Things I've Learnt After RunStreak Day 15

Even after a seemingly paltry 15 days of consecutive running (compare that to Ron Hill or Jon Sutherland's record... unsure? Google it and be amazed) I have learnt so much.

1). Don't expect to feel GREAT all of the time! Running everyday is fun to start with, however, when you nearly fall asleep in the cinema at 1pm, you realise the effort required to keep going!

2). You need to SLEEP ALOT! I would normally get away with 6 hours of total sleep per night, but last week I found myself feeling so tired that I felt pretty ill. When it is bedtime, don't think, "Oh I'll be alright" because, believe me, you won't!

3). EAT properly. Do NOT skip meals. Running every day- even if it's just a mile, means that your mileage will rise, and you burn more calories. In order to carry on, those calories need to be replaced, and replaced with proper food that will leave you feeling energised. Simply, more carbohydrates and protein. Don't fall into the trap of, "oh I'm running loads, I can eat whatever I like, hmmm, where are those KitKat Chunkies....?" Runners need to see food as FUEL. 

4). DRINK plenty of WATER. Simple equation- you run more, you sweat more, you lose more moisture from your body... it needs to be replaced. I simply carry a litre bottle of water around with me and just sip all day long, then I'm always hydrated. 

5). If you persevere with the above then your training and racing times should come down automatically- obviously providing that you are actually doing decent training and mileage, not just settling for the bare minimum of 1 mile per day!

6). The longer the Streak goes on, the tougher your mental strength will become. I am a firm believer that runners naturally have a great mental strength- just to keep on running even when you are in immense pain! During a Streak it is so tempting to think, "oh I can't be bothered today!" But... we keep going! Look at me- on one particular day I went running at 5am just to guarantee I had run that day... MADNESS!!!

7). If you are feeling tired on one particular day, just chuck in an easy 1-2 miler then rest up on the couch!

Hopefully I'll be back to report on my progress after runstreak day 30! 

You can follow the Running Geek on Twitter @stevenlomax2. Alternatively, sign up to follow this blog, or contact the Running Geek directly on stevenlomax1984@gmail.com. You can also check on the Running Geek's progress on Strava under Steven Lomax

Real Runners Know What I'm Talking About

Ok..... no silly pointless pictures, no hooks, no 'most successful blog posts have a great introduction to draw the reader in...', no bits of advice that you've already heard countless times, no trainer reviews, no marathon schedules (oh and by the way, it really doesn't matter if you miss the odd session...), no standing alone, no anything that you're supposed to write when you're a blogger, or any other writer for that matter- did you know that you're supposed to write short paragraphs to maintain the reader's interest? Sod it- I might just do this post as one massive paragraph... Did you also know that most blog readers only spend ninety seconds per blog post? Selfish if you asked me. Do they not realise how much effort goes into a blog post? Or any other piece of writing for that matter? We're not all cravat wearing purple suede jacket sporting jinksters living in Edwardian mansions writing about a world we 'care about' but have no experience of... well...... for those of us in the know, it's something, and it's nothing, and it's all of this and nothing of this...

It's about loving running for when your running, not before or after...

It's about seeing another runner in the distance and doing your damnedest to catch up....

It's looking forward to races...

It's loving running for the zen calm...

It's not needing an iPod to enjoy a run...

It's seeing something nobody else can see...

It's remembering your first blood curdling time, thinking I'm knackered, but don't stop me doing it again...

It's having running friends....

It's about HAVING to run, like HAVING to breathe...

It's about getting a PB...

It's trying to get your friends to run, but not being bothered because it's just yours...

It's seeing the 'he/she's mad' after telling someone you've just done a 16 mile run for fun...

It's squeezing a run in at dinner...

It's about runstreaking...

It's about being one of the few runners in a marathon who actually runs all of the time...

It's about eating and drinking what you like, but only because you love running, not because you run because you have to....

It's about running with friends...

It's about being alone....

It's about wanting too, not having too...

It's about mental strength...

It's about your legs screaming but you carry on...

It's about Strava....

It's about your lungs burning but knowing you're doing good...

And that's what it is. Real Runners Understand. I can feel you nodding. 

You can follow the Running Geek on Twitter @stevenlomax2. Alternatively, sign up to follow this blog, or contact the Running Geek directly on stevenlomax1984@gmail.com. You can also check on the Running Geek's progress on Strava under Steven Lomax

It's Soooooo Annoying Being Injured!!! .......Or is It?

You're tearing the pavements up, leaving a trail of fire in your wake. Onlookers are standing in awe of you. Yes, you're training well, rising up the club rankings. You have had numerous successful races. Shall I train for a half-marathon? Or a marathon? God even an ultra is possible....

Twang....

AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's ok, I'll run it off, I'll run it off. AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! No you won't. 

You hobble home, trying to avoid the sniggering glances from the same passers-by. From your near-Farah status, you are now looking at a lengthy lay off. We all know being injured is so FRUSTRATING! And it is so bad.... or is it? Despite the annoying fact that you're going to be spending the next few weeks on the sofa, there are some benefits:-

1). Rest Whether you want it or not, being injured is a sure-fire sign that you were pushing too hard, or raising your training too quickly. Do what your body tells you and have a well deserved rest- not only will your injured area recover, all of your other muscles can take a well deserved break. 

2). Education When we are injured, we are usually so desperate to return that we scour the internet looking for a solution to the problem. Inevitably this brings its own plus side in that we can learn how not to repeat the mistakes again (if indeed we were making them!)

                                                     

3). Realise the Importance of Stretching The vast majority of muscle injuries occur because we haven't warmed up properly, or our post run routine is not good enough. The frustration of being injured really rams this point home. Pre-Run, we should be DYNAMICALLY stretching- meaning that we go for a brisk walk first, then break into a slow jog just to get our muscles warmed up. Post-Run is where we must do our STATIC stretches- meaning that we individually stretch our muscles to enable the lactic acid to drain away. 

                                                   

4). Exercise Differently I am guilty of purely running for my main exercise. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is beneficial to try something different every now and again. When I am injured I try to replace running with swimming. It is great for toning muscles and burning fat. Most of all however, it is kind to your joints. 

                                                 

Hopefully, I have given you some plus points to dampen the frustration caused by injury. However much we hate to injured, it is part of running- it happens to everyone at some point! But- make it easy on yourself by seeing the positive in the negative!

You can follow the Running Geek on Twitter @stevenlomax2. Alternatively, sign up to follow this blog, or contact the Running Geek directly on stevenlomax1984@gmail.com. You can also check on the Running Geek's progress on Strava under Steven Lomax

The RunStreak So Far...

So I'm doing a runstreak! And we're already up to day 6. And I'm already feeling proud (!) I can actually say that I haven't been this proud since the 2013 Great North Run. I can't understand why though? All I've done is run for 6 consecutive days- hardly pulling up any trees. 

I have thought about this for a while and I'm convinced it is because I have set a goal, albeit it an infinite one, and I am carrying it through! I am constantly reading the blogposts of guys and girls who have run for 100 days, for 200 days... for 400 days! Oh. My. God. How do they find the strength, will power and the self determination to carry this through? A mammoth achievement. Let's not forget the mighty Dr. Ron Hill, who, as many of you will already know, has run EVERY DAY for at least 1 mile, since December 1964! My brain can't quite compute that information!

                                                                  

I am constantly asking myself, "What will my number be?". Yet I secretly harbour dreams to compete with Dr Hill's record... is it really possible? What happens when I get ill? What happens when there's an emergency? How will I fit it in around the children? How Will I run if I get injured? Well, only one thing is certain... time will tell! 

All I can definitely do is report on where the runstreak has taken me so far. Mentally it has taken me to the depths of despair- recovering from an IT Band Problem, I am constantly worrying that I will do permanent damage. My superior self then berates my meek self whip in hand, "Nothing gets done sitting in a chair! Get up! Get MOVING!"

                                                            

I have seen brilliant scenes of wildlife against the warm setting sun- swans with their young, experience imparting upon youth- is there a greater sight? I have pounded the pavement, gazing at a 1000 car drivers trudging through rush hour traffic half in awe, half in jealousy. I have run the slowest I have ever run, and felt brilliant for it. Never before have I felt so MOTIVATED! Finally I am fitting my running into my life at all costs and, I've gotta be honest...

i feel great

You can follow the Running Geek on Twitter @stevenlomax2. Alternatively, sign up to follow this blog, or contact the Running Geek directly on stevenlomax1984@gmail.com. You can also check on the Running Geek's progress on Strava under Steven Lomax