Sweaty Monkey Feet

I took my shoes and socks off yesterday and noticed that I have the beginnings of a rash on the top of my feet at the base of my toes. I checked the tops, bottoms and between the toes but found that it was just on this small area. I am satisfied that it is not Athlete's Foot and possibly just a rash caused by excessive sweating during the recent heat wave.

I have acted upon this immediately with a quick trip to the shop to get some anti-fungal foot powder, the reasoning is that this type of rash can come infected quickly especially in this hot weather and the long runs I have rubbed loads of powder in and around the problem area.

As for the Monkey Feet....well they look like they have been frosted with icing sugar, not quite edible though :-)

No way is it stopping me running, it is just a little annoying.

 

A run of three halves

Training is improving although I have been suffering from the heat a little and pulled out of a few runs of late; I have however had a yearning to get the miles up and get some solid long runs in especially this week. Some of my Dear Readers will know that I had been invited to be a pacer at a 10km race in Greenwich, some 7 miles from where I live so decided to run there, run the race and then run back making it about 20 miles (32 km)...well it was a plan.

So leaving the house at about 7.40am I had a gentle run along the roads and was happy just enjoying a slow but steady pace under a cloudy sky, that is until they parted to show a hot and humid sun....boy, was it hot. However things were not quite right "down below" and at the four mile mark was doubled over in pain as I got an extreme stomach cramp and was soon walking hoping to get to a petrol station about 800 m down the road. Two more cramps and I made it to the station where I was quite ill but amazingly I felt instantly better but took the last miles very gently

As I approached the gates of the park I saw Ian, a mate from my sister running club waiting for me, and we both bemoaned a stomach ache but it was soon to business when we attended the start to collect a number, time chip and then the wonderful Andrea who threw me a running vest. Today I was running for The National Osteoporosis Society and by the looks of it they had a fantatstic turn out. Between you and me I was a little worried about being a 50 minute pacer and whilst confident that I could do it the sun, heat, humidity and the undulating course were going to be the deciding factors. 

 Half two

We were off, me and the Monkey Feet (and my Garmin GPS) and it was a matter of getting through the first 1km mark to get a feel of pace, we were through in exactly 5.00 mins, the first mile in 8:01 mins it was scarily on pace, mile 2 in 16:04, mile 3 in 24:46 not so good but that was where the hill was, time to adjust.

So with the pace adjusted I stepped up the pace on the second lap for now the small group of people who were tugging my shirt tail were ready for action as I called out the pace change and the need to stick with me and to overtake when they wanted to. By now the heat was just a little too much for me but I stuck to it, after all there was a cold drink waiting for me at the end.

Pleased to report I got through the Finish line in 49:49 (my watch) and 50:00 on the race clock but you can see by the picture above I was one big sweaty heap!

Pleased with the fact I was able to keep an average pace after 13 miles of running it was a matter of catching up with the other pacers who seemed to have also done some amazingly great consistent and timely runs. 

The third half

Let's say that was definitely tougher, a little hotter and a big slog home reduced to as very gentle jog and a walk up a section of hill but I got there ready for a cool bath.

I have a feeling I am slowly getting back on track.

Monkey Pacer

I am looking forward to tomorrow as I will be helping out as the 50 minute pacer at a 10km race to be held in Greenwich Park, London. As I am desperate to get some long runs in I have a cunning plan...run to the race!

I am however planning to run the race in my Monkey Feet as I do not fancy doing the whole 20 miles in them deferring to my trusty trail shoes to get me there and back. It promises to be warm tomorrow so I am taking my Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 5 race vest and with my carabina and built-in loops have attached my Monkey Feet to the back of it.

It is a hilly course tomorrow around the scenic Greenwich Park over looking some famous British Naval history in the form of the newly refurbished Cutty Sark, academy and the Royal Observatory.

Initialism and new races

in·i·tial·ism
Noun

1. An abbreviation consisting of initial letters pronounced separately (e.g., CPU).

Have you noticed in recent times that nearly every race has been initialised, the classic examples are from my blog: TP100, GUCR or L2B

This, I suspect is because it fits well with social media and people can tag them, follow the runs on Twitter or simply because it rolls of the tongue and easier to type.

AYOT50 *
So there I was chatting to my running buddy Gemma about race plans and she mentions the AYOT50 and my head goes into a spin "What the hell does that stand for?" I gasp and then go hunting for it and find it on my the Centurion website:

The Ayot 50 mile/10hr is a timed event taking place Saturday 31st August 2013 on the Ayot Greenway, the site of the old railway line. This is a flat and fast trail route with no road crossings. Race winner will be the first person to pass 11 laps (50 miles), but anyone recording over 27 miles (6 laps) covered will have their result listed. The course will be held open for 10 hours in total

WOW this was the event for me and within moments the email was sent  and it is now confirmed that I am entered into this "Entry is at your own risk." race

 * Ayot St Peters

Write off

This week has been a write off in my opinion as my training mileage has been ridiculously low for me, some 15 miles (24km). This has been for numerous reason what with a niggle in my foot/achilles area and a tender section on muscle at the top of my shin, the primary reason is due to the heat which has been energy sapping.

Today's excuse included a small hangover from a party we attended last night (is it me but do they get worse as you get older?) , some decorating in the back room and a 60 metre hedge needed trimming in the back garden. That in itself was a hard enough workout and so I decided that rest was better that a run this evening.

We have been promised an end to the heatwave on Tuesday so looking forward to getting back on track next week.

Training and injury update

The training continues and I am really please with my June recovery programme of a weeks rest and then a gentle increase in weekly mileage which has proved beneficial although there have been a few problems along the way:

1. Deep blisters took about 3 weeks to fully heel
2. Nails on my little toes both came off within 1 day of the GUCR
3. Nail on big toe detached itself but I chose to keep it in situ until last week when it started in cause a small ingrowth and become infected requiring it to be removed. Infection cleared up but was tender for a while
4. Hip flexors became over tight causing my quads to tighten (issue stabilised)
5. Achilles tendon a little sore
6. Muscle in calf tender

 The items in green are all clear but the red items still outstanding but manageable

Flash Mob

Imagine the scene.

Fred the dog walker has had a hard day in his hot, stuffy office and all he can think is a lovely relaxing walk with Yorkie his dog. Even that moment when he can sit in the park on his favourite shaded seat overlooking the trees in the distance as the large, orange hazy sun sets towards the west as it hovers lazily over the trees.

Beautiful.

Just down the road...

Here we are, one big running pack, eighty strong all hot, sweaty and warming up for a Parlauf training session comprising 600 metres circuits. I had already been for my pre-Club run and was not sure if I really wanted to do it, especially in the current heatwave

"Right, chuck you bottles down here and break out into group 1 and group 2.....GROUP 2 OVER HERE BY THIS BENCH" Our coach yelled to the pack

Yes, Dear Reader, the bench that Fred the dog walker was sitting at watching the sun go down, his moment of tranquility burst like a kid's balloon as 80 runners proceeded to sprint around the park, his moment destroyed poor bloke

17 miles, 2 feet

The plan was to run from Petts Wood to Tower Bridge, an approximate distance of 14 miles (22 km) via Greenwich and a section of the Thames Path. However I had agreed to meet my chatty and fun loving running mate, Liz, some 3 miles from my house for 7.00am but as I stepped from my door with two bottles of water and my ever trusted Monkey Feet at 6.30am I was relieved it was still reasonably cool.

Taking a gentle jog along the road my mind soon chaged when I entered the woods to find the micro-climate was horrifically humid such that I was soon dripping in sweat and looking forward to getting out onto the road. 

After tagging up with Liz I assured her that I was sticking to plan and told her the route promising her there were to be no detours apart from an experimental route through to Blackheath and Greenwich Park. The miles whizzed by as we discussed plans  of our upcoming events (Liz is doing a 24 hour circuit race) our tactics and expectations kept close to our respective chests. Our pace was near perfect, our heart rates down and the foot strike gentle and unlaboured. 

We stopped off at Greenwich Royal Observatory for a few silly picture opportunities (see above) and some silliness when we thought up a few more ,adult only, pictures but chose not too as they were very silly.

Then it was down to the Thames Path for a very solid run along the banks of the Thames an incredibly historic area of London with cannons, anchors, ancient walls and moorings all good stuff to keep the conversation flowing...then the thought of an ice cold drink and a coffee in London changed our focus.

In all a lovely run one which we both agreed was brilliant training by firstly boosting our confidence and secondly because it was such an unexpectedly tranquil one right nxt to the hustle and bustle of central London

A Romulan Minefield

"Detach the hull section and leave this system immediately. We will not tolerate espionage!"

- Romulan Captain

I awoke from my evening postprandial snooze on the sofa with the sound of the television in the background with the dulcet tones of Captain Archer working on defusing a Romulan mine attached to the Starship Enterprise's hull plating his predicament made harder finding Lieutenant Reed was pinned down by said mine.

I too felt like Lieutenant Reed, pinned to the sofa but whilst it was not the bomb ticking, for me it was the clock.

Dragging myself up to the pile of running kit I got changed and pushed myself through the door feeling rubbish on the first hill but decided to make my way to the woods and just follow my nose. Not quite "To boldly go where no man has gone before" but enough to just wind down and enjoy the evening sunshine. Ever so often I saw people but chose to not run past them but to duck down a path and see where it took me....and I did it again and again then again.

The shadows lengthened, the pipistrel bats came out for their late evening snack and I just enjoyed running down unknown animal trails.

Time to return home and only realised the time when I got through the front door, a quick mapping found I had run 10 miles (16 km) and hadn't even realised

Things you do not want to hear

It is sufficiently long enough after the event not for the characters to be identified in this story and that shall remain unless they identify themselves.

Things you do not want to hear whilst on a run

Picture the run, we are at about mile 10 of a 12 mile run, it is warm and the terrain tough. The pack has worked up a sweat and the pub is calling

Runner 1: "Phew it is hot"

Me: "Yes, but a great run"

Runner 1: "Here Jez, I've run out of water can I have some of yours please?"

Me: "Yeah, sure" passing the bottle to Runner 1

Runner 1 then unscrewed the top, took a long gulp from the remains of my water and then said........

Wait for it....

Then said, as they passed the bottle back to me "Thanks, I was gasping as I have had a dicky tummy * all day!"

YUCK

* British for upset stomach/diarrhea

Pleasant surprise

The mini heatwave continues over England and the problem with us Brits is they normally come quickly such that we do not  acclimatise. 

After a sweltering day in the office and a sweaty ride on  the train I took the hot walk to my home when I met my neighbour and fellow club mate, Rob, who looked equally bothered by the heat. "I am meeting my mate at the end of the road in 20 minutes for a run, do you want to come along?" he asked and to my surprise I agreed.

Stepping through the door I grabbed by shorts, yanked an old running vest out of the draw and put on my Monkey Feet meeting him outside his front door. 

Nine very hot miles later I returned home after a very gentle paced trail run through the shaded paths of the local woods and nature reserve. Something so refreshing about an unplanned run.

My Monkey Feet have a new friend

Say hello to Maisy my new training partner.

Born 14th May 2013

Not the best week's training

Training has not been good this week due to various reasons:

1. Hip flexors became very tight causing my posture to change (I looked like I was walking like a duck) and in doing so caused my quads to tighten up.
2. The toe I stubbed began to grumble
3. The big toenail on my left foot is lifting off but at the same time the inner side is ingrowing 
4. The weather is unbearably hot and humid 
5. The blind runner rang me and is no longer running the local 10km 

The whole lot has conspired against me and with it my mileage has dropped and I am in desperate need to get the long runs in and built upon. So it is an early start for me tomorrow and out for a road/trail run of undetermined distance but hopefully about 26km but we are more interested in getting it done in the cooler part of the day. Race Vest packed with extra water and a little money to fill up if necessary.

Putting a bit back

Had a nice surprise tonight, I just happened to log onto Facebook and saw that Ray, a member of my secondary club, had asked for some assistance. He is using his skills and expertise to organise a low key 10km race for charity in my local area which is hard work at the best of time. It transpires he received an email from a visually impaired lady who was looking for a Guide Runner to assist her.

After a quick think about weekend logistics ( news to follow) I jumped at the chance and await an email from the lady so we can make arrangements to meet. It looks to be a reasonably challenging course, mainly road with a section of trail to negotiate twice....I am really looking forward to it.

Animal trails and nettle patches

At the club tonight there was a massive turn out and after a few administrative announcements the groups were called; I had all the intentions of going into a "short and slow" as I have had a lot of tightness in my hips. However, Charlotte stepped to the fore and said " Not sure where we are going and I haven't got a Garmin" so without thinking I piped up "I'll go with you Charlotte" and she announced we were going on a trail run!

So we were off and as we had loads of day light I planned to get to a section on woods which are not often trod by my club as not many members live in that locale which gave me an open book to get there so took the pack on a "fun" run along animal trails and some cute cut throughs my mate Bhundu and I have discovered (and made) through our many runs in the local woods. It was great to hear the pack laughing and shouting out if I knew where I was going but loved their response when we popped out at the road for them to know exactly where we were.

Back on the trails away from the roads I love to hear people say that they have no clue where they are and totally trust you, they themselves almost craving the opportunity to see some greenery and a beautiful sunset. Screams of joy as we negotiated armpit high stinging nettles and no grumbles when we took a "Jezza Detour" to show an "interesting local feature"

Then a regroup to plan the route back as a group and then to the club house by way of a few more nettles and the odd mud patch here and there.

A successful pack run, all safe and well but probably a little sore from the nettles. No Monkey Feet for me tonight as I want to settle the hips and quads out

Monkey Nerd

This evening my youngest daughter and I decided to explore our inner nerd and attended the Royal Society in London for an evening of blowing up marshmallows, creating mini tornadoes, to learn how to stick skewers through balloons without popping them, shown how to see a fanny in everything, cured gonorrhea with flower power and melted icebergs in Antarctica.

Yes, an evening of fun science, comedians and mayhem everything for a curious young (and old) mind to take inspiration from...we loved it.

"But what has this got to do with running Jezza?" I hear you ask Dear Reader.

Well Dear Reader, between the self-propelled fuelless submarine and the camera carrying insect we spied two exercise cycles attached to computers and a pair of running shoes and a Professor type with long hair. The trick with these events is to stand still, stare at the display and shake your head...you are immediately approached by said representative academic who is desperate to tell you about their specialism. My daughter raised her eyebrows to the heavens when the "Prof" and I engaged in the "Academic expert" and the "Practical expert" about the pro's and cons of his specialist shoe and when he heard me say "Well, why are you reinventing nature? What is wrong with using what you have got, a foot arch and an Achilles tendon?" that got him going, I was taken to the rear of the stand and a pair of prototype running shoes were pulled out "What size are you?", I replied "An 8". "These should be about a 9, have a go"

Trying the shoes on I was immediately met by this bouncy bounce mattress as the springs took control, incredible stuff...."Bit soft aren't they?" We looked at each other and smiled....I remembered he was an academic not a shoes salesmen and then we had a great 5 minutes of discussing the military application of such a technology that apparently reduces the bone shock by 10% and excellent for a load bearing frame.

We left his stand to discover nano tubes and watch the moons Saturn