Thursday June 24, 2010
Saw a chiropractor today for an excrutiating cross friction manipulation of the hip flexor tendon. Apparently the "tendon golgi organs" fire to protect the tendon from damage and this sends the muscles into spasm creating pain. Few hours later and most of the hip pain has eased. Fingers crossed that this is the cure and happy running days are here again.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Winter Solstice
Sunday June 20, 2010 (Swim)
Glorious morning for a swim - but the sand was so cold it left my feet feeling like stumps by the time I reached the water. Sea temperature is a lovely 19 degrees and is warmer than the air. Yeah.... the shortest day is tomorrow and days will start to get longer.
Monday June 21, 2010
Weather prediction for Seattle -- "The first day of summer in Washington is cloudy with a chance of showers, temperatures below normal and a forecast for more of the same." Seattle summer sounds like a Sydney winter. Brrr.... that is something to look forward to.
Glorious morning for a swim - but the sand was so cold it left my feet feeling like stumps by the time I reached the water. Sea temperature is a lovely 19 degrees and is warmer than the air. Yeah.... the shortest day is tomorrow and days will start to get longer.
Monday June 21, 2010
Weather prediction for Seattle -- "The first day of summer in Washington is cloudy with a chance of showers, temperatures below normal and a forecast for more of the same." Seattle summer sounds like a Sydney winter. Brrr.... that is something to look forward to.
Friday, June 18, 2010
SF 101 Repeat
Friday June 18, 2010
SF confirmed - three times lucky - I feel like a goose, its not like I did not know the symptoms. I am just a slow learner. BUT each time it is a little bit different to make you doubt and push on. So now - pool swimming and then who knows!
SF confirmed - three times lucky - I feel like a goose, its not like I did not know the symptoms. I am just a slow learner. BUT each time it is a little bit different to make you doubt and push on. So now - pool swimming and then who knows!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Scavenging in St Ives
Wednesday June 16, 2010 (Hills-12km)
To run or not to run, that is the question? I have not run since Sunday hoping the hip pain and other bruises would settle. But since I was awake at the normal time for a run anyway I thought I would go and test it out. Maybe not to be such a good idea - hip pain was there right from the start and did not let up. But the upside was - I had a lovely time chatting with the running group while we wound our way around the streets of St Ives. And in the pre-dawn dark I saw a perfectly good cane chair put out with the rubbish. Now I normally would not pick up from the kerb side but I have been admiring these chairs in second hand shops and here it was - the universe provided. As we were coming in to the finish of the run the morning mist over Garigal NP as the sun slowly crept up over the horizon looked absolutely stunning. Now that alone was worth getting up for. And the chair - picked it up driving back from the run - that was a bonus.
To run or not to run, that is the question? I have not run since Sunday hoping the hip pain and other bruises would settle. But since I was awake at the normal time for a run anyway I thought I would go and test it out. Maybe not to be such a good idea - hip pain was there right from the start and did not let up. But the upside was - I had a lovely time chatting with the running group while we wound our way around the streets of St Ives. And in the pre-dawn dark I saw a perfectly good cane chair put out with the rubbish. Now I normally would not pick up from the kerb side but I have been admiring these chairs in second hand shops and here it was - the universe provided. As we were coming in to the finish of the run the morning mist over Garigal NP as the sun slowly crept up over the horizon looked absolutely stunning. Now that alone was worth getting up for. And the chair - picked it up driving back from the run - that was a bonus.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bobbin Head StaR
Sunday June 13, 2010 (LSD – 29km)
All week I have been preoccupied with the thought that I may have another stress fracture. So what do I do today - walk, swim, rest, cycle or go for a long slow run? Since the pain is not there when I run the logic is that it is not a problem running just after I stop. So maybe I should just run all the time? I love these long runs – seeing the landscape in a different light, the chance to chat to interesting people and learn something new. This morning was no exception – easy fun chatter for the first 10-15km and after that the group started to dwindle and by 22km there were only seven of us left. Finished 29km in 3hr10min and was very happy to have covered the distance and relieved that there was no pain or tension in the hip while running. I had no problems except for a fall coming out of Kalkari Track onto Mt Kuringai Rd – where I lost a bit of skin on my left arm. By Monday morning there were a few more bruises on the body but thankfully my favourite running shirt was spared any grazes.
All week I have been preoccupied with the thought that I may have another stress fracture. So what do I do today - walk, swim, rest, cycle or go for a long slow run? Since the pain is not there when I run the logic is that it is not a problem running just after I stop. So maybe I should just run all the time? I love these long runs – seeing the landscape in a different light, the chance to chat to interesting people and learn something new. This morning was no exception – easy fun chatter for the first 10-15km and after that the group started to dwindle and by 22km there were only seven of us left. Finished 29km in 3hr10min and was very happy to have covered the distance and relieved that there was no pain or tension in the hip while running. I had no problems except for a fall coming out of Kalkari Track onto Mt Kuringai Rd – where I lost a bit of skin on my left arm. By Monday morning there were a few more bruises on the body but thankfully my favourite running shirt was spared any grazes.
Sphinx Head
Saturday June 12, 2010 (Trail –12km)
Bobbin Head Rd early in the morning is cycling central. I can see why it is so popular with cyclists. I ran on the road for a few slow warm up kilometres before the rest of the group arrived. Even at my running speed I was almost quicker than some cyclists coming up Bobbin Head Rd- it is a grinding, tough almost 4km climb out of Berowra Creek. The short warm-up run was enough to convince me that the pain in the hip is only there when I walk not when I run. So I set off with the rest of the group to run the 10km circuit of the Sphinx Track coming back up on the Bobbin Head track. I have fond memories of doing this circuit as a night training run for Trailwalker. At night it would take us about 1hr45min. Today the 10km circuit was completed in around 1hr12minutes - with a race to the finish once the trail flattened and opened out. The beautiful sight of the mist over the river surrounded by steep forested slopes was worth the effort.
Bobbin Head Rd early in the morning is cycling central. I can see why it is so popular with cyclists. I ran on the road for a few slow warm up kilometres before the rest of the group arrived. Even at my running speed I was almost quicker than some cyclists coming up Bobbin Head Rd- it is a grinding, tough almost 4km climb out of Berowra Creek. The short warm-up run was enough to convince me that the pain in the hip is only there when I walk not when I run. So I set off with the rest of the group to run the 10km circuit of the Sphinx Track coming back up on the Bobbin Head track. I have fond memories of doing this circuit as a night training run for Trailwalker. At night it would take us about 1hr45min. Today the 10km circuit was completed in around 1hr12minutes - with a race to the finish once the trail flattened and opened out. The beautiful sight of the mist over the river surrounded by steep forested slopes was worth the effort.
Vista of St Ives
Wednesday June 9, 2010 (Hills-12km)
Almost did not run this morning since the hip flexor pain stayed with me all day yesterday. But I though I would try it out and if it hurt to run I would stop and turn around. As soon as a started to run no traces of the tension in the hip so maybe, just maybe it is nothing to worry about after all. Not sure, it could also be the distraction of having someone to chat to that kept my mind occupied. Had a terrific run feeling strong on the hills including a monster 600m climb. Just as well it was too dark to see where we were going – I am sure it was a vertical climb.
Almost did not run this morning since the hip flexor pain stayed with me all day yesterday. But I though I would try it out and if it hurt to run I would stop and turn around. As soon as a started to run no traces of the tension in the hip so maybe, just maybe it is nothing to worry about after all. Not sure, it could also be the distraction of having someone to chat to that kept my mind occupied. Had a terrific run feeling strong on the hills including a monster 600m climb. Just as well it was too dark to see where we were going – I am sure it was a vertical climb.
Collaroy :-(
Tuesday June 8, 2010 (Tempo-10km)
I love running but when it is cold it can be a trial. In the low light with hardly any moonlight it seemed like the middle of the night when I left the house for a very slow start. This morning my nose was running quicker than me and my legs felt frozen. But even with the freezing cold I could not block out the little niggle in the left hip flexor – dull, achey pain so… so…. familiar of the pain I had with the previous stress fractures in the hip. Did not feel it running but only when I stopped. I did lots of hip flexor stretching yesterday so maybe it was a little bit too vigorous. Light stretching at the end, enjoying the sunrise over the beach.
I love running but when it is cold it can be a trial. In the low light with hardly any moonlight it seemed like the middle of the night when I left the house for a very slow start. This morning my nose was running quicker than me and my legs felt frozen. But even with the freezing cold I could not block out the little niggle in the left hip flexor – dull, achey pain so… so…. familiar of the pain I had with the previous stress fractures in the hip. Did not feel it running but only when I stopped. I did lots of hip flexor stretching yesterday so maybe it was a little bit too vigorous. Light stretching at the end, enjoying the sunrise over the beach.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Great Nosh Foot Race
Sunday June 6, 2010 (Trail Race 15km)
The rain gods were smiling on Sydney runners again this morning and provided another sparkling winter day, perfect for running if a little wet underfoot in parts. I was familiar with the course especially the second half as I thought it followed much of the Trailwalker course. Summary of my efforts today - went out too hard and gradually slowed. Particularly on the second half where the course deviated from my expectations. Struggled mentally to keep going, felt weak and just lacked energy for no apparent reason. The course rejoined familiar terrain for the last 2-3km and I recovered a little finishing this section relatively strongly - total time 1hr 37min. I accepted an offer of a lift to the start - relieved I did not have to run back to the car. On reflection I wondered if being awake for a few hours in the middle of the night to watch the women's final of the French Open was responsible for feeling so weak?
The rain gods were smiling on Sydney runners again this morning and provided another sparkling winter day, perfect for running if a little wet underfoot in parts. I was familiar with the course especially the second half as I thought it followed much of the Trailwalker course. Summary of my efforts today - went out too hard and gradually slowed. Particularly on the second half where the course deviated from my expectations. Struggled mentally to keep going, felt weak and just lacked energy for no apparent reason. The course rejoined familiar terrain for the last 2-3km and I recovered a little finishing this section relatively strongly - total time 1hr 37min. I accepted an offer of a lift to the start - relieved I did not have to run back to the car. On reflection I wondered if being awake for a few hours in the middle of the night to watch the women's final of the French Open was responsible for feeling so weak?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Sunshine on a Rainy Day
Saturday June 5, 2010 (Race-10km)
Dire predictions for another day of flooding and torrential rain - did not eventuate for the Striders 10km race at North Head this morning. It was not even cold - perfect running conditions, just a bit of blustery breeze coming in off the Harbour. I had a very lazy week of little running - 11km on the hills of St Ives. The pain in my left hamstring has returned and combined with a wet, wet week was enough to convince me to take it easy. So why race today? Good question - I was not sure why I was running except that I will be away for a few months and won't run this course till next year. And too late I also remembered that I was going to try to run an even paced race? I went out to hard and my legs were empty after 5 km and all I could do was just hang on. Had thoughts of pulling out at 5km but convinced myself to keep going. With 2km to go I recovered enough to finish relatively strongly - 10 seconds off my 10km PB. Almost the same as last months race - I ran the first 5km an average 15sec/km quicker than my average pace of the race.
Crossed the finish line, the sun came out and the pain of pushing beyond my training limit -forgotten in an instant. But the wonderful feeling of accomplishment, of knowing I gave it all and did not give in to the impulse to quit - stayed with me for the rest of the day. Uhhh.... all was well in the world.
Dire predictions for another day of flooding and torrential rain - did not eventuate for the Striders 10km race at North Head this morning. It was not even cold - perfect running conditions, just a bit of blustery breeze coming in off the Harbour. I had a very lazy week of little running - 11km on the hills of St Ives. The pain in my left hamstring has returned and combined with a wet, wet week was enough to convince me to take it easy. So why race today? Good question - I was not sure why I was running except that I will be away for a few months and won't run this course till next year. And too late I also remembered that I was going to try to run an even paced race? I went out to hard and my legs were empty after 5 km and all I could do was just hang on. Had thoughts of pulling out at 5km but convinced myself to keep going. With 2km to go I recovered enough to finish relatively strongly - 10 seconds off my 10km PB. Almost the same as last months race - I ran the first 5km an average 15sec/km quicker than my average pace of the race.
Crossed the finish line, the sun came out and the pain of pushing beyond my training limit -forgotten in an instant. But the wonderful feeling of accomplishment, of knowing I gave it all and did not give in to the impulse to quit - stayed with me for the rest of the day. Uhhh.... all was well in the world.
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