This time around I've been documenting every run in a little journal. I would really recommend this if you're starting out as It is so satisfying seeing your pace, distance and time improve!
Day 2
So today the run was in many ways, a lot better. My pace was a lot better-a lot more regular, and slightly faster. I also decided that my first run was indeed way to ambitious, not in pace, or length, but in choice of route. I picked potentially the hilliest route I could have on that first run and it was just too much. So biggest tip, if you’re starting out- pick a nice flat route. However saying that, hill training pretty much saved me the first time round so hills are good in the right context- nice and slow, and for a short period of time.[1]
The temperature was gorgeous which really helped and my tunes were really on point. Overall, feeling pretty good about that run. I still felt like I was dying for the rest of the day but I’m assuming (more like praying) that that feeling will go away with time.
Day 3
Todays run was amazing. Seriously amazing. I delayed going for a run until about 10 o’clock which is v late for me (in semester time I run at about 5 am no joke) because I’m trying to be sensible and catch up on sleep, both for mental and physical reasons. As I was tying up my new Christmas present running trainers (See the link below for the website where I buy all my shoes, they’re relatively cheap and v good quality) when my mum came in from her run (yes, we are that family) saying it was incredibly icy outside and she was slipping all over the place.[2]
Also little side note quickly about shoes. You should be replacing your running trainers every 300-400 miles- which for me works out to about every 5-6 months. According to my physio, a big reason why I got injured is because I didn’t replace these trainers quick enough because I’m a poor poor student. Please look after your feet-it’s the only thing you pay for in running and it’s SO not worth getting injured over it.[3]
Now this made me extremely nervous for many reasons. Firstly, my friends know me as one of the clumsiest people on this earth, so I have a tendency to fall over a lot. Therefore, ice is not my friend. However more importantly, I’m healing from an injury. If I was to fall on my foot now It would probably break again as it’s still relatively tender. And I’ve not got time to take another 3 months out. Equally, knowing me, I would probably crack my head open or something, and at best make a twat out of myself in front of the one fit boy in the whole of Cullompton. So I debated whether I should go and eventually came to the conclusion that in Edinburgh it’s icy and cold for about 8 months out of the year so I would have to just get used to it.
I tentatively stepped outside and for the first 5-10 minutes, all was well. I was really enjoying the run- the temperature was perfect and my pace was much better so I was feeling pretty good. My legs were dying from the lactic acid but again this has become a bit of a norm for me so it didn’t bother me that much. However, as I ran up the hill past our town’s rugby club, I slipped and almost fell on my arse. Luckily, my many years of ballet and dance training suddenly decided to make an appearance in this moment and I managed to turn what could have been a pretty serious injury into a rather exotic movement and managed to save myself.
I debated turning around but by this point I was about half way through the route anyway so decided it would make more sense to just take it nice and slow and finish the route. From then on I was pretty much okay apart from the occasional slip and slide. And I felt good. I hit 3 and a half miles and felt like I could’ve continued, which Is the most important thing. And mentally I felt incredible.
On day 4 I will be taking a rest day to ensure I don’t push myself too hard. I also know I need to do some sort of cross training to prevent injury again, but my cross training would normally be my swimming and that’s obviously not an option at the moment. But we shall see.[4]
Hope everyone’s new year is going well. But a little reminder, just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean you need to create a ‘new you’ or have super productive days. I know I always feel pressure to ‘start the new year off right’ but actually, it’s just another day. It’s just another thing self imposed by the human race. And as long as you’re feeling good and healthy and most importantly, mentally strong- who cares if you’re not having super productive days. I count getting out of bed at the moment as productive, as it’s such a stressful and worrying time.
E x
[1] 10 best hill training workouts (runnersworld.com)
[2] Running Shoes, Clothing & Equipment | SportsShoes.com
[3] When Should You Replace Your Running Trainers? | Race at your Pace
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