RUN 196 - Freedom & power

There is so much we rely on to 'survive' the lives we've created for ourselves, so much that were sure we can't live without, even those things which grind on us, take them away and we expect to suffer or fail.  Rise up and you might surprise yourself how little we really need to be happy, embrace those parts of life you have the power to take into your own hands (or feet!) and the freedom brings happiness with it.

[Chinatown]

RUN 195 - Running again

My running; and blogging (sorry!) routine has been right off recently, today marks the first step back to normal, it felt great to throw my gear on, run out the door and keep going as long as I had time for without tiring or pain.

[Low tide on the Thames]

RUN 194 - Race day anxiety

I love race day, the thrill of the challenge, looking forward to discovering how much I can achieve under the organized pressure against myself and other competitors. It's always an exciting morning, but slightly nervous too, and I'm certainly not the easiest person to be around at that time... Races start early and there's lots to do on those mornings. I'm massively fortunate to have people who love a d support me, and put up with my anxiousness, wish me well, then cheer me across the line, hours later. I can't thank you enough! My first  race in a month or more, (The inaugural Farnham Pilgrim Half Marathon) and my first run over 5 miles in a month since my back pain, I was extra anxious to say the least... I also didn't pick the easiest course to ease my way back in, multi terrain, lots of undulation, some bigger hills and lots of deep sandy bridal ways! My goal was to finish in under 2hrs which I did, and I placed 87 out of about 400, 35th in my age group, not bad all things considered...  and best of all, no back pain!

    [Running up that hill...]

    

RUN 193 - Pain free again in Malmo Sweden

A month on and only two visits to an Osteopath who could easily double as a David Brent impersonator, I find myself running along the southern Swedish coastline with an old friend and his son, with little to no discomfort in my back! The constant nagging pain I felt before which my muscles were tensing to protect has  past and loosened up.  The constant cut to the bone pain at the base of the spine which followed has past too, as if it had slowly migrated down and dropped right off! Good thing as my next race is in Sunday, a quiet little half marathon an hour outside London. I'll set a very steady pace and treat it like a recovery run, forget the time and just jog through to the finish. Without running I'm a less motivated, moodier, sadder person. I need it, and have promised myself to better prepare my body to ensure I keep on running...

[My running Swedish running coach]

RUN 192 - Running out of patience

Saw my osteopath again last week, waited 3/4 days before running, kinda expected to be all cured, but there is still tension, i need more time, its definitely getting better, but its killing me not getting out running.  I need to fix my bike and keep active while this heals, nothing keeps my attention like running does, thats something i need to work on in the future too, i need to compliment my running with other core and cross training, im not a gym person though, i think i'll look for a class the wife and i can do together.  I have so much more i want to achieve.

[low tide, i should lower my expectations too]

Run 191 - High tide & High Confidence

My first run after a week of niggling back pain, i never felt as strong as i did today, partly my desire to get back out there, and partly the new running shows my wife bought me.  These are absolutely the best shoes i've ever had (Brooks Adrenaline GTS10) ... ive been wearing these Brooks since the GTS7, and these are by far the best.  Theres so much support and theyre so light, cushioning through the midsole and the front of the foot too, cant wait to race in these! (oh and i'll be seing a chiropractor in the next couple of weeks, after which ive resolved to give more attention to core training, im unbearable when im not running!)

 

[High tide along the Putney embankment]

RUN 192 - So much to learn; the pursuit of truth

I guess after 190 runs blogged there IS still more to learn, this journey to discover what running is to me and understand it's value may never end, or maybe, as I'm beginning to realise, the truth of any matter only reveals itself when it's over (you never know what you've got till it's gone) in which case I hope I never find out. The best we can do is recognize those people and pastimes which bring us joy, persue them with vigor and know that our lives are richer for it.

[Fulham Football Ground]

RUN 190 - New shoes & nowhere to go

Full of excitement for new shoes, full of pain in my lower back after weeks of building tension (need a new mattress) can't run, not happy.  Will see what tomorrow brings.

[new shoes, nowhere to run]

RUN 189 - The wrong back-pack

Ok, so i guess i might have spoken too soon, runners do suffer from equipment failures too... although the real failure was in mine.  Should have just taken the camel-pak, but i didn't want to carry it in addition to my work bag, so had to run with one strap over my next and the bag under my arm.  Yes it slowed me down, but i had the time, and i choose not to be too obsessive about my training schedule; every run is a good run.  Got changed in the (really quite nice!) toilets at Picadilly tube, from Picadilly across Green Park, past Buckingham Palace and towards Fulham, got directions to the Kings road home a nice lady and plodded on, bag under arm.  Full of confidence and determination i arrived home in the perfect mood to plow through a pile of paperwork and bills that needed attention.  [didnt wait for the Garmin to track the satellite, so no info today!]

[Running from the hustle & bustle home]

RUN 188 - Man-power 1 : Pedal-power 0

Monday is usually a cross train day for me, cycled the 10 miles across London to work this morning, feeling energized and ready to start a busy week. Began the ride home; a little later than I’d hoped… made it about 1.5miles and blew a tire, no pump, no tools, no chance to fix it. I’m sure you can’t take a bike on the bus, and I couldn’t see myself dragging the bike underground into the sweaty tube, so I ran. That’s what I love most about running, and why I’m not interested in cycling; cycling needs too much stuff, there’s too much between my body and the endeavor. Except for social conventions, I could run home naked if I wanted to, it’s the most honest and natural expression of fitness and endurance (swimming’s a close second!) Its true, I wasn’t prepared; I had no pump, no tools etc and a more experienced cyclist would have been back on the saddle in 20 minutes I’m sure. But you know what, running that bike the final 8 miles home, I would estimate I was passed by 50-100 such people, who must wonder why I’m running 07:30/m miles pushing a bike along the pavement; not one offered any assistance. In my experience, runners have a greater sense of camaraderie which today only went to prove. So if you’re a cyclist too, and encounter someone in need, lend a hand, you might need one too one day.  [8.5m - 01:05:10 - 07:38/m]

[The offending bicycle tire, not looking as flat as it is]