Everything felt achy this morning.
300 stair sprints 60 minutes
3 miles of run/walk - not strong at all!
I will say this about myself though - Quitting hurts more than dragging my sorry ass to the finish!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Able and Willing....
I run until my legs ache, my head gets cloudy, and my vision blurs. Then I turn around and I run back. Simply put, I run because I MUST-it's not that I physically couldn't live without running, it's that I WON'T (mentally, I'd be dead). Runners-and only runners-understand; it's in the idea that when you schedule an 18 mile day, 16 miles just won't cut it.
If my legs give out, my arms will pull me; if my arms give up, my teeth will drag me. It's just my destiny, and it's destiny that makes the root of destination. Success and completion are the only options for us. You see, it's when you get to the point that you're willing to nearly kill yourself WHILE you're running, that makes you realize you'll kill yourself if you DON'T.
Running gives such a sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT too-food and drink taste better, movies and any other "sit around entertainment" feel more deserved, and when people tell you you're crazy? "Yeah... (with a smile) I guess I kind of AM.."
I may give off an air of invincibility. To be honest, I was in excruciating physical pain in the early hours of Sunday. I was totally unprepared. If the race took place a week prior, it would have been better. Since "would have" has never been in my dictionary, I will let results do the talking. One thing I have realised though, after overcoming that kind of pain, my runs after that have been SO much better. I am mentally stronger and actually feel....invincible. Does that make sense?
Anyway, another strong morning. 10.5 miles in 85 minutes followed by 80 sprints along the staircase.
If my legs give out, my arms will pull me; if my arms give up, my teeth will drag me. It's just my destiny, and it's destiny that makes the root of destination. Success and completion are the only options for us. You see, it's when you get to the point that you're willing to nearly kill yourself WHILE you're running, that makes you realize you'll kill yourself if you DON'T.
Running gives such a sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT too-food and drink taste better, movies and any other "sit around entertainment" feel more deserved, and when people tell you you're crazy? "Yeah... (with a smile) I guess I kind of AM.."
I may give off an air of invincibility. To be honest, I was in excruciating physical pain in the early hours of Sunday. I was totally unprepared. If the race took place a week prior, it would have been better. Since "would have" has never been in my dictionary, I will let results do the talking. One thing I have realised though, after overcoming that kind of pain, my runs after that have been SO much better. I am mentally stronger and actually feel....invincible. Does that make sense?
Anyway, another strong morning. 10.5 miles in 85 minutes followed by 80 sprints along the staircase.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Slowly getting it back!
I love starting my day like this - an ideal morning. Left at 3:58am for a long one. The route I take wasnt well-lit this morning at all and it just felt unsafe. Instead of an out and back, I decided to break it up into 5-4-3. A total of 12 miles.
I was back by 5:54 - an average of a 10min/mile - nice, slow and easy. I feel great!
I was back by 5:54 - an average of a 10min/mile - nice, slow and easy. I feel great!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Day 2 of recovery
I did a recovery run today based on time rather than distance. The base of my feet is the only part of my body that feels "different". It is just very tender - and I dont want to aggravate my PF again.
42 very slow minutes - this included playing with the stray dogs along my route. They are skinny with very pointy ears - not very cute!
42 laps in the pool in 35 minutes. I am trying to get as much pool time as I can. Its so much fun, if it werent so messy afterwards!
42 very slow minutes - this included playing with the stray dogs along my route. They are skinny with very pointy ears - not very cute!
42 laps in the pool in 35 minutes. I am trying to get as much pool time as I can. Its so much fun, if it werent so messy afterwards!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A few Photos from Saturday 31/5/08 (excuse the deer in the headlights look - I get a bit strange around food)
I ate more than half of this thing - thats 9 bars of Mars baby!
Finally! got a few moments to write!
It has been quite a year - and its already June. Where have the 6 months gone?
I have been through a real physical meltdown since Saturday. The marathon, I thought, was 8pm Saturday night. Turned out it was at midnight! Anyway, having never run one in Asia, where they did not even close off the streets for the runners, making it very claustrophobic, to the false start - I dont know how I even finished. I almost quit, yes quit, at mile 15. My first 15 or so miles were pathetic. Blind faith carried me through - I have never felt more strong on a run, than I did between 30 kilometres and the 42. something. I felt strong, physically and mentally. So, "The wall" that they talk about in marathon, for me, happened between mile 2 and mile 14.
It was very ironic for me to start a run by an airport runway. My entire life culminated in that moment. My entire life, has been associated with aviation - whether I have loved it or hated it, it is part of who I am, and who I guess I will become. I heard some stunning sounds - the sound of an engine starting, a plane taking off...it felt comforting. Actually, in hindsight, I will say that I had something other than my legs carrying me. The last mile, when I did start walking, it started to pour. The heavens gave out and I took it as a sign - a sign that we all should be so proud. Runners are such amazing athletes - every single person on the course out there were polite, helpful and downright awesome. I loved the few connections and conversations I made out there.
I dont say this enough - my father was out there with me. He even offered to run with me - he was there in his cream trackies and Asics. That is when you know someone loves you. I saw him at the mile 11 aid station and he said, "take the water, dont be stubborn" and clicked a picture. I will put it up on my orkut - I have a huge smile on my face. Actually, I have a huge smile on my face in all the photos.
Another shout to another person who saw me every hour. In this day, when we all have all the comforts that we could possibly want and more, for someone to chase stuff around for you for 20 hours, cooking for you, getting a parking ticket for you; there is so much more but this report, and this run, would be incomplete without a mention of him. The strength that I stole from him in those last few miles, is beyond what I can write at the moment. And I dont need to. The days between May 15th and 31st will go down memory lane in the history of my life - for more reasons than what this run has culminated in.
What did I do after? This is where it gets a bit ugly. I had diarrhea straight after. Lost 6 kilos. Threw up a pool of black gunk. I also had female things happening towards the last hour of my run. This continued for about 26 hours. On the bright side. I have since finished 2 kilos of trashy chocolate, and some amazing food. I am having fun putting it back on.
How do I feel? I feel great! I want to run one again. And again. And again.
I ran 1.5 miles on Monday morning followed by 12 laps. I had too much alcohol last night so didnt run this morning. Whether I run tomorrow or not is a big question mark. But! I will say! and I should say! I have many more in my future. It will get better - I do so much better in better weather in the States and Australia but I wanna rock in Asia - in Singapore in particular, because this place has me on my knees. It has been humbling.
This comes to mind...and it has been on my mind..."Jesus said...come to me"...and that night...I did.
I will be back slowly recovering the body. The mind is willing - now to get the old bod back! Thanks for reading!
I have been through a real physical meltdown since Saturday. The marathon, I thought, was 8pm Saturday night. Turned out it was at midnight! Anyway, having never run one in Asia, where they did not even close off the streets for the runners, making it very claustrophobic, to the false start - I dont know how I even finished. I almost quit, yes quit, at mile 15. My first 15 or so miles were pathetic. Blind faith carried me through - I have never felt more strong on a run, than I did between 30 kilometres and the 42. something. I felt strong, physically and mentally. So, "The wall" that they talk about in marathon, for me, happened between mile 2 and mile 14.
It was very ironic for me to start a run by an airport runway. My entire life culminated in that moment. My entire life, has been associated with aviation - whether I have loved it or hated it, it is part of who I am, and who I guess I will become. I heard some stunning sounds - the sound of an engine starting, a plane taking off...it felt comforting. Actually, in hindsight, I will say that I had something other than my legs carrying me. The last mile, when I did start walking, it started to pour. The heavens gave out and I took it as a sign - a sign that we all should be so proud. Runners are such amazing athletes - every single person on the course out there were polite, helpful and downright awesome. I loved the few connections and conversations I made out there.
I dont say this enough - my father was out there with me. He even offered to run with me - he was there in his cream trackies and Asics. That is when you know someone loves you. I saw him at the mile 11 aid station and he said, "take the water, dont be stubborn" and clicked a picture. I will put it up on my orkut - I have a huge smile on my face. Actually, I have a huge smile on my face in all the photos.
Another shout to another person who saw me every hour. In this day, when we all have all the comforts that we could possibly want and more, for someone to chase stuff around for you for 20 hours, cooking for you, getting a parking ticket for you; there is so much more but this report, and this run, would be incomplete without a mention of him. The strength that I stole from him in those last few miles, is beyond what I can write at the moment. And I dont need to. The days between May 15th and 31st will go down memory lane in the history of my life - for more reasons than what this run has culminated in.
What did I do after? This is where it gets a bit ugly. I had diarrhea straight after. Lost 6 kilos. Threw up a pool of black gunk. I also had female things happening towards the last hour of my run. This continued for about 26 hours. On the bright side. I have since finished 2 kilos of trashy chocolate, and some amazing food. I am having fun putting it back on.
How do I feel? I feel great! I want to run one again. And again. And again.
I ran 1.5 miles on Monday morning followed by 12 laps. I had too much alcohol last night so didnt run this morning. Whether I run tomorrow or not is a big question mark. But! I will say! and I should say! I have many more in my future. It will get better - I do so much better in better weather in the States and Australia but I wanna rock in Asia - in Singapore in particular, because this place has me on my knees. It has been humbling.
This comes to mind...and it has been on my mind..."Jesus said...come to me"...and that night...I did.
I will be back slowly recovering the body. The mind is willing - now to get the old bod back! Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)