This is it!
Now for some good news. While I'm not back to running everyday and I still have Achilles problems I have finally begun to see progress with my glutes and hamstrings. The key was finding out about Active Isolated Flexibility as done by the father and son team the "Whartons". It has really made the difference and I'm starting to run better and pain free for the first time in 3 months! I don't know whether to laugh or cry! So I did both ;)
It's been beastly hot here the last month but because I haven't been running much, and drinking to drown my sorrows, I've gained about 6kgs. If I can fix the right Achilles and lose some weight before the end of August it's game on for the Osaka Marathon in October!
In 4 days I'll be in Australia, it's winter but I'm looking for a "Cool Change!" Check out some Active Isolated Flexibility exercises and I'll talk to you next from Oz! Hope you're all well.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Like a Fiddler's Elbow!
32 degrees C
Yes, things as as usual up and down like a damn fiddler's elbow! Really don't know what the problem is still. I did a run on Monday this week with my new arch support inserts and frankly thought this is it! I was running pain free and with this I had a rush of blood finishing off the 10K run with the last 2 under 3:30 pace.
The whole of this week I've been paying for that run and on Wednesday both ankles were sore to touch, even lightly, and my bum was throbbing like a bastard! I think you're right about not needing arch supports Grellan!
I was caught in traffic that morning and with my legs in pain, having to do a shit and not being able to and being late for work, I was ready to pack it all in! If it weren't for the fact that Rick and Ewen would probably never get over it, or have anyone comment on their blogs, I probably would have beat my head on my steering wheel until I gently passed away!
Anyway, I woke up this morning with almost no pain so as they say. Tomorrow is another day! I think I'm going to give the half marathon in Perth on the 7th a miss, just don't have the Ks in my legs and I'd probably break down again. There is a 10K there on the 17th that looks more my style, so I might do it instead.
If I can get through August by just jogging, no speed work, and increase the mileage I'll be happy. I want to thank you guys for writing comments you often make me see sense when I can't.
I hope summer's not too hot for you but you can always "Sneak on out beneath the stars and run!"
Yes, things as as usual up and down like a damn fiddler's elbow! Really don't know what the problem is still. I did a run on Monday this week with my new arch support inserts and frankly thought this is it! I was running pain free and with this I had a rush of blood finishing off the 10K run with the last 2 under 3:30 pace.
The whole of this week I've been paying for that run and on Wednesday both ankles were sore to touch, even lightly, and my bum was throbbing like a bastard! I think you're right about not needing arch supports Grellan!
I was caught in traffic that morning and with my legs in pain, having to do a shit and not being able to and being late for work, I was ready to pack it all in! If it weren't for the fact that Rick and Ewen would probably never get over it, or have anyone comment on their blogs, I probably would have beat my head on my steering wheel until I gently passed away!
Anyway, I woke up this morning with almost no pain so as they say. Tomorrow is another day! I think I'm going to give the half marathon in Perth on the 7th a miss, just don't have the Ks in my legs and I'd probably break down again. There is a 10K there on the 17th that looks more my style, so I might do it instead.
If I can get through August by just jogging, no speed work, and increase the mileage I'll be happy. I want to thank you guys for writing comments you often make me see sense when I can't.
I hope summer's not too hot for you but you can always "Sneak on out beneath the stars and run!"
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
How the mighty have fallen!
Maybe it's lack of arch support?
I might have finally found out the root of my problems! Could it be I just need some arch support? I've been called a "Fallen Angel" before but the problem might be with my fallen arches! Stay tuned!!
I might have finally found out the root of my problems! Could it be I just need some arch support? I've been called a "Fallen Angel" before but the problem might be with my fallen arches! Stay tuned!!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Not in the driver's seat anymore!
But still on a highway to hell...
I'd like to tell you things are back on track but sadly it's not the case. Spent the last month going from almost better to back to the same. To worse than before, to getting better and then back to bad. Really nothing has been able to budge this pain in my rear and 3 weeks ago with hardly any running my right side heel started to throb! The pain is located at the back of the heel. It's really sore to the touch and red. Just waiting for some git to ram me on it with their shopping trolley and I'll totally lose the plot!
So now you may understand why I've been a bit quiet on the blog front! I'll be in Australia WA for most of August with the family. I got a half marathon on August 7th in Perth and after that I'll start training for the Osaka marathon. I hope I can get on top of these injuries by the end of August but if not all bets are off! I might be reduced to spending my last running years in Canberra screaming out splits for Ewen on the track!
On the bright side, if I don't run, ....actually there really isn't much of a bright side here. So I'll keep battling on and try to get back to my past glory.
Below a song I used to like, in the days when my body was my friend!
I'd like to tell you things are back on track but sadly it's not the case. Spent the last month going from almost better to back to the same. To worse than before, to getting better and then back to bad. Really nothing has been able to budge this pain in my rear and 3 weeks ago with hardly any running my right side heel started to throb! The pain is located at the back of the heel. It's really sore to the touch and red. Just waiting for some git to ram me on it with their shopping trolley and I'll totally lose the plot!
So now you may understand why I've been a bit quiet on the blog front! I'll be in Australia WA for most of August with the family. I got a half marathon on August 7th in Perth and after that I'll start training for the Osaka marathon. I hope I can get on top of these injuries by the end of August but if not all bets are off! I might be reduced to spending my last running years in Canberra screaming out splits for Ewen on the track!
On the bright side, if I don't run, ....actually there really isn't much of a bright side here. So I'll keep battling on and try to get back to my past glory.
Below a song I used to like, in the days when my body was my friend!
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Everybody have you heard?!
Still hurtin but not skirting!
Sorry I've not been writing comments and posting with my usual frequency. Still working on my injury and busy as a one armed taxi driver with crabs due to various work commitments! Anyhoo I've decided to run Osaka (Thanks for making me see the light) and I'm working my way back with the goal of blowing a few minds there, including mine!
Take care and keep on keeping on!
Sorry I've not been writing comments and posting with my usual frequency. Still working on my injury and busy as a one armed taxi driver with crabs due to various work commitments! Anyhoo I've decided to run Osaka (Thanks for making me see the light) and I'm working my way back with the goal of blowing a few minds there, including mine!
Take care and keep on keeping on!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
OSAKA vs KOBE
What to do?
"If it doesn't rain it pours!" I've just today been accepted to run in the Osaka marathon on Oct 30th and Kobe marathon on Nov 20th. Now as I can't do both I have to decide between them.
Both are first time mass participation races on flat courses. Both are wonderful cities with great "running" histories (Kobe the home of ASICS & Osaka the home of the famous Ladies race). Another great thing for me is that they are both almost equal distance from my home by car.
The only big difference will be the weather on the day. It's not out of the question to see a 27 degree day at the end of October but more than likely it'll be about 18 to 25 degrees with the rare possibility of a cool to cold 12 degree day in Osaka.
Kobe's temperature at marathon time should be about 8 to 15 degrees but there is a higher chance of rain. I have no real problem starting training at the end of August to be ready for the Osaka marathon but I'd rather not, Kobe would suit me more and would allow me to do my usual 10K and half marathon prior to the race.
Still, I'm finding it hard to go past Osaka. I didn't get in the first time and the only reason I got in now was because they have had a lot of cancellations from dim-witted wimpy foreigners that said "No thanks" to their offer of a place in Osaka marathon fearing they would die of radiation poisoning, or something. Anyway the powers that be opened up more places for foreigners that didn't get in, in the first place as they had to fill a quota, so I was lucky enough to get in now (Thanks Bob "Tokyo Racer" for your help with this).
Well I'm in a quandary and when I'm confused I turn to you guys? What are your thoughts? Which marathon would you run? Don't force me to make this decision on my own. ;)
"If it doesn't rain it pours!" I've just today been accepted to run in the Osaka marathon on Oct 30th and Kobe marathon on Nov 20th. Now as I can't do both I have to decide between them.
Both are first time mass participation races on flat courses. Both are wonderful cities with great "running" histories (Kobe the home of ASICS & Osaka the home of the famous Ladies race). Another great thing for me is that they are both almost equal distance from my home by car.
The only big difference will be the weather on the day. It's not out of the question to see a 27 degree day at the end of October but more than likely it'll be about 18 to 25 degrees with the rare possibility of a cool to cold 12 degree day in Osaka.
Kobe's temperature at marathon time should be about 8 to 15 degrees but there is a higher chance of rain. I have no real problem starting training at the end of August to be ready for the Osaka marathon but I'd rather not, Kobe would suit me more and would allow me to do my usual 10K and half marathon prior to the race.
Still, I'm finding it hard to go past Osaka. I didn't get in the first time and the only reason I got in now was because they have had a lot of cancellations from dim-witted wimpy foreigners that said "No thanks" to their offer of a place in Osaka marathon fearing they would die of radiation poisoning, or something. Anyway the powers that be opened up more places for foreigners that didn't get in, in the first place as they had to fill a quota, so I was lucky enough to get in now (Thanks Bob "Tokyo Racer" for your help with this).
Well I'm in a quandary and when I'm confused I turn to you guys? What are your thoughts? Which marathon would you run? Don't force me to make this decision on my own. ;)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Those were the days my friends
Once upon a time...
Woke this morning with my 8 year old singing "Those were the days my friends.."
How they come across this type of music is beyond me but I asked and he seemed to have gotten it from an ad on TV. Where else?!
This got me got me thinking about the 80's, surfing and my past life. A fun time for sure but not something one should dwell on.
You do this kind of thing when you have no present life, to speak of! Still battling with my injury which has me hitting the bottle to smooth things out. Don't worry I'm a few bottles away from total destruction!
Uploading clips of my present thoughts. Kind of interesting but not how things really should be!
Woke this morning with my 8 year old singing "Those were the days my friends.."
How they come across this type of music is beyond me but I asked and he seemed to have gotten it from an ad on TV. Where else?!
This got me got me thinking about the 80's, surfing and my past life. A fun time for sure but not something one should dwell on.
You do this kind of thing when you have no present life, to speak of! Still battling with my injury which has me hitting the bottle to smooth things out. Don't worry I'm a few bottles away from total destruction!
Uploading clips of my present thoughts. Kind of interesting but not how things really should be!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
THESE DAYS
These days everything seems surreal! Is this just me?
I'm so full of pride for my family and sadness that "these days" will end.
At the same time I can't even wait until things get better! I Had a relapse of my injury which is of great concern but on the whole it's getting better! "I'm bound to be improving."
Just heard that Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and it's put me into a mild depression as the song he recently recorded, at 75, is my favorite and one written by Jackson Browne, another favorite, when he was just 16!
Here is the cover by Nico I also a beauty!
Another glass of wine perhaps!
Or another version! Take your pick!
I'm so full of pride for my family and sadness that "these days" will end.
At the same time I can't even wait until things get better! I Had a relapse of my injury which is of great concern but on the whole it's getting better! "I'm bound to be improving."
Just heard that Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and it's put me into a mild depression as the song he recently recorded, at 75, is my favorite and one written by Jackson Browne, another favorite, when he was just 16!
Here is the cover by Nico I also a beauty!
Another glass of wine perhaps!
Or another version! Take your pick!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Happius Maximus
Could this be it!?
Good news! I think I finally got to the bottom of things and found my problem. Had a successful 5K run this morning (1k splits) 4:05, 4:08, 4:12, 4:08 and 4:06 and finished off with a 3:35 1K just because I could. As I was able to stride out and do it with no pain I was almost dizzy with happiness. It has been giving me trouble while sitting at work today but I really think I'm on the way to getting rid of it.
While the pain was coming from what I thought was the gluteus maximus, it was in fact more in the area of the of gluteus medius, or closer to the gluteus minimus and the pain was radiating from "Trigger points" here down my left leg!
Thank you all for your advice last post it all led me to this find, be it indirectly or directly.
On Ricks advice I looked up "Trigger Point Therapy" and Marty Recommended the book "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" that I ordered and have already been working with for a few days now.
Now I don't want to give this methodology the full seal of approval just yet but I'm so impressed with my present condition vis~a~vis last week, I'm almost ready to shout its praises from the highest mountain. Just need a few more sessions to be able to get up that mountain to do it ;)
Thanks again all, I'll write more on this later in the week.
Good news! I think I finally got to the bottom of things and found my problem. Had a successful 5K run this morning (1k splits) 4:05, 4:08, 4:12, 4:08 and 4:06 and finished off with a 3:35 1K just because I could. As I was able to stride out and do it with no pain I was almost dizzy with happiness. It has been giving me trouble while sitting at work today but I really think I'm on the way to getting rid of it.
While the pain was coming from what I thought was the gluteus maximus, it was in fact more in the area of the of gluteus medius, or closer to the gluteus minimus and the pain was radiating from "Trigger points" here down my left leg!
Thank you all for your advice last post it all led me to this find, be it indirectly or directly.
On Ricks advice I looked up "Trigger Point Therapy" and Marty Recommended the book "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" that I ordered and have already been working with for a few days now.
Now I don't want to give this methodology the full seal of approval just yet but I'm so impressed with my present condition vis~a~vis last week, I'm almost ready to shout its praises from the highest mountain. Just need a few more sessions to be able to get up that mountain to do it ;)
Thanks again all, I'll write more on this later in the week.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Hey there people...
You know I like everyone, that is, I can really appreciate everyone, their different views and lifestyles, but especially I like people who like Frank Zappa! Really have not met a Zappa fan I didn't like!! The World really is a worse place without him, and I miss him!
And this
And this
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Just Like Starting Over
"It's been so long since we've took the time"
Well I hate to bore you with continuing bad news on my injury status. (This = I'm going to bore you with my injury woes and have little concern if you like it or not) But things are not much improved.
I have about four main problems. Two hurty ankles, one hurty foot arch & heel and a persistent pain in my left glute. These are, I believe, all the result of tightness in my calves and hamstrings. Basically I'm stiff as a board and probably have more internal scar tissue than someone with a lot of internal scar tissue. (This = Ewen)
This is all the result of my hatred of stretching and ancillary exercises. I could go on fighting not to do anything outside of running but I'm going to have to face facts and start over building myself up from inside out. I'd appreciate any advice on how to go about building flexibility or if anyone knows of a sweet tasting fruit that will loosen tight muscles, please let me know.
I read an excellent quote on "speedygeoff's" site the other day. It said:
"Strength shows not only in the ability to persist but in the ability to start over"
I totally agree so I will and we'll see if I have what it takes!
Well I hate to bore you with continuing bad news on my injury status. (This = I'm going to bore you with my injury woes and have little concern if you like it or not) But things are not much improved.
I have about four main problems. Two hurty ankles, one hurty foot arch & heel and a persistent pain in my left glute. These are, I believe, all the result of tightness in my calves and hamstrings. Basically I'm stiff as a board and probably have more internal scar tissue than someone with a lot of internal scar tissue. (This = Ewen)
This is all the result of my hatred of stretching and ancillary exercises. I could go on fighting not to do anything outside of running but I'm going to have to face facts and start over building myself up from inside out. I'd appreciate any advice on how to go about building flexibility or if anyone knows of a sweet tasting fruit that will loosen tight muscles, please let me know.
I read an excellent quote on "speedygeoff's" site the other day. It said:
"Strength shows not only in the ability to persist but in the ability to start over"
I totally agree so I will and we'll see if I have what it takes!
Friday, June 10, 2011
HOME
In the grand scheme of things there aren't really too many things more important than running but there are somethings and this is definitely one of them!
Sunday, June 05, 2011
OBAMA Japan "No we couldn't!"
But we tried!
Went away with the family for the weekend to Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side of Japan about a 4 hour drive from our place in Osaka. We went to a place called Wakasa, and a city called "Obama". The city of Obama is a very old town named long before anyone had ever heard of Barak! Beautiful place and a very local but popular race. They have a half, 10K, 5K and 2K races. This is only their 7th year running it but as most country races in Japan everything was spot on.
Well almost everything. Not my performance which was piss poor by my last years' standard. My bloody left glute was tight as a bastard on Father's Day and despite going into this with some hope I had a bit of a shocker. Still, doesn't mean I didn't enjoy. But couldn't stride out and it showed in my finishing time. 38:58:56.
Frankly I'm sort of glad to have my racing season over for now, (won't race again until August in Australia and October here), cause I'm plain beat up! Can't even drive now as if I'm sitting down with my left leg not being able to stretch out the throbbing is just about too much to take!
I'll get on to fixing this and once I'm back into it I'm sure, before long, this will all just be a distant vaguely horrible memory. But the holiday's memory will last ;)
Went away with the family for the weekend to Fukui Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side of Japan about a 4 hour drive from our place in Osaka. We went to a place called Wakasa, and a city called "Obama". The city of Obama is a very old town named long before anyone had ever heard of Barak! Beautiful place and a very local but popular race. They have a half, 10K, 5K and 2K races. This is only their 7th year running it but as most country races in Japan everything was spot on.
Well almost everything. Not my performance which was piss poor by my last years' standard. My bloody left glute was tight as a bastard on Father's Day and despite going into this with some hope I had a bit of a shocker. Still, doesn't mean I didn't enjoy. But couldn't stride out and it showed in my finishing time. 38:58:56.
Frankly I'm sort of glad to have my racing season over for now, (won't race again until August in Australia and October here), cause I'm plain beat up! Can't even drive now as if I'm sitting down with my left leg not being able to stretch out the throbbing is just about too much to take!
I'll get on to fixing this and once I'm back into it I'm sure, before long, this will all just be a distant vaguely horrible memory. But the holiday's memory will last ;)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I just don't know what to do with myself!
Eye just don't know ....
My bum's not responding to treatment and the complete breaks from running aren't helping. Just going to continue with the "Piriformis Syndrome" exercises and rolling on a ball (This hurts like a bastard on the sore spot) and hope it comes good. Very frustrating how it just seems to hang on. I haven't had anything like this. Wish me luck and also spare a thought for those that have to live with me, through this.
Still having said this it's not all that bad, still can run fast enough to satisfy me, and long enough to keep fitness. I think the way through this is simply to slowly increase the Ks while continuing stretching it and out while doing a few strides every 2nd day or so. Any other advice?
Also I have this bloody sore spot (sore to touch even) on the back of the heal on the otherwise good right leg! Anybody have any idea what this is and how to fix it?
My bum's not responding to treatment and the complete breaks from running aren't helping. Just going to continue with the "Piriformis Syndrome" exercises and rolling on a ball (This hurts like a bastard on the sore spot) and hope it comes good. Very frustrating how it just seems to hang on. I haven't had anything like this. Wish me luck and also spare a thought for those that have to live with me, through this.
Still having said this it's not all that bad, still can run fast enough to satisfy me, and long enough to keep fitness. I think the way through this is simply to slowly increase the Ks while continuing stretching it and out while doing a few strides every 2nd day or so. Any other advice?
Also I have this bloody sore spot (sore to touch even) on the back of the heal on the otherwise good right leg! Anybody have any idea what this is and how to fix it?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
You Have a Very Pretty Bird!
Lessons not only in Serbian but on how languages in general should be taught!
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