn't shake the thoughts of "imagine if I could do this in under 2hours." I kept dispelling them but time and time again they came to the surface.
All my split time calculations and pace budgeting during the race were around a sub 2 hour race. For the first 5ks it was all about keeping pace around 5min30sec per k and reserving enough for a strong finish. Then the hills started and I threw the idea well and truly out the window...back to having a good time.
So even though I had a goal I didn't set out to achieve I still had a great run and am happy with my performance.
I had a colleague make a comment to me regarding my fastest 5k time 23:47. He said "I'm not far behind you" I asked him to qualify and he told me he had been doing 5 k runs on the treadmill at the gym and was doing them in 32mins. 9 minutes off a 5k is a lot of work, my very first 5k was 34 mins. That was a year ago or thereabouts. More importantly he missed the point that running on a treadmill is bio-mechanically different from running outside. When you run on a motorized treadmill you lift your foot, move it forward and put it down. It's the dragged back using the motor of the treadmill. Running outside you have to use muscle to push forward.
I don't think I could do treadmill running for 2 reasons. Firstly Im not fit in the right muscles for a treadmill and secondly I would rather have the mental distraction of rain, sun swooping magpies and route selection. I would go (more) insane after 30mins in the same place.
But the treadmill does have it's values in training. It's just not for me at this time.
I ran the 21kms in 2 hours and 15mins which is 7mins slower than my PB (2:08). I was asked if I was disappointed with my time. Hell no, I'm wrapped. The elevation profile for this course is nuts. In the last 8k there is 4k uphill then 4k down to the finish.
I ran with a woman who had a goal of running the whole way of a half marathon. I felt bad for her picking this one to do it. But she stuck to her goal and when I was running and walking my way up that nightmare hill she kept plodding along. Good for her. My goal for the day was to go for a long run in the countryside and enjoy the day.
I had originally entered the full marathon but it was going to be to hard on the family as it was a 7am start and we needed at least 2 hours to get up get ready and get there, so I dropped to the half. My wife voiced concern that I might feel like I failed after setting my sights on a marathon and dropping back to a half. But I didn't really see it that way so it was all good.
Setting goals when training for a specific race is tricky and there are a lot of things to consider. When preparing for the Melbourne marathon I decided my goal needed to be very clear so as not end up regretful or disappointed. My goal was to finish the whole race. To run when I could and walk when I needed to and I achieved exactly that.
Since then it appears that I'm not taking my goals seriously on a sub conscience level. Yesterdays goal was as I said to have a nice run in the countryside. However i couldn't shake the thoughts of "imagine if I could do this in under 2hours." I kept dispelling them but time and time again they came to the surface.
All my split time calculations and pace budgeting during the race were around a sub 2 hour race. For the first 5ks it was all about keeping pace around 5min30sec per k and reserving enough for a strong finish. Then the hills started and I threw the idea well and truly out the window...back to having a good time.
So even though I had a goal I didn't set out to achieve I still had a great run and am happy with my performance.
I had a colleague make a comment to me regarding my fastest 5k time 23:47. He said "I'm not far behind you" I asked him to qualify and he told me he had been doing 5 k runs on the treadmill at the gym and was doing them in 32mins. 9 minutes off a 5k is a lot of work, my very first 5k was 34 mins. That was a year ago or thereabouts. More importantly he missed the point that running on a treadmill is bio-mechanically different from running outside. When you run on a motorized treadmill you lift your foot, move it forward and put it down. It's the dragged back using the motor of the treadmill. Running outside you have to use muscle to push forward.
I don't think I could do treadmill running for 2 reasons. Firstly Im not fit in the right muscles for a treadmill and secondly I would rather have the mental distraction of rain, sun swooping magpies and route selection. I would go (more) insane after 30mins in the same place.
But the treadmill does have it's values in training. It's just not for me at this time.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
New frontiers
One of my favorite running quotes by the late great Jim Fixx is "Running is not about trying to do something that no one else has done. It's about doing what anyone can do but very few choose to."
I love this quote because it drags my running into context. I am not doing anything amazing or incredible yet I see and hear constant evidence that I am inspiring others to run. This is an amazing thing in itself, to be responsible for people (who are in some cases only in distant contact with me) choosing to do something that nudges them outside their comfort zone and more importantly, away from the unhealthy danger zone I spent way to long lolling about like a beached whale in.
It keeps me running to know others are following me.
Anyway what got my thoughts on tis track is today's lunchtime run. I did something amazing (in me context). Actually I did 2 amazing things. Today's run was 5k and for the very first time every k was done in under 5 minutes. This gave me a grand total of 23 minutes and 47 seconds. This is 101 seconds faster than I have ever run 5ks in.
The second amazing thing I did was to run the first of these 5ks in 4 minutes and 4 seconds. This is an achievement that's hard to describe. In the context of the entire run it's belittled by the fact that every k was under 5 minutes, and alone it's no big deal because it was the first k and it's not hard to run fagots for one k especially the first one. However in the bigger picture I ran an awesome first k and still managed to keep the hammer down for the rest of the run.
For me it's important to have well defined goals, and post running the Melbourne marathon I have(had) 4.
- 5k under 25 mins
- 10k under 50 mins
- 1/2 marathon under 2 hours
- shave 1 hour off my marathon (under 4 hours would be great)
So in 3 weeks I have knocked one off the list.
I'm running a 1/2 marathon in Marysville on Sunday but I've been warned that due to the hills it's not a course for PBs. I'm not going to try for an amazing time on this one...just cruise and enjoy running in the bush.
I love this quote because it drags my running into context. I am not doing anything amazing or incredible yet I see and hear constant evidence that I am inspiring others to run. This is an amazing thing in itself, to be responsible for people (who are in some cases only in distant contact with me) choosing to do something that nudges them outside their comfort zone and more importantly, away from the unhealthy danger zone I spent way to long lolling about like a beached whale in.
It keeps me running to know others are following me.
Anyway what got my thoughts on tis track is today's lunchtime run. I did something amazing (in me context). Actually I did 2 amazing things. Today's run was 5k and for the very first time every k was done in under 5 minutes. This gave me a grand total of 23 minutes and 47 seconds. This is 101 seconds faster than I have ever run 5ks in.
The second amazing thing I did was to run the first of these 5ks in 4 minutes and 4 seconds. This is an achievement that's hard to describe. In the context of the entire run it's belittled by the fact that every k was under 5 minutes, and alone it's no big deal because it was the first k and it's not hard to run fagots for one k especially the first one. However in the bigger picture I ran an awesome first k and still managed to keep the hammer down for the rest of the run.
For me it's important to have well defined goals, and post running the Melbourne marathon I have(had) 4.
- 5k under 25 mins
- 10k under 50 mins
- 1/2 marathon under 2 hours
- shave 1 hour off my marathon (under 4 hours would be great)
So in 3 weeks I have knocked one off the list.
I'm running a 1/2 marathon in Marysville on Sunday but I've been warned that due to the hills it's not a course for PBs. I'm not going to try for an amazing time on this one...just cruise and enjoy running in the bush.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Pondering a sedentary life
I had a moment of clarity yesterday as I was catching my breath after a fast (25:28) 5k run at lunchtime.
I realised why I was so content with a sedentary life and how wrong I was.
Firstly It occurred to me that I was under the illusion I was in total control of my life.
"I can eat what I want"
"I choose not to exercise because I don't want to"
"exercise is for people not quite right in the head"
"I'm not lazy, instead I am more in control of what i choose to do"
These statements made me realize that what is missing from the life of the sedentary is self discipline. The statements I made to justify my laziness were all flawed. Eating what I wanted was basically disregarding what my body actually needs for what tastes good (and foods that have the larger marketing budget).
Choosing not to exercise is not a choice at all. It's a lack of commitment. When I started running I was out one Sunday and a large girl was walking her dog. She said to me "there is no way I could do that" I was annoyed at her comment...she could do it, I knew by that stage that if anyone chooses to run, they dan do it (as long as they train their body etc) but here was someone who had clearly enjoyed as much self indulgence in fast foods and full days laying on the couch watching movies as I had. The only difference is that I decided I could run, and she told herself she couldn't.
Living life had it's benefits I'm sure of that.....however the more I think about what they were the more I realize that it was all an illusion. If you lay on the couch for a day, do you fell more relaxed the next day? Because I could tell myself that I did, really though you would fell myth better for have spent your energy achieving something amazing.
On a certain route that I have run a few times now I get very depressed and angry at myself. The route takes me past KFC and the McDonalds. As the smell from KFC hits me I regret every mouthful of fat soaked overly processed crap that is marketed as food. I know that in some way I have an accumulated debt of crap food to pay back and I fully intend to get that debt paid off.
In summary have worked out that sedentary people live under the illusion of control and that in truth they will never experience control until they take it and apply it to self discipline. If you are starting running be prepared for a barrage of negative comments about running "it's bad for your knees, joints, little toe, hairs on your ankles" but be wary that these are other peoples reasons why they can't run, don't make them yours....take control and make yourself into the person you want to be... In my case a runner
I realised why I was so content with a sedentary life and how wrong I was.
Firstly It occurred to me that I was under the illusion I was in total control of my life.
"I can eat what I want"
"I choose not to exercise because I don't want to"
"exercise is for people not quite right in the head"
"I'm not lazy, instead I am more in control of what i choose to do"
These statements made me realize that what is missing from the life of the sedentary is self discipline. The statements I made to justify my laziness were all flawed. Eating what I wanted was basically disregarding what my body actually needs for what tastes good (and foods that have the larger marketing budget).
Choosing not to exercise is not a choice at all. It's a lack of commitment. When I started running I was out one Sunday and a large girl was walking her dog. She said to me "there is no way I could do that" I was annoyed at her comment...she could do it, I knew by that stage that if anyone chooses to run, they dan do it (as long as they train their body etc) but here was someone who had clearly enjoyed as much self indulgence in fast foods and full days laying on the couch watching movies as I had. The only difference is that I decided I could run, and she told herself she couldn't.
Living life had it's benefits I'm sure of that.....however the more I think about what they were the more I realize that it was all an illusion. If you lay on the couch for a day, do you fell more relaxed the next day? Because I could tell myself that I did, really though you would fell myth better for have spent your energy achieving something amazing.
On a certain route that I have run a few times now I get very depressed and angry at myself. The route takes me past KFC and the McDonalds. As the smell from KFC hits me I regret every mouthful of fat soaked overly processed crap that is marketed as food. I know that in some way I have an accumulated debt of crap food to pay back and I fully intend to get that debt paid off.
In summary have worked out that sedentary people live under the illusion of control and that in truth they will never experience control until they take it and apply it to self discipline. If you are starting running be prepared for a barrage of negative comments about running "it's bad for your knees, joints, little toe, hairs on your ankles" but be wary that these are other peoples reasons why they can't run, don't make them yours....take control and make yourself into the person you want to be... In my case a runner
Friday, October 22, 2010
Hot in the city
Yesterday at lunch time I ran an easy 5k. However it knocked me around because in no way was I prepared for how hot it was.
It probably was about 20 something degrees but it was enough to knock me around.
Usually after a run it takes 10-15 minutes to cool down but yesterday much to the concern of my colleagues it took about an hour.
Unfortunately when I walked back into the office it was time to go straight into a meeting where I sat sweating and stinking to high heaven for an hour.
One colleague commented after that he could smell me wafting from across the room to which I think he was taking the piss out of me but never mind.
Its good to work somewhere that I can run at lunch time. yesterdays events got me reflecting on when I started to run, and more importantly the person I was before.
Pre-running me used to spend the whole day angry, I would get in to work in the morning and read emails that would piss me off, I would have meetings with people that would piss me off and I would go home pissed off with the world.
Post running me has learned that everyone works differently. For example try going for a run with someone you know. There is a very minute chance that both of you will work at the same level, chances are one person needs to slow down so you can run together. This was one of the first things that I realized when we started to run at lunch time as a group. People would get scared that they would be left behind or have to leave behind the group.
To overcome this an invitation to run with the group was always accompanied with a disclaimer "we start together, we finish together but everyone runs at their own pace"
It was good to run with other people when I started as there is very few things as motivating to run as the feeling that you are letting someone else down. Now that I have run as much as I have, I have discovered that its a trap to rely on other people to motivate you to run.
Especially on the weekend. Getting out of bed at 6am on a cold Sunday morning to run a 21k training run is HARD. No one is waiting to meet you, no one is going to tell you to run. It all comes down to you to get your ass out there and put one foot in front of the other.
I guess the moral here is that tolerance only can be achieved once you realize that everyone will do things their own way. The less-angry me knows that people will work in their own way. The less-angry me needs to get rid of the adrenaline from other peoples "own way" of doing things and the best way to do this is to run at lunch time.
It probably was about 20 something degrees but it was enough to knock me around.
Usually after a run it takes 10-15 minutes to cool down but yesterday much to the concern of my colleagues it took about an hour.
Unfortunately when I walked back into the office it was time to go straight into a meeting where I sat sweating and stinking to high heaven for an hour.
One colleague commented after that he could smell me wafting from across the room to which I think he was taking the piss out of me but never mind.
Its good to work somewhere that I can run at lunch time. yesterdays events got me reflecting on when I started to run, and more importantly the person I was before.
Pre-running me used to spend the whole day angry, I would get in to work in the morning and read emails that would piss me off, I would have meetings with people that would piss me off and I would go home pissed off with the world.
Post running me has learned that everyone works differently. For example try going for a run with someone you know. There is a very minute chance that both of you will work at the same level, chances are one person needs to slow down so you can run together. This was one of the first things that I realized when we started to run at lunch time as a group. People would get scared that they would be left behind or have to leave behind the group.
To overcome this an invitation to run with the group was always accompanied with a disclaimer "we start together, we finish together but everyone runs at their own pace"
It was good to run with other people when I started as there is very few things as motivating to run as the feeling that you are letting someone else down. Now that I have run as much as I have, I have discovered that its a trap to rely on other people to motivate you to run.
Especially on the weekend. Getting out of bed at 6am on a cold Sunday morning to run a 21k training run is HARD. No one is waiting to meet you, no one is going to tell you to run. It all comes down to you to get your ass out there and put one foot in front of the other.
I guess the moral here is that tolerance only can be achieved once you realize that everyone will do things their own way. The less-angry me knows that people will work in their own way. The less-angry me needs to get rid of the adrenaline from other peoples "own way" of doing things and the best way to do this is to run at lunch time.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Running again
Wednesday last week I felt ready to run again, but I didn't, I waited and heeded the advice from everyone that I needed time to rest and recuperate.
Yesterday I ran a 10k in 1:47:00 which is not too bad a time (Considering the handicaps of My dog needing to wee, the traffic lights I had to stop at and the really nasty stitch that kept attacking me) but more importantly it felt good, really good. no pain, no niggling ankle issues.
I am ready to start my training regime in earnest again, and really start working hard to shave the hour off my marathon time.
ON the downside something is missing. A goal.
I need something to drive me to put foot in front of foot and run, and I think I have found exactly that.
The Marysville marathon is in about 3 weekends and I'm going to enter it. Yes another full marathon in 3 weeks time, now thats exactly the kind of insane goal I need to push through the postpartum depression of having completed the Melbourne marathon and not having anything on the horizon.
So its a 30k this weekend, a 10 or 20k the following weekend then another marathon.
Yesterday I ran a 10k in 1:47:00 which is not too bad a time (Considering the handicaps of My dog needing to wee, the traffic lights I had to stop at and the really nasty stitch that kept attacking me) but more importantly it felt good, really good. no pain, no niggling ankle issues.
I am ready to start my training regime in earnest again, and really start working hard to shave the hour off my marathon time.
ON the downside something is missing. A goal.
I need something to drive me to put foot in front of foot and run, and I think I have found exactly that.
The Marysville marathon is in about 3 weekends and I'm going to enter it. Yes another full marathon in 3 weeks time, now thats exactly the kind of insane goal I need to push through the postpartum depression of having completed the Melbourne marathon and not having anything on the horizon.
So its a 30k this weekend, a 10 or 20k the following weekend then another marathon.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Torn
It's been 4 days since the marathon.
I feel amazing no pain or stiffness left and I'm ready to run but.....
There is a voice inside my head telling me to hold off for a few more days.
I miss it so much. I need to sweat.. I need to hurt.. I need that time inside my head thinking of nothing but where my foot will land next....sigh...
I will wait until the weekend but there lies the next issue, how far should I run. My instinct says maybe. A 10-15k would be a good distance. But my determination says go for a 30k that's the path to 4 hour marathons.
In addition to this turmoil this week I've been on training. Which means catered morning tea and lunch and all the soft drink you can consume.
I have been strong. No donuts on Monday was the hardest. But the trap is not over eating on the lunch stuff.....gotta be careful.....gotta lose the belly that's haunted me for the last 15 or so years.
I feel amazing no pain or stiffness left and I'm ready to run but.....
There is a voice inside my head telling me to hold off for a few more days.
I miss it so much. I need to sweat.. I need to hurt.. I need that time inside my head thinking of nothing but where my foot will land next....sigh...
I will wait until the weekend but there lies the next issue, how far should I run. My instinct says maybe. A 10-15k would be a good distance. But my determination says go for a 30k that's the path to 4 hour marathons.
In addition to this turmoil this week I've been on training. Which means catered morning tea and lunch and all the soft drink you can consume.
I have been strong. No donuts on Monday was the hardest. But the trap is not over eating on the lunch stuff.....gotta be careful.....gotta lose the belly that's haunted me for the last 15 or so years.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Post marathon musings
So I did it. I ran for 5 hours and 8 minutes to complete my first marathon.
The person that woke up this morning was indeed different. Although not changed in the ways I had expected. The marathon left me hungry to do better, sort my diet out, train harder and faster than ever before.
"They" say there are 2 responses from runners who have completed their first marathon
1) when is the next one.
2) why the he'll would anyone want to do that more than once.
I fall well and truly into category 1.
Anyway here is a blow by blow account of what I can remember
Start line - OMG there are a lot of crazy people in one place
3ks in - I think the girl who just said out loud that there is only 39k to go is about to be lynched.
9ks in - the two women listening to music and trying to have a conversation about if they were going to have sex that night or not are talking so loud I think the whole field can hear them.
17ks in - wow I've managed to maintain an average of 6:30min k's but I'm starting to slow.
21ks in - I had a laugh at how proud the girl next to me was about making it half way. I didn't want to point out that from an effort perspective we were probably only a 1/4 of the way.
30ks in - sweet I'm running further than I ever have before.
36ks in - I can't run this hill. I walked and felt my phone ringing so I answered it. It was a fellow runner from work asking how I went. She got very angry when I told her I was still going 6ks out and was walking she verbally kicked my ass and at that point I committed mentally to run the rest of the way.
39ks in - I got a cramp on my left leg inner muscle just above the knee but I used the pain to push on. I had 3k to go so I ran through it.
42k in - as I entered the MCG one of the volunteers told me it was into the G and across the finish line. Talk about cruel, it's into the G do a lap and across the line but anyway at this stage I was feeling good, almost crying but holding it together.
42.195ks - I saw Sarah, Ben and Grace and they were going nuts. I lost it cried I was so happy to have made them proud. I did it I showed my kids that daddy has seen unlimited benefit from hard work and self discipline.
My hopes when I started running was that my kids would be inspired to be active. I can now say that it's working. Ben was very sad that he is too little to run races with daddy. The time will come when we are running together but in the mean time I need to find a way to shave about an hour off my marathon time.
The person that woke up this morning was indeed different. Although not changed in the ways I had expected. The marathon left me hungry to do better, sort my diet out, train harder and faster than ever before.
"They" say there are 2 responses from runners who have completed their first marathon
1) when is the next one.
2) why the he'll would anyone want to do that more than once.
I fall well and truly into category 1.
Anyway here is a blow by blow account of what I can remember
Start line - OMG there are a lot of crazy people in one place
3ks in - I think the girl who just said out loud that there is only 39k to go is about to be lynched.
9ks in - the two women listening to music and trying to have a conversation about if they were going to have sex that night or not are talking so loud I think the whole field can hear them.
17ks in - wow I've managed to maintain an average of 6:30min k's but I'm starting to slow.
21ks in - I had a laugh at how proud the girl next to me was about making it half way. I didn't want to point out that from an effort perspective we were probably only a 1/4 of the way.
30ks in - sweet I'm running further than I ever have before.
36ks in - I can't run this hill. I walked and felt my phone ringing so I answered it. It was a fellow runner from work asking how I went. She got very angry when I told her I was still going 6ks out and was walking she verbally kicked my ass and at that point I committed mentally to run the rest of the way.
39ks in - I got a cramp on my left leg inner muscle just above the knee but I used the pain to push on. I had 3k to go so I ran through it.
42k in - as I entered the MCG one of the volunteers told me it was into the G and across the finish line. Talk about cruel, it's into the G do a lap and across the line but anyway at this stage I was feeling good, almost crying but holding it together.
42.195ks - I saw Sarah, Ben and Grace and they were going nuts. I lost it cried I was so happy to have made them proud. I did it I showed my kids that daddy has seen unlimited benefit from hard work and self discipline.
My hopes when I started running was that my kids would be inspired to be active. I can now say that it's working. Ben was very sad that he is too little to run races with daddy. The time will come when we are running together but in the mean time I need to find a way to shave about an hour off my marathon time.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
As the sun sets....
As the sun sets tonight I say good bye to the person I was.
By this time tomorrow I will have run my first marathon. I will be sore, I will be tired but one way or another I will have covered the 42.195k that makes up an certified marathon course.
I think my Dear Wife has been better able to foresee how much of a pivotal life changing moment this really is for me. I have thus far focused on training, hydration, fuel, clothing and dealing with things like cramps. But she has been able to see that the impact to my psyche is going to far outlast the impact to my body.
So as the sun sets I say goodbye to the slob turned runner, and tomorrow I embrace the runner turned marathoner.
I guess in the next couple of days I will learn what the hell that really means.
By this time tomorrow I will have run my first marathon. I will be sore, I will be tired but one way or another I will have covered the 42.195k that makes up an certified marathon course.
I think my Dear Wife has been better able to foresee how much of a pivotal life changing moment this really is for me. I have thus far focused on training, hydration, fuel, clothing and dealing with things like cramps. But she has been able to see that the impact to my psyche is going to far outlast the impact to my body.
So as the sun sets I say goodbye to the slob turned runner, and tomorrow I embrace the runner turned marathoner.
I guess in the next couple of days I will learn what the hell that really means.
Friday, October 8, 2010
2 More Sleeps
2 More sleeps....thats it..1 Day 22 hours to go until I start to run, and keep running for as long as my body can hold out.
I have decided at this late stage on a slightly different tactic to the race. I have decided that I can run the whole distance.......the whole way 42.195k.
This is not my goal, my goal is to cover the distance running, run/walking, crawling or dragging myself by my arms.
However I think I'm short changing myself by trying to run at least 30-35k when I should be trying to run 42.195k
I have been asked if I am ready. I think only a fool or someone who has run 100 marathons would be able to confidently say that they are ready, but as this is my first time I have no bloody idea if I'm ready or not.
Someone said this morning "have fun, its a fun run after all" my response was 5k, 10k even 15k is a fun run. 21 or 42 is a serious distance, but serious can be fun.
- I have my Gels ready (one every 8k whether I feel like I need it or not)
- I have decided to drink at every second water station (they are at about every 3k)
- I know what I'm going to wear (Skins, Thorlo socks, My trusty Asics Kayanos, My new shorts, Under armor compression top and my Nike run top)
I have decided at this late stage on a slightly different tactic to the race. I have decided that I can run the whole distance.......the whole way 42.195k.
This is not my goal, my goal is to cover the distance running, run/walking, crawling or dragging myself by my arms.
However I think I'm short changing myself by trying to run at least 30-35k when I should be trying to run 42.195k
I have been asked if I am ready. I think only a fool or someone who has run 100 marathons would be able to confidently say that they are ready, but as this is my first time I have no bloody idea if I'm ready or not.
Someone said this morning "have fun, its a fun run after all" my response was 5k, 10k even 15k is a fun run. 21 or 42 is a serious distance, but serious can be fun.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Crunch Time
I got an email from my running idol this morning and the first line was "Well Daniel Its Crunch time"
He then went on to discuss his recent success in ultra marathons and point out that this is the first step to something bigger.
The idea of ultra's has always appealed to me. I mean how awesome it would be to run in state of total exhaustion for a whole weekend to have covered off 100km.
This overly introspective week had me thinking of what my next challenges will be, and also reflecting on the fact yet again that a little over a year ago I ran my first 5k. In less than 5 days I will be running my first 42K.
So what is next. There is the BRW triathlon in Feb which I have registered my interest with. There are countless 5 & 10k events over the next few months, and then any number of marathons domestically and in NZ that I would like to do.
Realistically I think its time to get serious and really committed to discovering what my body can do. I think it will be a case of focus on the swimming and cycling to get prepared for the BRW, and to let my ankle finish healing, and really work hard to become generally fitter, rather than just run fit.
It is crunch time, and as the non-runners say "I can do it" but that doesn't stop the echoes of doubt bouncing around my head almost constantly, and it certainly doesn't help me sleep at night as I found last night.
He then went on to discuss his recent success in ultra marathons and point out that this is the first step to something bigger.
The idea of ultra's has always appealed to me. I mean how awesome it would be to run in state of total exhaustion for a whole weekend to have covered off 100km.
This overly introspective week had me thinking of what my next challenges will be, and also reflecting on the fact yet again that a little over a year ago I ran my first 5k. In less than 5 days I will be running my first 42K.
So what is next. There is the BRW triathlon in Feb which I have registered my interest with. There are countless 5 & 10k events over the next few months, and then any number of marathons domestically and in NZ that I would like to do.
Realistically I think its time to get serious and really committed to discovering what my body can do. I think it will be a case of focus on the swimming and cycling to get prepared for the BRW, and to let my ankle finish healing, and really work hard to become generally fitter, rather than just run fit.
It is crunch time, and as the non-runners say "I can do it" but that doesn't stop the echoes of doubt bouncing around my head almost constantly, and it certainly doesn't help me sleep at night as I found last night.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
4 Days 22 Hours
The ticking clock on the Melbourne marathon page says I have 4 days and 22 hours left to endure before the start of the race.
The tapering period has a surreal calm before the storm feel that has me looking inward with intensity I'm not familiar with.
Why the hell would anyone want to set a challenge like running a marathon, I mean really....I know Monday I will understand this better but at the moment, its like saying I'm going to swim so far I drown. I know I will hit the wall during the marathon and it concerns me that I am not equipped to deal with this mentally.
This challenge has been of concern for me for some time and knowing that its coming has me a little worried.
Its funny how people react when you tell them you are running a marathon. There seems to be 2 responses:
1. Ahhh you will be right you do lots of running yeah?
2. Whats your hydration/fuel/starting/pace strategy
No points for guessing which group of people which response comes from. Its amazing how easily non-runners will talk down running 42.195Km like its something that anyone could easily do. But then again I guess its just the socially acceptable response to something that someone doesn't really understand. Strangely enough its got all the hallmarks of the hollow support I got when studying for my Industry certification exams.
Anyway I'm grateful that my friends have noticed that I'm borderline basket case this week.
4 Days and 22 hours to go.....then the suffering really starts.
The tapering period has a surreal calm before the storm feel that has me looking inward with intensity I'm not familiar with.
Why the hell would anyone want to set a challenge like running a marathon, I mean really....I know Monday I will understand this better but at the moment, its like saying I'm going to swim so far I drown. I know I will hit the wall during the marathon and it concerns me that I am not equipped to deal with this mentally.
This challenge has been of concern for me for some time and knowing that its coming has me a little worried.
Its funny how people react when you tell them you are running a marathon. There seems to be 2 responses:
1. Ahhh you will be right you do lots of running yeah?
2. Whats your hydration/fuel/starting/pace strategy
No points for guessing which group of people which response comes from. Its amazing how easily non-runners will talk down running 42.195Km like its something that anyone could easily do. But then again I guess its just the socially acceptable response to something that someone doesn't really understand. Strangely enough its got all the hallmarks of the hollow support I got when studying for my Industry certification exams.
Anyway I'm grateful that my friends have noticed that I'm borderline basket case this week.
4 Days and 22 hours to go.....then the suffering really starts.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Why would someone run
When you start to run, its almost a certainty that if you discuss your new found obsession ( it may not appear as an obsession until later) with someone who is not a runner they will list for you the reasons not to run.
Generally they are:
- Its bad for your knees
- You will get shin splints
- Its not good for you at all
etc etc the list goes on, And even worse I have actually seen an article in mens health stating that men attempting a marathon increase their risk of cardiac arrest during the event....
So why would anyone want to run. IN short peoples reasons for not running are more to do with the excuses they have told themselves are good enough to stop them getting out the door and less to do with medical certainty.
There are lots of reasons after a run for someone to think "never again"
- Muscle Soreness
- Blisters
- Aches
- Injury (such as my rolled ankle)
But there are always and I mean ALWAYS more reasons to run
- Runners High (Not always but when you get it, its amazing)
- The calm of endorphin drunkenness
- Having achieved something that anyone can do, but not many people decide to not bother
- Knowing you got off your ass and got out there to the amazement of the rest of the world.
- Knowing you decided to do something that a very small percentage of the population decided to do.
For me the decision is easy. Its about self discipline. If you cant force yourself to get out there and run, no one else is going to do it. I have always resented people trying to make me do whats best for me, but running is whats best for me, and the motivation to keep running is something as natural as breathing.
Generally they are:
- Its bad for your knees
- You will get shin splints
- Its not good for you at all
etc etc the list goes on, And even worse I have actually seen an article in mens health stating that men attempting a marathon increase their risk of cardiac arrest during the event....
So why would anyone want to run. IN short peoples reasons for not running are more to do with the excuses they have told themselves are good enough to stop them getting out the door and less to do with medical certainty.
There are lots of reasons after a run for someone to think "never again"
- Muscle Soreness
- Blisters
- Aches
- Injury (such as my rolled ankle)
But there are always and I mean ALWAYS more reasons to run
- Runners High (Not always but when you get it, its amazing)
- The calm of endorphin drunkenness
- Having achieved something that anyone can do, but not many people decide to not bother
- Knowing you got off your ass and got out there to the amazement of the rest of the world.
- Knowing you decided to do something that a very small percentage of the population decided to do.
For me the decision is easy. Its about self discipline. If you cant force yourself to get out there and run, no one else is going to do it. I have always resented people trying to make me do whats best for me, but running is whats best for me, and the motivation to keep running is something as natural as breathing.
6 Days out
For the first time in my life I am shitting my pants about something in ways I never expected.
1 year ago I started running because I wanted to be able to run. When I made that decision I didn't realise what that actually meant.
In 6 days I will be running the Melbourne marathon, 42.195Km it was a little over a year ago that I ran my first event and first 5k run (the Yarra valley grape run).
If you feel out of control, or believe deep down that you don't really know yourself, then my advise is run you will discover that you can achieve things that seem impossible to the casual observer, but everyone is capable of.
So after 1 year of preparation why am I nervous. Because I know I have to do this, its the culmination of every step that I have taken, every drop of sweat that I have dripped, the blood thats been shed and the pain thats been a constant reminder that if I don't to this I would not be the parent that I am, the husband I am, and even the employee that I am. I would be the person I used to be, and I'm not so sure I like him much anymore.
Some of the advice I have been given for the race day:
- Eat the marathon 1 step at a time - Check (This is how I run)
- Have a Hydration and Fuel plan - Check (gels every 8k seems to be the current plan)
- You can do it - Check (I can do it, how long it takes doesn't matter)
1 year ago I started running because I wanted to be able to run. When I made that decision I didn't realise what that actually meant.
In 6 days I will be running the Melbourne marathon, 42.195Km it was a little over a year ago that I ran my first event and first 5k run (the Yarra valley grape run).
If you feel out of control, or believe deep down that you don't really know yourself, then my advise is run you will discover that you can achieve things that seem impossible to the casual observer, but everyone is capable of.
So after 1 year of preparation why am I nervous. Because I know I have to do this, its the culmination of every step that I have taken, every drop of sweat that I have dripped, the blood thats been shed and the pain thats been a constant reminder that if I don't to this I would not be the parent that I am, the husband I am, and even the employee that I am. I would be the person I used to be, and I'm not so sure I like him much anymore.
Some of the advice I have been given for the race day:
- Eat the marathon 1 step at a time - Check (This is how I run)
- Have a Hydration and Fuel plan - Check (gels every 8k seems to be the current plan)
- You can do it - Check (I can do it, how long it takes doesn't matter)
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