This is week 4 (of 16) of my training to run a full marathon gracefully. By gracefully I also mean I hope I need not stop to pee on the streets. I hope to do this in less than 5 hours.
I started interval training and made sore attempts at fartlek. But I did find my timing improving and my energy levels remaining high. i think i shall try an incline some day. ew.
The ipod Nike+ is useful but I gave up trying calibrate the thing and just set it back to default. based on calibration I run too fast or too slow.
At 40 km a week I am starting to feel carbo greedy. The pack of pasta seems to last a shorter time and I no longer ask for "less rice". If I need a snack its usually bread and cheese, or a banana milk yoghurt shake. I know, am such a food nerd. :p but I dont say No to any kind of dessert (except my own creations). And I dont share.
I havent been debilitated by the aches and pains I suffered from last year while training for the half. So I must be doing something right. I guess its the generous amount of stretches I have been doing after each run. Cycling also helps balance muscle weaknesses in areas that running does not strengthen enough of. In fact the knees are so good they dont complain when I started wearing 3 inch heels
I also go for massages to help relax tense muscles. When tense I get lower leg pain and some areas are just very hard to stretch. I still recommend Joey at Qi Mantra. May is good too. There are many Mays who are really good with massage.
Unfortunately I am in pain elsewhere. Its due to the kind of work I do that makes me tense as I sit long hours on my desk. I know this because I got the same sort of thing last year with that same kind of work. rather painful to know I am only in to 10% completion. So its back to koyok, massage and acupunture. A typical session involves getting pin cushioned and then put under infrared light. Like lamb on a buffet table. Chinese herbs come in tablets nowadays and last time these helped greatly. I shall ask her for some.
So finally there are still blisters. The sole has thickened and hardened in places. Btw, I recommend foot petals for new shoes. no no not running shoes, regular vanity sort. where I used to bleed profusely from repeated blisters there isnt even a bruise at the back of the feet. But back to running: some socks are better than others. I dont know how else.
