It’s December! Goodness, how time flies. It really doesn’t seem like 11 months has already passed by and we’ll be closing in the year in just a few weeks more.
With the start of this month, I will also be starting on my marathon training very soon. Although to be honest I’m feeling extremely apprehensive about it, as this will be the longest run that I’ll be embarking on, so I prefer not to think too much about it and just take it one step at a time.
In spite of my trepidation, I have faith that I can do this. Just a short few years ago, I didn’t think that I’d be able to run for more than 2 km, but earlier this year I completed my first half marathon and am still feeling good and am motivated to do more.
Moreover when I found out that the official 2014 t-shirt would be green, it seems like a sign. Probably a shallow reason, but of all the colours of the rainbow, what are the odds that they would choose my favourite colour? ^_^
Coincidentally the event is sponsored by New Balance, which is the brand of the pair of running shoes that I’ve been using since August. I’ll try to blog about them soon as I think that it deserves it’s own post.
By the way, my knee feels significantly better now, to the point that I feel surprised that I don’t feel any pain when I jog now. I’m very pleased that it’s been like this for about a month now, although I dare not go too fast in fear of jinxing it up.
The trio of using a foam roller, aqua-gym classes and strength/stretching exercises combination has worked very well in helping to heal my bad knee. While it has been quite time consuming, it takes about 30 minutes just for stretching alone, I really recommend this for runners as it has personally been extremely beneficial to me. You know the feeling you get after a long run, and then you sit down for a bit and after that it’s a pain to get up again? I found out that I don’t even feel that any more. Tired yes. Pain no.
Speaking of aqua-gym, I am not too sure if I want to continue my classes after December. While it has been very useful for my recovery, they always leave me quite tired the next day and with the marathon training looming and the aqua-gym lessons back to back, I fear of exhausting myself.
The only thing is, the pool that I go to has an obligatory three months subscription. I’ve asked an instructor for advice, and according to her, it shouldn’t be a problem. Although she did seem concerned when she went through my training schedule as it progressed in the middle. I still have to finish my December subscription, so I guess I’ll have to monitor till the end of the month before deciding what to do.
By the way, if you saw the picture of me doing a sort of plank in the Nutella post, and were wondering what the equipment was, it’s actually a foam roller. Despite the name, it’s firm and I use it to roll over and relax my muscles.
It has been extremely helpful for me. And it’s not that expensive at about 20 euro at Decathlon. I wouldn’t lie though, while it LOOKS easy, certain positions WILL be painful at first use. With time though, when your muscles get stronger, I promise you, that the moves will eventually feel very relaxing.
The first time I watched the video above for example, I thought the girl seemed so annoying and so fake, with her “Oh it feels so good!“. The first time I tried them myself, it hurts like hell! And I kept thinking, WTF is wrong with the host? Why’d she have to lie like that?
Nevertheless, I’d believe in suffering a little temporary pain over permanent pain and so, I’ve kept at it, and you know what? It does feel so good after routinely doing it for a few days.
I’ve already signed up and paid for the Roma Maratona online. The only thing I need to do next is to get a medical check-up at the sports doctor, upload the medical certificate and the registration will be complete. I don’t feel like spending money at the moment. The idea of spending 70 euro for a nondescript piece of paper can really make me agitated so I’ll procrastinate doing that as much as possible.
So wish me luck for my training for the next 4 months and I’ll try to update my blog using the hashtag #rinazdoes42km about my training once in a while. In the meanwhile, please feel free to share any motivational or running advice or just cheer me on. I’ll be happy to read them 🙂
Have you managed to achieve the mid-food strike? It should help in the knee problem. I saw in the comment section on your previous running-related post that you got new shoes and were hoping to achieve the mid-foot strike… Heh. So I thought I’d check in with you on that!
It’s true that the mid-foot strike has the least impact on your knees, so do try to consciously correct the way you run. Think that’ll help you run better, for longer periods. 🙂
I hope so Daphne! I try to visualise that I’m in the pool and use the front part of the feet as if I was paddling in the water. Involuntarily what it does is to also widen my toes somehow when I’m jogging.
Thank you for your tip on the foam roller, it really did help ease my muscles tremendously – now I don’t have to rely on Cartcart anymore for massages. He always sighs and says, “Again?” :p
Go for it Rinaz! Good luck with the training up to the marathon! I’ll cheer you on! 🙂
Thank you! Thank you!