Stability Through Motion

Okay so I tried the running downhill thing. You know how you can get sore thighs (quadriceps) - from even walking downhill for a long time? Well, you need to induce those sore thighs to make them stronger, and a good way to do that is to keep running downhill fast about 10 times in a session. So I donned/doffed my pretty and lightweight Mizuno Wave Harrier off-road shoes (pictured, right*) and head for South Parks, a nice gentle grass-covered slope on a sunny evening. By the second rep I’m getting used to this idea of actually speeding up while going downhill, trying not to brake at all, and springing off the balls of my feet. Except the ball or my right foot is beginning to feel some chafing. By the tenth repetition there is definite pain down there, and it’s a bloomin blister - first one in a year!

The only thing I can think is that the shoes don’t quite fit me snugly enough at the front, so my foot was moving around down there.

Bah.

And to top it all, as a result of the pain I probably wasn’t going fast enough as I have no quad strain at all after that session.

And to top that top off I’ve had a bad neck since last Friday from some computer work that had me completely immobile for six hours a day. Thank goodness for this grumble blog where I can let it all out.

I’ve whacked on a blister plaster and stopped running for the rest of the week, as I’m still really keen to run in the Black Mountains at the weekend. As a result I’ve rediscovered the gym and the various sorts of chafing you can develop on the bike. I can also tell you that spending an hour on the cross-trainer is just about the most bored you can be.

*The Wave Harriers have amazing grip on any surface, and are lovely and lightweight. I had no problems in them off-road until now, but the front of the shoe is not very soft and a bit roomier than my other shoes. Why oh why do most road running shoes have to be in such disgusting designs - whereas the trail shoes are so much nicer looking?

From S_____ C_____  headed for East Ilsley and the Ridgeway for a two hour+ out and back long run on Sunday morning. Heavy rain the night before meant I was carrying a bit too much of the Ridgeway with me for a while with my off-road trainers, but otherwise it was a beautiful route. It was definitely more of a challenge than any other runs I’ve had in ages - started to feel desperately hungry in the last half an hour, and this hunger didn’t help my mood when I thought I was locked out at home. I’d almost forgotten that feeling of wandering around in a  daze for most of the day though, with glowing cheeks and slightly wobbly legs.

Today - an easy-paced 45 minute run from Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way - out and back - with Bob. A fantastic start to a sunny day out in Brighton, overtaking the mountain bikers as they struggled through the clarty clay. I’m heading for the hills whenever I can now, gearing up to the Snowdonia ascents.

Hills! At last, I reached the hills of Wytham, after walking and cycling through the waters of Botley Road past film crews and wading locals in wellies or sandals. Wytham itself was absolutely deserted, apart from the deer frantically trying to escape us (god we’re fast). A beautiful beautiful run in squishy soggy trainers. Rewarded with a return trip through the floods to wash the mud off, and two pints at the Lamb and Flag. Not strictly part of the marathon training schedule, but it’s been a hard week:

• 4 x 1 mile fast on Tuesday in the flooded University Parks
• 1 hour intervals on bike Wednesday plus weights
• 7 mile easy with hills Thursday

and I’m gearing up for 15 miles on Sunday, which is usually the farthest I can run and still feel comfortable at the end.