Monday, January 11, 2010

I am hurt to my core

Runners need to strengthen their core muscles, pilates strengthens the core muscles therefore pilates would be a good thing, right?. An hour of pilates has left me barely able to breathe in and out without groaning. My muscles are threatening to go on strike. They tell me they are all that stands between my internal organs and the outside world and if I cause them any more trouble they are just letting go and I'll see how much use 5 layers of skin are.

I crawled home from work, wondering 'Is 6 o'clock too early for bed?'. I decided maybe it was so I'll be a devil and stay up until 8.  I have come to the conclusion that Pilates just makes running seem easier because it doesn't involve you having both legs raised off the ground for what seems like an hour, teasing them with nearly placing them back on the floor and then not. Of course you do get to lie down more with Pilates. The only time you get to lie down with running is when you fall over and then people never let you lie there and enjoy it.

With less than two weeks until the Hutt River events I'm vacillating. Do I do the half, the 10k or just be a great support. Currently my answer would be 'whichever option does not require any use of any muscles'. I'm such a snob, I really don't want to do the 10k. But I have to remind myself that I enjoyed the two 5ks I did. Oh the decisions! I will have my answer by morning. Of course a half marathon would be a true test of the magic of taping. But if I do the 10k I could run with May from work. I need chocolate!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Looooong run

Today I ran to Pompeii via French Bay. Ok, I ran to Te Papa to see the exhibition 'A Day in Pompeii' after doing my regular homage visit to the McCahons on level 5. The wind was wild in Wellington today so I decided against running the Skyline Track as my powers of flight are not yet fully developed. The waterfront was wild! At one point I felt like my right leg was being blown away to the south! I can't believe in January I had to be rugged up in my merino 2XU t and my running jacket. I'm not certain polyprop gloves wouldn't have gone amiss!

It was a wild adventure! I don't know if my hair a la 'something about Mary' was really up to Te Papa's standards. The run was far better than the exhibition but at least it gave me a purpose. I couldn't believe it when I got home and it wasn't even 1 and I'd had a run, been to an exhibition, gone to two markets and come away with a huge haul of fresh fruit and veg, done the vacuuming and a load of washing! A most pleasing day was had! I'm hmming and haaing over running to work to tomorrow. The lure of a cup off coffee and a homemade muffin when I get there will probably convince me. But I do love running along the waterfront....and not just because it's flat and Tory St is not!

Off to retape my leg now. I gave it some tapefree time today and realised what an excellent job the taping was doing.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

A brisk walk up a hill

A work colleague yesterday asked me if I would be keen for a brisk walk up a hill today. I thought it sounded like a fine idea so agreed. Wellington is not short of hills so I imagined a pounding of suburban streets would be the order of the day.

We were joined on our walk by Leo, the confused male cavoodle belonging to a friend of Ruth's, who sported a lovely pink ribbon...this may have explained his need to cock his leg every five minutes in a bid to demonstrate his masculinity. The three of us headed out to Khandallah in Ruth's little red Starlet, in a roundabout way - a driving tour of Wellington was provided free by Ruth. Parking by the summer pool we headed up the path.  The sign read "Mt Kaukau" - the mountain bit should have been a warning! We headed bravely up at Ruth's pace with the occasional breather (Ruth and I) and leg cocking (Leo). It was probably three quarters of the way up that it became apparent that it was some time since she'd been up there and the hill seemed to have grown in that time. There were indeterminable steps and the path seemed to always be promising an end just round the corner but never producing it.

Finally we reached the TV mast at the top. Some smart guy had labelled the stile at the top "The Hillary Step" -  and they weren't far wrong! The view from the top was worth the slog though. You could see most of Wellington spread out beneath you.  Forget Mt Vic! This is the place to go for a fantastic view!

A "nice well-spoken young Khandallah man" (Ruth's description) kindly told us how to go back down another way. The route is sign posted but not on par with the Montana Heritage trail. There could have been potential for me to get lost I'm sure (who am I kidding....I can get lost in Westfield Queensgate). When we told the NWSYKM the way we'd come he informed us we'd taken the boring route.

Well, by boring I guess he meant not life-threatening for walkers! The downward path was a reasonable facsimile of a trail with the all important channel caused by winter rains running down the middle. It would have been fun at a run but picking our way down meant we could enjoy every nuance. I said to Ruth that the NWSYKM probably ran down at full pelt, something he confirmed when we met him at the bottom. I think by that point Ruth had other not-so-nice names for him!

It gave me great sympathy for those kind fit/fast souls who have borne with me on runs that have pushed me to my limits and barely raised a sweat on them. I really appreciate Ruth introducing me to Mt Kaukau and I plan on returning to it very soon and this time I'll run it!

What today did prove is that the wonderful strapping that Michele showed me does help my foot! My leg has no chance to go equine on me. My foot stays perfectly in place and no stressing occurs.  The padding in my shoe has also helped but I wore my trail shoes today and the lack of padding was not a problem. Trail has hammered my foot in the past so I am well pleased!  Ooo rah!  Someone buy that woman a drink!