Another couple of weeks of running have passed in my journey
to the Great North Run. When I am not running I can’t stop telling everyone how
much I love it. Then when I go out running again it always shocks me how
difficult I still find it. I talk about it so positively between runs that I
almost forget how hard it is until I start running again.
By the time I blog, the pain has gone, the endorphins have
kicked in, and I’ve had time to reflect on the whole run, therefore it usually
results in a positive blog about how great running is. I love how much running
has changed my life and how much fitter and healthier I feel, but there is no
denying that I still find it extremely difficult. Just as it begins to get a
little easier, I am pushing myself harder, and further out of my comfort zone,
in order to keep improving, therefore it never gets to a point where it is
actually easy. I started running as I wanted a challenge (and to raise money
for a very worthy cause) – and a challenge is certainly what I got! My daily calendar
really resonated with me today as it says ‘Nothing worth doing is easy’ and I couldn’t
agree more.
I’ve had a few difficult runs since I last blogged (and some
good ones too!) and I think it is just as important to reflect on both, as every
run teaches me something, even if it’s just that (even when I think I can’t) I
CAN do it.
Last week my Running Coach Steve set me a 7.5 mile run. This
was scheduled for the same day as my best friend Rachael’s run so we decided to
go out together. Rach arrived at my house straight from work and I was excited
to run with her as it has been a good few months since we went out running
together. The aim was a slow and steady run, as I was still recovering from the
Great North 10k and I didn’t want to overdo it.
That morning I saw my lovely friend Katie (a physio) and was
telling her about my painful legs. She offered to give them a little massage for
me and afterwards told me that there is nothing to be concerned about (no injuries
etc) but that a new pair of trainers would probably help the pain I have been
getting. My legs felt much lighter after the massage – the best they’ve felt in
ages!
When Rach and I first set out on our run it was raining pretty
heavy, but this didn’t put us off! In fact, we were glad of the rain to keep us
cool. You can imagine our disappointment when the rain dried up and the sun
came out! (Actually, you may only be able to imagine this if you are a runner
yourself, as the non-runner part of me still can’t believe that I sometimes complain
that the sun is shining!)
I already had my 7.5 mile route planned (as I had done it previously)
so we decided to go with this. Rach was looking forward to trying a new route and
I was looking forward to having some company.
.jpg)
As always the first couple of miles were difficult but
having Rachael with me to chatter to really helped. It’s a nice route and the
scenery is pretty, which always makes a run more enjoyable. It didn’t take long
for the sun to feel uncomfortably hot and I began to wish I had put a vest on
rather than a t-shirt.
I’ve been having trouble with pain in my calves and shins
for the last few weeks and I could feel it in every step I took (although not
as bad as previous runs due to the massage). The route we chose wasn’t flat and
it was difficult in the heat. The view of the river at Sheepwash was a pleasant
reprieve (and was also about half way through our run!). When I was running
downhill I felt like someone was kicking me in the glutes (butt cheeks) and I began
to wonder if I needed new trainers more than I previously thought. I wondered
if this could be an indication of the cushioning in my trainers being worn out
(coupled with Katie’s and Steve’s advice about new trainers too). Not one to
give up though, I kept plodding along.
About 5 miles into the run, I was really beginning to suffer
with the heat. As we approached the shops in Stakeford, I told Rachael that it
was typical that the first time I would have stopped to buy a drink was the
first time I didn’t run with a pound in my pocket. Rachael told me she had a
pound and suggested we go in to the shop to buy a cold drink (stopping our
Garmin’s first of course!)
She bought a bottle of Raspberry Lucozade Sport, and never
have I felt like I needed a drink so much! I don’t normally like to run with a
bottle, but I was extremely grateful for this one. Once feeling (a little more!)
refreshed, we started our Garmin’s again and began running again.
When we got to Stakeford bank, I managed to run down it ok
(still feeling like someone was kicking me though!) but my knee began to hurt
on the upward bank so I decided to walk rather than risk hurting my knee
further. Rach did brilliantly and ran all the way up the hill (and waited for
me at the top).
With just a mile or so to go, I was still struggling in the
heat, and my legs began to feel heavy again. At 7.2 miles I could not run
another step and told Rachael I would just walk home from here. I told her she
could run ahead and I would catch up with her at my house, by she told me that
as we’d started together, we would finish together and she walked home with me.
*True Friends*
Once home, we stretched and had some more Lucozade before
tucking in to a large portion of homemade lasagne!
It was definitely made more bearable running with Rach, and her raspberry Lucozade was very welcome on the hot run!
I was booked in for a deep tissue leg massage the day after
this (from the lady who does my monthly Indian Head Massages). Even though I’d
had a massage the previous day I decided to keep my booking. This was just what
I needed, although slightly painful in parts, it made my legs feel much better.
She said the same as Katie about there being nothing to worry about in terms of
injury, just that there’s a little fluid around my ankles which could be attributed
to needing new trainers. I went home and had a cold bath and put ice on my
ankles for 20 minutes afterwards and my legs felt as good as new!
