Getting Back On My Feet

It has been awhile since I last wrote a post. There was nothing exciting to report about, no rigorous training, no races. It's more like eat, work, watch tv & sleep. It quickly became a routine and fitness dropped to ground zero.

 

Of late, I tried to put in more runs into my schedule but somehow, I am getting more injuries than before. My plantar faciitis on my left foot is still affecting me and now I have a back lower back issue. I get a twitch in my knee at times too but nothing major (I hope). If I tell that to a non-running friend or hardly workout friends, first thing they will say is, I think it's because you are running too much. To be honest, that's just something I hate hearing especially of how little they know about running. Of course, running does affect my injury but why or how it happen should not be blame in running alone.  I never had any major injuries when I was training hard for my races before. I think I had all these injuries after a long lay off from running. Problem this time is I've gained weight which was a hard thing to do in the past. It may due to aging and slowing down of my metabolism. Practically eat out most of the time. My medical report will probably fail miserably if I do a check-up now. I do have a history of high cholestrol level, probably from genes and main contributor would be eating out!

 

Now, I am back to the drawing board in running. I still have an aim to go below sub-3 hours in a full marathon. Current PB is still stands at 3'05 (Berlin Marathon '10). Is it possible? I don't think it is that hard. Looking back at the training I did for Berlin, my weekly mileage averaging around 55km. The highest I went was only 85km/week. I'll try to target for a marathon race in 2014 to allow myself more time to get back into shape and also time to heal my injuries.

 

In the last week, I had the pleasure of running with Chan Yew, the national record holder in full marathon, 2'25. Although it was only a short run (for me), it was great feeling to be running with an elite. During our first run in Desa Park City, I asked him if he wanted to do a running clinic for runners which he agreed to. I invited the Dutamas Runners gang. The turn out for the event was better than I expected, with other runners from another group also joined in. I think everyone did enjoy the clinic, learning many running tips from Chan Yew. We did a lap around Metropolitan Park before we started on the clinic. It was more of a Q&A session, which Chan Yew patiently took his time to explain every detail. Questions on training, nutrition, preparation before raceday, breathing technique and many more secrets were revealed. The Q&A even went right through to our breakfast gathering.

 

 

Group photo credited to Andrew Hsien

Explaining in finer details of training over breakfast

Breakfast for champions - Mixed pork porridge

The run with Chan Yew and all the running knowledge he passed on can put a spring back into my running again. It was hard to find the motivation to run or train again for the past two years. I have been oblivious to the races happening during this period. I do miss competing at the highest level (although not at the level of the elites as yet) but I think I still have a lot of running in me to be competitive.

 

But for now, it's more of a healing time with my injuries. I was advised by my doctor to strengthen my core because of my lower back pain which sometimes can affect my upper left leg/butt. It was suspected as slipped disc but doctor couldn't see anything except for bone degeneration as he put it. It is a minor now but if I don't take care of it, it may turn our worse. Only time will tell how soon can I put in more runs.

 

I am also taking this opportunity to say a BIG THANKS to Chan Yew in spending time with us, sharing his knowledge in running. We wish him the best in his training as he leaves for the State ending his holiday back in Malaysia.