Back on the road

Distance 19km [total: minimalist 285.6km: Barefoot 4102.9km] Week4

Monday 21-Jan-2013. 6km

I got through this run without any pain in my calf which was very positive. I did a beach run while the tide was out and found it was more my aerobic fitness that trimmed my pace. I kept alert for any increase in pain around the lower part of my leg. I did feel a little tightness but I think that was the muscles being worked while running. I didn't over do it and cut my run shorter than I would when my enthusiasm was at full throttle.

Saturday 26-Jan-2013. 7km

Another run along the beach this time my full 7km run and once again I felt quite good, no tightness this time and I was running at a better pace. I stayed as relaxed as I could during the run and didn't take any kind of stopwatch or heart monitoring device with me. I have to get the enjoyment of running back before I put any kind of pressure on to run fast.

Sunday 27-Jan-2013. 6km

I had some bad news on the Saturday. My younger brother has contracted lung cancer and it is in a more advanced stage. This has upset me greatly. Running is the only thing I can do to lift my spirits. I went for a short run around the lake at West Lakes. I am not going to think about the future anymore, I have to practice living more for now. I felt when I was running with my feet touching the earth that I could transmit some positive energy through the earth to my poor brother, probably not very scientific but then, there is more we don't know than that we do know.

Neil

Soleus pain easing

Distance 0km [total: minimalist 285.6km: Barefoot 4083.9km] Week2

Weekly distance 0km

Two weeks into the new year and I have not been for a run yet. I still have some soreness in the soleus muscle, it is gradually getting better but I wouldn't want to put too much strain on it as I feel that it could give way again.
On the Sunday I went to the field across from my house and did some very light runs back and forward, running a total distance of 7 x 100m, I could feel the tightness and was prepared to stop at any sign that it was going to worsen. It didn't and I feel that I have now started on the road back.
I was really enjoying my early morning runs, escaping the heat of the late afternoon. Still, there is another 4 months of Summer/Autumn before we get the real cold weather again and I get to run on the cold sand.
It really is amazing how much I miss barefoot running when I can't get out there and feel the ground beneath my feet. I should be conservative and let the problem heal properly this time.
I think the reason I felt what I thought was tendon soreness in the weeks before my calf went was a sign of weakness in the soleus muscle and how it wasn't controlling my landing correctly, this was then putting a strain on my tendon. Hindsight diagnosis is a wonderful thing.

Neil