A few feeble excuses...

I've got a few very feeble excuses as to why I haven't been training that much over the last couple of weeks or so.  If you look at my calendar for September, you can see that I had a patch of 7/8 days where I didn't do any training at all.  The only excuses I have are that I've been busy at work and also went on a stag do to Edinburgh on the weekend of 9-12 September.  Anyway, when I was able to I managed to get to the gym on 14 and 15 September, and also went out for a 5-mile run this morning, so I'm pleased to back into it again.

I have got a slight target in mind of trying to get to around 14st (I'm currently 14st 4) in four weeks time, as it's my mates wedding then.  I'm the Best Man and don't want to stand out too much in the photos!

Talking of Edinburgh, a colleague at work is getting into running, having completed his first 10k this year, and subsequently ran 3 or 4 others 10k's this year too.  He's talking of doing the Rock 'n' Roll Edinburgh Half Marathon next year, so I'll be keeping an eye our for him.

Keeping up with the training and an x-ray!

I've been keeping up the training when I can, and on Monday I went to the hospital to get an x-ray on my hips.  The consultant diagnosed me with FAI, which in my area is not operated on.  I did get an x-ray of it, but it seems a bit odd posting on here, so I won't.  The comment "FAI is common in high level athletes, but also occurs in active individuals", from that article made me smile.

In summary though, I can keep training and doing plenty of stretching, and go back to my GP to get referred again if it gets any worse.

Successfully completed the 10k

I managed to successfully complete the 10k yesterday in a pretty good time for me (50min 51secs).  Results from my Garmin are here and results from the event are here (annoyingly the event didn't record the chip time, but only recorded the gun to finish time).  My wife (running number 248) and father in law (number 569) also completed the event.

As I said elsewhere, I've never been astoundingly quick, but looking at the results was a little bit sobering.  Although I was pleased with my time in the M35-39 age group there were 54 runners and I came 40th.  Looking at about half way up the field, I should be looking at about 47min 30secs, which is a big step up for me but is something to aim for.  Unlike the half marathon though, it was quite a competitive filed with lots of good club runners etc.

It was a good event although the roads weren't shut for all of it and at some points the pavements were busy with pedestrians so it wasn't totally ideal.  I would still look to do it again though.

So, all in all, a good event for me and further proof that I have come back from my injury fairly well with a good time for me. 

I've entered a 10k next week

I've been keeping up the running/stretching combination and have been upping the distance a bit on each occasion I've been out.  This morning I went out for a 5 mile run and the route I did I know very well- it's the Torbay Half marathon route, and also the Torbay 10k route.  I've actually been pretty pleased with my progress over the last few days, so I've decided to enter the 10k next weekend.  Time wise, I'm hoping go go under 55mins, but I'm really just pleased to be able to think that I can enter and complete the event.  A few weeks ago, that really didn't seem possible, so I am pleased.  I feel I need to make sure that I keep up with the stretches and core exercises and see how I get on from there.

Over the last few weeks, I have put a bit of weight.  I'm probably about 3 or 4 pounds over my ideal, so I think my goal is try and get the off again.  I'm struggling with that a bit though as although I'm back at work, my wife (being a teacher) is still off so the temptation of nice meals, BBQs, a cheeky midweek beer or two, cream teas and nice cheese have been hard to resist recently!

First run out with the Garmin, since inury

On Friday, as well as the gym session in the morning, we also went out for a longish walk from Paignton-Brixham and back (via a pub for some liquid refreshment) along the coastal path.  We've done this a few times over the years and it is really nice walk, so we thought we'd do it again on Friday which was the last "official" day of my 2-week holiday.  Thinking back over the last 10-weeks I have come a long way as even 4 or 5 weeks ago that walk wouldn't have been possible.

After a few drinks and meal with friends yesterday, I decided that if I felt okay this morning, I would go out for a short, slow two mile run.  I'm pleased to say that I managed it with no niggles, although it is really shocking how quickly/easily the fitness reduces.  10-weeks ago I would have easily done that in 16mins (more like 14mins if I was pushing myself) but today it took me 17.5mins and I did struggle.  I'm really glad I went out though, and I do feel I am on the road to recovery.  Before and after the run, I did plenty of stretching too.  It isn't a particularly awe-inspiring route, but the details are here

I do have a hospital appointment in a few weeks as I've been referred to a hip specialist as my Physio discharged me.  I'll keep up with the light training until then and see how I get on.

Back from hols...

....and to the gym today.

I was hoping to be able to go out for my first run in nearly 10 weeks(!!) since my injury.  I'm pleased to say that I managed the one mile that I had planned and I felt okay.  The idea was just to try and jog around with no pain, and I managed that.  Before and after the jog I did plenty of stretching, and finished off the hour session in the gym doing some walking on a steep incline.

So, all in all a good session, but I'll know more tomorrow.  If I wake up with no issues, I can consider the session a success.

A few days away in France (and the GBBF)

Having been on holiday in France for a week, followed by a day in London at the Great British Beer Festival (http://gbbf.camra.org.uk/home), I haven't done that much in the way of exercise.  However, the holiday was fantastic and it was really good to get away from work for a few days.  Last year, we did a train journey through France (Lille and Dijon), Switzerland (Lausanne and Lucerne), Germany (Stuttgart) and Belgium (Brussels).  We really enjoyed the holiday and travelling by train is efficient and stress free so we decided to do a smaller version and visited Dijon and Annecy.

We went to Dijon last year and it is a great place to visit in the Burgandy region.  The food and drink are fantastic and there are a lot of restaurants etc.  This year, as well as relaxing and taking in the centre of the town, we decided to take a walk out to the man made lake (Lake Kir) and have a wander around.

After three nights in Dijon, we took the train Annecy (via Paris).  We chose Annecy as we had discovered that it is pretty similar to Lucerne, which we visited last year.  Lucerne is one of our favourite places, but it is fairly expensive so we were hoping that Annecy would be similar but a bit cheaper.  Our hotel was about 10mins walk from the train station and just a couple of mins walk to the 'old town'.

Lac Annecy

Again, there were a lot of bars and restaurants and what makes it similar to Lucerne is that it is situated on a lake (Lac Annecy).  There is lots going on or near the lake with street artists and performers, boat trips, beaches, cycle routes and an nice path that was used by a large number of runners (making me feel slightly guilty for not being able to run!).  A couple of highlights for me were hiring a speedboat on the lake and also going for a swim in the lake.  I took the opportunity to go swimming twice, the second time before breakfast on our final day.  It really is stunning and refreshing and sets you up for the whole day.

The final stop off was the Great British Beer Festival in London.  I'm a card carrying CAMRA member and ale drinker, but have never been to the years biggest beer festival.l so I'm really glad to have gone.  According to the site, there were over 1000 ales, ciders and perrys along with some really nice traditional food.  I'm hoping to be able to go again, although it hasn't done much for my training regime!

Anyway, very much hoping to go back to Annecy and the Beer Fest and I'm very much aware I need to get back into my exercise now I'm back from holiday  In fact, I'm hoping to go to the gym later today....

An update

I've been to the gym three times over the last 5 days and I do feel I am making some improvement, although it is still frustratingly slow.  I have managed to up the speed of the walking and recumbent sessions, so I'm definitely building up a bit of a sweat now and I feel like I am doing some meaningful exercise.  However, I'm still not able to run properly or without pain, which is irritating.


I had another Physio session yesterday and I asked if I need to get a scan done.  He basically said I wouldn't have a chance of getting a scan as I wasn't too bad and wanted to discharge me!  I had to strongly say that I still wasn't right and he has now referred me to another specialist, but it will be a minimum 4 week wait.  In the mean time, I can keep up with the stretching and light exercise.  I think he is secretly hoping that I'll get better and not need to see the second specialist, and I hope so too.

Another session

I could have gone to the gym yesterday, following my session on Friday, which is encouraging. However, I decided to take it easy and go this morning instead.

So, this morning I did:

- 3 lots of stretching.

- 20mins walking on 15% at 5kph

- 15mins on the recumbent at 6kph.

I enjoyed the session and I'm feeling quite good as I'm writing this. When I say '3 lots of stretching', each session is about 10mins long, doing various exercises/stretches, so today was about 30mins of stretching which is good.

Decided to take it even easier for a few days

Because of the ups and downs I'm having at the moment, I've decide to take it even easier and not push it at all.  So the gym sessions are now concentrating on decent stretches and some very light exercise.

Today I did:
- 15mins on treadmill at 15% incline at 5kph
- 15mins on bike at 6kph
- 3 lots of 5min stretching.

I feel okay at the moment, so hopefully I'll be okay tomorrow.  If so, I may go again tomorrow morning for another similar session.

Good session, but pain afterwards...

I've been a way for a couple of days for work, and it's the furthest I've been since I've hurt my back. Generally, it was okay with the occasional pain but it wasn't too bad.

I went to the gym before work this morning and completed:

- 20 mins on treadmill at 15% and 5.3kph

- 20 mins on bike at 10kph

- back stretches.

Although I felt fine at the gym and immediately afterwards, I had some sharp pain in my back in the afternoon, which is a worry. I'm not sure if the gym and the pain are connected.

Currently I'm frustrated with the slow progress. Actually there sometimes is a couple of steps backwards, in terms of progress. I am wondering if I need to go and get a scan done to see if there any other issues

Second gym session

I decided to go to the gym this morning.  I woke up and my back was feeling stiff but I did my stretches in the morning and it eased up, so felt able to go to the gym.

Again, it was just another easy session where I did:
- 20mins walking on 15% @ 5kph
- 20mins recumbent cylcing.  10mins @ 10kph, and 10mins @ 6kph
- 2 lots of stretching.

I knocked down the speed on the recumbent half way through as I was feeling a bit of a pain.  Also, I decided not to do the X-trainer, following the discomfort I felt the other day.

I'm writing this from home just after the session and my back is feeling much better so I'm glad I went!

Treadmill not recommended by Physio?

In a bit of pain again this morning. Not sure if it's due to the gym session yesterday (even though I did take it very easy). I was planning another light session tomorrow morning, but I'll see how I get on.

One thing I forgot to mention from my Physio session is that the Physio mentioned that generally treadmills aren't recommended for running.  I have never come across this before - I had always thought that the general "give" in the treadmill was easier in the joints.  However, he was saying it isn't recommended because the fact that the treadmill comes towards you means it isn't the same action as when running on the road.  I'll need to investigate this a bit further, as I haven't come across this before.  He did say that the best use of a treadmill is stick it on the highest incline setting and walk, which is good for cardio in any case.

First gym session

I had a Physio session yesterday (my third session since being injured) and I was informed that I should be okay to go back the gym. At the Physio session I did a very light and short jog on the treadmill and had some pain, so he recommended that I not run for a while yet. He also said to start of slowly and build up gradually.

With that in mind, I completed:
- 15min walk on 15 (max) incline @ 4.8kph.
- 15min recumbent cycle @ 10kph.
- 10min cross trainer @ 10kph (felt some discomfort, so stopped)
- 2 lots of stretching

The Physio recommended leg curls for my hamstrings so I completed 2 sets of 10 reps on 25kg (which is light). I had some pain, so stopped after the two sets.

Anyway, it was good to be back and getting a sweat up, and getting my heart rate going. Much better than waking around the village anyway!

My first post - a bit about my running "career" and why I've been out for a few weeks

I am somewhat of a "reluctant runner".  In fact, it's only relatively recently that I've allowed myself to be called a "runner".  Somehow, for a lot of the time I do not "feel" like a runner - even though when I'm running I kind of look like a runner.

Up until about 5 years ago, I had hardly ran at all.  Then, at about the age of 30 something kind of crept up on me and I decided to give it ago.  I'm not saying I had the sudden urge like Forest Gump; my reason was much more simple than that - I needed to lose a bit of weight.  Before my wedding in 2005 I was of reasonable fitness and weight, but then between 2005 and 2006 I realised that I was putting on weight and decided to try and do something about it....running was the thing I decided to do.

I've hardly got a glowing career, but I completed my first Torbay Half Marathon in 2007, and completed it again in 2008 and 2009.  I then trained for and managed to complete the London Marathon in 2010 and completed the Dartmoor Vale half marathon in 2010 as well.  None of these have been great events in terms of time, but it helped keep the weight off and meant I could have a few beers and a mixed grill at the weekends without it really troubling me.  For the London Marathon, I had a separate blog, with the final entry available here.

Then, in 2011 I was entered into the Torbay Half Marathon again and 2 weeks prior I injured my back.  I'll never know now, but I was on for a PB (my current PB for the half is 1hr 55min) and I'm hoping to get back to that if possible and I still think I've got a 1hr 45min in me.  We'll see.

Since January 2011, I've also been doing some cycling and was up to about 25-30miles fairly comfortably.  There is a thought that although cycling is generally good for you, it may not be great if you have a bad back, so I'll have to continuously review how I'm feeling on the bike if/when I get back on the saddle

For the last few weeks, I've been doing lots of back stretching and also concentrating on my hamstrings which I've been told are very tight.  Tight hamstrings aren't good for a runner because they pull your hips forward, which in turn pulls your back out.

Reluctantly, I'm going to have to re-join the gym and slowly build up the fitness over the next few weeks.  I'll be blogging about how that goes....