Wednesday. 5:12am
It’s dark in the bedroom.The faint light emitted by the display of a cell phone illuminates the inside of a small closet. A guy is fumbling around in a drawer with socks, apparently not finding what he needs.
He’s acting quietly, only two steps away from a bed. One side of the bed is still warm, the other side is still in use.
After rummaging around some more, they guy picks up a pair of socks and quietly leaves the room.
I’ve been running for a three weeks again, training to finish half a marathon in the autumn this year. Last Wednesday during my run I learned a couple of things. One of them is that improper socks increase the chance of blisters (ouch).
Over the past four runs I have increased both my distance and speed on every run:
- 3.5 km | 21:19 | 9.8 km/h
- 4.2 km | 25:30 | 9.9 km/h
- 5.0 km | 29:55 | 10.0 km/h
- 6.1 km | 35:28 | 10.3 km/h
That’s really encouraging, but I should look out for getting overly confident. As you can see in the increase in distance, well even that increasing. First 0.7 km more, then 0.8 km and even 1.1 km on the last run. At this pace, I’ll be running marathons in a matter of weeks! (yes, that’s overconfident)
During that run though, my body was giving me signals. My stamina was not a problem, but my right knee was protesting a little. I noticed a faint irritation, a muscle maybe. Somewhat later, I began to realize that I was developing a blister on one of my toes on my right foot. Hmm, the right side again.
This week I began reading a new book Stupid, Ugly, Unlucky and Rich: Spike’s Guide to Success
Later that day, my ankle started sending me messages as well. The right ankle. Right again…
Stop right there, Lodewijk! Your body is sending messages, stop and listen, it usually has something meaningful to tell you.
The knee and the ankle.
They show faint feelings of irritation. Nothing serious, will cure with some rest. The solution is to ease the schedule a bit. Don’t overdue it, is what they try to teach me.
All irritations on the right side.
This is a sign of improper technique I guess. I’m not dividing the strain evenly over all parts of my body. Something to focus on in the next run, maybe even find someone who can train me proper technique.
Blisters.
They tell me to use proper equipment. Not regular socks, but socks made for running. Not tennis shoes, but running shoes. Yeah, I knew this but ignored it anyway. Not smart…thank you blisters.
The messages are only warnings, no injuries…yet.
Warning that I may be pushing too hard. So besides getting the right attitude and right equipment, it’s also time to learn some more about training schedules for marathons. After all, I don’t want to get injured by ignorance.
Time to learn something from the people who did this before. Successfully.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Lode,
I love this post today, you and I are on the same path, as you will see in my post tomorrow. I, too, heard my body’s warning and listened.
Yet – we will do this.
Thanks for the words today.
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays – the coward. no kleenex required.
Lodewijk, I have learned to listen to those subtle warning signs after paying the price for ignoring them in the past. I have increased mileage more than the recommended 10% per week only to have to back it off a couple of weeks later because I injured myself. Socks and shoes make a big difference. There’s a wide range of socks from thick to thin and you’ll have to find what works for you. I also highly recommend Body Glide for any spots prone to blisters or chapping. Happy trails my friend!
Karen
Karen Swims last blog post..Strap on Your Heels and Take a Step Toward Your Dreams
Karen,
I hear you, and I know better. But sometimes, the temptation is there…
oh well, we learn each time.
You know, I thought I had subscribed to your blog! Dang. Well, all fixed now – I can get news feeds from Wonder Woman
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays – the coward. no kleenex required.
@Brett
I know that for sure, because determination is something we share. But determination doesn’t mean at all cost. Determination and common sense can be really good friends!
We will do it
I look forward to your post tomorrow.
@Karen
I found the 10% rule in many places that write about running. Something well worth considering, even as a beginner (or especially as a beginner?!).
I found there was a gap in training schedules though. The beginner schedules I found start with a 10 weeks with the goal of running for 20 minutes… right. The intermediate schedules (5k, 10k) started by stating that you should have 6 months of training experience already. I’m right there in the middle, no experience, but I can do the 20 minutes already :-/
I’ll look into Body Glide. There are places I definitely don’t want blisters!
@Lode,
I hear you. Determination, tempered by common sense. For myself, I already had the cardio ability from my other exercise programs. I just need to train my legs and feet because of the unusual approach I have taken – right out of the gate I could already do 20 minutes, or more – my heart & lungs could handle it.
But injury isn’t something we want!
Or blisters…
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays – the coward. no kleenex required.
This reminds me of when I was dancing seven days a week… we always wanted to push ourselves and get better, but at the same time we had to learn to listen to our bodies or risk not being able to perform because the injuries just get worse!
Allisons last blog post..Spicy Hamachi Gunkan Maki
Take it easy man! The Gita says there is no good and evil in the universe. There is only action and reaction. People do not suffer for misdeeds. They pay the price for ignorance.
Not a comment on you of course.
Just thought it needed mentioning here.
vimohs last blog post..What do you feed your genie?
My favorite running socks:
http://www.thorlo.com/
Dave Navarros last blog post..Why Failure Costs Nothing And Success Can Steal Everything
In 2002, I was training for what was supposed to be my first marathon. I pushed myself very hard and ended up with a stress fracture in my foot 45 days before the event. You’re wise to listen to your body. Listen harder still.
Jamie Grove – How Not To Writes last blog post..How to Use Writer’s Block to Fuel Your Writing
@Allison: Seven days a week? Wow! Shouldn’t you give your body some rest on at least one day a week?
@vimoh: That’s an intruiging comment
I’ll think about that on my next run…
@Dave: Thanks for the tip Dave. Gonna buy my gear this week.
@Jamie: That sucks. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to prevent. Both by setting only half a marathon as a goal, instead of a full one, and by using a decent training schedule. Pushing yourself is a good thing, as long as you don’t push too far.
Did you run your first marathon at another time?
@Lodewijk Not yet. The stress fracture dogged me for over a year. I’d get “better” and then I’d push it too far and hurt myself again.
Eventually, I got so discouraged that running became something I did once in awhile and then not at all. Running was such a huge part of my life for several years and then it just seemed to evaporate.
I think those last two sentences are instructional for most pursuits in life. Just take out the word “running” and replace it with the activity that drives you day in and day out.
This can happen to anyone. It speaks to the importance of having clear goals and learning to have patience when dealing with stumbling blocks.
Of course, it might just be that I’m spectacularly lazy.
A friend of mine just started training to run a marathon in 2009. He lives in Beijing and the pollution is so thick he has to wear a mask. When he finished his runs, his shirt is stained brown.
His dedication has inspired me to start running again, but this time I’m focused developing the manageable goals.
Jamie Grove – How Not To Writes last blog post..How to Use Writer’s Block to Fuel Your Writing
@Jamie: I’ve read about the typical runner injuries. Some of them can be very nasty, definitely want to prevent them.
I’m only running for a short while now, and it has already taught me quite some valuable lessons on many aspects of life. And while running thoughts just seem to flow and let things fall into place. Now if running in itself isn’t addictive, that side effect surely is!
I have noticed that I’m a warm weather runner. I don’t particularly like or dislike rain, but when the temperature gets too cold, I get trouble breathing. The story about your friend in Beijing reminded me of that! Masks while running, than you really need to have persistence and dedication!