Last week I started trying to get a little consistency back, and I managed two consecutive days of running, but the distances were only five miles. That's ok though, thankfully I haven't gotten any illness after the marathon, and I think the down time has helped. Getting back into the running again will feel fresh after a break.
The only problem might come in the form of a broken toe.
I am in the USA as I write this, and while packing my stuff the other day, I accidentally kicked my toe off the suitcase. I was in a major hurry, and didn't have time to agonise too much, although it was very sore. I headed to the airport, and two flights later I am sitting on a flight with my toe throbbing like crazy. I had a pretty good idea it was broken, but it wasn't really appropriate to whip off my sock at that point.
When I got to the hotel, on inspection, sure enough the entire toe was black and blue and purple. Purple is always the give away! My left foot looks a pretty sorry sight. The toe beside the broken one is already black from the marathon, and it looks like the nail on that one is a going to leave my body shortly. Anyway, there is nothing to do for a broken toe, it's not my big toe, and it actually doesn't hurt all that much anymore ... Much.
I haven't told the wife yet, but I signed up for the entire Dublin marathon race series the other day, including the marathon. Oh well, here I go again.
Monday 11 May 2015
Friday 1 May 2015
Scientific Measure of Effort
Firstly, marathon runners should whenever possible live in either a bungalow, or an apartment with elevators.
I came up with a fantastic measure of effort expended relative to distance run, particularly relevant to long distances. It is called the stairs measure. The theory goes, that the ease at which you can climb or descend a flight of stairs, is directly proportional to the effects of the effort spent. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most effort required, and so the most effort spent.
Day 1, post race, level 9, in that I can barely get up or down the stairs, with 10 meaning a total inability to do either.
Day 2, level 7, sideways is still required going up and down, but can be done in less than 3 minutes.
Day 3, level 4, a normal step up and down is now possible, although with some discomfort.
Day 4, level 3, up and down the stairs is relatively easy, although with a tightness in the calfs. Level 3 is the most dangerous level. It is when the runner now decides that they have reached the level on the scale at which they can start running again. It is the level at which the runner then establishes that it is not in fact when running should begin again, although by virtue of the fact that they made this mistake, they now return to level 5.
Apply the stairs test to any run, wait until at least level 2 before running again. This is when the stairs are easy, up and down. Not sideways required, no one asks you have you injured yourself, and you stop walking 'funny' as per a 4 year old.
I came up with a fantastic measure of effort expended relative to distance run, particularly relevant to long distances. It is called the stairs measure. The theory goes, that the ease at which you can climb or descend a flight of stairs, is directly proportional to the effects of the effort spent. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most effort required, and so the most effort spent.
Day 1, post race, level 9, in that I can barely get up or down the stairs, with 10 meaning a total inability to do either.
Day 2, level 7, sideways is still required going up and down, but can be done in less than 3 minutes.
Day 3, level 4, a normal step up and down is now possible, although with some discomfort.
Day 4, level 3, up and down the stairs is relatively easy, although with a tightness in the calfs. Level 3 is the most dangerous level. It is when the runner now decides that they have reached the level on the scale at which they can start running again. It is the level at which the runner then establishes that it is not in fact when running should begin again, although by virtue of the fact that they made this mistake, they now return to level 5.
Apply the stairs test to any run, wait until at least level 2 before running again. This is when the stairs are easy, up and down. Not sideways required, no one asks you have you injured yourself, and you stop walking 'funny' as per a 4 year old.
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