Here's a question which truly mystifies me.
When people get into a lift, why do they insist on pressing a button for a floor, even when they can see that it's already been pressed?
Is it because they don't think it's been pressed hard enough? That it might not have been pressed at all - and the fact that it's illuminated might be a malfunction?
I say this because I noticed this trait of human behaviour yet again in a lift last week. These things are sent to try us.
So, three days to go until the big one. The marathon? No. Rush in Glasgow.
Imagine that, Rush and a marathon in the same week. Such excitement.
And finally, running. I did an easy five along the River Clyde at Crossford this morning with Alex and the bounding Min.
Friday - nine miles, home to Motherwell and back with a bit added on.
I'm still anxious about the prospect of cramp but I really don't know what more I can do to prevent it. I'm drinking Nuun twice a day as well as taking magnesium tablets and nearly making myself gag on small sachets of salt.
I've also started taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets which are said to be good for cartilage and joints.
Enough for now.
Sunday, September 30
Friday, September 28
Icy morning
This was the view at 6.30am yesterday morning from the back of our house.
The light was very low and I had to get the wee tripod out to steady the camera and stop it blurring.
If I was going to be really arty about it, I'd say that I thought the plane's vapour trail adds a certain "something" to the picture.
Anyway, all that nonsense apart, the days are ticking by fairly quickly ahead of October 7 and my nerves are becoming increasingly jangly.
I'm trying to strike a balance between keeping my legs turning over and not over-doing it. The biggest fear is doing something at this late stage that would really undo all the preparations over the past four months (even if they have been a bit stop-start in the latter stages).
I really don't want to tempt fate but both achilles have settled down in the last couple of weeks. I think it must be the result of running less and wearing gel insoles in my running shoes.
I really am sick of eating so much and that's one thing I won't miss. It's hard to know what else to have.
I'm certainly not missing alcohol. That's nearly a full month now without a drop and it's no loss. Can I continue after October 7? Maybe ... but I do have just a wee hankering after a glass of red wine.
We had a really positive meeting of the club's committee and coaches last night, which has left me in a very positive frame of mind.
Onwards and upwards!!!
The light was very low and I had to get the wee tripod out to steady the camera and stop it blurring.
If I was going to be really arty about it, I'd say that I thought the plane's vapour trail adds a certain "something" to the picture.
Anyway, all that nonsense apart, the days are ticking by fairly quickly ahead of October 7 and my nerves are becoming increasingly jangly.
I'm trying to strike a balance between keeping my legs turning over and not over-doing it. The biggest fear is doing something at this late stage that would really undo all the preparations over the past four months (even if they have been a bit stop-start in the latter stages).
I really don't want to tempt fate but both achilles have settled down in the last couple of weeks. I think it must be the result of running less and wearing gel insoles in my running shoes.
I really am sick of eating so much and that's one thing I won't miss. It's hard to know what else to have.
I'm certainly not missing alcohol. That's nearly a full month now without a drop and it's no loss. Can I continue after October 7? Maybe ... but I do have just a wee hankering after a glass of red wine.
We had a really positive meeting of the club's committee and coaches last night, which has left me in a very positive frame of mind.
Onwards and upwards!!!
Tuesday, September 25
Countdown
My nerves are starting to jangle, that familiar feeling of nervous anticipation ahead of a big event.
I haven't had an adverse reaction to Sunday's race, which is a blessing.
I'm planning to do a fast-ish intervals session this evening either, probably on the Hamilton sports grounds. The pathways there are level and good to run on.
On a more practical note, I confirmed our rooms with the guest house in Inverness yesterday. They were booked months ago and I didn't fancy arriving to find they'd been given away to someone else.
I also double, double-checked that I can get porridge on the morning of the marathon.
I really don't want to go through the same hassles as last year, when we had to chase round Tesco in Inverness the night before, to buy cereal and other stuff because the landlady wasn't planning to do breakfast before 8am.
Uppermost in my mind at the moment is the prospect of cramps. I've been reading about salt intakes and have a wee plan in mind.
I'm going to scoop up some sachets of salt from McDonalds and start taking them later this week.
I'm also going to carry some with me on the run in the hope of keeping up my sodium level and warding off cramp.
I haven't had an adverse reaction to Sunday's race, which is a blessing.
I'm planning to do a fast-ish intervals session this evening either, probably on the Hamilton sports grounds. The pathways there are level and good to run on.
On a more practical note, I confirmed our rooms with the guest house in Inverness yesterday. They were booked months ago and I didn't fancy arriving to find they'd been given away to someone else.
I also double, double-checked that I can get porridge on the morning of the marathon.
I really don't want to go through the same hassles as last year, when we had to chase round Tesco in Inverness the night before, to buy cereal and other stuff because the landlady wasn't planning to do breakfast before 8am.
Uppermost in my mind at the moment is the prospect of cramps. I've been reading about salt intakes and have a wee plan in mind.
I'm going to scoop up some sachets of salt from McDonalds and start taking them later this week.
I'm also going to carry some with me on the run in the hope of keeping up my sodium level and warding off cramp.
Sunday, September 23
St Andrews Hospice 10k
This was a really good run this morning, I was extremely happy with it.
My left achilles, which has been giving me most grief, was absolutely fine and so was my right knee. No pain at all.
The last three runs I've done have been with the gel heel pads in my shoes so maybe they're having an effect.
Yet again though, a faster run seems to mean no pain. It was the same thing at the Glasgow half.
My time over the actual course was 47.49 but the course measured at 6.38 miles on my Garmin and there was general agreement among other MAC people that it was long.
Looking at it on a route map, I went through 6.2 miles at approximately 46.20 and that's absolutely fine by me. But key to today was not having any pain. Yahoo!
That doesn't of course extrapolate into being able to run the marathon two weeks today without any pain at all. That's far too simplistic a view to take.
What it does mean though is that my confidence is a lot higher than it was at the beginning of the week - and that's vital in these circumstances.
My left achilles, which has been giving me most grief, was absolutely fine and so was my right knee. No pain at all.
The last three runs I've done have been with the gel heel pads in my shoes so maybe they're having an effect.
Yet again though, a faster run seems to mean no pain. It was the same thing at the Glasgow half.
My time over the actual course was 47.49 but the course measured at 6.38 miles on my Garmin and there was general agreement among other MAC people that it was long.
Looking at it on a route map, I went through 6.2 miles at approximately 46.20 and that's absolutely fine by me. But key to today was not having any pain. Yahoo!
That doesn't of course extrapolate into being able to run the marathon two weeks today without any pain at all. That's far too simplistic a view to take.
What it does mean though is that my confidence is a lot higher than it was at the beginning of the week - and that's vital in these circumstances.
Friday, September 21
Pacific Quay opening
I tried to find the time to write this post last night but there was the small matter of a run to do and a Motherwell AC committee meeting to attend so here we are now.
Yesterday was quite a day, with the official opening of Pacific Quay.
For security reasons, we weren't allowed to say until about mid-morning that the prime minister would be doing the honours.
It was quite an occasion, which I wrote about on the BBC's Editor's Blog site.
There's rather a fuss today about the party noise drowning out the sound of the 1025 television bulletin, as you can see from a couple of the posts in response to my blog.
Anyway, on the running front, I did 4.8 last night in the pouring rain.
A wee bit of jip from my knee and achilles but nothing major.
I've decided not to attempt another really long run before Loch Ness. The best plan is probably to rest up and just take the day as it comes.
That doesn't mean no running at all, just much shorter ones and at a very easy pace.
I might do the St Andrew's Hospice 10k on Sunday. The only off-putting thing about that is it's (another) race round Strathclyde Park.
Yesterday was quite a day, with the official opening of Pacific Quay.
For security reasons, we weren't allowed to say until about mid-morning that the prime minister would be doing the honours.
It was quite an occasion, which I wrote about on the BBC's Editor's Blog site.
There's rather a fuss today about the party noise drowning out the sound of the 1025 television bulletin, as you can see from a couple of the posts in response to my blog.
Anyway, on the running front, I did 4.8 last night in the pouring rain.
A wee bit of jip from my knee and achilles but nothing major.
I've decided not to attempt another really long run before Loch Ness. The best plan is probably to rest up and just take the day as it comes.
That doesn't mean no running at all, just much shorter ones and at a very easy pace.
I might do the St Andrew's Hospice 10k on Sunday. The only off-putting thing about that is it's (another) race round Strathclyde Park.
Wednesday, September 19
London - but not for much longer
Heathrow, waiting for the 7.25pm flight to Glasgow.
Being back in London always reminds me of why I wouldn't be falling over myself to live here again.
Far, far, far too much hassle even just trying to get from one place to another.
I'll take the queues on the M8 during rush-hour any time.
I didn't run today despite taking my stuff with me. I'm really not sure how confident I feel, even in doing a short run.
I'm planning to go out with Sophie tomorrow morning, if she's got a school run on.
Definitely aiming for a run in the evening before the club committee meeting.
Being back in London always reminds me of why I wouldn't be falling over myself to live here again.
Far, far, far too much hassle even just trying to get from one place to another.
I'll take the queues on the M8 during rush-hour any time.
I didn't run today despite taking my stuff with me. I'm really not sure how confident I feel, even in doing a short run.
I'm planning to go out with Sophie tomorrow morning, if she's got a school run on.
Definitely aiming for a run in the evening before the club committee meeting.
Tuesday, September 18
Why do we do this?
I think a change of tack is probably needed on this blog.
I'm prone to write factual accounts of what I've been doing but I steer well clear of work things and the reasons for that are probably obvious.
There are times when a bit more expression might make it a more interesting read for anyone who's taking a break from slapping a few coats of vinyl on their kitchen wall and has grown tired of watching the paint dry.
Why am I in this introspective frame of mind? Because I've been mentally questioning why I act and react in certain circumstances and the incident that's sparked all this off is, of course, related to last night's abortive - and bloody painful - run.
I know that it's the same for anyone who sets themself a challenge, not just runners. I know that I should be able to shrug off the setback caused by one bad run.
But none of that prevents the demons creeping in and playing around with my confidence.
Will the same thing happen on October 7? Will I even make it to October 7?
Just two of the questions battering around in my head all day today.
I'm in London on business, hence the picture accompanying this post, and it's been a long day so that probably doesn't help much. I've taken my running stuff with me but that's more out of hope than expectation.
Hopefully by tomorrow some of the doubts will have dissipated at least, even if they haven't completely gone.
I'm prone to write factual accounts of what I've been doing but I steer well clear of work things and the reasons for that are probably obvious.
There are times when a bit more expression might make it a more interesting read for anyone who's taking a break from slapping a few coats of vinyl on their kitchen wall and has grown tired of watching the paint dry.
Why am I in this introspective frame of mind? Because I've been mentally questioning why I act and react in certain circumstances and the incident that's sparked all this off is, of course, related to last night's abortive - and bloody painful - run.
I know that it's the same for anyone who sets themself a challenge, not just runners. I know that I should be able to shrug off the setback caused by one bad run.
But none of that prevents the demons creeping in and playing around with my confidence.
Will the same thing happen on October 7? Will I even make it to October 7?
Just two of the questions battering around in my head all day today.
I'm in London on business, hence the picture accompanying this post, and it's been a long day so that probably doesn't help much. I've taken my running stuff with me but that's more out of hope than expectation.
Hopefully by tomorrow some of the doubts will have dissipated at least, even if they haven't completely gone.
Monday, September 17
Not good...
Very short - I went out about 4pm to do 22 miles and cut it short at 17.5 because of excruciating cramp in both calves.
I hope it was related to the fact that (with hindsight) I didn't eat very much or very well today.
That'll do just now.
I hope it was related to the fact that (with hindsight) I didn't eat very much or very well today.
That'll do just now.
Sunday, September 16
Run postponed
The weekend hasn't worked out anything like intended. Far from it.
Work has dominated as a result of the helicopter crash near Lanark yesterday afternoon in which the former world rally champion Colin McRae, his son and two other people were killed.
We also had a new two-minute bulletin on BBC One Scotland for the first time today.
All in all, a combination of circumstances meant that running 22 miles today was out of the question because I had to go to work.
I'd have gone out this evening but I'm hosting a table at BBC Scotland's dinner to mark 50 years of television news in Scotland.
It's going to have to wait until tomorrow, which means a re-think of the week's running fun and frolics.
Work has dominated as a result of the helicopter crash near Lanark yesterday afternoon in which the former world rally champion Colin McRae, his son and two other people were killed.
We also had a new two-minute bulletin on BBC One Scotland for the first time today.
All in all, a combination of circumstances meant that running 22 miles today was out of the question because I had to go to work.
I'd have gone out this evening but I'm hosting a table at BBC Scotland's dinner to mark 50 years of television news in Scotland.
It's going to have to wait until tomorrow, which means a re-think of the week's running fun and frolics.
Saturday, September 15
Did I miss summer?
I wore them this morning for the first of two runs I'll do today.
The first was an easy five miles from the Boathouse round the Bird Sanctuary and back at about 8.30am.
There was a real autumnal feel in the air. I really enjoy running in that cold, clean air. I thought about taking the iPod but decided against because I wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet of running along the riverside.
The second run is later this morning with Alex and Min in the Clyde Valley from Crossford, again about five miles.
So, I guess I'm still running after my visit to the physio last night!
I'm a lot easier of mind this morning. The good news is that he doesn't think I'm suffering from a major achilles problem.
The tendons aren't badly damaged, there isn't a huge amount of swelling and I'm not about to cripple myself.
I'm very pleased about that because I'd convinced myself I was about to explode.
His view is that if there was a major problem there's no way I could have run a half marathon without a huge amount of pain - and I didn't get any grief from either ankle that day.
He loosened off both calves which was bloody sore on the right one and did ultrasound. He also suggested I might be getting some referred pain in my achilles from my lower back.
I'm going to try small heel raises in my running and everyday shoes to try to shorten the achilles.
Here's hoping it all works! The big day is only three weeks tomorrow. Oo-err.
Jinty, thanks for your comments. One more batch of "big miles" to put in the bank - 22 tomorrow.
Friday, September 14
A familiar path...
No running since Tuesday. I'm going to see a physio tonight at, Ace Physiotherapy in Motherwell.
I really have to try to get to the bottom of why both achilles are giving me problems. One, I could understand. In the scheme of marathon training, it would make sense for one to be giving me jip.
But the fact that both are painful suggests to me something more "biomechanical". But what do I know?
I thought the best thing to do was rest up until I speak to the physio but I don't expect any revelations.
I really have to try to get to the bottom of why both achilles are giving me problems. One, I could understand. In the scheme of marathon training, it would make sense for one to be giving me jip.
But the fact that both are painful suggests to me something more "biomechanical". But what do I know?
I thought the best thing to do was rest up until I speak to the physio but I don't expect any revelations.
Tuesday, September 11
Tuesday
Not the most exciting of days.
On the running front, I did 7.5 miles in between finishing work and collecting Sophie from her ballet class.
I went a route I hadn't done before - over the Squinty Bridge, along the riverside and to Glasgow Green where I did five one-mile intervals, all around 8.20mi.
Sadly the now customary injuries were ever present. My left Achilles and right knee were griping from early on.
I might not run for the rest of the week, until Sunday, and go to the gym on Thursday evening.
I spent a bit of time on the club website last night and I'm pleased with the way it's looking now.
------------------
Monday, September 10
The morning after...
Heavy legs this morning. I wonder why that might be?
No matter how much I try to stretch off after a run, I never seem to be able to get a "proper" stretch going.
I've been told by one physio that I'm one of the least flexible people he's ever lain hands on. In fact, he was so amazed at how inflexible I was that he called through some staff to have a look.
My knee was giving me a bit of jip today but nothing too painful thankfully.
I spent the day working in Edinburgh then came home and then we went swimming to the Matt Busby, a much better place to stretch out than Aquatec, where we went last Monday.
I could get used to this swimming lark on a Monday evening - a lot less bumpy on the lower limbs, that's for sure!
No matter how much I try to stretch off after a run, I never seem to be able to get a "proper" stretch going.
I've been told by one physio that I'm one of the least flexible people he's ever lain hands on. In fact, he was so amazed at how inflexible I was that he called through some staff to have a look.
My knee was giving me a bit of jip today but nothing too painful thankfully.
I spent the day working in Edinburgh then came home and then we went swimming to the Matt Busby, a much better place to stretch out than Aquatec, where we went last Monday.
I could get used to this swimming lark on a Monday evening - a lot less bumpy on the lower limbs, that's for sure!
Sunday, September 9
Long run - 19 miles
That was a hard one. It was also the first long run I've done as a point-to-point rather than an out-and-back.
My right knee started griping from about six miles and got progressively worse.
By the time I was into the 18th mile, I was gritting my teeth.
Just in case anyone looks closely at the map and can't see the 19-mile marker, it's under the 14-mile one.
I very much hope I have another seven miles in me come Sunday October 7.
Next Sunday it's 22 miles so that'll be a pretty good marker.
My right knee started griping from about six miles and got progressively worse.
By the time I was into the 18th mile, I was gritting my teeth.
Just in case anyone looks closely at the map and can't see the 19-mile marker, it's under the 14-mile one.
I very much hope I have another seven miles in me come Sunday October 7.
Next Sunday it's 22 miles so that'll be a pretty good marker.
Being Scottish
My last word for the time being on the Scotland game.
This is the back page of the match programme and full marks to the copy-writer who penned these words.
I thought they were magnificent and just hit the nail right on the head.
"... our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall".
Stirring stuff!
This is the back page of the match programme and full marks to the copy-writer who penned these words.
I thought they were magnificent and just hit the nail right on the head.
"... our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall".
Stirring stuff!
Day out at Hampden
I was fortunate enough to be a guest at Hampden yesterday for the Euro 2008 qualifier between Scotland and Lithuania.
The result - 3-1 to us. It's grand to be able to go to a football match (any match) and come away on the winning side!
I got a few pictures which are all on flickr but I liked this one with the fireworks going off just before the kick-off.
It's a pity about the shadow across half the pitch but hey, who's complaining? We won AND the sun shone!
Being all sanctimonious because I'm off the alcohol, I drove to and from Hampden.
It was a bit of a mad dash to get there (sorry officer) because Alex and I had been doing the club Parlauff 5k competition at Wishaw track in the morning.
It was bloody hard going. Thirteen teams of two with each runner doing six 400m laps and recovering while the other went round. The first runner's first lap is 600m so the total distance is a 5k.
My splits were: 1.19; 1.24; 1.25; 1.29; 1.30; 1.26.
I'm quite happy that the last one was four secs faster than the preceding lap. I didn't want to flog myself because at some point today I have the joy of 19 miles.
The result - 3-1 to us. It's grand to be able to go to a football match (any match) and come away on the winning side!
I got a few pictures which are all on flickr but I liked this one with the fireworks going off just before the kick-off.
It's a pity about the shadow across half the pitch but hey, who's complaining? We won AND the sun shone!
Being all sanctimonious because I'm off the alcohol, I drove to and from Hampden.
It was a bit of a mad dash to get there (sorry officer) because Alex and I had been doing the club Parlauff 5k competition at Wishaw track in the morning.
It was bloody hard going. Thirteen teams of two with each runner doing six 400m laps and recovering while the other went round. The first runner's first lap is 600m so the total distance is a 5k.
My splits were: 1.19; 1.24; 1.25; 1.29; 1.30; 1.26.
I'm quite happy that the last one was four secs faster than the preceding lap. I didn't want to flog myself because at some point today I have the joy of 19 miles.
Friday, September 7
Heavy legs
I had a wee run late yesterday afternoon and my legs felt like lead.
I went from Pacific Quay up to Kelvingrove Park and back, five miles in total. The schedule said one mile warm-up, three miles "brisk" - which is about half-marathon pace, then one mile warm-down.
Brave boy that I am, I reckoned I'd push myself a bit harder and aim for about a 5k pace for the middle three miles.
Emmmm, no. It felt like I was dragging the QE2 behind me so any heroism went straight out the window and I kept the pace to around 8.10/20mi.
Sophie's running starts again next week but this term it's on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so that probably works out better in terms of days I'd be running anyway, aside from the marathon training.
I managed to find my way into a story published on our website yesterday.
Whenever I see reference to somebody being "from" a place, I wonder if that's really accurate. For example, am I "from" Motherwell? I think not. Am I "from" Aberdeen? Yes.
The weekend ahead - Hampden tomorrow for the Scotland v Lithuania game. No drink.
Sunday - herculean effort for 19 miles.
I went from Pacific Quay up to Kelvingrove Park and back, five miles in total. The schedule said one mile warm-up, three miles "brisk" - which is about half-marathon pace, then one mile warm-down.
Brave boy that I am, I reckoned I'd push myself a bit harder and aim for about a 5k pace for the middle three miles.
Emmmm, no. It felt like I was dragging the QE2 behind me so any heroism went straight out the window and I kept the pace to around 8.10/20mi.
Sophie's running starts again next week but this term it's on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so that probably works out better in terms of days I'd be running anyway, aside from the marathon training.
I managed to find my way into a story published on our website yesterday.
Whenever I see reference to somebody being "from" a place, I wonder if that's really accurate. For example, am I "from" Motherwell? I think not. Am I "from" Aberdeen? Yes.
The weekend ahead - Hampden tomorrow for the Scotland v Lithuania game. No drink.
Sunday - herculean effort for 19 miles.
Back to Blogspot!
Hello again Blogspot!
I've decided to return here because I've managed to fix a few things in this blogging software which were irritating me and led me to go to Wordpress.
Normal service is resumed!
That of course has nothing to do with the picture of our eejit mogs, which I've called "Gemini cats".
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