Jim
Training in Barbados
Friday, February 1st, 2008Well, long time no news so I hope you are all fit and well and enjoying the long cold miles on the long dark nights.
Unfortunately this will be my last mailing before the Meander as I have to go away for work.
Yes, a 2 week netball and cricket tour to Barbados with the school team beckons and somebody has to draw the short straw.
I will call it warm weather training with a couple of hours on the beach each morning I may also get the chance to try out MDS kit in the sand.
Looking forward to the big day and Sahara School. I have some reasonable miles in the legs and some borrowed pieces of kit but very little Sahara knowledge at all.
Look forward to seeing you all on the start line.
No Comments »Pain, injury and socks
Monday, November 26th, 2007The mileage going up and up, the long runs stretching out to 3 and 4
hours 3 times a week and the slow pace ensures injuries are less likely.
Top tips.
WE ALL LOVE PAIN
Run in the rain and get a very sore rash from your heavy back pack.
It is good to experience discomfort before the race so you can put it
right. Also get used to some things going wrong and enjoy the pain,
it is good mental training.
GET A NEW INJURY TO TALK ABOUT
My wife safely negotiated almost a year of breast feeding without any
ill effects of even a grumble but 4 hours running the Cotswold way
and I managed to get infected nipples and almost enough antibiotics
to cure the resulting mastitis. At least it gives Mrs W a laugh!
BUY NEW SOCKS
As we runners know the only part of the body we don’t look after is
our feet. Having run in the same socks for about 3 years it is time
to treat the feet. New socks are bliss but if you want to really feel
like running on air try a trip to the chiropodist too. Not sure
that’s a job I could do……
Jog on.
No Comments »Training tips
Tuesday, November 6th, 2007Run Anywhere!
As we all know the beauty of running is it’s simplicity.
With this in mind remember to take your kit where ever you may go. Recent meetings in London have lead me to run along the embankment and a tour of Battersea Park. What a great opportunity to run a new route and in London a welcome chance to run on the flat.
Trial Run!
Try eating on the run. It is vital to be able to refuel on the move. From drinking water to eating carbs it is a simple matter of practice. While liquids are relatively easy it is important to try foods that are easy on the stomach over time (several hours), race day is never a good time to try something new. For me “Rice pudding good, energy gels bad!” only experience will tell.
Be a Pro.
Book in for a sports massage on a regular (weekly, monthly) basis. An hour should cost about £40 and will act as a service for your body and make you feel like a professional athlete. With this goal in mind it is useful to note a recent comment made in the sports pages of The Telegraph that the main difference between amateur and professional is the amount of quality rest taken. When the pros rest they lie still, stretch, massage and meditate whereas we tend to play with the kids, go to the bank, go to work and try to fit in a short run!”
Run on.
No Comments »Running for real
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007Run for real. The important part of training is that it must be like the race. You will not be able to control the weather so be sure to run in the rain, in the snow, in the sunshine, in the dark. The long, cold, wet training miles will get you to and through the big day! Wear your back pack, fill it up! Eat and drink what you will on the day.
Run with a hangover. England’s rugby team have kept us all well oiled for the last few Saturday nights. Don’t use a hangover as an excuse not to run. It is perfect training for the effects of dehydration and a good mental challenge. Remember no matter how hard you train the body it is the top 3 inches that will make the biggest difference on the day.
Stop running. If it hurts then stop. We all know the difference between good and bad pain. 2 days rest and a trip to the physio might make all the difference. Every day you train keep in mind that you have to be able to do it again tomorrow or the next day. I’m not talking about wimping out on race day when you have a little blister but train smart (horrible American expression) It is quality not quantity. Hobbling round the Cotswolds for hours on end is not going to help.
No Comments »Slowly does it..
Thursday, October 11th, 2007Thought for the day “Training for the long slow events is more about time on your feet than miles covered” Try to get past the 2 hour mark but don’t worry how many centimeters that is! The slower you go the less likely you are to get injured.
No Comments »