Competitive Jerks Racing and Training - 2023 (Read 574 times)

Well for the third time this year I'm sick just before a race.  It could be worse, it's not my main goal race and there's a Park Run every week but it's still very frustrating.  Unless I suddenly improve it's unlikely I'll go for it and instead just focus on the 10km in 3 weeks and maybe look at a Park Run post-Melbourne.

Yep, it’s a free Park Run so you could always run it the following week I guess. Being sick 3 times in 6 months is unusual, what is the issue?

I felt the need to slip into my Air Relax compression boots yesterday for the first time in over a year!  I'm not sure how much they actually help with recovery, but it’s a very relaxing experience. 

I've recently came across this saying: "Some people eat to live, some people live to eat"

LOL I'm so much on that second group. When traveling to a different place I always have a to-do list of things to eat, and I definitely do not care as much about the landmarks.

Funny enough, recently we've been to Bordeaux and it was only after a bit of pressure from my father in law that I caved and tried a glass of Bordeaux wine.

But I was crazy about a local pastry that takes wine in the preparation (Canelé.

Food is in fact so important that I get cranky if I'm served bad food and I need to eat a satisfying meal at least once a week or else my mood will suffer.

But I know a few people who instead "eat to live". Eating for them is like a chore that they have to get through to avoid starvation.

Like my cousin and his wife. We'll to go a restaurant and they will always order just a few bytes of food and then imbibe themselves in a bunch of beers. And then they're just fine eating like 150 calories each. Coincidentally my in-laws are like that as well, maybe they're consuming all their calories via beer? dunno. It's mind boggling how they can live eating so little.

Salt is salt. I get the cheapest thing I can find on Amazon. You don't need any of the fillers they put in. The key is to take the salt pills and right dose for the temperature. I will take up to 3 pills a hour on days hotter than 90 degrees.

 

Krash, I am not sure you have enough running experience to comment.... Joking aside, so the magnesium, potassium, etc. are just the fillers? I know the salt is the most important electrolyte but the others aren't really worth it?

Strength work - So after my 5k Sunday, the lower part of my hamstrings were abnormally sore compared to everything else. I normally get soreness in my upper hamstrings and hips after a fast race but these were fine this time so it looks like some of the strength work I put in help there. What I am neglecting with my lower hamstrings? Is this just lack of fast running this summer or do I need target that area better during strength work? I am sure the answer is both but looking for a specific exercise.

One thing which has helped me with my Piriformis pain is doing reverse lunges but pulling my back foot 4-6 inches past the other foot laterally (right foot going left of my left foot). When I come up from that position, I am kicking that back foot forward to make sure I power through the whole motion to simulate a powerful stride.

I've recently came across this saying: "Some people eat to live, some people live to eat"

 

I would never say that I live to eat, but I’ll go to a decent restaurant at least once a week and always cook fresh as I enjoy it and find it very therapeutic and it’s probably the only reason why my wife is still with me    eg, I’ll make a big pot of soup/chilli con carne etc and freeze into individual potions. My favourite food is Thai and have been to a few Thai cooking classes over the years, but frustratingly I still can’t recreate that amazing taste at home.  

I created a dish when I first started running called Marathon Pie because it’s what I always have the day before a marathon if I’m not travelling and it’s very easy to make….the ingredients are carrots, leeks, chick peas, brown lentils, onions, parsnips, 3 bay leaves…the vegetable stock includes marmite and Worcester sauce. The mash on top is a mixture of white and sweet potatoes.

Marathon Pie = Moose Mug. 😎

Wcrunner - I did go on on boys trip last weekend and then was pretty fatigued for every run early in the week. And Wednesday was a workout in freezing wind and sleet so I’d say it all contributed.

Mikkey - I want some Moose Mug Pie! I targeted this park run because some friends from Wellington are down who are avid park runners. I’d have to switch things round to go in the next few weeks but it’s not the end of the world, just frustrating it keeps happening. I had a rough night so I’m still in bed while my friends have gone to do it. The park run just posted that the course is still under water so they’re having to change it up so maybe it’s just as well….

Flavio - the cold weather isn’t helping for sure but I’d had a really good run of never getting sick until I got Covid in March last year. The silly lockdowns may have reduced my immunity along with the thing that shouldn’t be mentioned.

 

I felt the need to slip into my Air Relax compression boots yesterday for the first time in over a year!  I'm not sure how much they actually help with recovery, but it’s a very relaxing experience. 

Damn- Mikkey's getting serious here...Hope someone let Cal know that the training just went up a notch

I would also like a slice of the Moose Mug pie at some point.  Mine will need some Chicken however as I'm an omnivore.

Mikkey - Wait a minute, where's the meat on that pie?

Steve - If your theory is right then you got some very bad luck. After catching *The Thing* I went a whole year without catching a cold.
I remember a few years ago I was getting sick quite often and only recently I have uncovered most of the mystery.
First I found out that I have consistent heart burn due to hiatus hernia. It's mild enough that I don't notice it, but it's there always causing a slight sore throat.
Then I found out this year that my Vitamin D levels were cratering.
That should not be a surprise considering how much I hate the sun rays, but lack of Vit D causes a weaker immune system, and also it's a very good explanation to why I feel considerably more sore after exercise than most people.
I still have another running theory, one that is harder to prove: That after so many years of gluttony (or maybe due to genetics) I have developed some light permanent damage to my small intestines. Over the past 2 to 3 years I have started being unable to handle certain spices. And the intestines are known as your second brain, they have a huge influence on your immune system function and your mood.

me - I'm quite happy with this week. It was very hard.

Tuesday we're traveling to Brazil to visit family. It's been a year and a half, way too much time, considering I can probably count on my fingers how many times I'll see my parents.

Weekly for period: From: 07/31/2023 To 08/06/2023

Totals: Time: 07:54:53 - Statute: 61.22 mi - Metric: 98.50 km