Running Technique

I thought golf was hard! Straight arms, special grips, head position ... silly game, no wonder I gave it away. It turns out running is just as complicated. Don't Google "running form" or "running technique".


I now know my righ foot is not pronating back out of the stride because my hips aren't square and I'm compensating such that I don't get full power through the stride. On the other side, I lean my upper back to take work away from my lower back which is also counter productive. So now I stand in front of a mirror, slowly practising my running style, which also helps with core strength. Fingers crossed this will sort out the issues I've been having over recent years. Peter Stanton thinks it might take a month, but if there is more to do, perhaps 6 months to get it all right.


I did my first trail runs Friday and Sunday. Sunday was cold and I am still feeling this hamstring injury. Hopeful it be gone in a week and I can run freely again.

GCM 2011 - Post Marathon

GCM Marathon finishes on Sunday with the post party. I feel this is a good way to have closure on a wonderful experience. There will be 15 of us and quite a few will move on to the Melbourne Marathon to achieve what they missed at GCM. As much as I would like to attempt to improve, I have already resigned that I just can't physically ... for now. I was surprised that Rick said in an Email he was disappointed at not having me as a training partner. I have have a strong desire to team up with these guys for the next crack at the elusive sub-3.

I was happy to run 60 minutes today (big step up from 10 min a few days ago) and that has confirmed I can expect to be up to full base training distances of about 70k by the end of the next week (3 weeks after the race). No races or speed sessions for awhile though. The hamstring is healing but my nerves are still a mystery. Perhaps I can write about what is going on, when I find out.

I also want to understand the lactate thresgold runs in training compared to the marathon heart rate. Lactate run ar 160ish HR and Marathon at 170ish HR.

In the next few months I would like to race some half marathons and see what time I can achieve. It is a good lead up to Kurrawa and I want to do well and be the best support for my awesome running partner Clairie.

I just can't wait to get running again. My motivation to run is certainly alive and well.

GCM 2011 - The Race

This is in particular order ... perhaps ... No 1. is top of the list:

1. The encouragement and support made this race for me. It wasn't just about my goals, but when it got tough, I focused on my finish and seeing people most important to me. I also would think of the special support in order to lift each time I was needing to keep on track ... using matras and wanting to please others so much as I wanted it for me too. I wanted this one.

2. The lead up to this race was spot on. Carbo loading was mostly Friday and lighter on Saturday night. It was spaced with more frequent meals (Risotto, Pasta, Pancakes, Plain Pasta, Popcorn, Risotto). I didn't go overboard on the hydrating. The Saturday movie took my mind away from the race. I had a huge sleep Friday and made sure of it by having an early dinner with Clare and Andrew. I told them Linfox stories and I really enjoyed sharing with them what I was doing way back then. 1st July is the anniversary of a huge strike where I was the centre of it all (but that is another story). The lead up all ran like clockwork, I had a plan and just ran through it making sure we all got to where and when I needed. 7 Gels today (another PB).

3. For the first time, I felt I belonged to be running with people I considered way better and faster than me. I put 3 really good runners behind me and was only a few minutes short of 4/5 more. I ran along side sub 3 runners for the first half without much trouble. I also feel that a sub 3 is doable ... really doable. I like Andy Clowes FB comment ... "Nice work toasty. Sub 3 is only a matter of time."

4. The hill after the Nerang Bridge was real bitch. I was hit really hard and Clairie was there just when I was about to head into the worst part of the course, Bad Andy and few others also popped up ... it help me focus and save the race to a degree. No way was I going to waste 6 months of dedicated training without pushing through the challenges.

5. I got pumped up by Marijke and the PCRG crew at 41K. Lifted for a 3:05 finish and gave the hamstring a small pull which I nursed slowly home. Phew, that was really really close.

6. E-Speed and a greyhound from Tracy on the Big Screen at 37K mark. So cool!

7. Woke up to find out the Bombers won.

8. Really liked Cluffy's 2:59:44 amd Brett's 3:29 and change. Awesome seeing Ali and Pretty Matt at the start ... it was just perfect.

9. Kev Barry dropped by afterward ... I worked with him about 20 years ago and found out he was keeping up with my training through FB. He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

10. "Relax, it'll come. Don't go out to hard (as if. *roll eyes*). Don't be soft. Remember the training and the book. You won't enjoy it, it'll hurt. But crorssing that line will be like nothing else ever again ... "

11. Dreams come true. This was one of those days.

12. "Fear is merely the shadow of great opportunity"

I wish everyone could embrace the running experience in some way ... it is awesome. There is nothing like putting in all the work and loving it and then putting it to the test.