Today I start my 100-up 30 day challenge! Basically, it's a running drill that's comprised of knee lifts. The first 100 done slowly, then the next 100 at a faster pace. The goal is to train your body not to heel strike and to develop some muscle memory for good running form.
The challenge involves doing a "before" run - a short run to assess how your body feels. Then for 30 days - every day - you do the 100-up drill. Then you do your "after" run and delight in how much better running feels! Sounds too good to be true, perhaps. But what have I got to lose?
So yesterday I did my "before" run. I set out on the trail before work in the morning and did a 3km run in warm drizzle. Actually a great start to my day. Unfortunately, I also limped home with shin splints in my right leg...
Anyhow, the run itself felt ok. Not fantastic or light and easy, but very do-able. I generally don't time my runs, but for the sake of the challenge, I turned on my Run Meter app. 2.98Km in 20:01.
As for the 100-up, today is my first drill-day and it went fine. I found the first 100 (the slower ones) a bit more challenging than the second round, but perhaps this is a sign that I was doing something wrong. I'll give it another go tomorrow and see what I figure out.
For those interested, here's a link to the article that brought this exercise to my attention.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Hobby #3. Running again.
Oh Jeez... Here we go again.
Now that summer is on it's way, and knitting/baking season has slowed, one of the greatest hobby-loves of my life is calling me back. I've been running.
My running past has been checkered, that's for sure.
Just over two years ago, I set out to train for and run a half-marathon, with the hope of running a full marathon by the time I turned 30. I didn't accomplish either, as I was plagued by various injuries including shin splints, (bad) achilles tendinopathy, and knee pain.
I've picked a bit at jogging every now and then since, but only really got serious again recently. Not because I have a race in mind, but because I miss the feeling of enjoying running. So I nagged myself into submission, and here I am. Excited, overwhelmed, and a bit terrified.
I've been out for several short runs, and besides a very brief twinge behind my left knee today, things seem ok. I'm so scared of injury and/or losing motivation, so I'm going to do things different this time.
1. No goal beyond enjoying myself. The minute I start to compete, even just with myself, I lose the ability to self-regulate, ignoring important pains and good advice. So this time, there will be no races!
2. Stay motivated. There is a decent chance that laziness is going to sneak up on me during a weak moment on a rainy, too cold, or too hot snap. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep myself motivated by reminding myself not to be a big wimpy wimp.
3. Don't get hurt. This one's the trickiest. I'm going to read up on Chi-running and try to stick to a slow-and-steady couch to 5k program. I've also decided to make the "100-up" part of my daily routine with the hope that it will help with my running form and less-than-ideal musculature.
So hopefully in a few months and years I'll be able to look back on today and feel like my re-entry in to the running world was incredibly successful. Wish me luck, and many injury-free miles!
Now that summer is on it's way, and knitting/baking season has slowed, one of the greatest hobby-loves of my life is calling me back. I've been running.
My running past has been checkered, that's for sure.
Just over two years ago, I set out to train for and run a half-marathon, with the hope of running a full marathon by the time I turned 30. I didn't accomplish either, as I was plagued by various injuries including shin splints, (bad) achilles tendinopathy, and knee pain.
I've picked a bit at jogging every now and then since, but only really got serious again recently. Not because I have a race in mind, but because I miss the feeling of enjoying running. So I nagged myself into submission, and here I am. Excited, overwhelmed, and a bit terrified.
I've been out for several short runs, and besides a very brief twinge behind my left knee today, things seem ok. I'm so scared of injury and/or losing motivation, so I'm going to do things different this time.
1. No goal beyond enjoying myself. The minute I start to compete, even just with myself, I lose the ability to self-regulate, ignoring important pains and good advice. So this time, there will be no races!
2. Stay motivated. There is a decent chance that laziness is going to sneak up on me during a weak moment on a rainy, too cold, or too hot snap. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep myself motivated by reminding myself not to be a big wimpy wimp.
3. Don't get hurt. This one's the trickiest. I'm going to read up on Chi-running and try to stick to a slow-and-steady couch to 5k program. I've also decided to make the "100-up" part of my daily routine with the hope that it will help with my running form and less-than-ideal musculature.
So hopefully in a few months and years I'll be able to look back on today and feel like my re-entry in to the running world was incredibly successful. Wish me luck, and many injury-free miles!
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