“Getting momentum going is the most difficult part of the job,
and often taking the first step is enough
to prompt you to make the best of your day”
Robert J McKain

The last 2 weeks have not been great! After sitting for 3 days in an Internet Marketing seminar, it aggravated my back which cause pain in my right lower calf and shin.

Missing 1 or 2 days, slipping out of the routine and I’ve found it extremely hard to wake up. It doesn’t help when the humidity makes it hard to sleep at night, and you only fall asleep at 1am! Trying to then wake up at 4am is tough going.

It also doesn’t help you trying to fall asleep if you haven’t exercised during the day! It’s a vicious circle.

Consequently there was no running this week (Rugby season and having to wake up in the middle of the night for games from South Africa doesn’t help either). I’ve only done 6km over the last 2 weeks, and it’s a momentum stopper.

At least I’ve done some exercise, and have only missed 5 days so far this year.

Next week I have to force myself to wake up early, get out on the road and get some milage going again…

“Enthusiasm is the energy and force that builds
literal momentum of the human soul and mind”
Bryant H McGill

“Strength and growth come only
through continuous effort and struggle”
Napoleon Hill

Resting HR (average): 52

Injury status: (R) calf/shin 4/10

Neural stretching (knee to nose. averages in cm):
Baseline 36; Afterwards 32

What a terrible week! My right lower shin and calf have been sore. Initally I thought I’d strain my tibialis posterior (one of the shin muscles), but I should know better. I don’t really get muscles strains.

The previous weekend I had been in a 3 day seminar and I think the sitting upset my back which refers pain down into my shin. I should just keep running small amounts as it helps to loosen up my back.

This week has been a diaster with very little running. It doesn’t help when I just struggle to wake up and then when rugby season starts! Too many middle of the night games from South Africa to watch make it hard to wake up and get out for a run!

Next week’s challenge is to wake up, get some decent runs in and get back on track!

“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength”
Oprah Winfrey

“Even if you’re on the right track,
you’ll get run over if you just sit there”
Will Rogers

Resting HR (average): 50

Injury status: (R) calf/shin 2/10

Neural stretching (knee to nose. averages in cm):
Baseline 34; Afterwards 30

A reasonable start to the year and some high mileage in recent weeks allowed me to reduce the length of my runs and have an easy week. Not that the running is ever very easy!

I tried to increase the pace on my runs and get a little faster. Monday was an easy 8km and I was obviosuly still feeling the effects of the previous week as I couldn’t run very fast!

Tuesday was a decent 15km and Wednesday was a welcome day off running. A good tempo run on Thursday was followed with a medium 24km on Friday. It felt a better than the previous week’s long run!

The weekend I only managed 2 short sessions as we were busy with an Internet marketing seminar so I had less time to exercise. Sunday’s run gave me a Right lower calf/shin pain, so I’ll have to work on that over the next few days as next week it’s time to up the mileage again!

“The will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare”

“Don’t let yesterday’s disappointments
overshadow tomorrow’s dreams”

JANUARY 2010

Resting HR (average): 55
Resting HR range: 46-62

Neural mobility: 37/31cm

Average weekly mileage: 67km
Average training load: 288

Running time:km range: 5:00 – 6:11

After a poor 2009, 2010 has started much better. Whilst I’m desperately unfit, putting in solid sessions and reaping the rewards later.

I achieved my goal of getting back to marathon distance, the goal for February is to push that up and see if I can run a 50km!

“Don’t let your body push you around. Keep running!”

“Gotta get up, Gotta get up, Gotta get up”
From “Ride on time” by Blackbox

Resting HR (average): 52

Injury status: General lower leg soreness!

Neural stretching (knee to nose. averages in cm):
Baseline 37; Afterwards 31

A solid week helped by a good long run. However early in the week I found it tough getting up in the mornings. It reminds me of the song Ride on time by Blackbox, the tagline being “Gotta get up.”

I missed my Tuesday run, it always sets back the weekly mileage when you miss your midweek longer run.

At least I still managed to do some exercise sessions and Tuesday I worked the legs hard using a step.

Thursday was a tempo run during the heat of the day. Jeez it’s been hot during the Brisbane summer!

Friday I was out at 1.30am. It would choose to rain on my long run!

After about 16km I was starting to struggle. I had run at a reasonable pace, but I got slower and slower….and slower still! My thick Thorlos (socks) were wet and had a crease which created a terribly painful hot spot under the ball of my foot. Why I didn’t stop and fix it I don’t know!

A wet top didn’t help either, and my left nip guard had fallen off which was irritating my nipple too.

At 24km I wanted to give up. I thought about calling Rheanna to come get me, but simply set small targets. 2km at a time.

My feet were getting sore and my legs really tight. When you want to give up, you have to think of your goals to drive you, and I was also motivated by the thought of not finishing what I set out to do and being the same as everyone else!

When I got home after 43km, all I could think of was I never want to run again! (That’s a common occurence after my long runs recently!) A pace of 6:11 per km is disgraceful! Oh it’d be nice to be fit again!

Exhausted after my 43km long run! I just had to lie down!

My wrinkled foot after running 43km

Looking worse for wear after running 43km!

Saturday was a fairly easy day, and then Sunday was good to back up the long run with a slow, steady 18km.

Next week will be an easy week. I’ll reduce the mileage, aim to run a little faster and work on strengthening the legs…

“Every runner has excuses, only winners never use them”