It's been an interesting few weeks since I last blogged, with anti-biotics, new runners, a broken washing machine and apple-cider vinegar all featuring strongly!!
I am not Paula Radcliffe. I am sick.
At this time of year, bugs are flying about the place so I guess it was inevitable when I started to feel a bit off (and feel very sorry for myself too.) Like most mothers, I just plough on without going to the doctor but would have the kids there in a flash if they were sick. Painful ears, a sore throat and aching bones eventually brought me to my GP who prescribed Distaclor anti-biotic for tonsillitis.
I lay in bed feeling rubbish and kissing goodbye to that week’s training plan. When you're hard pushed to turn on the electric blanket or put on your fleecy pyjamas, you know running is out of the question! I guess the one thing I've learned is just to let it go. When you're sick, you're sick and there's no point lying in bed feeling guilty for missing your long run or speed training session. The marathon is now 21 weeks ago, plenty of time to allow for a bad week here or there. As my husband reminded me – I am not Paula Radcliffe. It's ok to be sick, enjoy the pampering and the reading of OK! And Closer while the rest of the family forage for food to call dinner.
A few days into my misery and a call from my Marathon trainer Brian Swaby (Waterford AC), really gave me a boost. It's good to have someone to bounce training worries off of, and he was happy for me to let a few runs go and jump back on in a few days’ time. It takes a good 10 days for antibiotics to leave the system and they can be draining, heavy and tiring.
Supplements
The market is awash with whey, protein and lots of 'go-faster' juices which I'm sure are just wonderful and help runners the world over. I'm happy enough with my daily Vivioptal or Multibionta but I've added a new ingredient to my list. Did you ever 'google' yourself into an early grave? Well, when I'm bored and can't sleep I sometimes google my symptoms. Stupid, I know! The stiff, aching joints continued after being sick last week so I decided I must have the early signs of osteo-arthritis. Running continued to be hard with my stiff fingers (ok so I wasn't actually running on my fingers) and stiff toes. A friend once recommended Apple Cider Vinegar for joint pain and arthritis. Wow is all I can say. Costing around €4.00 for a bottle with 'the mother', I held my nose and downed shots of the stuff three times a day for two days. It's recommended to take it with some honey in hot water, but I wanted to go hard-core and get it into me fast. Two days later and the joint pain was gone, so I'm sticking with a shot a day just to make sure it doesn’t come back. Apparently it's great for dieters too… it can remove warts, helps with smelly feet, dandruff, sunburn and diabetes. Whoop.
Gait Analysis
What do you wear on your feet when you run? Are you wearing the right runners and if so, how do you know? I've always been an Asics Gel Kayano girl, which I feel has helped with my dropped arches and has never given me cause for complaint in the past. On Brian Swaby's advice, I took myself off to Alfie Hale's Intersports in Waterford City for 'gait analysis.' Basically, its a technology driven way of finding the perfect runner for your foot. You try on different runners and spend around 60 seconds running in each pair on a treadmill, while being filmed. Afterwards, you can watch back in slow-motion, to see which shoe is best.
Thanks to 'Rocky' and David, without whom I wouldn't really have known exactly what I was looking for. I fully intended to walk out with a brand spanking new pair of Asics, but it wasn't the case. It's weird to watch yourself running from behind, in slow-motion. Oh my God my feet were all over the shop. Watching my foot land, it's obvious I pronate mildly inwards. It doesn’t look like much, but do that over 26.2 miles on marathon day and the hips, knees and joints will feel the impact hugely. I tried on five pairs of runners, and each solved the slight turn in of my feet a bit better than the next. However, it was a pair of Addidas that did the trick and felt the best to run in.
It helps that they're bright pink and look very cute! So, anti-biotic free and fuelled with my apple cider vinegar, I bounced through a 30 minute run last Friday and felt a bit like Hurricane Fly for my 60 minute long run on Sunday. After three weeks, I'm looking forward to my runs rather than rattling off my usual list of excuses. When I finish this blog, I'm heading off for another easy 30 minutes, finally embracing this marathon training with gusto.
Other things learned this week
1. Thermal running gear STINKS. I know this because my washing machine is broken (and I probably need to fork out for a new one) and there's a build-up of smelly running gear in the utility room! Anyone fancy taking my washing??
2. Power Ballads really help when you're struggling. Save running with music for the days when you're really finding it tough. A bit of Whitesnake or Survivor will get you over the line I promise. Any great running songs please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Still looking for a pilates/ yoga or conditioning class to compliment the running and build some core strength.
4. Two people eyed me up and down when I mentioned I was running the WVM. ??? Small people with muffin spill can do it too you know! Grrrrr.
5. I am not on commission for Apple Cider Vinegar and it probably doesn't agree with everyone but it comes highly recommended for those aches!