In praise of personal training

Last year's marathon really did me in. For months afterwards I couldn't run properly, everything felt odd and out of sorts. Although I 'recovered' quickly and could walk and go up and down stairs, as a runner of any distance, I was crocked.

I took some time out to rest the bits that needed rest and focussed on my Yoga instead. Yoga is wonderful for helping you get in touch with your body and listen to its deep wisdom.  What I heard was a body that was still twisted and unbalanced and out of kilter with itself.  My usual asymmetry felt more pronounced than usual.

Thanks to Yoga Bunny for the drawing

Whilst I was working on things, gradually repairing and re balancing, my gym did a special offer on personal trainers. In the spirit of trying everything once I signed up for a taster session.  My expectations were pretty low I have to say, I was just hoping that I'd get some good advice on making better use of all the machines and things in the gym.

Little did I know what was going to happen. I was blown away.  Dan, my Personal Trainer completely opened my eyes. Within that one taster session he'd shown me just how out of balance my body was and how if I didn't start fixing things I was going to keep having trouble.  The Chi Running was helping keep a lot of things at bay, but there were things happening at a muscle and joint level that I needed to address. A few simple exercises and it was clear to me that I was wobbling a lot more than I should do!

Over a matter of weeks, Dan helped me identify that I have glutes and abs that really, really hate to work. Almost every muscle in my body got engaged before my glutes kicked in, even though I was willing them very hard indeed to join the party. I am that lazy a**se. Working at a scary level of weight on the leg press, those glutes finally began to get their act together and started to shift.  I could feel the difference between the strength of my left and right side very clearly indeed.

Step-ups with weight onto tables showed me just how unstable my hips were in the launch stage of my stride. Again a marked difference between left and right. With weights I could barely lever myself into the air.   Glute and hamstring exercises on the swiss ball had my hammies and toes cramping and me lying exhausted after one or two goes. I thought my hamstrings were quite strong, the truth is, they really don't do very much either! Gradually, we began to get my back muscles working in harmony and started to rebuild alignment.

With thanks to www.thefitnessexplorer.com for the photo

Under Dan's eagle eye I saw my running in a totally new way. I don't run with my whole leg, I run from my quads. My hips are unstable creating aches and pains up the joints and creating a lot of work for my poor ITB and lower back.  My left leg felt it was working hard but it wasn't working as hard as my right leg, it just grumbled more.

Of course it's one thing to understand all this and it's another to start changing things! I thought my glutes were working, but when I tried to move them, nothing happened. I had to do all the Chi and Yoga things. I'd got my intention, now I had to focus on that specific bit of the world - a glute muscle. As I focussed on it, I gradually became aware of the muscle and eventually I could use it.  I practiced all the time - sitting down (you can move your glutes when you're sitting down, but it can make you feel a bit sea sick and it looks odd so don't do it in company); standing at the bus stop; walking down the street; reading in bed.  Every step was an opportunity to practice and every step was a step nearer the change I wanted to happen.

Another great value of a Personal Trainer is that they help you realise that you can work a lot harder than you think you can. I thought I pushed myself, that was until Dan pushed me. He made me do things I never thought I could do. Weights, repetitions, keeping going when you really don't think you can. I astonished myself just how much harder I could work when encouraged.

I find that now when I go to the gym, I do an extra circuit or add more weight than I think I can because I now know that I can do so much more. I know when I am cheating. No excuses. No illusions. I suspect I might only have scratched the surface there!

Thanks to Nick at SoulinMotion for the image

The whole experience has been transformational and I'm saving up for more sessions with Dan. Wakening up those glutes has changed my alignment and I now run with my whole leg. The exercises where Danny Dryer has you twisting from side to side and changing gears now make sense, they never did before because my glutes weren't moving.

image link - thank you!

Some of these weaknesses and imbalances are inbuilt - my funny feet. Some are acquired - running in orthotics. What Dan taught me is how to train and re train my body to be balanced and strong.  This builds a much stronger alignment from the inside out, right into the deepest muscle memory. My runs feel different too, the hip pain has gone, I'm lighter and looser but I don't have the stamina yet I need. I'm building it up gradually.

So thank you Dan for helping me make a big stride in my running journey!

Marathon is a testing distance, mentally and physically. I got through mine by masking and taping over my physical limitations and imperfections, not by addressing them or by improving my form. I was in a hurry to get those 26.2 miles under my belt and I'm not sure I'll get away with it again!


Whatever you're up to, run strong, keep well.

Take care

Suex

Running Reflections: Creating Memories

At the turn of the year, it's time to look back; to reflect on what we've done and what we've failed to do. To focus on our achievements, to remember the big events both happy and sad and, at some level, to calculate whether it's been a good year or not. Hopefully we then turn our eyes to the year to come and new goals and dreams.

Running is obviously a massive part of my annual calculation, adding to the sum of happiness and disappointment. Did I set great goals to reach during 2013; goals that challenged and motivated me?  Did I give  my all to reach those goals? To make them real? Did I push myself to my limits and beyond, into the really memorable?

In my few years as a runner, I've learnt the hard way that it doesn't really matter if the goal is to get out the front door and do that first run; to rebuild strength and form after injury or run a marathon or 12.  Watching runners across the world on Twitter and Facebook set and reach their goals, it's clear the only goals that matter are the ones that are deep down and personal to us. Comparison is often futile.

My running goals have changed immensely over the years. Year 1 -  run my first half marathon. Year 2 started with injury, my goal was simple, to be able to run, full stop. Last year - run a marathon.  Whilst the marathon is the 'show' one, it would never have happened if the clinically obese Sue hadn't had the guts to shoe up and get out there.  Next year is not showy, but is critical to my overall goal of a long, healthy running filled life. My goal for 2014 is to re-build the form, becoming a stronger, more efficient runner preparing for a marathon the year after.

So I thought I'd got next year's goals sorted out. But then I had an experience that transformed my thinking about running and running goals forever: I had my very own paradigm shift.

The catalyst was a remarkable organisation called Sporting Memories Network.  Sporting Memories Network works across Great Britain using memories about sports to help older people, including people with dementia, to stimulate the mind, body (and I would say the soul).  I heard of them through the North Berwick Day Centre that Mum used to attend and I got in touch to find out more.

I was entranced. I know from my own experience of the power of memory; how easy it is to take it for granted that, with a few slips, we will remember the important things in life. If only it worked that way!  With a lot of dementias of various kinds in the family, I know how precious our memories are.  As dementia took its hold I've watched as loved ones lost their ability to hold onto their thoughts, relationships and experiences; sometimes losing the very sense of who they are. I held their hands as they struggled to express themselves and their emotions, sometimes frightened by the void.

Seeing the face of a loved one light up when they remember something is better than the most beautiful sunrise you'll ever see. Memory becomes a gift, something special to be valued in its complexity and richness. So when I heard about sporting reminiscences and the work they do, I was delighted. Have a look at Bill's story and the way his sporting history reminds us of the man he is and the life he has lived.  Bill's story reminds Bill, his family, friends, carers and us readers that Bill has a life to live.

I was out running when it dawned on me that I've got sporting memories now; and that every time I run I'm creating my own reminiscences. Okay, I'm not going to get a gold medal, but I have a sporting story and it's a story that runs like a river of achievement through my life.  It's got a few race for life runs; it's got a marathon; it's got injury and recovery; it's got guts and glory. Every run I do is another paragraph in my running story and it's a story that I have created.

I started running because of my Dad, to stick two fingers up at the Parkinson's and Dementia that stole his freedom to move and be himself. I never thought for a moment that my first painful run would end up in a marathon and who knows what next.   Dad loved sport and he would have loved the sporting reminiscences:  the great days of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, his rugby, his work with young players helping to bring them on. I wish we'd had sporting memories for him. But it's not too late for us to invest in our own personal legacy of sporting reminiscences to inspire our old age and tell future generations about their history.

In 2014, I've got running goals for the year but I also have goals for a life time.  What running memories will I create this year? What reminiscences will I have when I sit and look back on a life well run? It's all up to me.

Watch this space!

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and joy filled New Year and truly memorable 2014!

Take care

Suex

Running from the hip: lessons in focus and practice

Something remarkable happens when you say things out loud and I reckon blogging works just as well. It's the logic behind the power of intention, behind the working of spells; saying things out loud starts to turn your hopes and dreams into reality.

In my last blog I said I wanted to run my second marathon in 2015. I knew when I was running Lochaber Marathon that I wanted to do another. I know I can do better and I really don't want to waste the vast amount of (painful) learning.  I learnt the hard way that more than most people I need to allow plenty of time to build up so I start Marathon training from a strong baseline.  So I signalled I'm ready to start with plenty of time to ahead.


Those few words written down in black and white have started something, my world is turning and my perspective has definitely changed now I have a purpose and a goal again.  I've started to build hills and speed bursts into my runs. Just a little bit, not every run, but they're back. Every time I run I have (or I find) a purpose, every run takes me closer to my goal. The journey has begun and I'm looking forward to a serious Chi boost in a few weeks when I'll get some transformative training with Nick at the Chi Running school.

My thoughts are turning to what races, when and where. I need to build up distance but more importantly at the moment I need to rediscover my inner hare.  I did a pretty good job eradicating speed and pace from my consciousness when I was marathon training, now I need to get them back! I've started to sprint at the end of short runs and managed a couple of quick 5k treadmill runs snuck in before classes at the gym. It'll be a while before I get back to my short distance pbs, but this is the year to go fast and short. Already I'm finding that my pace is speeding up and my perceived exertion dropping down. My body knows what's expected of it and is responding.


The mental side of running has been dominated by what happened to my knees and hips over the marathon training period and I have developed an obsession with building up slowly and carefully to avoid causing any damage. But recent developments have made me realise that I can do more than just take it slowly and wait for things to get better.

A few days after my decision I got a massive boost of serendipity, courtesy of Virgin Gyms.

The first thing was Adam's yoga class. I love the gym's Yoga classes, the teachers are excellent and  have taught me a great deal about what practice means. That way of thinking is filtering through and starting to impact on how I go about things, especially on how I focus.  Anyway, Adam's class focussed on pelvic alignment. I'd done a long run the day before and was a bit creaky in knee and hip. After an hour and half with Adam focussing on this one key bit of my alignment, all the niggles in my left hip and right knee completely disappeared. Proof that the problem is not my knee or indeed my hip, I need to focus on my pelvic alignment and strength. I have to build improvement and strength through focus and practice. I started with my morning Yoga stretches.

The impact on my running was instant. I went off for a slow run the next day with a clear focus on hip alignment.  I've never focussed so directly on this bit of my core before and as I ran I realised I usually concentrate on holding core muscles rather than aligning bones. The shift of attention really worked. Running from my hip bones meant I got the rest of my core right, it made me concentrate on holding the correct position rather than holding the right muscles. I found it much easier to tell when I was getting it right and it gave me access to more power and speed too, it felt very strong running from the hip. Nothing hurt, even the next day, not even the niggly knee. Something had clicked into place and my understanding of maintaining form and the importance of practice deepened. Good Chi Running stuff!

 I'm doing as much as I can for free at the moment, so when the chance of a free session with a personal trainer came along, I jumped at it.  I had pretty low expectations to be frank. I thought I'd get a bit of help with the new machines and maybe a new core training regime. What happened was another epiphany.  Dan took me through my paces and analysed my gait. He quickly identified my wobbly uneven pelvis as a problem and had me doing lunges with and without weights; it was hard work and I now know why I have always hated lunges with a passion! Wearing trainers made my wobbles much worse as they reduced my ability to stabilise. It took pelvic stability and alignment to a new level and gave me a really good way of building that bit of my core strength. Working with Dan I realised that personal training could help me improve my technique, strengthen my weak points and take my running to a new level. Finally I could ask all those daft questions and get feedback on my form without feeling guilty about holding up the class.  Watch this space.

So the journey continues, this time leading from the hips with a new respect for the power of form and practice. I have a lot of work to do but I'm not deterred. I've my Chi Running training coming up which will bring running and Yoga, form and focus together with friends and fun. Great things will happen. Bring it on!

Have a great week!

Take care

Suex

I've run a marathon - what next???

I had one of my most favourite (and shortest!) runs ever this week.  Monday morning I just ran for the fun of it on the beach; without insoles, without gels and no thought about fuel or glycogen. I just got up, got dressed and ran. That's the first time I've done a run purely for the fun of it for months and it felt great!

I'm sure no matter how many half and full marathons I run and how fast or slow I do them, nothing will feel like the first one. I've really enjoyed the exclusive focus on running and what I've learnt from pushing myself and aiming for something that wasn't easy. And I hope very much that I'll run another marathon if I'm spared and well; but not for a wee while. For now I want to spend a bit of time doing all the things I've not had time to do and get a bit of balance back into my life and muscle - I like balance.

There's been a few things about the whole marathon thing that have driven me batty.

- Not being able to do much exercise with Ali because I had to run all the time
- Having to run to a timetable not when I want to - especially when it 's a lovely day but I can't do a run on the beach because I'm resting (AARRGGHH!!!!).
- Having to focus only on distance and forget about hills and speed, especially speed, it is my weakness
- Not being able to do spinning and running because my knee began to grumble if I did too much

The biggest thing is the time that marathon preparation takes up -- especially when it's your first one and you can't even think about cutting corners (expect the crisis type cuts!). The juggling, the wheeling and dealing to get those runs in.  Without the long runs I have so much time.  Ali and I can do lunch and get a walk on the beach.  Yesterday we cycled to Haddington and back for lunch with a dear friend.  My legs really enjoyed the change, especially my knees.

And there's the energy! That first weekend without a long run, I was up early and completely bottomed the kitchen. I was up ladders, on top of cupboards, into every nook and cranny. Our kitchen has never been so clean and the spiders have had to make do with a move to the garage.  Since the long runs stopped, the garden has been weeded and I've done swimming and aqua aerobics, the cats are all played out and I've done all sorts of stuff I've not done for months.

Finally, there's the mental space that marathon prep takes up. I still wake up at 5am planning my running schedule for the week. I'm still checking tide times and wind direction several times a day and looking to see whether I can fit a run into my work schedule. But it's a but less obsessive now and I have a bit more brain capacity for stuff that isn't running.

But of course running's not far from my thoughts. There's another reason I want time to do other things. I never captured the level of fitness I had when I ran my first half marathon, I spent most of the training sorting out my deformed feet. Plus in my training, I got loads of things wrong and many's the time I thought 'next time I'll remember to do X or Y'.  It's in my blood to learn from my mistakes (just as well given how many I make) and I never waste a learning experience (especially if it hurts) so I've decided to spend the rest of the year getting myself into good basic shape to start training for a marathon next year (I want to do Lochaber again, I loved it). I know now what bits of me I need to work on.

I've set my fitness goals for the rest of the year as:

• Taking my Chi Running deeper, which includes the Nick's Chi Running weekend in the autumn which I'm really excited about (dead chuffed to feature in Nick's roll of honour this month too!)
• Building up my basic fitness, core strength and resilience, especially the bits that struggled most with the training. A mix of Pilates and Yoga and circuit/strength work to build key muscles and strengthen joints.  And I'll get back to spin with a vengeance.
• Getting my 10k back under 55 mins and maybe even a new pb.  That should keep my inner speed queen happy!
• Reintroducing hill work. I was much slower and running felt harder without the hillwork. Like speed, it got binned so I could build up distance. I'm going to very carefully start building in some hills and get those calves back to peak condition.

The aim is to get faster, fitter and stronger by the end of the year and to re discover and develop other aspects of my running, the bits I've neglected so I could run long. I want to start marathon training next time from a stronger base using my experience of what it's all about and how my body responds.  I'll keep doing my long slow runs now and then, mainly because I really enjoy them. I just like heading off and running up the coast and back on a nice day, simples.

So, that's it. Time to get off the laurels and back onto the training schedule. Apart from my mini run, I've done a cycle ride, pilates and yoga and a couple of Gillian Reynolds shred sessions. Everything seems to be in working order, so I'm ready to go.

Lots more full and half marathons this week and some great achievements.  Whatever you're up to, be great!

Take care

Suex

Proceed until apprehended: Going to the wire

Well here I am, one week to go til the the Lochaber Marathon. It's been another roller coaster - can I run? can't I run? - kind of week. Less than 7 days to go and I'm still not sure.

The best news is that I know what the problem is, thanks to my Physio Pam. Something happened to a nerve in my mid back and it's triggered all kinds of mayhem in my hips. I've had a bad back now and then for years. It comes on when I'm stressed and sit too long on uncomfortable chairs.  Ironically, the last time I had it was in Barcelona (watching instead of running the marathon last year) when the airplane seats tipped me over the edge.

Not great news, but it does mean there's a chance I might run next week, so I'm not giving up just yet; hope, as they say, springs eternal. In that spirit I hit the treadmill on Friday morning before work.

I started slowly and focussed on the feedback I was getting. I made myself stretch every 2k. My legs felt heavy and my running style lumpen and leaden. Was that the outcome of my extreme tapering or nerve/muscle stuff?  I went into Chi Running mode and focussed on form and tried to run smoothly. Mentally this was great, it distracted me from the experience of pain and kept me feeling in control, but I couldn't find a way of influencing the pain through posture (which surprised me).   The pain came and went and moved around with no clear pattern; it certainly didn't get worse as I ran, but it didn't ease off either. Just as I thought things were settling down, it came back and kicked in hard. Stretching usually helped, but not always, sometimes it seemed to make it worse.

I realised pretty quickly that the pain itself wasn't the main problem; the real danger was that I would let the pain affect my form and I'd do some serious damage. I took myself back to me training with Nick last year and used the different Chi form focusses to make sure that no matter what the pain got up to, I was running right.

Having a proper diagnosis and knowing that I wasn't damaging my body helped a lot and gave me the chance to get into my running head again.  As the pain came and went and sometimes (worst of all) got stuck,  I remembered the early days of my training. When I started marathon training, I struggled with sore knees, ankle tendonitis and ITB strain until I got insoles to compensate for my gammy feet and lop sided pelvis.  Using my Chi thinking and through experience, I learnt not to freak out when I felt  pain but to go with it and see what happened. I learnt the value of relaxing my legs and running from the core and letting my body accommodate and adapt.  In those early days, I learnt to observe the pain and use my mind to keep me relaxed and focussed and my form to let me keep running. I'd been running so well and so free of pain in the latter part of my training that I'd forgotten how determined I'd been in those early days.

After the run, I felt fine and did loads of amazing yoga and Pilates thanks to Stacey, Richard & Kate at VirginActive gym. I've also caught up on Coronation Street and Prisoners Wives whilst rolling around on lumps of foam and sitting on tennis balls. Everything felt good, so this morning I was stiff but decided to try another run.

It wasn't too cold, but I wanted to give my muscles total care so I wore compression and thermal tights and headed off along the beach. It was so wonderful to run by the sea again. It was drizzly and cloudy but not busy (I avoided all dogs!). This time my running felt smooth and fluid. I felt my legs switch from feeling sleepy and lazy to starting to work properly, not surprising given my extreme tapering. The rain on my face, no wind (NO WIND!!!!), the sound of the waves, it was bliss. I felt great.

I went slowly and focussed on body-sensing. I was fine until about mile 4 when pain began to surface.  Stretching sorted out the butt pain, but it came back in the next muscle. I eventually worked out how to stretch that one, but by mile 5, it was getting seriously tight, too tight to run without limping so I stopped (one of my rules). I walked back briskly, the pain went if I pressed on the muscle but any running set it off again.  Gradually, the leg calmed down helped my heat, ice, stretching, rollering and Napier's miracle muscle rub (thank you Janice!).

So, I'm less confident today that I'll be up to 26.2 miles next Sunday, but I'm not giving up hope just yet.  I've been inspired by Facebook chats with Pam, Leah and Celina and the other Chi runners. We've been talking about how every run is a training run. That made me think that I could just see next Sunday's marathon as a training run, not for doing 26.2 miles, but for just starting a marathon.

I don't know what it's like to start a marathon; to line up, to keep a very slow pace and not be rushed by the excitement and other runners. I would learn an awful lot of useful stuff as prep for a marathon and no learning is ever ever wasted.  I might only manage 5 miles, but that wouldn't be the point of running.

Is it daft (or worse selfish) to even think of starting a marathon I almost certainly won't finish? Or would it be a wasted opportunity not to give it a try?

 I have my boundaries:

I won't run if Pam advises me not to, I run to be stronger and fitter not damaged and I'd miss my real runs - the ones on the beautiful beaches of East Lothian - if I got an injury.

I might run with pain as long as it's not damaging me. My experience on Friday showed me that pain and damage are not inextricably linked and then I read a great blog on pain and running by Tom Goom, which totally confirms my (very limited) experience on pain and running.

I won't run if it looks like I'll have to walk most of the way or take 6 hours. I want to run a marathon not walk one, walking 26.2 miles is not meaningful to me, plus I don't want to keep the marshals away from their tea! I'd sooner stop at 5 miles

You probably think I'm mad and I should just accept I'm not going to run and get over it. But I know it's not yet time for acceptance. I will not accept something's impossible when there is still hope, however faint. I plan to proceed until well and truly apprehended, chained and shackled. That's the only way to tackle the hard stuff and the only way that I will feel good about not running.  I'm pretty sure I can run 26.2 miles, I'm not sure I can do it next Sunday.

Clocked 10 miles this week (hooray!) and more yoga and pilates than you'd think humanly possible.

Hope you've all had good weeks and are running, walking, cycling, living happy and healthy.

Fingers crossed for next week....

Take care!

Suex

Where there's life there's hope!

(photo from Lochaber Athletic Club page)

Day 99 in the would-be marathon runner house. Sue has been training for her marathon now for 14 weeks and 1 day. She's been in enforced taper for the last two weeks. Mileage this week - a big fat zero.

On the long and winding road to the marathon, you get training guides for the running bit, but of course the mental and emotional stuff is just as hard.  I was fine with getting out there and running and I didn't miss a single training session because I didn't feel like it.  My mental challenge was to not get carried away and over do things, to maintain and develop my form and not my speed. I had to learn to adapt as I pushed my asymmetrical body to pound the ground mile after mile. And of course to cope with the ever present possibility that at my age and with my deformed feet, legs of different lengths and iffy hips, I was pushing my body a little bit too far.

My marathon prep has been as much about staying optimistic and positive; keeping my spirits and heart lifted when it looked like my knees or my feet weren't going to make it to the end and just keeping believing that I will get there - one day.

I've had a few false starts, so  thought I'd made it this time when I hit my final training week in good form. But then things went belly up and I had to start taper early and pull out of my final long run last Saturday.

Since then I've been RICE-ing, 'resting', Pilates-ing and trying to get to the bottom of the mysterious pains that move about and appear and disappear without any clear pattern. And I've had to face up to the distinct possibility that, yet again, I'll be watching, not running, a marathon.

Hip pain is notoriously hard to diagnose apparently and I haven't bucked that rule. I had a very painful TFL immediately after the aborted long run last week, but it responded very quickly to @tomgoom's suggested treatment. By the time I hit the physio on the Monday evening I had to run round the block to get even a faint memory of a niggle.

Judith went through the possibilities. Hips sound, knees sound, nothing structural, no muscle problems. Nothing hurt except running, the one thing I really really wanted to do! This suggested something weight bearing and a few deep prods and pokes suggested the possibility of an inguinal hernia. This is a split in the ligament next to the hips. The signs were it was probably a tiny one (at the moment); the hip pain was referred pain explaining its unpredictability and flighty nature.

This was not a good diagnosis to get. I got home and googled for all I was worth. It seems that not many women get it but we can do. The male runners seemed just to whack on extra tight lycra, take pain killers (or not!) and run with it in that macho way that MAMIL's do.  I didn't even contemplate that approach. Whether I'm a wimp or not, my pain was definitely not runnable with, not least because it brought with it impaired mobility- ie a totally seized up hip and a pronounced hobble.  To add to the risk factors, I've been running almost entirely on soft sand and through woods, a weight bearing injury on tarmac was not going to feel any better than on the sand dunes. I didn't want to walk a marathon so the prognosis for making the start line was not good.

As I pondered the probable end of my hopes for Lochaber, I was sad, but not desperate. When I thought about running with a split ligament, it just felt wrong. I saw 26.2 miles; 5 plus hours of not just pain, but a worsening injury that could take a long time to heal, might even need surgery. I also know that the effort to work round the pain would put other bits of me at risk too. It was clear to me that this is as much about the quality of my running as the simple number of miles. I want to feel good when I start, I want to run (as much as I can) not walk it and I want to finish tired, sore but healthy and ready to run again soon.

But of course, without some sort of scan, I don't know it's definitely a hernia, so I kept an optimistic heart and an open mind. On Tuesday morning, I headed off to the GP with my diagnosis. He did the usual tests (lots of coughing!) and couldn't find any suggestion of a hernia. My symptoms were classic hip pain and he also pointed to a massive bruise on my hip, quite yellow by now and probably from the leaping dog. My GP said I needed to rest from running and go back if it didn't go away. The mystery thickened.

I decided to do some gentle experimentation. Judith said if it was a hernia then I'd be fine to walk and run to tolerance.  I did my Pilates class with ne'er a twinge and had a quick go on the treadmill. First I did a little slow run. I barely managed 1k before the niggle started so stopped immediately and tried fast walking and walking up hills.  Nothing hurt. Not a twinge. I was delighted. This meant I could do a bit of taper training, handy if I could eventually run and good for morale.

But that night my hip kept me awake. I was in agony.  I began to think I didn't have a hernia after all. I started to worry it was something really serious, a stress fracture in the hip maybe? That's also hard to diagnose and you can end up out of action for a long long time.  No more running, no more treadmills. I did almost panic.

But I could walk and keeping moving definitely felt better for my hip than sitting or lying. So Ali and I had a lovely long Easter Saturday walk up to Yellowcraigs and back (my short run route!).  I felt fine except for a bit of stiffness in the hip which disappeared over a bowl of delicious soup at the Dirleton Cafe.  Yards from home, after about 6 miles walking, I got that now familiar sharp pain in the hip and  couldn't walk. Ali had to run back and get the car to drive me home.

Despite the pain, I was quite pleased to have a bit more of the jigsaw, another clue.  Walking for a long time, even on soft sand made it worse. Short walks and standing were fine. The pain went almost immediately I stopped walking.  Lying on my hip made it worse. It started to look like I might have hip bursitis which is linked to leg length disparity (tick), repeated activity (tick) and a tight ITB (tick).   I'm back to the physio tomorrow so will find out more then.  Bursitis is treatable with rest and a steroid injection. I might just make it....

As I type this I don't know if I will be able to run 26.2 miles  in less than two weeks time. I have a sense of hope, but I'm not sure if it's realistic or not, it's too soon to tell. But I know that whilst it would be a blow, running that distance on that date is really not what it's about.

For over 3 months I have trained diligently and hard and never missed a session except to avoid injury.  I've learnt from last year's calf tear and run stronger than ever before. I've done the hard work, I've put the hours in; I've built the mileage up; I've been out in some of the worst weather we've had for years.

Training for the marathon has been an amazing experience. I've discovered the joy of the long run and my 2 twenty milers have been memorable high spots which I am so proud of. I want to do more of them in future just because I loved doing them.  I've learnt so much about myself and built up my confidence in my ability to take on a challenge, to get through the tough bits.

I will miss this marathon gladly if it means I can run along the beaches here all summer long and enjoy the warm sun (!), the colours, the sound of the waves. I will not run if I know I'm likely to harm myself, I run to celebrate health.

Finishing a marathon is just the icing on the cake, the public affirmation and the formal marker of something the world sees as significant. But inside, in me, I carry every mile, every step, every heartbeat with pride. I am changed forever and that's what I value.

I've read two very inspiring posts this week from runners I admire who have great wisdom and humility.  Their words have helped me a lot, echoing so closely what I also have found to be true.
Paul  and Tom. Thank you guys.

I'm also enjoying taper! I got time with Ali and time to help the cats learn about the great world outside.    Here's Dougal lording it over his new domain. Hamish was a bit too quick for me to capture, it's all bit scary for him.

Whatever you're up to, I hope you and yours are well and happy.  Good luck with all your endeavours.

Take care

Suex

Taper time: Treats and trembles

Well, this post should have started off with a sigh of relief that I'd finished the long runs; that the 5 o'clock rises to squeeze a run in before work were done for now. It doesn't. It starts with an "ouch!" and the sound of fingers and toes crossing firmly with the clear intention to summon a bit of luck that I will in fact make it to the starting line in Fort William in less than three weeks.

I'm not sure what happened. I'd felt a bit niggled after last Saturday's long run; sort of out of kilter. There was nothing I could put my finger on, but a swim and yoga session got me back to normal and nothing hurt so I just put it down to being disgruntled and tired and ready to taper.

So I headed off quite chipper for my middle distance run on Wednesday lunchtime. Despite the awful weather we've had, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Okay it was a bit blowy and a bit nippy, but you don't run on Scottish East Coast beaches without getting used to that! I'd dressed warm with my polar leggings (not worn for several years, it's not been cold enough); gloves and even Ali's neck warmer. It felt great and I felt good and started to think I might go for 10 miles given how lovely it all was.

I trotted along and a very large friendly (and rather tubby) dog came up to say 'hello'. Nothing untoward and he was certainly better behaved than many of the dogs you meet on the beach. I stopped and greeted the beast but he jumped up on me and his weight shoved me over on my ankle. Not a big dunt, it wasn't even sore and of course I've done the twisted ankle thing before and then run 20 miles, so I didn't worry unduly and just headed off again.

Gradually I noticed a sort of stiff pain in my outer left thigh. I've got quite used to pain over the last few months and I've learnt just to relax and wait for  it to move around as my body accommodates and adapts.  But this was different and it didn't budge, I seized up more and more.  By mile 5, I couldn't keep going, my leg just wouldn't move like it needed to. It wasn't horrendously sore, my leg just wouldn't work; some bit of me was not happy and wasn't going to play anymore. I stopped running, turned round and started walking home - I didn't want to risk an injury so close to the big day.

Walking is really slow, it takes sooo long to get anywhere, but at least I was warmly dressed and the sun was shining. The pain eased quickly over the next day or so, and luckily I'd got a general maintenance check with the physio scheduled and got the all clear. I had a massage and it all looked okay for the last long Saturday run.

Saturday came. It was baltic, absolutely baltic with snow forecast for the second half of my run. Out came the winter gear. In went the porridge. A gentle warm up of the body and mind and then off I went into the breach. It was cold and windy but how exhilarating! I started off very slowly, thinking just how good I was going to feel at the end - thanks to my Twitter chums cheering me on. After about 5 minutes I  had a sharp pain down the thigh muscle and everything seized up again. It was worse this time, much more painful and it came on quicker than Wednesday. I did momentarily think about running on but that would have been madness. I knew I had to abort my mission - this was not the time to experiment running through a new and rather ominous pain. I might be able to do that in the marathon, but now I needed to listen to my body and head home.

I got great support from physio and runner Tom Goom (@tomgoom) who helped me get a handle on what was going on; reminded me that I'd done most of my training and I had a chance if I focussed on healing. There's lots of very good advice on his website too. After two twenty mile runs I do feel confident I have it in me to do the full 26.2, but not with a gammy leg! I surrendered to taper and accepted my lot.


To mark the end of long runs and the start of taper, I celebrated with afternoon tea at Greywalls in Gullane. It didn't matter too much that I'd not managed the 20 that morning.  It wasn't just a reward for that one run, it was a reward for everything; every early morning, every treadmill torment, every niggle and every lesson learnt over the last 3 months. And I have to tell you it tasted every bit as good as it looks! Carb loading can indeed be fun and not too onerous!

I'm now focussed on healing with my trusty compression tights on and my fingers crossed ready for my physio appointment tomorrow evening.  I must admit I'm tired, despite (or maybe because of) not running much this week. It isn't just the muscles that get all fired up and busy when you're training - it's mental and adrenalin fuelled too; it's odd not to have my mental calculator going non stop to work out how to squeeze the runs in!

So I'm in taper. Physically it started last week, mentally it started yesterday. It's not quite how I'd planned it, but none of the training has gone to plan, and that's part of the learning.  As I sit here I've suddenly started to notice streaked windows and dusty corners. Spring is coming and I feel the urge to clean. I add a taper to-do list to my to do list!

So fingers crossed til tomorrow night when I hope to get a verdict. Will I run Lochaber or will I yet again watch a marathon?

Whatever you're up to in your training, good luck and watch out for big friendly dogs!

Take care

Suex

20 Miles. 1 milestone.

For every one of us, no matter where we are on our running journey - or any other path we travel in life - there are milestones, there are setbacks and there are lots of lessons to be learnt.

Yesterday I hit a big milestone, may have created a setback and learnt lots of lessons.

I ran 20 miles - my first ever run that long and that far.  I have to make myself stop and appreciate the significance of what I did and take it in. Psychologically, it's a massive boost: I know now I have a marathon in me. On the downside, running that 20 miles may have been a really stupid thing to do and might have cost me Lochaber.

I was fixed on the 20 miles after my run last week. I decided to go early Saturday morning before meeting a dear friend for lunch so I could fit everything in.  I made sure I fuelled up the night before and got up early to eat my porridge. Running on low fuel the other Saturday was a deeply unpleasant experience, I felt un prepared and un focussed and that knocked my confidence. That was one lesson I'd learnt.

But I've lots more to learn and it started before I had even left the house. I may have got my tummy sorted, but I hadn't got all my gear arranged, so I had a  dithery time changing socks and finding my insoles and being generally indecisive. I'm not at my best in the morning and that makes it even more important that I prepare in good time.

As I left the house a few snowflakes fell but it was bright and sunny and I set off at a nice slow pace and settled into the run.  Two minutes after making the beach I slipped and went over on my ankle. I heard a tearing sound. I froze. I cried out in disbelief. Less than a mile into my first 20, fresh and fuelled; and I'd broken my foot (yes I have a tendency to catastrophic thinking!).  But there was no pain when I did it or when I put my foot down so I tentatively started off running. It felt fine. I realised though that mentally I'd not been concentrating, I'd been distracted by an upset I'd had the day before.  It isn't just my kit that I need to get prepared in advance of a long run. Lesson number 2!

It was cold out, but there was very little wind and the sun shone. At that time on a Saturday, the beach is almost empty - just how I like it. Gradually I got into the zone. As I've started doing more and longer runs (especially on the treadmill), I've noticed my brain switches into 'long run mode' and I focus on staying relaxed and letting my body and mind settle in for the duration. It's a wonderful sense of calm and it makes all the difference to the long runs.

I headed up beyond YellowCraigs as usual and then cut back through Dirleton to Gullane via Archerfield. I went along the beach path until it got too muddy and then I headed down towards Aberlady and back more or less the same route.

It was my first go using Lucozade Sport which is the drink available at the Lochaber Marathon and I took the usual jelly babies and a couple of SIS Gels (with caffeine!).  I started fuelling at 30 minutes to keep me mentally and physically on track. I have to say that the Lucozade is horrendously sweet and sticky and generally yuk, but it really did the trick in keeping me feeling fuelled. I took the SIS gels at about 9 and 15 miles (not as horrid as some of the gels I've tried) and jelly babies (yum!) when I needed a little something special and that worked great. I didn't feel starving or weak at any point at all and that made me feel confident and strong. I finished with my muscles on fine form, despite the dodgy ankle and amazingly, I have no muscle aches today.

My foot was fine until about 14 miles when it started to ache a bit but it wasn't painful, so I just slowed down and went carefully. But I made the mistake of coming back along the beach right at the end of the run and a couple of times my (now rather tired) ankle went over and that did hurt.

I got home in one piece, stretched, drank my chocolate power drink, showered, iced and headed out for a most enjoyable (and guilt free) lunch with my chum.  My foot's a bit stiff today and I've a big bruise so I've been doing serious resting and ricing. I've been googling sprained ankles and I might be off my feet for a week or two. But I won't start worrying til I've seen the physio next week.

So, I've hit a milestone but I've paid a price. But I'm ok. It was a simple accident and these things happen. Despite the setback, I now have confidence that I can run a marathon.  Apart from my foot, I don't ache and it's not the end of the world if I have to take a wee running rest after ramping up the distance over the last few weeks.  If I am fit for April, I may have to strap up and walk/run. At worst, I may have to run later in the year. This is just a set back not a derailment. For the moment, I can only wait to know when and how I run, but I know I will and that feels good.

Running  stats this week: a total of 37.5 miles over 3 runs and got my tempo and mid distance speeds up nicely.  1 Pilates and 1 Yoga session and a great pre-long-run massage from Liselle. After yesterday I'm wondering if a pre run massage has at least as much value as a post run massage, my muscles felt great and I had hardly any niggles over the whole run.  So I'm ready to rock - as soon as this pesky ankle is sorted.

Hope you're all having great runs/walks/reads/cycles.

Take care

Suex

Just Run

I had such a wonderful long run this week. For the first time I got a glimmer of why folks want to run for a long time; I was a bit sad when I had to stop playing out and come in for my tea!

It hadn't started very well. I'd been struggling to fit my long run in this week with work and family stuff and making sure that my legs get at least a day's rest in between the runs. I was later starting than planned so would have to run on the road in the dark for the last bit.  I managed to get out of the door rather grumpy and discombobulated. (Aided by a massive push from Ali who could see I needed to go).

The tide times were a bit iffy, but there was a slot which gave me my 3 hours more or less; the weather was set fair and the wind only 12mph, positively balmy after recent gusty gusts. On the plus side, running later, I had plenty of time to fuel up (lack of fuel made last Saturday's run a not very nice experience) but

Despite all the niggly bits, it was a gloriously sunny afternoon, one of those East Coast days when the colours are sharp and bright. I love that combination of red soil, green fields, blue sky and golden sand. Enough wind to make sure the white horses pranced and to cool the brow: An afternoon for being outside and enjoying the beauty of where I live.

The tide was on its way in so I headed up the longest beach to Yellowcraigs and a couple of miles along the top, as far as the coastal path goes before you have to descend to what is now a rocky beach. I just took it slowly and focussed on my breathing and getting into a nice relaxed frame of mind. Running is so much easier when the weather is good!

I trotted up the beach nice and slow, steady pace, keeping fuelled. After 2 hours I was hungry and I more or less ate my own body weight in jelly babies (they did taste good). Then I trotted the other way up to the car park overlooking the town. Dusk was beginning to fall, but I'd set my heart on going over 15 miles so I went round various parks and up and down grassy bits ticking off the low impact miles. As darkness fell, the most beautiful sliver of moon appeared graced by the early stars. It was magical, I love that time of day. I realised the golf course would be empty by now (well it was almost dark!) so I slipped through the gate and ran alongside the ghostly greens, savouring being the only one out there. I felt good, so I decided to go for 17 miles so I can try 20 next weekend.

I did the last few miles on tarmac. I've been avoiding road running to reduce impact, but Pam from Abbeyhill Footcare said I could start building some in now I have more cushioning.  I more or less ran in ever decreasing circles for that last couple of miles. As I got to the end, I could feel my form was beginning to go especially round my lower back, so I know where to focus next run. I was also ravenously hungry.

I got home 3hours and 13 minutes later in the dark, having done my 17 miles. My lower back was a bit stiff and under my big toe a bit tender, but my knees, hamstrings, ankles and calves were all fine. Now that my different imbalances are accommodated, the pain comes from pushing the distance and it feels good.

I drank my chocolate protein milk, had some humous on toast, stretched and then had a lovely hot bath with my Christmas pressie of  Clarins bath stuff in it. After, I gave my legs a good pummel with Napier's massage oil - quite remarkable stuff.  I don't care what the science says, I am not an ice bath sort of person. When I finish my runs I'm usually chilled to the bone and need to get warmth back to my core.  By the time I'd had my dinner I was ready to sleep!

I so enjoyed that run. Something clicked about what makes running long appealing. I loved getting into that steady, regular trot, just running - one foot in front of the other over and over again.  It also helped to run with music for a change instead of Radio 4 podcasts (sorry Jenni Murray!).

I'm beginning to feel ready for the challenge of my first 20 miles next week and I have my tactics decided. That marathon is beginning to feel like a possibility. Toes crossed!

Running stats: overall mileage stayed at 33 and a bit miles this week. I did my usual 6 miles fairly quickly, a shorter middle run and then my 17 miles. My pace has much improved. I managed only one Yoga session (but it was Stacey who's really good), but I did lots of Pilates and leg-pummelling at home. I swear my thumbs are getting at least as much exercise as my legs!

Hope you've all had a good week running!

Take care

Suex

sole survivor

Yes! Yes! Yes! They work! My new insoles work!

I'm now in week two of running with my new insoles and I can't believe the change.

As is my way, I started off with some caution; trepidatious about what was going to happen.  My shoes felt full of feet and I could feel that my balance had shifted even as I walked towards the treadmill, carrying the original insoles with me in case it all ended in tears.

The first few steps felt very strange indeed. Some bits felt light and floaty, others protested about having to work harder than usual. Things twanged, shuggled and moved about, but before too long, it felt great. Suddenly I was focussed on running, not worrying about what bit of me I was at risk of damaging. I was just running normally and it felt good. Nothing hurt in a worrying sort of way and I could feel my body adapting bit by bit.  I gradually speeded up and increased the mileage and used them in other shoes and even used them on my longest run ever and ..... it was fine.

When I finished my run, I felt better than I've done for ages and what was even better, the next day nothing hurt.Well that's not quite true, my knee was still a bit sore, but it responded well to some applied thumb pressure. The other thing that hurt was my muscles! For the first time in ages, I had some muscle tiredness after my tempo run because I ran a little bit faster for a little bit longer. I'm actively looking forward to getting DOMS! Bloody luxury!

All the insoles do is fill the space between where my heel is and where it should be, plus they're extra cushioned to reduce the impact all that running has on my big toe joint.  It's amazing what a difference that couple of millimetre heel lift makes, it brings my body back into balance so it can work properly. I guess pounding the streets when you're out of kilter is bound to strain things as your muscles, tendons etc all struggle to keep everything together.

So my goals these last 2 weeks were to get used to the insoles, keep my right knee under control and get that long run up.  Week 1 I kept things steady, so my mileage only went up by 1/2 mile to 30.5 miles but I did my first 15 miles in one go (just under 3 hours - slow but I know I can speed up). I had no knee problems at all.  Week 2, I added a bit of speed and a bit of distance - up to 33 and a bit miles. I did another 15 miler (very slow, hard work and not fun as I did it at 9 am without fuelling properly - a mistake I won;t do again). At the end of these 2 weeks, things hurt a bit more and my knee is a bit niggly but not sore going up and down stairs. I'm seeing Pam to check on my progress with the insoles so I'll see what she says.

So, I'm still running and still sticking to that schedule. I can't quite imagine I can run 26.2 miles, but I'm so happy to be running with both feet firmly on the ground.  That tiny adjustment has made a tremendous difference already; if I can curb my exuberance then I really hope I can keep on track.
  Next week I'm planning to up the long run, but keep the weekly mileage more or less the same and slow the speed right down, take the pressure off a bit.

I hope you're running or pedalling strong and enjoying the bit of extra daylight we're getting. Not long before I'll be joining the #4.44 club again I hope!

Take care

Suex

Run, review, learn, improve

Right, I don't know where the time has gone, but that's week four of my training for the Lochaber Marathon complete. I've hit the 30 miles training milestone this week (first time for me in my entire life!) and I'm really pleased to report that not only is my mileage is increasing without anything breaking; my confidence is on the up too.

I feel like I've reached the end of phase 1 and as I enter the next stage of my prep, the time feels right to reflect on how things have gone so far and take stock.

OOOPS!!!  

I nearly blew it by doing my usual 'test to destruction' thing. Too many spinning and body pump classes whilst extending my runs was just too much for my right knee and it got quite sore (my right leg takes more of the strain and so tends to hurt first). So I really need to control my tendency to get over-exuberant when things are going well and I feel good. The deal is I can spin all I want when the marathon's over, for now I have to respect the work I'm asking of my knees and be more disciplined.

I usually run most of my runs on an empty stomach and that's been fine up until now, but it just doesn't work for marathon training. When I do a hard run on an empty stomach I have more niggles and sore bits as I got tired quicker than if I was well fuelled. Nick from Soul in Motion who's my Chi Running guru helped me see the value of getting your running form right, so form is my priority. So, no more running on empty for the moment. This is about running a marathon not losing weight.

HOORAY!!!! I'm  responding really well the reduction in impact. Neutral shoes, lots of cushioning in the shoes and socks and only running on the beach, trail or treadmill is making an incredible difference to my ability to build up the miles injury free.  I didn't run on the ice as that can increase impact and instead took myself inside so I could keep running and keep safe. My feet have stopped hurting almost completely now and the other niggles are manageable. I know I'll have to run on the road eventually but the more I can avoid it the better, I don't want to risk an injury at this critical stage.

I was also really pleased with how I handled my sore knee. Because of previous injuries, I think I'd developed an injury 'mindset', a sort of post injury stress syndrome.  I lost my ability to be objective about pain, and every niggle that lasted more than 1 run was a bad sign and I panicked.  This time, I panicked and then read up on knee problems in Runners World. I worked out I didn't have runners knee, my knee was fine when I was actually running, so I could still run but I had to reduce wear and tear on my knees. No more spin, instead, lots of foam and tennis ball rolling, more time in the pool, up the glucosamine and knee exercises to prevent future problems. It's working and my knee is improving all the time and I'm running strong.

And despite the wonders of outside running, especially in North Berwick, I'm learning to love the  treadmill.  One of the benefits of treadmill running other than it being low impact and easy to access any time, is that it's so boring that it's easy to focus on how your body responds to changes in form or speed. If something hurts its very easy to change your form and play about with what works, without worrying about rocks and stray dogs or slippy seaweed (or being stuck miles from anywhere with a bad hobble).  So by learning to love the treadmill, I've been able to work my way through niggles and keep running. I'm not going to be quite so scornful about treadmills in future - as Borgen says - sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do.

 AND NEXT??? As my mileage increases to new levels for me,  I'm beginning to respect the work I still have to do to prepare for running for what will probably be about 6 hours.  Already I'm getting chafed in new places (you sweat more on a treadmill so you find this sort of thing out quite early on)  so I'm reviewing my clothing and digging out the glide.  I'm starting to reach the limits of my muscle stores and sometimes the long run seems daunting, so I'm starting to work out my mental and fuelling strategies. As the miles and the hours increase, I'm going to have to plan my runs more carefully and carve out protected running space.

The most exciting thing about the next phase is that I now have my insoles courtesy of Pam at Abbeyhill Footcare. They will provide the few extra millimetres I need to make my feet work like normal feet, plus she's added a bit of padding for my sorely abused big toe joint. I'm really excited to see how they affect my running. Preliminary trials are very favourable..... watch this space!

RUNNING STATS  I made it to 30 miles this week - a milestone for me. I ran a lot of it on the treadmill due to the snow, ice and tide times. It was a necessary compromise with some unexpected benefits. I'm doing 3 runs and a bit of cross training (no spinning!) each week. The 2 rest days are really paying off in terms of my ability to increase the long runs without injury. I do a short tempo about 6 miles,  a long run (which this week I split into 11 miles and 4 miles to fit it in) and a medium distance run between 8 and a 11 miles. Today I ran along the beach into winds the BBC has quoted as 25mph. Who needs hill work, serious resistance! Also I had to really work hard to slow down on the way back though as the gusts wheeched me along the beach at considerable speed. My splits were very very positive but I can't take any credit for that!

The regime plus lots of stretches and rolling to keep things working and a monthly sports massage to ease out the knots and alert me to any problems and I'm doing great. Today's run was great, all that is best about running out of doors. And I barely noticed the time or distance after those treadmill runs - I just kept running until I knew it was time to stop.

So bring on phase 2! This next phase is going to be about getting that long run up to 20 miles; getting the nutrition and hydration working for me, keeping me strong and just making sure that I stay safe and healthy. I'm not thinking about pace or times, just about getting ready to run 26.2 miles.

Thanks for the recommendations for running socks, I'm looking forward to trying them out!

Whatever you're up to have a great week!

Take care,

Suex

The Joy of Socks

My running hopes have been saved. So today I want to heap praise and gratitude on the Cinderella of the running world - the humble sock.

So often the sock is the subject of fun and mockery for being smelly, worn out or embarrassingly visible.  I too have heaped derision on the sock. Yet socks are indeed the foundation of good running for many of us.

I have history with socks; they remind me of my Dad whose socks were a regular topic in our house.  Every year, Santa left our Christmas pressies in one of Dad's (washed, Headingly Rugby Club) socks. As a little girl I had a kiddy-type speech impediment and pronounced socks as 'thocks' (said in a juicy fruity spray-y way).   I was very insistent about my pronunciation and my Dad never let me forget it and teased me mercilessly. Even today if you say 'thocks' to Mum she remembers the joke, she beams with happy memories and memories are a rare gift indeed for her.

Later on in life, the sock theme reappeared. My gone but never forgotten monster cat Kyle had a big thing about socks. In his younger years he used to steal socks from nearby washing lines and bring them home for me proud as Punch.  Kyle stopped his stealing when we moved to North Berwick (it's not that kind of place) - but he remained partial to Ali's socks if he could get his paws on them. Just a week before he shuffled off to the great litter tray in the sky, Kyle had placed one of Ali's socks in the middle of the kitchen for me - a token of his love.

Socks loomed large when I was cycling and again when I got into running, and as I really got into running, things began to change.

My first running socks were my cycling socks. Then as I ran a bit more, I started to worry about blisters, so I got 1000 mile socks (they are good!) and those brilliant twin skin Hilly socks.

My first summer of running, I had to think about what length of socks to wear - all that running on the beach meant sand got into my shoes when I wore short sockettes giving me awful  blisters which took ages to heal. So I got long socks to keep the sand out; I got over wearing knee length socks for the first time since second year at school.  My sock collection was beginning to get serious and my horizons widened further.

Next came the injury, and yes there were more sock-related consequences. After doing my calf in I got seriously into compression socks as the sock of choice, I really liked the way they made my legs feel all wrapped up safely.

That was followed by a too brief but very enjoyable sock free period when I got into barefoot running. I am by nature a non- sock wearer, I love to feel the earth under my feet, but dear reader, as Borgen's husband says: 'sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do' and the socks had to come back.

My deformed feet mean I have to work extra hard to run and they don't absorb impact properly, so I can't run barefoot (at least whilst training for my marathon).  To work round my limitations, I have to minimise the physical impact of running on my body. It's basically the same stuff you do to avoid shin splints - wear cushioned shoes; run on soft surfaces, take rest days.

All has been hunky dory with the new regime, but I had a few niggles now and then. I analysed my training diary for an answer.  When it was cold I had fewer niggles. Hmm, usually it goes the other way. It wasn't speed, it wasn't route, it wasn't shoes. Then I twigged. When it got cold I wore my lovely thick padded winter socks and of course they absorb more impact than thin or even compression socks. I tried it out and the difference was indeed remarkable. The best socks I've found so far are Falke, but I'd be very interested to get some ideas from other runners.

Whilst I love the freedom of the barefoot, I also love my big cuddly padded socks, and so do my toes. It's much less of a sacrifice as the ice and snow set in up here! Wearing padded socks is like wearing one of those lovely comfy duvet coats round my feet and they snuggle in comfortably for a long run. On a very long run I might get a bit of a twinge, but every time I go out, it comes  on later, hurts less and goes away faster.  The positive effect of padded socks is cumulative.

This week I've had some good sessions, just made the most of any opportunity to get some miles and fitness into the pot before it snows.  I've done 25 miles running - my long run a 12 miles on the beach. I found a way of mixing trail and beach to get a bit further.  I've also done  a couple of spinning classes, lots of stretch and a body pump to get those muscles firing.  Also started trying out gels and thinking about fuelling and recovery.

Some niggles in my right knee, but Pam at Physio Plus has given me exercises and stretches. I had a soothing bath and used Napier's massage relaxing oil after my long run today and that's worked wonders, so no new bathroom until after the marathon!

Wherever you are, have a good week. The snow is making an appearance here, so I'm off to find my yak tracks!

Take care

Suex

New Year Resolutions

Hello and a Happy New Year! Have you all got your plans to change your life and be better human beings? Have you set your targets and goals for the year ahead?

Now I don't know about you, but I don't work like that, I don't sit down and plan things. I much prefer to see what comes up and seize opportunities I haven't even thought of yet.  On planet Sue an idea bubbles up from somewhere deep inside and my head eventually catches up with what the rest of me has already worked out.

Despite all the busy-ness and running about for Christmas and New Year, it's a great time for new ideas and new ways of looking at things. A week or so away from the desk enjoying the company of friends and family, walking, running, playing with the cats, cooking and wrapping presents is just what I need to get my sense of perspective back.

A few New Years ago we decided to lose weight. We were out for a long walk on the beach and an idea that had been hovering round for months and months became a decision - a commitment to change our lives. I got home and signed us up; 6 months later I was 4 stone lighter.  The next year, I registered for a half marathon. That came from a conversation with the Tesco Diets people earlier in the year about how I'd always admired people who ran marathons, but I'd never thought I could do it. A few months later, round about Christmas, I signed up for a half marathon and started training.  I did the half and at the end of 2011 I decided I was going to try and run that marathon.  I didn't make the starting line last year, but I learnt an awful lot of useful stuff about me and running: of course it's the journey that matters not the arriving.

All of these decisions have been life changing and enriched my life immeasurably, in ways I could never have anticipated. I've had experiences I'll never forget.

Once again, the end of the year has worked its magic and I have my goals. The first is to keep trying to run a marathon.  I've signed up for the  Lochaber Marathon in April, with the Meadows half en route. Last year was a learning year, so I go equipped with a much clearer understanding of my personal challenge and with the expert advice from my ace Physio Pam to help me get there. Fingers are crossed.

I've a non running resolution too. Holidays mean time to read and my Christmas Book this year was  A Street Cat Named Bob.  It's a very simple, very powerful story about how friendships change our lives, even when those lives have gone sadly awry.  James lived on the streets when he met Bob the street cat. Having another living being to care for and that cared for him gave James Bowen's life real meaning and filled the lonely spaces. It really isn't relevant that Bob is a cat, or that the relationship involves more than the usual number of legs.

So there I was, snuggled up in a warm bed with a good book, a cup of tea and the wind howling outside. A bubble began to emerge and I had a resolution -  to buy the Big Issue every week not just now and then. My first thought that it wasn't big enough, I needed something grander. But of course  the longest journey starts with the smallest step and as I let that idea grow, I realised it's about making connections.

When we're busy, it's so easy to lose sight of what really matters as we charge about trying to get through our over-long 'to-do' lists.  We tend to focus on the practical. When I was caring for Mum, I had to focus on keeping her physically safe. Now she's at the Abbey, others do that, and I can focus on Mum's quality of life, helping her stay connected to family and friends. The worst thing about Alzheimer's is that it disconnects Mum from the world in almost every way you can think of, and that's a sad and scary place to be. But between us all, her family, the Abbey, the Day Centre and Crossroads, Mum now has real friends, lots of connections and lots of people who care for her. She's blossoming, and as  Mum puts it, she's 'living not existing'. That's because she has relationships that are warm and caring; something we all need and we can all give.

So I have two plans for 2012 - to tackle that marathon and be a better human being. That should keep me busy!

On the running front, I've done 2 runs (15 miles total) and 4 gym sessions this week and one Pentland hill walk. I'm going to run three times a week, with spin, swim, cross train sessions to build stamina and lots and lots of stretching.  Wish me luck!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year and that all your hopes and wishes for 2013 come true.

Take care!

Suex