Sunday 27/6 - Bring on the Cross Training

Well, it has been a wee while since the last post. As usual, work has been hectic and I've been really busy outside work...the usual excuses. Also had a decision to make recently that will change the shape of my future...so that has been fun (not). Things are beginning to ease off now though, and I think I have worked everything out for the most part. So I'm beginning to look forward to the summer!

As for running, I've not really been doing as much as I should have...but I have loved the runs I've done. My heel has still been very sore, and I have been to the Orthotics clinic where I was told that basically one foot (left) over pronates, whilst the right under pronates. Without sounding like a joke too much, I was told that basically there is an increased risk I might just topple over to the right...yes, I was actually told this. On a more serious note though he said that's why I'm getting pain in my achilles tendon. Apparently all the muscles are being pulled round my foot to the outside because my footstrike is so far to the right...if that makes sense. Hence they are being worked a bit too hard.

So, I'm having orthotic insoles made and hopefully that will remedy things. In the meantime I have been doing a lot of swimming. I'm not really a master of swimming but generally do work quite hard for the time I'm in the pool. The other day I did 30 lengths consecutively, 20 of which were front crawl and is always a bit challenging for me with the breathing!

Run-wise, I have this:

Saturday 26/6

Time: ~1h35
Distance: 10.45miles
Pace: ~9.10 min/mile

This was really just to test whether my heel was ok or not. It was wonderfully sunny though so ended up being a nice solid run. I also ran without headphones or anything (despite running like that for the last few runs) and it was quite a liberating experience. I know there is a huge debate about running with headphones, but I generally look forward to my runs more when I have some good music to listen to enroute. Don't really get much of a chance to listen to it any other time, so I see no problem with listening to it while running.

Had to cut this run short though as we were meeting a friend to do a Cathcart circle pub crawl (oh, the joys). Did about 7 stops and had about 2 units of alcohol! Not a big drinker I must say...and when they decided to go to McDonalds for dinner myself, Derek and another one of our friends went to a restaurant to refuel properly (8

Saturday 19/6 - Support run for WHW race

Distance: 28 miles
Time: ~7h45 (plus stops)

This was one of my best runs yet, despite being some good solid hiking in some places! Derek and I drove up to Tyndrum to meet a friend from work's brother who was running the WHW race. It's his 4th year doing it but he had to stop at Kingshouse last year due to knee problems. He seemed disheartened that his sub 24 hour goal was out, but nonetheless he was surprisingly chipper throughout the whole time I was with him!

I had only planned to go to Glencoe Ski Club but we were having some great chats, and the weather was just terrific so I checked Derek was ok and kept going to Kinlochleven. Richard had quite a few people supporting including my friend from work and they were superb...always giving us food and massaging him! I didn't eat much the whole time, just a mini flapjack and a nutrigrain bar. I was STARVING when I finished! Plus the midges in Kinlochleven were appalling.

All in all I totally loved the day out, even though it was really a split between hiking and running. He did so well and went on to finish in about 25hours 50 mins. It gave me a good taste and desire to run in Devil of the Highlands...which I found out I was allocated a place in! I also thought about people who run the WHW race and how brave you need to be to do it! Even if you can't run the whole way it's still an achievement to keep on walking when all you want to do is stop. And also the fact that people will give up their whole weekends to support you is just so kind. Derek, my Mum, Dad and friend James have all offered to support me in the Devil, so thank you to them!

Hopefully I'll be able to make them all proud =D

Photos to follow!