Epic news sports fans; I think I may have sussed the issues with my legs! Huzzah!
I read up on the running and triathlon sites about tight/ painful calves, expecting to see dire warnings about the tendon shrinking tendencies of cycling. Not a word. There was a lot of talk of doing too much too soon, of being too old, not stretching and bad running form. I, of course, dismissed them all. Ha! I said. Then I read some more, from professional coaches and physio’s. They said the same. Well, OK, maybe I’ve been cycling and not doing regular running, just expecting to do 20 miles from cold. And possibly I’m knocking on a bit. But I stretch like a bitch every time. Then I read about ‘proper’ stretching and tried it. Oh my word! I’ve been doing it wrong since forever. One in particular, where you put one foot behind you then sort of drop down, keeping the shin on the front leg vertical. I put the back foot at far back as possible, the toes turned to the side and really drop into it. It pulls your groin to buggery. Totally wrong, it’s supposed to be pulling your calf. Back foot facing forward, heel remains on the floor, then try to get low. I can barely drop a couple of inches into that. Oops. All that remained on the list was warm up and running form. Last time I did this I laid myself up for months, that was through forced chi running (landing on the balls of your feet, not heel striking) this time I think I triggered it walking in my cycling shoes for miles. Today I looked up some ‘dynamic stretching exercises’ (where you stretch as you move, as opposed to static where you stretch and hold, bad on cold muscles.)
I did the set before I went for a run. I buggered my calf before I’d even done the warm up set. One was a sort of bounding thing where you land on the balls of your feet and bounce up again, trying to minimise contact. As soon as I started that exercise my calf buggered up.
This got me thinking on the last part of the advice I’d read; running form. If I could resist my natural form of forefoot striking perhaps I could manage the run after all. I went out (after doing some calf specific stretches) and focused on heel striking and managed the whole 14½ miles without pain! For about 2 miles I was actually loving it, really buzzing off how comfortable (relative term) it was. I got back, stretched, (properly) had a shower, and my legs actually feel better now than when I got out of bed this morning.
This, I have to say, was whilst test driving my new running bag/ water carrier.
It is beyond awesome. I bought a cheap (saying that, I think it was still £20) generic one a year or so ago. I did a few runs in it, but it bounced causing bruising, and chafed (the dreaded army ‘webbing burn’). Also you had to run funny to try to get your elbows around the sides of the bloody thing. As I say, a few runs was all I could bear.
This is a revelation. I take back all I said about the French and their crazy arse design skills.
You can see the two water bottles held in pouches on the shoulder straps of the bag. Note the clever bitey mouthpieces on the straws. Also the way the chest strap goes on the outside of the bottles to stop them from bouncing. And the mesh pouches for your gels/ fags, whatever. Note also the insulated tube over my shoulder that connects to the 2½ litre water bladder in the bag. Excuse the state of me, that was after the run, I was a bit sweaty and dishevelled. Also that blubber popping out is because the pack has to be tight to stop movement. And I’m a bloater.
High strap at top of stomach just to secure bag, fastens on the side so not in your way.
Observe the elastics over the bag, cinching the bladder inside into place. Also note how narrow the bag is on my back, complete freedom of arm swing.
It is a genius design. I had a few stops on the first quarter of the run when I had to stop and figure out how to set it up properly, but after that I just kept on going. I wasn’t even that much slower.
The straws I thought would be a pain in the arse, sticking in my face as I ran, but oddly they don’t. They encourage good posture as they only time they get you is if you let your head fall forward.
I did the final test after the run, I had a shower. When you’ve got webbing burns this is when you find out. As does everyone else due to the volume of your scream. Not. A. Sausage. Total win.
Sorry, this is probably mind numbingly boring, but I am buzzing. Great kit and a possible work-around for my legs. I’m back in the game! Last time this happened I was out for months! Yays! And my first test of the bag was a 14½ mile run, carrying best part of a gallon of water, and bag and I were both fine.
OK, I’ll shut up about that now.
Work is the same. I’ve booked Monday off to do a complete trial run of the Outlaw. Then the second Sunday it’s the race. *gulp*
I started on my curry diet again. Whilst I was resting. I’ve lost a few pounds, but probably put them back on again today. I literally run scared of the energy crash, so always have too many calories.
Why don’t you STFU and get on to Twitter?
You’re a harsh crowd, but OK.
DMreporter had;
KARDASHIAN BABY NAME SHORTLIST: • Kay • Kim • Kanye • Kate • Kamilla • Kordelia • Kacophonic • Koko • Klue Kivy Karter • Money
KARDASHIAN BABY NAMES SHORTLIST – READERS SUGGESTIONS: • Kevin • Kunt • ‘kinmoney • Kash • KashKow • Kretin • Kremmin • Klamydia
CAMERON: “I will not rest until Google ban child porn.” GOOGLE: “You *really* don’t understand what we do, do you?” CAMERON: “No.”
SCANDAL: Wife of teacher who ran to France with schoolgirl, 15, breaks down over media intrusion (pictures, lovely pictures).
MELANIE PHILLIPS: “We should invade Iran, kill their leaders and convert them to Judaism. You’re fools! All of you fools! Mwahahaha…”
Leave it, Mel. We’ve all had a drink. I’ll call you a taxi. #bbcqt
FEMININISM: “I tried to set up a university feminist club until the reactions of my male peers taught me the error of my ways.”
The usual scattergun genius of random tweets:
BLONDIE ROUNDABOUT. Splendid:
Trooping of the colour involved artillery so I chipped in: "Artillery is the God of war."Joseph Stalin, "God fights on the side with the best artillery." Napoleon . "Boom, boom, boom." Baldric
Since Newtown, there have been 14 mass shootings, or as the NRA calls them, sales opportunities.
The Telegraph reported the Nigella assault as: "the television chef appears to have become embroiled in a violent dispute with the wealthy art dealer." To which someone added: It’s just like that time I became embroiled in a violent theft with a mugger.
eBay rules: don’t trust any listing that contains the word ‘funny’ near the word ‘t-shirt’.
Diamonds Are Unethical #GuardianBond
Moonraker: Transforming Your Natural Satellite Into A Zen Retreat #GuardianBond
In the wake of a Brit wining some golf thing @Betfairpoker published a handy flowchart:
Are YOU Justin Rose?
Monday face:
The brilliant @VeryBritishProblems had: Receiving an email ending in "regards" and wondering what you’ve done to cause so much anger
First they came for the metadata, and I said nothing, because I didn’t feel like Googling metadata.
@PlioceneBloke had: Forage small brown wood fruit taste exact of small nut. Realise small nut. Embarrass.
BREAKING: HIstoric U.S./Taliban peace talks break down as one of U.S. deputation greets other side with "Hey Mr Taliban, tally me banana."
I think they missed the word ‘disease’ out of fortijuce ‘tropical’ flavour
I remember getting the ‘sex talk’ from my mum. No one came out of that particular premium rate call very well.
The G8 Syria talks, in full… Obama: You should do what we want you to do, even though you’ve explicitly said you won’t do it. Putin: Nyet.
I love the way people say there’s one law for the rich and one for the poor. Hahaha. You think there’s a law for the rich?
Just to clarify, I’d never visit a Newport hooker. I’m a man of principles! One of which is not to court a lady with fewer teeth than limbs.
We need #Feminism because society teaches women how to AVOID rape, rather than teaching men about their responsibilities in ending it.
Osborne at Mansion House – talking to a room full of bankers – refers to "you the taxpayer". Clearly he doesn’t know his audience.
Possibly the best door sign ever?:
Just realised that tomorrow is the longest day of the year. After that it’s just the slow trudge to winter and imminent death. #lesigh
The Queen looks a bit "MY PRECIOUSSSS!" on the front of the Daily Mail today:
As is traditional on the solstice, the trams have formed themselves into a henge. Monumental disruption to services.
So many kids these days are addicted to brackets. I blame the parentheses.
#qotd "they chickened out because Dignitas was horrible. They thought it’d be nice, like Soylent Green, where you can choose your own music"
The next person I see outdoors in a onesie is going to get punched. #brokenbritain
BREAKING: U.S. Seemingly Unaware of Irony in Accusing Edward Snowden of Spying
Appear more sophisticated in front of your date by ordering your kebab medium rare.
Stephen King nails the Twilight vs. Harry Potter debate in just two sentences
And on that bombshell,
toodles.
Buck.