Quickie

Hey all - Running's been going great and slowly building back fitness.  I owe you a full update, and it's coming soon.  For now, a quickie: saw a physiotherapist who said there's no reason I shouldn't run (though a few months until full recovery.).  That's what I wanted to hear!

In case you need more, the 2012 Ironman World Champs from YouTube should tide you over.

Or, try this article on the Ultra-Man Worlds.  It's a dream race!

photo from TravTri.blogspot.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

from The Daily Pennsylvanian blog

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I'd like to say thank you to the most wonderful girlfriend, family and friends!

Decision Time

So, I ran 10min easy yesterday.  Afterward, leg felt fine.  Good news!

Bad news, this morning, a 'funny feeling' in a different part of the same hamstring.  AHH!

With 21 weeks to MDS, it's decision time: (1) start running and treat the leg while training or (2) risk not being ready for the challenge.

Bet you can guess which ONE I'm going for!  I'll carry on.  Ice, stretch and run 15min easy on Saturday.  We'll see  from there.

Talk to you Sat or Sun.

Radio Silence

Apologies for lack of posting, it's been hectic.

Quick update, I'm finalizing a tentative training plan, leg seems better, back is acting up and first run is tomorrow!

No more 'weird feeling' in my leg but haven't run on it yet, 10min easy tomorrow.

Back is really tight/ sore.  Not too worried because I've had this before, just more stretch and more foam roller.

Training plan to come.

Good News

Leg is on the mend.  Yesterday was barely any weird feeling and today only once or twice.  Tomorrow, let's hope not at all.

What I've been doing: no cardio, no leg weights, icing once or twice a day, floor stretching (limited standing stretch), foam roller and short 5-15min walks as often as possible.  I've even been talking to my hamstring, 'morning hamstring, you're getting better today, feeling better everyday.'  Weird? Yes.  Worked?  Maybe it helped.

'Ok, let's get running!'  Not so fast.  I'm sticking to the plan.  Now, introduce some cycling and light weights.  First run planned for two weeks.  Can't wait!

Some Time Off

One month on from Tango Ultra, and I'm still not doing much.  Not by choice.

Two weeks after the race, I joined a gym, Konami Sports in Sannomiya, and started lifting and swimming but no running.  The lifting was focused on the legs to add power/ strength for MDS.

Then, at the end of last week, I went for the first run.  Guess who was there to greet me?  My friend the 'funny hamstring feeling'!  Yay, welcome back!

This funny feeling started at the end of August after a 3hr 45min run which finished with a 30min hard effort.  After that, I could feel it (not painful) every morning, but it always loosened up after a few minutes of running,  so I didn't think it was major and didn't treat properly.  Well, I'm paying for it now.

Scouring the internet has led me to a small tear or strain in my hamstring (self diagnosis).  This calls for rest, icing and a recovery strategy.
- 2wks no leg weights and no cardio (no run, no bike, no swim)
- wk 3, introduce light weights and short cycle and swim
- wk 5 (mid-Nov), introduce short run and run/ cycle sessions

Some helpful articles and a video on injuries.
- Heat vs. Ice
- Triathlete Injuries
- Hamstring Strains (Video)

2012 Ironman World Championship

photos by Paul Phillips/ Compatitive Image

Ironman has two new world champions!  Pete Jacobs made it 6yrs in a row for Australia while Leanda Cave became the first woman ever to win the double 70.3 and full Ironman world titles in the same year!  Fantastic races!

Lots of videos on Triathlon Competitor.com, Interview with the champions and a few videos of Pete.  Enjoy!