What’s most amazing about Dr. Roberts’ column on barefoot running is what’s missing. You can instantly spot when someone knows nothing about barefoot running when they talk about “building up callouses on your feet” or “maybe it’s okay on the beach,” or “you need to gradually transition with thinner and thinner shoes.”

In other news — I am getting back into my running; I actually went out for 30 minutes on Sunday and need to pack another 7 sessions in before my race at the end of the month. That’s going to be a messy one, but I am trying to put together some focus and put all my efforts in training for my first 10 miler in October.

And I have been completely and utterly unmotivated, despite my intense desire to be so. I don’t know if I am still trying to recover from what was a long, depressing winter – hooray for sun! – or if my malaise is caused by a lack of goals. However, it’s something I need to challenge, as my fitness isn’t getting any better, and I have 10km to run/walk very soon.

So, there is an obvious need to begin focussing. But how should I go about it?

Any tips?

If you can afford to spare a few quid, I would very much appreciate your support in raising money for Macmillan; or, if you can’t afford any or can’t (or don’t wish to) support my financially, your moral support is also very welcome! :)

There are two popular C25K apps for the iPhone, and the one I use is that published by Felt Tip Inc. Felt Tip also do a Couch to 10K app, which I’ve also been using lately.

Generally, I’m happy with it; it’s been updated recently to allow one to control music playback within the app; previously, you had to start music via the iPod app on the iPhone, and then launch the app; decide to change the playlist or album, and you would need to quit the app and go back into the iPod. A pain in the bum.

This latest update removes that requirement, but the couple of times I’ve tried it, it’s been temperamental. Perhaps it doesn’t like my taste in music :) ¹

The voices and alerts within the app are nice and clear, and one can hear them clearly above the music; you can also change the voice and volume of same, which is nice. Personally, I’ve just left it on the default.

It doesn’t update your Twitter or Facebook automatically, which I believe the other app (called C25kapp²) does, but this shouldn’t be a make-or-break issue IMO, since I personally update my Twitter after a run so I can put my little touch of genius on my tweets rather than a templated message, but it’s quite clear that a number of people use the automated posting (see those tweets referencing @c25kapp, so best of luck to them.

If you have an iPhone or iPhone Touch, and feel that having something guide you through these specific programs would be helpful, then you can’t go too wrong with either of these apps.

Andy Vernon spoke at the Adidas event last night, and came out with the quote above, which somewhat rang a bell for me since my current outlook on racing seems to be “Train hardly at all; race until you’re crippled and hobbling after the 1Km mark”.

I have to admit that it was pretty cool hearing from someone who is out there competing seriously, on his way to the European Championships etc.

Obviously, Andy is leagues beyond what I could ever hope to achieve, but that simple quote has given me a new perspective.

A week or so ago, I was invited to attend an event to introduce the Adidas miCoach; it was the first I’d heard of it, so obviously did some sniffing around the miCoach site, and watching some videos on the YouTubes, and so I was definitely interested in checking it out tonight.

Things didn’t go swimmingly, unfortunately; most of the devices weren’t working perfectly, the shoes I was given to try were a half-size too small, and I was asked to go for a run. However, it should be pointed out:

• Technology never works when it should, especially when there’s press in the room(*)
• I was given size 10 shoes because I asked for size 10 shoes; when actually, I’m a 10 and a half. I blame this on my not having bought any shoes for over a year, and also being a ditzy-headed dickhead.
• Considering I run a running blog, I shouldn’t be surprised that one would be expected to look forward to a chance to run. I really should get used to this.

The device itself is quite snazzy looking, and once I read the manual and actually follow instructions, instead of trying to tie my shoes up which is what I had my mind on tonight, I am sure I’ll be able to figure it out quite quickly.

I don’t really want to sound like I’m easily bought – oh, but I am – but I plan to use this ickle device as my training buddy leading up to the 10k in May. I’ll keep you all posted as time, and the next 10 weeks, goes on.

(* I’m not, of course, counting myself amongst the ‘press’, but that I believe there was a guy from the Sun there – that’s allegedly a newspaper – and some running magazines. They were all skinny and healthy looking and I hated them)

So, I’ve just registered for the 10 mile BUPA Great South Run being held in October. This will be a good distance to train for after I finish my 10K, especially after my mid-July holiday where no doubt I’ll do nothing fitness related!

It’s expensive – £36!! – but it’s a big event; a friend of mine did this in 2007, which is what inspired me to sign-up for my first race.

Really looking forward to it!

(And yes, this was seriously spur-of-the-moment stuff!)

To delve deeper into the reasons behind this, my boss – who, as mentioned previously, is an experienced long-distance runner – told me that I should be signing up for races in the future beyond my May 10K, so as to have something to aim for. Last year I didn’t do this, which is why I haven’t done any races since last May.

He also told me – and I think this is a great quote – that every issue of Runners World should just have the words “Race, you slob” printed inside. His reasoning being, it’s the races we should be doing to push ourselves as the major part of our training.

I will never be the fastest runner in the world, but the idea of running long distances is immensely appealing to me; but I don’t get to that level if all I ever do is the odd 10K.

So, signing up for a 10 mile race is pushing me beyond that ‘OMG 10K is so far!’ mindset, and putting me one step closer to the distances which appeal to me.

The course:

Another very-early-morning workout this morning; awake at 4.45am, dragging myself out of bed at 5.05, and out the door at 5.20. I was seriously tempted to pass on this morning’s run, promising myself I’d do it tomorrow, but instead I realised that would mean my weekend run would be on a Sunday which has become my do nothing but sit around like a fat slob day. Important!

Anyway, today’s workout was scheduled to be 55 minutes long, with intervals of 1 minute running and 5 minutes walking, repeated 8 times. I will come clean and admit I skipped the last running break, as I was close to home and absolutely knackered.

As I posted on Twitter:

The first couple of running break were cold and painful. After this, I loosened up a little and they were merely cold. However, after 40 minutes, I was now no longer cold, merely in pain. So, you know, swings and roundabouts.

I have a niggle in my lower left calf which I’m hoping will go away. It wasn’t constant today, but it was there much of the time. Right hamstrings were tight but soon loosened up.

All in all, it was a good workout which I was glad to see the end of!

10K Goal

On May 31 I will be competing in the BUPA London 10,000. This was my first ever 10K race back in 2008, and I did it again last year; I have told myself that, while I can, I will do this every year.

It’s a big (read: crowded) race, and the staged start tends to kick things off quite slowly, but it gets a decent number of people there supporting the runners ¹ and the route itself, through the heart of London and the City of London, is a great environment to run in free of traffic.

My plan, time-wise, is to get under an hour. If my 10K training plan goes as it should, this will hopefully be doable. As you can see on the Events page, my current PB for a 10K is 1hr 14m, so I will need to be quite a bit quicker.

For my own esteem, breaking the hour would be a tremendous achievement for me, but even managing a PB will make me happy.

Fundraising

Meanwhile, I’m trying to raise money for charity; again, something I only do when running this event.

This year, I’ve chosen Macmillan Cancer Care. They always seem to be at this race offering their support, and they also do great work in supporting those with cancer both as far as ongoing care and support goes, but also in petitioning the government to provide for those suffering long-term with cancer.

If you would like to sponsor me, I would greatly appreciate it! Donations are taken by JustGiving.com, who pass the funds almost immediately on to the chosen charity.

Doing this meant I was also able to complete the entire session, and boy what a difference that last 10 minutes make; the final running break – even though it was only 30 seconds long – wore me down and I could really feel the fatigue in my legs after the entire session was over.

The total distance for this morning is around 4km, but I need to map it out to make sure that’s accurate; considering Tuesday’s was just over 3km, I’m sure 4km won’t be far off.

There is one more session this week, on Saturday, then next week starts Week 2 which is 1 min running w/ 5 mins walking, repeated 9 times for a total session time of 55 minutes.

Update It was actually 4.4km this morning, after being able to map it out on Google properly. Go me!