Well, it's taken me almost two weeks to write up this run. Mostly because it's been a pretty miserable time on the training front. The pain that I have mentioned over the previous few weeks really burned to the fore and I found that I was limping constantly and in constant pain with my right shin and calf. I could barely walk afterwards, let alone run. And what started as a few days rest became two weeks of complete inactivity. On the bright side I guess Christmas is as good a time as any to take a break from the training.
The pain has only started to subside in the last day or two (I'm writing this on the 30th December). I finally went to the doctor yesterday and after a (very) painful examination he told me that the bone is fine (I had feared a stress fracture) and that the injury was a torn muscle in my calf. If I'm honest he was a little dismissive and made me feel silly for having gone to the doctor with it at all. So I left without really questioning him about the recovery time.
So I now have to decide how much longer to rest it for. I'm quite indecisive about it. There is a marathon in Liverpool tomorrow and I really really want to go and run it. But I am haunted by the fear that if I do a marathon with an injury like this I may jeopardise my participation in the Marathon des Sables. On the other hand, if I get through it without any major problems it will be a great way to kick-start my training into 2012; and I love marathon running so it will be fun too!!
Anyway, for completeness I should describe the run on the 17th as per the heading to this post.
The run itself was a reasonable one. A lot of pain on the six mile road run to Ellesmere but a more comfortable 9 to follow down the canal to the gym and then in for some sauna and spa time to ease the legs.
I got hit by the rain at about 8 miles but not as bad as the previous time I'd done this route. The split times tell a story of injury and fatigue though. I only got below 10 minute miles once on the whole run and that was mile ten when I was on good canal path ground and was fully warmed up. However the pain in my leg never really went away and with hindsight I probably shouldn't have done this one.
Oh, but I did reach the 300 mile mark in my training. A bittersweet record considering the price I paid but it was nice to breach another round number!
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 15.62 miles
Time 2:50:11
Kcal 2129
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 15 mins
TOTAL
Distance 315.28 miles
Time 54:50:38
Kcal 34,388
Press-ups 400
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 4:10 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £481.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Pity My Feet is a training and fitness blog that chronicles the misadventures of an aging demotivated wanna-be athlete with a penchant for making bad exercise related life choices. Currently in training for Iron Man Wales 2014. Don't ask why.
Friday 30 December 2011
Wednesday 14 December 2011
Tuesday 13th December 2011 - 8 miles slow
After my weekend 20 miler I found I was in no condition to run on Sunday and so I lost another session to injury. Monday was a rest day but I went to the gym and did some core work just to keep some kind of calorie burn going on.
The limping had stopped by this morning so as it was only an 8 miler in the plan I thought I'd risk it. Big mistake really. I was in pain on my right shin and calf from the first step to the last. I actually limped as I ran for the first two miles. Even when I had warmed up I couldn't push my pace any faster then about 10:30 mpm without the pain increasing too much. The fastest mile I did was mile 6 at 10:24.
The whole run felt like a struggle and I had to push it every inch of the way. My form was awful because every time I tried to stretch out my legs the impact on my shin and calf was too great to bear.
I'm writing this on Wednesday and by the time I woke up this morning I once more couldn't put any weight on my right leg without a lot of pain. I had to take some painkillers just to walk to the shop. There is no way I can run today and tomorrow I have work commitments that mean I can't run. Friday is a 'rest day' in my schedule then I'm down for 14 on Saturday and 6 on Sunday.
I think that I will write off this week. Maybe I'll do the 14 and the 6 at the weekend but perhaps I will reverse the order. Test myself on the 6 miles on Saturday and see if I'm up to the 14 on Sunday. One thing is clear though - if I carry on like I am I'll end up missing nearly half of my sessions and the others will hurt a lot!!
I'm going to head to the gym later to do some core work and some sauna and maybe a little swim. I'll do the same on Friday but other than that I will rest and hope for a good strong recovery.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 8.03 miles
Time 1:25:44
Kcal 888
Press-ups 20
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 20 mins
TOTAL
Distance 299.66 miles
Time 52:00:27
Kcal 32,259
Press-ups 400
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:55 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £481.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
The limping had stopped by this morning so as it was only an 8 miler in the plan I thought I'd risk it. Big mistake really. I was in pain on my right shin and calf from the first step to the last. I actually limped as I ran for the first two miles. Even when I had warmed up I couldn't push my pace any faster then about 10:30 mpm without the pain increasing too much. The fastest mile I did was mile 6 at 10:24.
The whole run felt like a struggle and I had to push it every inch of the way. My form was awful because every time I tried to stretch out my legs the impact on my shin and calf was too great to bear.
I'm writing this on Wednesday and by the time I woke up this morning I once more couldn't put any weight on my right leg without a lot of pain. I had to take some painkillers just to walk to the shop. There is no way I can run today and tomorrow I have work commitments that mean I can't run. Friday is a 'rest day' in my schedule then I'm down for 14 on Saturday and 6 on Sunday.
I think that I will write off this week. Maybe I'll do the 14 and the 6 at the weekend but perhaps I will reverse the order. Test myself on the 6 miles on Saturday and see if I'm up to the 14 on Sunday. One thing is clear though - if I carry on like I am I'll end up missing nearly half of my sessions and the others will hurt a lot!!
I'm going to head to the gym later to do some core work and some sauna and maybe a little swim. I'll do the same on Friday but other than that I will rest and hope for a good strong recovery.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 8.03 miles
Time 1:25:44
Kcal 888
Press-ups 20
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 20 mins
TOTAL
Distance 299.66 miles
Time 52:00:27
Kcal 32,259
Press-ups 400
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:55 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £481.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Sunday 11 December 2011
Saturday 10th December 2011 - 20 miles
Twenty miles tonight during which I learned a few useful things. Well, one really useful thing actually. About nutrition. I ran with my pack (just 3 Kg tonight) and in it I had NAKD Apple Pie bars and a pack of beef jerky. I've read that beef jerky is a great thing to take with me because it's almost pure protein but also has plenty of salts to help my electrolite balance when I'm drinking so much water. The plan was always to eat the jerky after the end of each stage to help me recover in time for the following day's stage. However for some reason tonight I took the jerky out with me.
My fuelling plan was for one NAKD bar (98 cal) every five miles. Although this is quite low calorifically I was pretty well fuelled at the start and also had 500 ml of Iso Energy Sports Drink (153 cal). So I would take on around 450 cal during the run and would accept the net loss of about 1,700 cal of fat burning to try to reduce my love handles. Of course it doesn't work out like that because I replaced a lot of calories when I finished!! Anyway, I digress.
Up until around 13 miles I was feeling pretty good and was ticking along at just under 11 mpm. A nice steady long run pace for me. However I started to feel really hungry and, more than that, I was craving the taste and saltiness of the beef jerky. I quickly went from a mild desire to an overwhelming longing for it. Being rational and scientific I decided that perhaps my body was low on salts and therefore craving the sodium. So, at my 15 mile turn-around I opened the jerky and ate the whole packet. As well as the NAKD bar and a huge glug of water. Big big mistake.
Almost immediately I began to feel nausea. This built to stomach cramps and then incredible weariness and fatigue. My splits soared beyond 11 mpm and eventually up beyond 12mpm. Mile after cruel mile seemed to extend into infinity and I was running as if through treacle. If you can call it running. I would say "trudging" is more apt.
There was no doubt about it. This was a tough 20 miles. I don't know if it was the jerky that perhaps made it difficult for my stomach to digest the NAKD bar and thus deprive me of a little energy boost. Or if it was just that my body is tired and 20 miles was always going to be tough for me tonight. Instinctively though I think it was the effect of the jerky mid-run. I will stick with it because I love the flavour but from now on I shall only ever eat after I finish training.
The run finished in 3:46 with an average pace of 11:18 mpm. The fatigue and pain meant I had to fight a considerable mental battle to keep going and I am grateful for the training opportunity that gave me.
However the story of this tough run didn't end there. Almost as soon as I was out of the shower I felt sharp pain in my right calf, on the inside edge. This grew worse and worse until by late evening I couldn't put any weight on my right foot at all. This has continued and now (Sunday lunchtime) I realise that there is no way I can do today's 10 miles. So this week will end on a whimper of just 38 miles with two sessions missed through injury. Monday is an official rest day but I will decide later during it whether I should tag Sunday's ten miles to it or continue to rest.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 20.02 miles
Time 3:46:26
Kcal 2185
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 0 mins
TOTAL
Distance 291.63 miles
Time 50:34:17
Kcal 31,371
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:35 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £481.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
My fuelling plan was for one NAKD bar (98 cal) every five miles. Although this is quite low calorifically I was pretty well fuelled at the start and also had 500 ml of Iso Energy Sports Drink (153 cal). So I would take on around 450 cal during the run and would accept the net loss of about 1,700 cal of fat burning to try to reduce my love handles. Of course it doesn't work out like that because I replaced a lot of calories when I finished!! Anyway, I digress.
Up until around 13 miles I was feeling pretty good and was ticking along at just under 11 mpm. A nice steady long run pace for me. However I started to feel really hungry and, more than that, I was craving the taste and saltiness of the beef jerky. I quickly went from a mild desire to an overwhelming longing for it. Being rational and scientific I decided that perhaps my body was low on salts and therefore craving the sodium. So, at my 15 mile turn-around I opened the jerky and ate the whole packet. As well as the NAKD bar and a huge glug of water. Big big mistake.
Almost immediately I began to feel nausea. This built to stomach cramps and then incredible weariness and fatigue. My splits soared beyond 11 mpm and eventually up beyond 12mpm. Mile after cruel mile seemed to extend into infinity and I was running as if through treacle. If you can call it running. I would say "trudging" is more apt.
There was no doubt about it. This was a tough 20 miles. I don't know if it was the jerky that perhaps made it difficult for my stomach to digest the NAKD bar and thus deprive me of a little energy boost. Or if it was just that my body is tired and 20 miles was always going to be tough for me tonight. Instinctively though I think it was the effect of the jerky mid-run. I will stick with it because I love the flavour but from now on I shall only ever eat after I finish training.
The run finished in 3:46 with an average pace of 11:18 mpm. The fatigue and pain meant I had to fight a considerable mental battle to keep going and I am grateful for the training opportunity that gave me.
However the story of this tough run didn't end there. Almost as soon as I was out of the shower I felt sharp pain in my right calf, on the inside edge. This grew worse and worse until by late evening I couldn't put any weight on my right foot at all. This has continued and now (Sunday lunchtime) I realise that there is no way I can do today's 10 miles. So this week will end on a whimper of just 38 miles with two sessions missed through injury. Monday is an official rest day but I will decide later during it whether I should tag Sunday's ten miles to it or continue to rest.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 20.02 miles
Time 3:46:26
Kcal 2185
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 0 mins
TOTAL
Distance 291.63 miles
Time 50:34:17
Kcal 31,371
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:35 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £481.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Saturday 10 December 2011
Friday 9th December 2011 - 8 miles tempo
After the weekend's exertions and Tuesday morning's 10 miler I started to feel sharp pains in my lower legs. This got worse through Tuesday until by the late evening I was getting stabbing pains through my legs with every step. It was a little better on Wednesday morning but was still painful so I decided to bring forward the Friday rest day. It seemed to work a little but Thursday also was painful. This, coupled with an inconvenient work schedule, made me decide to take a further rest day.
I'm a little sorry to have done it because it won't be easy to make up those miles but I think it's important not to push myself over into an injury that might leave me unable to train for weeks. I fear that I'm flirting with the dreaded shin splints. If I got those now it would knock me out until after Christmas and I definitely can't spare that time!
But tonight I felt a little more confident and decided to do the 8 miler that was in the schedule for Thursday. This way I will end the week just 6 miles down on the schedule and having effectively only missed on training session.
I did the route that I've favoured lately, down the hill to Tallarn Green, on a bit further then turn around and back the way I came. Up the hill. I'd set myself a goal pace of 10 mpm and although normally the Thursday sessions would include some speed work I had decided not to bother with that because of the continuing pain in my shins.
My first mile was 9:45 and felt tough and slow. Also slippy on the ice that was forming on the lanes. I picked up a little in mile two (9:04) and decided that although I wouldn't do any speed work I would run up all the hills. This would a) give me some strength training and b) get me to the pub earlier.
Mile three was 8:45 as I felt some strength come into my legs. I felt like pushing it a little to see how much strength really was there and I got to mile 7 without having dropped over 9 mpm since mile two. With one mile to go I decided to test my determination and my ability to push forward even when tired and I upped the pace once more with a last mile of 7:55 mpm. Which is like lightening for a tortoise like me!!
I've still got a lot of pain in my lower legs. I fear at some point I'll have to take a full week out to let them recover properly. But not yet eh?
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 8.03 miles
Time 1:10:59
Kcal 919
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 30 mins
TOTAL
Distance 271.61 miles
Time 46:47:51
Kcal 29,186
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:35 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £486.53. Thank you Olly for the generous donation :)
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
I'm a little sorry to have done it because it won't be easy to make up those miles but I think it's important not to push myself over into an injury that might leave me unable to train for weeks. I fear that I'm flirting with the dreaded shin splints. If I got those now it would knock me out until after Christmas and I definitely can't spare that time!
But tonight I felt a little more confident and decided to do the 8 miler that was in the schedule for Thursday. This way I will end the week just 6 miles down on the schedule and having effectively only missed on training session.
I did the route that I've favoured lately, down the hill to Tallarn Green, on a bit further then turn around and back the way I came. Up the hill. I'd set myself a goal pace of 10 mpm and although normally the Thursday sessions would include some speed work I had decided not to bother with that because of the continuing pain in my shins.
My first mile was 9:45 and felt tough and slow. Also slippy on the ice that was forming on the lanes. I picked up a little in mile two (9:04) and decided that although I wouldn't do any speed work I would run up all the hills. This would a) give me some strength training and b) get me to the pub earlier.
Mile three was 8:45 as I felt some strength come into my legs. I felt like pushing it a little to see how much strength really was there and I got to mile 7 without having dropped over 9 mpm since mile two. With one mile to go I decided to test my determination and my ability to push forward even when tired and I upped the pace once more with a last mile of 7:55 mpm. Which is like lightening for a tortoise like me!!
I've still got a lot of pain in my lower legs. I fear at some point I'll have to take a full week out to let them recover properly. But not yet eh?
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 8.03 miles
Time 1:10:59
Kcal 919
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 30 mins
TOTAL
Distance 271.61 miles
Time 46:47:51
Kcal 29,186
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:35 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is at £486.53. Thank you Olly for the generous donation :)
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate. I've tested it to make sure it works and it's EASY EASY EASY!!! Try it!
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Tuesday 6th December 2011 - 10 mile easy
I got re-tweeted by Robert Pires last night!!!! I'm still buzzing about it. I tweeted him the link to the blog and to say what I'm doing and he re-tweeted it to his 63,000 followers. The hits to the blog went through the roof and I gained a few new twitter followers (never mind my feet - pity THEM because they get to hear me moan on about how sore my legs are!). Hopefully one or two of them will be inspired to sponsore me and help me to my target of £9,500 for Mencap.
Speaking of twitter, I also added a "Follow me" widget to the blog. It should be on there now if I managed to do it right. At Christmas I'll spend some time sorting out the blog and making it look swish and professional. For now though it's a bit like my running. Ugly but functional. Hopefully I can replace "functional" with "effective" soon!
Anyway, this is a running blog so I should say a little bit about that. I did ten miles this morning; leaving shortly after first light. It's a beautiful morning to run, crisp and clear, and the views over to the hills was beautiful. There is snow on the high ground behind the Ceriog valley this morning and it seemed so close I felt I could almost reach out and touch it.
There's a down side to that beauty though. The ground is very slippy underfoot. I nearly fell a number of times and lost several minutes in a nightmare fantasy of running the Marathon des Sables with a broken collar bone. Luckily I didn't fall and made it OK.
Once more my split times prove that as I get older it takes me longer and longer to warm up. My fastest mile was mile ten (9:35). Mostly today I felt sore, stiff and weak after 33 miles at the weekend. I think really I needed an extra recovery day. However with a crammed schedule this week I'll be taking another recovery day tomorrow but then four straight running days until Monday. By which time I'll be a shadow of my present self ;)
Thanks for reading folks - especially anyone reading for the first time. I'm sorry to say that it doesn't really get any better than this but if you're interested in seeing what's involved in preparing for an event like the Marathon des Sables then stick around. You're more than welcome.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 10.04 miles
Time 1:41:53
Kcal 1092
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 0 mins
TOTAL
Distance 263.58 miles
Time 45:36:52
Kcal 28,264
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:05 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
Thank you to Robert Pires for helping me to promote my fundraising. (oooh get me!!)
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Speaking of twitter, I also added a "Follow me" widget to the blog. It should be on there now if I managed to do it right. At Christmas I'll spend some time sorting out the blog and making it look swish and professional. For now though it's a bit like my running. Ugly but functional. Hopefully I can replace "functional" with "effective" soon!
Anyway, this is a running blog so I should say a little bit about that. I did ten miles this morning; leaving shortly after first light. It's a beautiful morning to run, crisp and clear, and the views over to the hills was beautiful. There is snow on the high ground behind the Ceriog valley this morning and it seemed so close I felt I could almost reach out and touch it.
There's a down side to that beauty though. The ground is very slippy underfoot. I nearly fell a number of times and lost several minutes in a nightmare fantasy of running the Marathon des Sables with a broken collar bone. Luckily I didn't fall and made it OK.
Once more my split times prove that as I get older it takes me longer and longer to warm up. My fastest mile was mile ten (9:35). Mostly today I felt sore, stiff and weak after 33 miles at the weekend. I think really I needed an extra recovery day. However with a crammed schedule this week I'll be taking another recovery day tomorrow but then four straight running days until Monday. By which time I'll be a shadow of my present self ;)
Thanks for reading folks - especially anyone reading for the first time. I'm sorry to say that it doesn't really get any better than this but if you're interested in seeing what's involved in preparing for an event like the Marathon des Sables then stick around. You're more than welcome.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 10.04 miles
Time 1:41:53
Kcal 1092
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 0 mins
TOTAL
Distance 263.58 miles
Time 45:36:52
Kcal 28,264
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:05 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
Thank you to Robert Pires for helping me to promote my fundraising. (oooh get me!!)
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Monday 5 December 2011
Sunday 4th December 2011 - 15.5 Miles
I woke up feeling sore and tired. You couldn't really say I was limping; more that I was just walking funny. And making strange noises with every step. Oooh.... ah... eeeh.... etc.
Running with sore and tired legs is something that I must get accustomed to so that when it happens in the desert I'll be able to simply deal with it as a normal part of life. So I forced myself back out. The training plan I'm following said I should be doing 12 miles today. Obviously it would be sensible to mark out a 12 mile route on a map and then run it. Not me! I decided that it would be great to finish my run with a dip in a cool swimming pool and that the gym was "probably" 12 miles away if I ran down the canal to it.
So on that basis I threw my pack on (5.5 Kg today) and headed out on the road. The first stretch was all down back lanes to Ellesmere. Lovely conditions but my legs hurt with every stride. Eventually after about 5 miles things started to ease up a little and I could run more like a person and less like a badly designed robot.
After six miles I reached Ellesmere, grabbed some food, and hit the canal towpath. I love running alonside the canal. It's flat but uneven so it works all the stabilising muscles of your body without putting the extra strain on you that hills do. Of course I can't always do canals because I have to have strength for the hills and dunes of the sahara but I'm going to worry about that in January. For now, flat canal paths are just the ticket.
The food I'd eaten at 6 miles kicked in and I put in a really steady burn for the next five miles with my fastest mile of the day (9:54) being on mile 11. Then I got hit by a nasty rain storm. I was soaked within minutes and became instantly freezing cold. This slowed my pace a bit through mile 12 until I got used to it and then I was able to go steady again but it was a slightly miserable experience being wet, cold, and running on slippy muddy paths. In places the path became quite narrow and with my pack still making me a little unstable (and, I expect, not very bouyant) I feared I might sleep with the fishes!
It was at this point I realised how foolish I'd been not to measure the course. My 12 mile run became a 15.5 mile run and I resented every step of those extra 3.5 miles.
Of course I had my reward at the end. A dip in the cool pool and then a long soak in the jacuzzi and ten minutes in the sauna. The rest of the day was a write off as I was completely exhuasted and flat but all in a good way. I feel as if I have really worked hard this weekend and that I will get the rewards for this effort in the weeks and months to come. And hopefully, most essentially, in the desert in April.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 15.57 miles
Time 2:52:45
Kcal 1,804
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 10 mins
TOTAL
Distance 253.54 miles
Time 44:54:59
Kcal 27,172
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:05 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
Finally for this section, a big thank you to Chris for promoting the blog on his facebook - nice one Bra!
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Running with sore and tired legs is something that I must get accustomed to so that when it happens in the desert I'll be able to simply deal with it as a normal part of life. So I forced myself back out. The training plan I'm following said I should be doing 12 miles today. Obviously it would be sensible to mark out a 12 mile route on a map and then run it. Not me! I decided that it would be great to finish my run with a dip in a cool swimming pool and that the gym was "probably" 12 miles away if I ran down the canal to it.
So on that basis I threw my pack on (5.5 Kg today) and headed out on the road. The first stretch was all down back lanes to Ellesmere. Lovely conditions but my legs hurt with every stride. Eventually after about 5 miles things started to ease up a little and I could run more like a person and less like a badly designed robot.
After six miles I reached Ellesmere, grabbed some food, and hit the canal towpath. I love running alonside the canal. It's flat but uneven so it works all the stabilising muscles of your body without putting the extra strain on you that hills do. Of course I can't always do canals because I have to have strength for the hills and dunes of the sahara but I'm going to worry about that in January. For now, flat canal paths are just the ticket.
The food I'd eaten at 6 miles kicked in and I put in a really steady burn for the next five miles with my fastest mile of the day (9:54) being on mile 11. Then I got hit by a nasty rain storm. I was soaked within minutes and became instantly freezing cold. This slowed my pace a bit through mile 12 until I got used to it and then I was able to go steady again but it was a slightly miserable experience being wet, cold, and running on slippy muddy paths. In places the path became quite narrow and with my pack still making me a little unstable (and, I expect, not very bouyant) I feared I might sleep with the fishes!
It was at this point I realised how foolish I'd been not to measure the course. My 12 mile run became a 15.5 mile run and I resented every step of those extra 3.5 miles.
Of course I had my reward at the end. A dip in the cool pool and then a long soak in the jacuzzi and ten minutes in the sauna. The rest of the day was a write off as I was completely exhuasted and flat but all in a good way. I feel as if I have really worked hard this weekend and that I will get the rewards for this effort in the weeks and months to come. And hopefully, most essentially, in the desert in April.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 15.57 miles
Time 2:52:45
Kcal 1,804
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 10 mins
TOTAL
Distance 253.54 miles
Time 44:54:59
Kcal 27,172
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 3:05 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at: miffjacobs@hotmail.com
Finally for this section, a big thank you to Chris for promoting the blog on his facebook - nice one Bra!
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Sunday 4 December 2011
Saturday 3rd December 2011 - 18 miles long run
Today marked the start of a new phase in my training. Up to now I have built up a mileage base and got my body used to running at a slower pace but for a much longer time. Today was the day when I started to really push it.
At 18 miles distance it wasn't my longest run yet but it was the first long run with a pack. In fact only my second run ever with the pack because I couldn't take it with me to Germany. But it wasn't just the fact that I had the pack that made this one tough. I had some weight in the pack for the first time. Only 5Kg though so I can't be too smug. It's likely to be more than double that weight on the first stage of the Marathon des Sables.
The additional strain on my legs was immediately noticeable and I was feeling fatigued and sore after just three miles. Not very encouraging!! But I persevered and found some rhythm at last after about six miles.
The conditions were nice but I was sweating a lot due to the effort of the pack and then whenever I took a break to eat or to walk up a hill I was quickly chilled. It was all something of a trudge until a sort of miracle happened at about 16 miles in. I walked for a minute or two because my phone had dialled 999 from my bag and I had to apologise and hang up (honestly the keys were locked!!). In the 60 seconds or so that it took to say sorry, hang up, turn phone off, put pack back on, and start running, I suddenly got a second wind. The split times show it clearly. I went frmo a fairly steady 11:30 mpm down to 9:23. Over two minutes per mile faster than the average of the previous sixteen miles.
I kept it up all the way to the finish with mile 17 being the fastest of the day at 9:21. I didn't have much more in the tank when I reached the end of 18 miles but it was a good confidence boost to know that I had enough to carry me to that extra pace despite 16 miles of running with a heavy(ish) pack.
As I write this (Sunday morning) everything below my neck hurts. My shoulders and back from the pack, my waist from the rubbing of the straps, my legs (obviously) and feet (again... pretty obvious!). But I'm heading out now for another 12 miles of punishment. Rest day tomorrow and I'm already excited about it!!
The fundraising has slowed to a stand-still again. I'd love someone else to sponsor me please! Remember the easiest way now is via mobile phone. Just text "MIFF70 £5" to 70070 and the donation will come from your bill. You can change the £5 to any amount, large or small, that you can spare. Thanks folks :)
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 18.22 miles
Time 3:22:21
Kcal 2,124
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 0 mins
TOTAL
Distance 237.97 miles
Time 42:02:14
Kcal 25,368
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 2:55 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53. If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at:
miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
At 18 miles distance it wasn't my longest run yet but it was the first long run with a pack. In fact only my second run ever with the pack because I couldn't take it with me to Germany. But it wasn't just the fact that I had the pack that made this one tough. I had some weight in the pack for the first time. Only 5Kg though so I can't be too smug. It's likely to be more than double that weight on the first stage of the Marathon des Sables.
The additional strain on my legs was immediately noticeable and I was feeling fatigued and sore after just three miles. Not very encouraging!! But I persevered and found some rhythm at last after about six miles.
The conditions were nice but I was sweating a lot due to the effort of the pack and then whenever I took a break to eat or to walk up a hill I was quickly chilled. It was all something of a trudge until a sort of miracle happened at about 16 miles in. I walked for a minute or two because my phone had dialled 999 from my bag and I had to apologise and hang up (honestly the keys were locked!!). In the 60 seconds or so that it took to say sorry, hang up, turn phone off, put pack back on, and start running, I suddenly got a second wind. The split times show it clearly. I went frmo a fairly steady 11:30 mpm down to 9:23. Over two minutes per mile faster than the average of the previous sixteen miles.
I kept it up all the way to the finish with mile 17 being the fastest of the day at 9:21. I didn't have much more in the tank when I reached the end of 18 miles but it was a good confidence boost to know that I had enough to carry me to that extra pace despite 16 miles of running with a heavy(ish) pack.
As I write this (Sunday morning) everything below my neck hurts. My shoulders and back from the pack, my waist from the rubbing of the straps, my legs (obviously) and feet (again... pretty obvious!). But I'm heading out now for another 12 miles of punishment. Rest day tomorrow and I'm already excited about it!!
The fundraising has slowed to a stand-still again. I'd love someone else to sponsor me please! Remember the easiest way now is via mobile phone. Just text "MIFF70 £5" to 70070 and the donation will come from your bill. You can change the £5 to any amount, large or small, that you can spare. Thanks folks :)
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 79.6 Kg
TODAY
Distance 18.22 miles
Time 3:22:21
Kcal 2,124
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 0 mins
TOTAL
Distance 237.97 miles
Time 42:02:14
Kcal 25,368
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 2:55 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53. If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at:
miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
Thursday 1 December 2011
Thursday 1st December 2011 - 8 mile tempo
I really enjoyed my run tonight; especially considering it was a poor start. I had detonated two calorie bombs (snickers bars) in my system during the afternoon and I was just coming down from the second sugar rush as I went out. The lethargy this brought, coupled with some stomach cramps because I'm not as used to chocolate as I once was, meant that I started very slowly, and with much pain in my stomach and legs. The first mile was 12:03 but as I got into my stride I gradually picked it up through just over 10 mpm in miles two and three and then down to 9:43 in mile four.
By this point I was feeling really good and warm and all the pain had gone so I decided to stretch my legs a little and up it to a tempo run for mile 5; which I did in 8:37. I slowed it up for miles 6 and 7 although even they were done at sub 10 mpm so a lot quicker than a normal training run. Finally I stepped on the gas for mile 8, running my fasted of the night, at 8:16 for the mile.
It felt great to put in a little speed work. The schedule I'm following actually recommends speed work each Thursday but thus far I've ignored that element for fear of injury. Tonight though it just felt right to up the ante a little.
I finished by icing my legs under the shower and then relaxing in the sauna and the spa pool for a bit.
Rest day tomorrow (as restful as it can be given that I'm checking out of the hotel at 6am (UK time) and won't be home until midnight.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 81.1 Kg
TODAY
Distance 8.10 miles
Time 1:18:33
Kcal 902
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 15 mins
TOTAL
Distance 219.75 miles
Time 38:39:53
Kcal 23244
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 2:55 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at:
miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
By this point I was feeling really good and warm and all the pain had gone so I decided to stretch my legs a little and up it to a tempo run for mile 5; which I did in 8:37. I slowed it up for miles 6 and 7 although even they were done at sub 10 mpm so a lot quicker than a normal training run. Finally I stepped on the gas for mile 8, running my fasted of the night, at 8:16 for the mile.
It felt great to put in a little speed work. The schedule I'm following actually recommends speed work each Thursday but thus far I've ignored that element for fear of injury. Tonight though it just felt right to up the ante a little.
I finished by icing my legs under the shower and then relaxing in the sauna and the spa pool for a bit.
Rest day tomorrow (as restful as it can be given that I'm checking out of the hotel at 6am (UK time) and won't be home until midnight.
Peace, out.
JUST THE FACTS!!
Weight: 81.1 Kg
TODAY
Distance 8.10 miles
Time 1:18:33
Kcal 902
Press-ups 0
Swimming 0 m
Sauna 15 mins
TOTAL
Distance 219.75 miles
Time 38:39:53
Kcal 23244
Press-ups 380
Swimming 8000 m
Sauna 2:55 mins
FUNDRAISING
The fund is still at £431.53.
If you haven't already donated then take a look at http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet and help the wonderful work of MENCAP. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored already. I respect and love you all!!!
Remember that you can now donate by sending a text to 70070 saying (without quotes) "MIFF70 £5" but replacing the £5 with any amount you wish to donate.
Feel free to contact me with any fundraising ideas you have. You can email me at:
miffjacobs@hotmail.com
DONATE
Please remember that I'm inflicting all this pain and misery on myself for a cause greater than just having a good story to tell over a beer. I hope to raise over £9,500 for MENCAP; an amazing charity who help those born with learning difficulties to live a normal life and to enjoy the same opportunities and choices that the rest of us take for granted.
Be an awesome human being today and click on the link below and help make someone's life better.
Thank you. You really ARE awesome.
http://www.justgiving.com/pitymyfeet
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