Swollen Knees and blowing noses

Time is moving forward and my running plan is not as disciplined as it once was. I believe the feeling of, 'I have so much to do I do not have time to run' is the main cause. Which is nonsense because if I am not running in reality I spend my time sitting in front of the computer surfing the net. I do have paperwork and house and garden sorting to do but the curse of procrastination prevents me from being that successful in my time management.

Also the thoughts of doing a long run is quite daunting. According to my plan I should be doing a 14 mile run but I am way behind this. My next goal will be 10 miles but I have another problem. My right knee just does not feel right. It is swollen and although does not cause problems whilst running when I return and complete my stretches it does ache and feel funny. The question is should I go to the doctor but being a bloke this is out of the question. I will on the advice of another running colleague do some knee exercises. 

I have been for a few 4/5 mile runs and even done some posing photos to record the autumn and me jogging in my aldi running bottoms. I cannot wear these to run to work as my locker is unfortunately in an office off the control room and walking through the call handlers, mostly women, is too hard for me to do. I bought the medium size bottoms and they are a tadge too small. Hopefully I will lose a little more weight and they will be more decent. I remain faithful to my old shorts that suit a soon to be middle aged man.

Autumn (fall) is definitely here. I have been working, keeping the Queen's peace,  the last two nights. 

And it has been so so cold with Arctic winds sweeping across the country. It has been 2 degrees with a windchill factor and yet girls wander around the town centre wearing hardly anything. I was still cold with my numerous layers and reluctantly got out of the car whenever people wanted to fight each other.

And the impact of cold weather is of course the runny nose. My next goal is not only the 10 mile run but learn how to blow my nose effectively whilst running. Inspired by a running friend who was able to remove the mucus with a minimum of fuss and quite discretely I gave it a go and made an awful mess. I would have looked like a toddler with a cold. But I am determined to learn as one does not want to keep using ones sleeve whilst running. 

I even searched the internet for help

http://www.madetorun.com/running-resources/quick-tips/blowing-your-nose-while-running/

Could do with some more advice. And lastly the field I keep running through should be looking more autumnal but the farmer has not plowed the field. He, or she, has planted some crop under the wheat and the trees at the far end have not changed colour. Very disappointing as I would like to do a calender next year recording this one spot through the year and I want it to look pretty and autumnal not a cold summers day.

 

 Cross Training (CT) does not get much better than this, kayaking in Suffolk. On Saturday 13 October I was pleased to join a group of paddlers kayaking down rivers, up rivers and in the sea in Suffolk. It was one of the best trips I have done. I did little to organize but simply paddled from Ipswich to Felixstowe, along the coast and then up the river Deben to some small village. It was beautiful and by the time I had finished I was absolutely knackered. 

The last six miles we paddled up stream, assisted by the tide, through spectacular rainbows and mudflats. There were no villages just the occasional church and I am sure the scenery had not changed in centuries. My poor left shoulder was aching and the next day my muscles were complaining. We did 26 miles and it was good to say to fellow joggers that I had done 26 miles on Saturday and let them assume I had been running rather than paddling.

Cross training is very important, so my running schedule states as I keep exercising but resting my poor old legs and in particular my right knee. CT reduces the risk of overuse injuries and so articles say, makes me run faster and leaves me less prone to injury. 

This is a good thing as yesterday I did an 8 mile run and my knee was suffering. Not painful when running but after the run it was rather swollen. I need some advice as to whether a knee support is worthwhile. I can also blame wifey for aggravating the injury as I was waiting for her to return home so I could use the car to go to work. She did not return so at the last minute I donned my new aldi running top and leggings and ran at speed the mile to work. It improved my speed training but I am concerned about the knee.

I need to mention the 8 mile was slightly different as it was done in stages. I ran to the hospital to see my friend Mick Billingham, mentioned in earlier posts and is the reason why I am training for the marathon. Then I ran to the church to do admin stuff and then to Aldi to purchase the running gear and the final leg was the last 3 miles home.

I also realized the impact of the wind on one's running. The first half I felt good and fast and put this down to my new mental strength and training. On the return trip I felt the force of the wind and my optimism for my new ability reduced as my feel good factor was more to the strength of the wind rather than my athleticism. Still I am improving and do really enjoy running. But I am concerned about the knee. 

The running gear is good but there is a problem. When I wear it I look I know what I am doing. It reminds me when I bought golf shoes. (Many years ago I briefly took up golf) When you wear the right kit there is an expectation that you are reasonably good. Whilst I jogged in my old shorts and tee shirt there was no pressure. Now I wear the body hugging clothing my style and speed must match my kit. No pressure then!

9 October 

Today's run has been quite eventful. After a lot of effort I managed to do a 10 mile run, I got attacked by a horse chest nut tree and I at last did some post run stretches.

I am in the middle of a set of nights but had to get up at 10 am to sort out the car. Wifey kindly drove me 6.5 miles to Towcester for me to run back. I thought if I added a loop of my regular run then I hopefully would achieve a 10 mile run. 

I felt quite good and armed with imodium as I had an Balti last night at the Royal Bengal I was confident I could break the 10 mile barrier. All went according to plan until I got home and using the Distance Calculator established I only ran 8.2 miles so I put on the trainers and did another 1.8 mile jog to get to the 10 miles. And I felt quite good and confident that I could do a fair few more miles. 

On my travels as I was deep in thought I was hit on the back of the head. My first thought was that I was being attacked by chavs. But as I stood looking around for a hoody to blame a conker fell on my right shoulder. I was being attacked by a horse chestnut tree. I have never seen this mentioned in the numerous web sites I have visited to find the secret of running a marathon with the minimum of training and effort. 

The country side is beautiful, I love autumn but it is sad to see the horse chest nuts being attacked and looking sad with the Horse chestnut leaf blotch. If you want to know more go to the below website.



  http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=200


 12 October

I was really pleased that I did not suffer after the run. I will put this down to the stretches and that my body is getting used to running. The next challenge is a 12 mile run I need to do sometime over the next few days. Today I will be doing the short 4 miler and then tomorrow I will be doing the CT training. For this I am traveling to Suffolk to do some sea kayaking. It will be 20 mile trip going with the tides so should not be too difficult. Salty sea tales and photos to follow.

A

Watching the history of the world on the BBC i player the battle of Marathon is described. And from the resulting run back of the Greek army to defend Athens comes the event that is remembered in the Olympic games. And to quote Andrew Marr, ‘the heroic 26 mile run back to defend their city is today of course remembered in the ultimate test of courage and stamina - the marathon.”

I am sure if those warriors could see me now they would be disappointed as instead of going for a five mile run I have eaten a rather large Sunday lunch and binged on Chocolate ice cream. Not that good preparation for the event of strength of courage.

However I am nights tonight so I have postponed my run from before lunch to a run before work. I have also applied for the Bedford half marathon with my jogging guru. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon

Wikipedia disagrees with Andrew Marrs on some of the details on the origin of the marathon, however I am sure all will agree that the race I am training for is an ultimate test, especially for my knees, of my courage and stamina.

8 October

I ran 2 miles to work last night. I ran at a quick pace and when I arrived I had time to go to the small gym and use the exercise ball to do some of the strengthening the core exercises. I am glad no one else was in the gym. With all the weights and exercise machine the exercise ball does seem rather wimpy. 

At work I got into several discussion about marathons and triathlons. It is amazing how so many people are into it. Someone suggested the Edingburgh Marathon on 26 May. This does sound good and I will look into it. It will also be an opportunity for time away with the wife.

www.edinburgh-marathon.com

However I am concerned that I have not for sometime done a lengthy run. I missed the 10 miler last weekend. So when I wake up tomorrow I will look to do a long run. Get up, do the run, go to bed and get up for work. And now I have written it on the blog I feel accountable to get this done.

So watch this space.

Strengthening the Core and Disappointing News

As I am serious about completing this marathon I have decided to take the advice of my Jogging Guru and do some regular exercises to strengthen the core of this aging body of mine. ( I am 52 and remain determined to be jogging cycling and even kayaking till I am physically unable to do so.)

Like me you may be wondering why it is important to strengthen the core.

 ' Core exercises train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen to work in harmony. This leads to better balance and stability, whether on the playing field or in daily activities. In fact, most sports and other physical activities depend on stable core muscles.'

And this is why I have bought the exercise ball. I will do a quick warm up with a little bit of skipping, as recommended by another fit friend, and then roll around on the ball.

The London Marathon is on April 21st, the good news is that I am rest day, the bad news is that I am nights on the Saturday. I will finish at 7 am so hopefully I will be able to get the day off.

So my cunning exercise plan is  - 40 mins exercise and then a walk into town. A brisk walk and hopefully this will all help prepare this body for running without injury. Wifey has left me for a few days to go on holiday with her parents. The bad news is that my eating has gone to pot. To protect me She lovingly hid the tin of chocolates we kept for visitors. 

After much effort I found the tin of roses and then regretted my actions. I overdosed on coffee creams and went into a chocolate induced coma.

14.45

Whilst rotating my hips the mobile rang and it was H from the HDA. She was very apologetic but she informed me I did not get a place in the Marathon. I am surprised at how disappointed I am. I assumed, because of my unique fund raising to date I would have got a slot but I assume the spaces went to those who have a track record of raising funds and completing the course. 

I could go for the Luton Marathon. It is considerably easier to get to and there is no pressure on raising funds but it does not feel me with enthusiasm or passion. Bit like Luton - does anyone get excited about going to Luton.

http://www.lutonmarathon.org.uk/

I think my knees are grateful that I have not got the pressure to raise funds as they remain in a slightly swollen state and after the exertions of skipping and the exercise ball they do ache

Oh well, what do I do now. Give it some thought and get back to you.

running when I do not want to

Home life and work life has been very busy and consuming of emotions and strength. Tonight I am due to go to the pub with the boys and the plan was a 10 mile run. I am not up to that, I just want to eat, watch the iplayer and be picked up. So my compromise is the 6 mile run to the pub. I just do not want to do it but feel if I am serious about the marathon it is days like this I need to push my self out the door.

I do not have my camera as wifey has taken it with her on holiday with her parents. So there will be no pictorial record. Just my words. It is nearly 7 pm and dark so I need to get changed and go.

"But I don't want to?"

"Just do it! and run like Dutch, a fast pace"

"Okay."


3 October 2012

I ran 2.5 mile last night at a quick pace from a friends house and today I have a trustees meeting the other side of town so I thought I'd run the 6 miles there and have a hair cut on route. I need to be there for 12 so may try and increase the mileage. I am not disciplined in my training schedule as I am due to do a 10 mile run but this is the best I can do with my busy life.

( The 6 mile run to the pub did not work out because after half a mile I checked for my keys and they were missing. I assumed the worst and that my fast striding run had caused them to pop out my back pocket. Thankfully after a slow jog back with eyes fixed on the pavement I found the keys left in the door. It was so late I had to ask for a lift.)

I am sure you are thinking, "A trustee, what charity is this?"

It is discovery centre - a children and young peoples training centre in Uganda. I am sure you want to know more so please check the web site out. (Please note the Olympic Marathon Champion is from Uganda.)

http://www.discoverycentres.org.uk/introductionpage.htm

I have taken Cod Liver Oil capsules and Glucosamine Sulphate  capsules as together I hope they will support my knees joint health and comfort and make flexible my 51 year old body. I will keep you informed on my flexibility and knee pain. 


16.00 I have returned after the 6 mile run aching but okay. My hips do ache as I jog along. I think, as I mentioned before, I need to strengthen my core muscles. I must start getting into the routine of using that ball. Perhaps this evening.

http://exercise.about.com/cs/abs/l/bl_core.htm

When I got to the meeting room other attendees asked if I had a shower. I didn't need to I said - good use of baby wipes and clean set of clothes should suffice. And if I did smell it was not my problem.

And I do feel so good after my run. It is all worth it, but it takes me about 3 miles to get into the routine. I do not use ipods but just think and pray. It helps me relax. Be interested to know if anyone else has similar experiences. Tomorrow it will be the regular 4 miler with photos.