THE SECRET DIARY OF A RELUCTANT RUNNER

Monday June 1st - 2009

Whose idea was it to put the Auckland Marathon in October??
I mean did they not think about the agony of training over an Auckland winter??  Who are these people who set the dates for such events? 
I am pretty sure they can't have very warm houses ‘cos who in their right mind would trade the snugly warmth of a feather down duvet for the blistering wet cold of Victoria park at 6am...???

What am I doing?? Oh yeah that's right I made the fatal mistake of watching ‘The Spirit of the Marathon' movie and fancying myself a Deena Kastor protégé! 
Why is it that it always looks so easy?

So here I am 6 weeks into a beginner runner programme and feeling rather grumpy that I am still hating getting out of bed to train, that my decrepit lungs still can't seem to find enough air (how hard is it to breathe?) and that I haven't progressed any further that a 5:1 run ratio...

But hey - I know what a run ratio is, I know what a dynamic warm up is and what the 5 week plateau is all about... I also know about engaging my butt, feeling my sacrum and allowing momentum to do all the work for me... (Actually I have to say this Claire that thing about momentum making running easy is really rubbish... I mean you still have to lift your legs up right??)

Yes I know a lot about running now cos I wanted to make sure I did everything the right way... now I just have to get my sorry butt out there enough times in one week to actually see a difference!!


Monday June 8th - 2009

Maybe this should really be called the diary of a reluctant writer - I am finding some alarming similarities between having to write this diary and having to do my runs...and some alarming similarities to my old university days of avoiding assignments at all costs!

Ah yes when I agreed to write about my efforts to run a half marathon it was with some excitement that I dreamt of the weeks ahead.  I would report of my fabulous advancement as a runner - knocking off 8ks then 15ks then 20ks with my perfect form and injury free movement... and the fun, oh the fun to write about myself crossing that finish line!!

But as I watched the mixture of bodies cross the finish line at the Xterra Trail Run yesterday I realised that there was a yawning chasm of time and effort between my own finish line fantasies and where I am at right now.

It made realise just how  inspiring it is to do any event let alone some of the events the runners there yesterday do as a matter of course... What does it take to be one of them?  Time to ask... Keith, Deidre, Vince, Vanessa... what does it take to be you??  Are you any different from me?

I suspect not... I know for sure they don't necessarily come from sporty backgrounds, most of them have full time desk jobs, children, a history of weight problems or general sedentary lifestyle... but here they are now popping out on a Sunday morning to skip across 15ks of rugged off road terrain...and that's just a training run!

What does it take?? I am going to find out .. cos this time I want to be there too...Xterra Trail Run Series - from Total Sport

Monday June 15th - 2009

Wow oh wow I have the answer!  I spent last week asking friends and clients - what does it take to be a runner - a real runner??  You know the type who thinks nothing of running 15ks on a rainy Sunday, mud and sweat and actually call it 'fun'....

Thanks to my helpful running mentor who shall remain anonymous I have the answer.

It's kind of the holy grail of fitness... the meaning of life... the answer is.... 42!!  

No just kidding - the answer is....

To become a real runner you have to believe you 'are a runner'...
You have to wake up in the morning and live and be the concept
'I am a runner'
You have to identify yourself as a runner, it is part of the crux of who you are - it is who you are.  

'I am a runner' - I have to be able to say it and not go all squirmy and feel a little foolish cos I so obviously don't look like a runner

Cripes I can see this needs some work... But after hearing those golden words I tried them out on my next run and it worked!  I woke up Thursday morning with the words firmly marching through my head, dragged butt out of warm bed, hauled on trainers etc and ran a full 30 minutes non stop with fully functioning lungs, not a gasp in sight...!  I think there is something in this...

"I am a runner", simple really - "I am a runner" - repeat 15 times

I am a runner........
I am a runner..........
I am a runner.............
I am a runner!!!!

Exclamation marks help hammer it home... but I am a true believer in faking it till I make it.. I know it works.. time will tell...another run tomorrow morning.. storms brewing, rain lashing... BUT I AM A RUNNER!

Monday 22nd June

Hey ho what a week!  It started out sooo good!  My first long run- 40 minutes with only 2 tiny stops and not because I was breathless - no, more because I was bored... hmm but still I did it - and then I promptly woke up the next morning with a stiff neck and was grumpy all day!

I blame Claire - its her fault for teaching us about how important the upper body is in running...

Being the swotty student that I am I spent the following 7 days concentrating hard on where my arms were, swinging as pendulums from my shoulder joint, not crossing the mid line, relaxed neck, pull back, swing forward... I'm great I am totally getting this new style... its amazing the difference it makes, no more swingy hips, I truly am channelling Cameron Brown! 

And then I wake up on weds with a gammy neck!  One fabulous massage from Ross and I am in better spirits but still not 100%... took Thursday off - ran again on Sunday... (was supposed to be Saturday but felt rougher than the proverbial)

And wow Sunday's run was my first 5ks - and it included a hill - Curran Street you are mine!  I stopped once - and conquered approximately 2/3 of the hill...I am stoked! 

Roll on more lovely weather... and lighter mornings - the shortest day has passed!

People or businesses mentioned in this diary
Claire Smith - Runner rehab groups - email

Monday 29th of June

Well I have done it!  When I started Claire Smith's 12 week beginner runner group my goal was to comfortably run 5ks by the end - and I have - I am running 5ks and have even added hills!  Yay!! 

Ok so its taken 12 whole weeks to achieve just 5ks, but I'm ok with that - I am all about being the tortoise, there is no hurry to a lifetime of running.  My main aim was to enjoy running and to remain injury free, so mission accomplished thanks Claire! 

Now I am ready to advance into the real McCoy, serious running training.  August 1st is the start of the 12 week build up to AK Marathon so I still have a few weeks up my sleeve to creep up to 8ks... quite exciting really.

My only slight bummer is that I missed out on an entry to the marathon... eeek!!! but hey its ok I am sure I will get there, even if I have to fake a hand written number and lose myself in the masses... just kidding!   I sooo want to be filmed at the finish line.  I was chatting to some seasoned marathoners who are training with Gaz this year, they said we get videoed crossing the line, OMG I can see it now, hands in the air, oh the joy, the emotion of actually finishing... that's what I love.  I see it time and again the sheer elation that people have when they finish even a 5k race is truly inspiring. 

This is what will get me up this week - cos to be honest that pelting rain this morning only served to keep me in bed longer, and strangely enough the only internal dialogue I could hear was 'I am warm and dry and want to stay that way'  .... oh well my fleet footed runner will just have to save herself for our last group session tomorrow...then Thursday we are all on!

Ooo check out my first foray into maymyrun! 
http://nz.mapometer.com/en/running/route_194531.html

Monday 6th of July

Woo hoo I made it - all the way up Curran Street that is.. yes my ‘big' run this morning - and I ran the full monty - (ok I did stop once but caught my breath and continued running) - so effectively ran the WHOLE way... I just won't mention the old guy in tweed who walked up the hill faster than me... L

Still, Claire says that speed will come soon.... So here I am on the precipice of another week - I have mapped myself a new longer run and will venture forth on Tuesday.

Only one little niggle - but otherwise my bod feels great - Deney had me doing some funky stuff in the studio on weds - it was so much fun!  Kind of odd for this 37 year old to find herself doing backward rolls and jumping up and down... but a good giggle nevertheless... Im not kidding I was actually doing backward rolls and attempting to leap to my feet with all the grace of a wounded hippo...

Deney is my trainer - with an endless supply of sometimes fun and sometimes bloody awful exercises to kill me with each week!

The goal - to keep the bod injury free and strong - core and glute exercises that are designed to make me run further faster, better... but actually I just like em cos they make my tummy flat and my butt pert...!  But that's not what it's all about!!  No we are all about function - if good looks come too that's just an added bonus.

So here is my battle plan to marathon:

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekend - run lots
• Saturday join Gaz and GetRunning crew for inspiration and excuse to eat cake
• Weds and Friday Deney hammers my wobbly bits into sleek strong machine of running fabulousness
• Thursday avo - Ellen smoothes my wobbly bits, takes away my pain and generally makes me feel great - (actually during the sessions can be bloody awful - but after - its all good!)
• Occasional Sundays - do an event... Xterra Trail run in August??

My latest run - first go tomorrow http://nz.mapometer.com/en/running/route_194953.html

Monday July 27th

Gammy Hips indeed!

Well I'm feeling pretty positive about my old hips - went to see Vaughan Craddock a physio who specialises in runners and is based in Remuera.  Had heard many a good thing about him but am always a little weary of ACC phsyios - its just the whole 15 minute appointment thing you know?  Its not long enough! 

But I must say Vaughan actually spent a whole 30mins on me and was so onto it he managed to suss out what was happening and explain it all to me and get me on a plan to recovery!  It was brilliant - Ellen came with me so she would know what to work on at this end and I must admit we were actually doing a bit of secret spying... it's always good to suss out the great practitioners to learn some more! 

So am armed with a series of followup appointments and the instructions to continue running and exercising only if my pain level is below 3/10.  So tuesday morning I am outy again and hope to be able to last 5ks!  Ellen will keep the soft tissue work going too and together we will mold me into the running machine I know I can be!!

Keith suggested I start aqua jogging - but I will see how my road jogging goes first... can't quite get my head into having to hit a smelly old pool and tread water for 40 minutes!  Eeek!  yes I know it would be great for the purposes of research... many a marathon runner has had to suffer the indignity of paddling away with a giant flutter board tied around their waist all in the name of injury recovery.  Previously I have nodded with sympathy but no real understanding of what they must be going through. 

But it happens - the cycle of training, injury and recovery is ongoing, we are variable creatures, our bodies are swayed by so many factors.  From how we run, our gait, our biomechanics, from the stuff we do every day - like sitting at a desk, to the stress we put ourselves under - all these factors will influence our potential for injury. 

We call it the wellness cycle - and the quicker you accept and understand that it is cyclical the quicker you will recover and move forward with your goals.  What am I saying? 

If you have injured for whatever reason it's OK... get the right advice and follow it - we are here to help get you back on the road to greatness! 

And on that note roll on my training programme - thanks Claire!!

Monday August 10th

Being a bit wussy?
Gosh its terrifying how quickly the weeks can slip by while I am still trying to arrange alternative exercise arrangements...managed to run on tuesday last week - my body felt great... except for the hip pain!!  And was the pain over 3/10 or not quite?  Who's pain scale should I be going by?  I'm not sure if I am being staunch or a big wuss...

Speaking to other runners and I fear I am being a bit of a wuss... but Vaughan (physio) said no to anything over 3/10 on my pain scale... that was during and after running... so that meant the rest of the week was out. 

But it's an interesting concept isnt it?  I am positive the majority of runners actually run in pain 90% of the time.. it certainly sounds that way... one of our clients laughed at me when I told her my run was great - except for the pain - she said 'spoken like a true runner!' 

So is that how it has to be?  I'm not certain that running 6ks qualifies me for the 'running through pain at all costs' level of athlete.  I mean if its painful at 6ks what will it be like at 20ks??

So I have a sneaky suspicion I am sitting in the 'wuss' category... hmm ok so this week I am going to run like a true runner.. pain or not! 

I am armed with 12 weeks to 'D' day, a brilliant programme put together by Claire, and daily exercises and stretches to sort out my hip.

So far have done my daily exercises every second day...this is a minor miracle for me and I am expecting great results...

Will I make it to the pool this week?  Maybe.. if my attempt to be a toughend hardcore runner fails.. I have to get going again or it will all be too late!  Its bloody hard juggling it all though isnt it??

Just have to think of that finish line - oh the glory!!

Monday August 24th, 2009

Still no running but have been diligently 'cross-training' to make sure this old bod keeps firing.  I may even have found a new sport...Tennis is a great game and after 4 games last week I am feeling pretty fine - yes may have even be tempted out again this week. 

My hips are way better - no pain with walking now, and the tennis only flared them up a little..

So what is the actual cause of my gammy hips?

Part 1 - Hip pain for runners - what is it from??

There are loads of potential injuries we runners are vulnerable to, but the majority of them come down to 2 basic things:
1. Poor biomechanics
2. Unstable or imbalanced core muscles

1. Poor Biomechanics - what does this mean?  Your biomechanics are the way you use your body in everyday life. Think of the way you run, how each foot lands, what happens when you swing your arms, how your weight is distributed.  Think about what you do every single day, do you sit all day, how do you walk, what actions you use on a regular basis, eg picking up children or hunching over a laptop.  And think about who you are and what your body looks like as compared to others - eg are you on the heavy side or are you a feather weight, were you very tall at a young age (and hence stooped to the level of others) and are you male or female?
All these factors will influence your biomechanics and have an effect on how you run.  They can also lead to:

2. Unstable or imbalanced core muscles

For me - I have spent the better part of 8 years standing over a massage table, mostly on the left side so my strong right arm can do all the heavy work - consequently I have rotated hips, a very well developed right side torso, tight hip flexors on the right side and (as with almost all of us) weak Glute medius'!!!  I am female which makes me vulnerable to weaker glutes than blokes, (but thats no excuse!) when not massaging I have been sat for hours at a desk. 

Sitting at desk = tight hip flexors, weak glutes, weak abdominals, weak lower back - all of which have switched off!  (sound familiar?)

Other factors are: I am a middle weight body type - meaning I have to lug a fair amount around, all that added weight will effect the impact on my joints and their ability to hold stable.  Picture your top level long distance runner - most of them are as light as a feather - light on thier feet, light on their joints
This does not mean that I am too heavy to run - it is simply another factor - and if I am serious about continuing to run I will need to take into account keeping my weight in check.

Next week - I will look at how unstable hips can cause Knee Pain, and other factors of Knee injuries

And hopefully I will be running again!!!!
:)



Monday August 31st

Oh man after such a promising start last week - my first pain free run on Weds - oh the joy, oh the heightened expectation - only to fall in a heap on Friday as my follow up run fell apart. 

I don't get it - I mean I get what is actually wrong, imbalanced and out of whack with my body but I don't get that it is taking so long to get better! 

All around me I am seeing people who look far less capable than me...they are training for full marathons, and they look like they have barely lifted a finger let alone a butt muscle in the last 10 years!!  Why is it so easy for some and so bl**dy hard for others!!??

We had a client in the other day - one of my favourites - she is training for a marathon - her first and possibly only, but she has torn her Quad muscle - and her chances of running the full marathon are dropping by the day.  She is devastated - she, like me has been doing all the right things - core strength, running to a set plan, regular weekly massages, sees a physio at the earliest sign of injury - all the stuff we are 'supposed' to do... but still she has injured. 

So why??

A very wise Physio said we weekend warriors are so impatient when it comes to injury - we present our old and broken bodies, and expect them to fix in 2 days or 2 weeks flat!  The elite athletes are far more accepting of what injury means and just what it takes to get back to fitness again.

And we weekenders start off on the back foot too - I mean what did you do in your twenties?  My idea of fitness was who could run to the pub the fastest, how much dancing I could do in 5 hours and how quickly I could get my backpack onto the bus!

And here I am in the latter part of my 30's deciding that I need a new challenge in my life, hey I have always been a bit sporty, why not try running - it seems like a good gig..

I know I know I know - all of the above but it doesnt make it any easier to swallow - and my friend above - at least she made it to running half marathons!  I haven't even made it past the first water stop!!

Sigh.... seeing Vaughan tomorrow - here's hoping for miracles....




Monday September 7th

7 Weeks to go now - that's to the Auckland Marathon - unreal isn't it how quickly those weeks go by.  And I have to fess up to the rather dull fact that I won't be running it, nope it is not my destiny to cross the bridge, to feel the joy of finishing, the thrill of achievement, nope I am no longer even a reluctant runner - I am just not a runner...

BUT I want to be a runner, I want I want I want!!! I was hoping for quick miracles, but there is no magic pill.  So now I am left with the decision - do I want to run at all?  Why don't I just be a cyclist or a gym bunny, or a swimmer or a couch potato for that matter...

Running is just so easy though and it is such a quick high - pull on the shoes, head out the door and you are off.  The more I can't the more I want to...

So my decision is this:
I do want to run, I want to complete at least 1 half marathon before I am 40 (3 years to go)
I want to get my hips sorted now while I am relatively young - just in case they get really bad when I am old!!
I want to run for general fitness - so that should I choose to do a triathlon or off road run I can at will, cos I will already be a daily runner.

My Plan:
Continue with Vaughan - do my exercises, be a good girl!
Start core strength training with Ellen - 1 x weekly
Weekly Pilates class with Lucy at Bodyneed on a Thursday

Eccentric Strengthening - the buzz word of the noughties - it's all about strengthening an elongated muscle, like when you run - your leg reaches forward and the hamstring is extended out, then your whole weight is taken by your foot with your hamstring and glutes in a stretched position.  If those muscles are not strong when long they will not be able to sustain your weight and other areas will take the impact - most usually - your IT Band and hip and knee joints.  The result - hip and knee injury!!

This week marks a new direction - its spring and I am feeling the motivation of sun - maybe I will do Kerikeri half instead - or even an off road run early next year... hmm

Monday October 19th

Above or Below that's the question...

As I write this I am recovering from a weekend of catching up with freinds and the inevitable boozing that went with it... My poor old liver is a shade worse for wear and once again I awoke this morning swearing black and blue that now is the time to get my bod, life, health and wellbeing into line - or should I say above the line! 

The last month has seen me completely lose my focus.  And I must confess to behaving below the line almost constantly when it comes to my fitness.  As Ellen was unwell the past 2 fridays she cancelled our training sessions and instead of putting in some time on my own I just let everything drop! What kind of accountability is that??

So my head is feeling clearer and we have pinned this mantra to the staff room wall.  Time to step above that line and take some ownership of my own wellbeing.

Step 1: Save the wine for the weekends, its a lovely treat to be enjoiyed in moderation!
Step 2: Schedule in 2 Personal Training sessions per week - 1 with Ellen and 1 on my own
Step 3: See Ree for physio to continue working on my hip
Step 4: Do my rehab exercises and self massage everyday
Step 4: Start my running again in baby steps
Step 6: Dust off the mountain bikes and hit the hills!
Step 7: Enjoy the bliss of 2 day weekends and the coming summer!
Step 8: Refer to exercise below every day to ensure I stick to the plan

Ownership
Accountability
Responsibility
THE LINE THE LINE THE LINE THE LINE
Blame
Excuses
Denial


Tuesday October 27th

Final Words Before Your Big Day

As I write this I am wishing I was there with you.

The nerves, the excitment, the planning the questions and the startline. How will I feel? How will I do? Where will I go? How does it feel?

The funny thing is........there's nearly 10 thousand other runners in the same 'boat' as you, asking the exact same questions! (and more..)

No one know's how you will do on the day but one things for sure -
You will run your own race,
You will be surrounded by other runners from time to time,
You will be running, drift off and think about other stuff,
You will get passed,
You will pass others,
You will get a chance to run over the harbour bridge,
You will go through stages of doubt
You will go through stages of regret

Sunday November 1st

Well that was it - you did it - be it the half or the full marathon.... my humblest but proud congratulations to you!

As I wandered through the crowds this morning in Vic Park it seemed like an eon ago that I started this journey of (non) marathon training.  Gosh how 12 weeks will fly by and yet seem soooo long. 

I have met runners of all shapes and sizes with so many different stories. 
One thing has stood out for me along the way -
'there is a steely resilience that maketh the marathon runner' - something that is quite different from the rest of us. 

You know the hell of 5am mornings through the depths of winter, you run no matter what, you push through pain that us mortals can only guess at, your excuses are few and your determination is gritty. 
You dont suffer the flimsy protestations of the rest of us, not for you the excuse of too busy, to much work or too little time...

You truly are A RUNNER - you can take that label and wear it with pride because no matter what it's a label that is really only deserved by very few.  I tried to wear it and, like a jumper my nana knitted me, it never really fit.

So this is my farewell for now - this time round I have not achieved that highest of accolades but I am not hanging up my running shoes just yet... 

I want to say thank you for your amazing inspiration - it has been an absolute pleasure working with you all!

Bye for now - your humble and (still) reluctant runner... x