Harvey Wallbanger

Improvements? I’ve got them. Worrying developments? I have them also.

I managed two effortless and maybe even enjoyable runs home last week. It wasn’t too hot. I got through it. I didn’t run Saturday, being Christmas Day. I didn’t run on Sunday, as I was hung over. I did run on Monday, and I ran 22.3 kilometres.

At 16k I felt my left ankle getting a little stiff, and my left knee was niggling a little, but I pushed through to 22.3k, almost all the way home. Almost. Then, something strange happened. My legs stopped responding to my prompting for them to run, run, keep running. This intense pain developed in both thighs. I got severely dizzy. And I stopped. And I sorta had to sit down for a bit. I’m not sure what happened. Did I hit the wall? Maybe. I wouldn’t know. I don’t think I’ve run far enough to hit the wall before. And I ate two of those little Favourites chocolate bars during the run because I was so afraid I would bonk. Maybe I built it up in my head, maybe I just gave up and I’m telling myself I bonked, but maybe I actually did have a little more in the tank.

In any case, Monday morning’s run is both the improvement, and the worrying development. My recovery wasn’t quick or easy, and I still felt a bit of a twinge in my legs this morning. And even though the distance was the longest I’ve ever gone, I’m supposed to run even further on Saturday. Maybe 24, if I can manage it. But can I manage it? I don’t even know anymore. I’m not saying I’m not going to try, because I will. I have to.

On the good news front, the entries opened for the Canberra Marathon in April, and I’ve got my entry. My bib number is A00064, which is by far the smallest race number I’ve ever gotten. Hopefully there are a FEW more people than 64 in the race.

Even though New Year’s Resolutions generally don’t get fulfilled, I still like making them. So I’ll write some tomorrow. They will most likely be running-related. I’ll post them here.

Two steps forward, three steps back

It hasn’t been the best couple of weeks for running.

I’ve managed my usual two runs home this last week, and a weekend long run yesterday, but the week before was a bit of a fail. I went to two Zumba classes, both Tuesday and Wednesday, to make up for a class I missed earlier in the term. I’ve missed a couple of runs home since the start of December, due to injury or conflicting schedules. I damaged my hamstring (only temporarily) due to an enthusiastic but inexpert attempt at a particular Zumba bhangra track. My achilles has been playing up, and when it comes to stretching, I can be a wee bit lazy.

Excuses? Yes. I have a million of them. I just keep on making them, though. And when I actually want to run 20 kilometres or more and find myself feeling under the weather when I’ve barely done 10, it’s frustrating. Last week I did 6 on the Saturday. This week? 14. It’s not bad, but it’s not good.

Lack of motivation? Maybe. The Canberra Marathon Website, which promises the opening of entries in December, taunts me every day. December? This December? As in, right now? I’m starting to doubt that entries will ever open. Maybe there won’t be a marathon in April after all. Why should I bother pushing myself so hard, if there’s not even a marathon to work toward?

I’m hoping I’ll get my spark back soon. Surely I have to? In the meantime, I’ll just keep on plodding away.