The internet can make me an astronaut

There’s only so much self-pity I can wallow in, before I’ve gotta get out of the funk and start thinking Solutions. I can’t have what seems a relatively simple mission dashed by wobbly trotters.

I started trawling the internet in earnest to figure out how to fix myself. I’ve always believed “the truth is out there. You’ve just gotta know the questions.” This one’s going to be a doozy, though – “How do you gear up a middle-aged, roundish, weekend squash enthusiast to run a distance 4 times longer than he’s ever done?” Even with vast access to the collective wisdom of the ages, I’m certain the Internet’s going to be tempted to “Phone a Friend”

The internet stayed true to its billing and proved to be a gold mine of information, motivation, reality - sort of like a personal trainer, who can show me the way, but can’t reach around and crack me under the ear (painful childhood memories of baithaks at Illusions come flooding back)

Back with new resolve in true internet ishtyle, as an ode to the doyens who lit my path, I’m including their trails so other runner fools may benefit (may it lift their Page Rank)

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/marathon-running-common-mistakes-avoid-your-marathon-training-plan-148
http://www.halhigdon.com/15Ktraining/Stretch.htm
http://walking-running-training.suite101.com/article.cfm/strength_training_exercises_for_runners
http://www.marathon-training-program.com/training-program-for-half-marathons.html
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6851-2-2X5X8-4,00.html
http://www.ehow.com/way_5251459_hamstring-exercises-running.html
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/legpainandinjuries/a/muscle_spasms.htm
http://www.drpribut.com/sports/topten_avoidinjury.html
http://www.drpribut.com/sports/longrun.html
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/hitting-your-running-stride.html

Feet of Clay

My legs feel like two strands of boiled linguini. Every little motion results in a tremor down my limbs. Why could I have not seen through my earlier passion of playing on the Senior PGA Tour. My only regret the day after would’ve been not yelling “Fore” as my ball narrowly missed a well-heeled patron.

Anyhoot, running is my new thang, and my toes are glaring up at me, shouting ‘You’ve gotta create some separation from the dessert cart if we’re going to make this work.” My mind’s listening but my heart doesn’t hear a word.

What I’ve gotta figure it out is how to keep these dang calves from locking up. Everything else seems like it’ll grow into the new routine. My calves not so much!!

Hope Springs Eternal ...

I got back on the horse this week after sore shins grew les painful, fearful of a repeat of performance. I started out a workmanlike 7 k’s and kept this going for 10 mins. I paid scant attention to glances from fellow gym rats, who must have been wondering why I was attempting to run at a pace most choose to walk at.

No this isn't really me :-)    ... it's how I felt in the zone!!

No matter that I was going slow – my legs appeared to be warming to the task, and my mind was happily distracted by the shapely shapes on FTV (I find the BG treadmills are frequently tuned to this inspirational channel). I increased pace to 8.5K’s and kept going for just under an hour. This was more like it. A couple of stops and starts later, I clocked 6KM in around 50 mins, and hopped off my mount feeling pretty good about myself. 




To say I expected “We’re not worthy” type prostration from onlookers, is pushing it, but a grin of encouragement or two would’ve been nice. None was forthcoming. Nevertheless I ran a solitary victory lap in my head – I haven’t run this kind of distance since the early 90s, and so this performance was rawther impressive, to say the least.

I figured running 21 K’s shouldn’t take more than a gentle increase in speed and distance each week, and before you know it, Bob’s yer uncle and I’m breasting the tape. I was still to catch my first episode of Radiant Runner meets Rude Reality.