Fight through all that stands in your way...
As per my home page, I had put on weight and gone up to size hippo. Running although very good for you also has it's fair share of "Walls" and "barriers" that may make the average person give up before they achieve their goal whether it is losing weight, getting fitter, doing a race or something else. I have always thought of myself as an "average" person, that was until I started this mission to get myself through the London Marathon and to lose 3-4 stone. I am not giving up this time! So far, so good!
Barriers overcome so far:
1) Compartment syndrome - tight painful calves that prevent you from running. (Reason, may of been too much to soon; but soon seemed to be fixed with better fitted shoes and changing inclines/pace). May - June 2008.
2) Old twisted ankle injury - still hurts from time to time, but seems to be better these days. Ongoing.
3) Frost-bite! On the night before my first race in 2008 my ankle was playing up! It really hurt, but I was determined to complete my race so on the way there in the car I placed a little ice gel pack over my socks to help it. However I left it on a bit too long and it caused frost-bite! I still have a scar to show for my 1st race! Since then if I use ice, I only put it on for a few minutes and then take it off! The lessons we learn...
4) The two mile struggle! For the first few months I seemed to really struggle in the first two miles, it seemed like it went on forever. Even though I did longer runs than this I had this mental barrier that kept telling me I can't run without slowing down after this distance. Now I can run for 10-18 miles without slowing! It is fitness levels and most importantly mind over matter - train it and you can do anything!
5) Blisters on toes and under toenails/Black toenails. Sounds lovely doesn't it! (Reasons - many from shoes that were too small to socks and downhill running). July - November ish. Tried various things from bigger shoes, different socks, different lacing methods. Lost a couple of nails on the way! (New ones under though so that was ok). Now they seem to be better and I think my feet are beginning to get tougher!
6) Dehydration - I have never been much of a water drinker, but now I feel like I drink loads of it! On a couple of longer runs I have got dehydrated even though I was drinking what I thought was enough. I have now learnt to recognize what I need and to react quickly when I need to. This one is very important to those of you that run or intend to!
8) Fuel - It was trial and error to get the right mix of food before and after running. I now eat more than I used to and I am still losing weight - yay! I also now eat breakfast without fail, used to skip that!
9) Chafing! Enough said really! However even elite athletes get it! Solved by losing weight and applying bodyglide/compeed/vaseline (with aloe). It was the hardest thing to continue running with, however I hardly get any now!
10) Tendon pulling feeling back of my knee - This one is a new one! It seems to get better once warmed up. Could be due to the cold weather. We shall see! It was fine on todays run! I now sometimes wear knee straps of which seem to be working wonders!
11) Weather! Since May there has been heat waves, rain, wind, cold, ice, snow and frost! I have to say though that this all makes running outside more interesting! My 1st 1/2 marathon was on one of the hottest days! That was tough. So was the Wales 10k of which I got sunburnt on the lower half of my legs (3/4 trousers) and dehydration (mostly due to the water stations near the end running out of water)! Also on the way to the Nike 10k There was thunder and lightning! The race itself was pouring down with rain and at night! I have to say though, I quite enjoyed that! What I can't stand though is the wind! Esp. when it is cold and raining as well. Ice, snow and frost are ok, I just wear more layers and take smaller steps so that I don't fall over. I also do some indoor runs on my treadmill, but that died a few weeks ago so I was forced to run in the ice. I am now glad as I no longer feel like a hamster on a wheel! I have had the treadmill fixed now, so will only use it for the very short runs or if the weather is very windy/stormy.
Some days you don't feel like running; but you have to get out there and do it anyway! Once you have finished your run you feel like you have done something worth while! Today was a prime example! It was hammering down with rain, but got out there and did it.
12) Whilst doing exercise is good for you, my increased mileage means more sweat, more sweat = spots on face! Aghhhh Trying everything to combat this! Washing face before an straight after running. Also using tea tree oil, seems to be helping a bit! May have to get one of those 80's headbands to stop it dripping! Neon maybe? :)
