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!
Monday, July 18, 2011
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!
Friday, May 27, 2011
SAMURAI STRIDERS
It seems that link to the PDF was no good, thanks Marty, but anyway if you just contact me direct on abenoki@gmail.com I can send it to you. And Paul glad you're interested. I thought about you and wanted to get in touch but didn't have your contact details. Can you send them to me. Cheers!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
OSAKA RUNNING CLUB
Last night I talked on the phone to Bob "Tokyo Racer" about setting up a running club similar to "Namban Rengo" the International Running Club he helps with (is the President of) in Tokyo.
He gave me some good advice, thanks Bob, and I've put together an outline that I'd like you to look at and give some feedback on. If you have experience with clubs please let me know if I'm missing something. Or if you are a local here in Osaka, foreign or Japanese, and would be interested in joinining a club like this please get in touch with your views.
Samurai Striders (tentative)(Osaka International Running Club)
To start early September 2011
FIND MEMBERS
Foreign and local runners (How to do this)
ARRANGE FIRST MEETING
To talk about its set up (Where to do this)
DECIDE A NAME
Decide on name and logo (Initial members decide)
APPOINT/ELECT CLUB OFFICIALS
President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Fundraiser Coordinator
• Social Coordinator
• Race Coordinator
• Club Coach
• Web Site Coordinator
DETERMINE THE CLUB MISSION
Who are we what are our objectives
WRITE THE CLUB HANDBOOK/BYLAWS
Do this as a group
PLAN A WEBSITE
Who will design and run it day to day (Me to start)
SCHEDULING RUNS
Time and duration (Week night 7:30 to 9:00)
FIND A LOCATION
Place with track and showers (Nagai Park)
SET ANNUAL FEES
To cover clubs running costs (annual 2000 yen)?
I’d appreciate any feedback and expressions of interest regarding the setting up of this running club.
Thanking you in anticipation
Scott Brown abenoki@gmail.com
Something else that might be of interest to you. A slide show on the beauty and strength of Bamboo. "Be Bamboo My Friend"
He gave me some good advice, thanks Bob, and I've put together an outline that I'd like you to look at and give some feedback on. If you have experience with clubs please let me know if I'm missing something. Or if you are a local here in Osaka, foreign or Japanese, and would be interested in joinining a club like this please get in touch with your views.
Samurai Striders (tentative)(Osaka International Running Club)
To start early September 2011
FIND MEMBERS
Foreign and local runners (How to do this)
ARRANGE FIRST MEETING
To talk about its set up (Where to do this)
DECIDE A NAME
Decide on name and logo (Initial members decide)
APPOINT/ELECT CLUB OFFICIALS
President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Fundraiser Coordinator
• Social Coordinator
• Race Coordinator
• Club Coach
• Web Site Coordinator
DETERMINE THE CLUB MISSION
Who are we what are our objectives
WRITE THE CLUB HANDBOOK/BYLAWS
Do this as a group
PLAN A WEBSITE
Who will design and run it day to day (Me to start)
SCHEDULING RUNS
Time and duration (Week night 7:30 to 9:00)
FIND A LOCATION
Place with track and showers (Nagai Park)
SET ANNUAL FEES
To cover clubs running costs (annual 2000 yen)?
I’d appreciate any feedback and expressions of interest regarding the setting up of this running club.
Thanking you in anticipation
Scott Brown abenoki@gmail.com
Something else that might be of interest to you. A slide show on the beauty and strength of Bamboo. "Be Bamboo My Friend"
Be Like Bamboo (TEDxTokyo 2011 slides)
View more presentations from garr
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Shodoshima Half
Post race
Nice weekend in Shodo Island. Took a ferry from Osaka and in three and a half hours we arrived. Spent Saturday doing tourist things. The cable car up the mountains and lunch and tour of olive farm. Shodo Island is famous for the olives they grow and turn into olive "everything". Also just about everything on the island is named olive something. There's the "Olive Bus Line", "Olive Drug Store", "Olive Gas Station" Kept the kids busy counting "Olive" references!
Sounds a bit over the top but it is a very nice place and we really had a good weekend. As for the race is was one of the best organised I've ever seen in Japan. The bag they gave us on registration took almost two hands to lift, full of samples of local foods! And the course was the best I've run. A few long gradual up hills but mostly they had us on scenic coast roads with the going slightly downhill all the way! Nice wind at our backs too!
If I wasn't injured and it hadn't rained so hard for the first 3K, (couldn't see the people more than 2 meters in front of me), I would have PBed for sure ;)
Anyway did 1:21:43 for 28th overall and 3rd in my age group. First guy in the 40~50 age group did like 1:13:00! And the winners in all groups were out of the rests class! Talking to some guy in the ferry coming back, he is 69 and did 1:32:00 and came 22nd in his age group!
I decided half way through this race to get professional help for my legs, the left one is aching almost constantly now! My next main goal will be a half in Perth in early August, I'll look for a PB there. Just one more 10K here in a couple of weeks before the weather gets too hot for racing. I'll do what I can there but that result will depend how the pins respond to treatment.
Nice weekend in Shodo Island. Took a ferry from Osaka and in three and a half hours we arrived. Spent Saturday doing tourist things. The cable car up the mountains and lunch and tour of olive farm. Shodo Island is famous for the olives they grow and turn into olive "everything". Also just about everything on the island is named olive something. There's the "Olive Bus Line", "Olive Drug Store", "Olive Gas Station" Kept the kids busy counting "Olive" references!
Sounds a bit over the top but it is a very nice place and we really had a good weekend. As for the race is was one of the best organised I've ever seen in Japan. The bag they gave us on registration took almost two hands to lift, full of samples of local foods! And the course was the best I've run. A few long gradual up hills but mostly they had us on scenic coast roads with the going slightly downhill all the way! Nice wind at our backs too!
If I wasn't injured and it hadn't rained so hard for the first 3K, (couldn't see the people more than 2 meters in front of me), I would have PBed for sure ;)
Anyway did 1:21:43 for 28th overall and 3rd in my age group. First guy in the 40~50 age group did like 1:13:00! And the winners in all groups were out of the rests class! Talking to some guy in the ferry coming back, he is 69 and did 1:32:00 and came 22nd in his age group!
I decided half way through this race to get professional help for my legs, the left one is aching almost constantly now! My next main goal will be a half in Perth in early August, I'll look for a PB there. Just one more 10K here in a couple of weeks before the weather gets too hot for racing. I'll do what I can there but that result will depend how the pins respond to treatment.
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