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Show me your friends, I'll show you your future

I think I am pretty safely over hip watch now. 100% it's not quite right but it's not likely to develop into anything serious (touch wood).  Still need to make a concerted effort over the Christmas period to strengthen and get more flexible - glutes, core, hips, ankles are the main focus but I do feel like I am out of the woods (not patting myself on the back just yet!) Since Saturday's disappointment I got a very solid long run in on Sunday (6.18/mm avge) a rest day on Monday and a steady 5 (6:28/mm) and shakeout 3 yesterday. I honestly feel like I have something in my system (would be the most convenient explanation for Saturday's inability to push on). I'm nowhere near feeling great when running. Possibly just pushing a little hard BUT the strangest thing of all at the minute is how slow some of the quicker paces feel. 6.20 pace feels really slow (not easy - don't confuse the two words). Generally when I am fit 6:20 pace feels like race pace, I'm wonderin...

Olympic Park 5k

Agggghhhhh, nicely sums up my feelings on that one!  Had the chance to put out a decent target for the boys racing tomorrow and it literally went pop ! Set up for the race was great. Felt brilliant and once we warmed up I felt great. Zero complaints. On to the race, lined up behind the fast guys (sub 16) and agreed to pace Jacob to the first mile. We are off, start on grass (not ideal in Adios) and onto the pavement after 10 secs or so. Settle down and try to relax. Doesn't feel amazing but the pace and effort is roughly right. Dead turn after ~400m and back, then up incline over the bridge and into the wind into the sharp turn. Down a gradual incline all the way to another dead turn and down to the river. First mile in around 5.21. Feels bleugh but manageable. Nicely blocked from the wind by the river until we hit the rise. 2km up in 6.30. On pace but pushing. Garmin reading is very slow (it was way out anyway) push on. Very sharp climb back up and then down the finish straight. 8...

Hip Back and Form Watch - Day 10

OK, so obviously slightly stuff more on my mind this time !! Hip - since the chiro put me back in place this does feel much better almost to the point where I'm not overly concerned with it. I know if I stretch, do the drills and don't get lazy then this should be OK. Looking back I have actually managed to fend off in the past so recognising what I need to to AND THEN DOING IT is most of the battle! Back - I think from using heavier weights with the sprinted lunges I have pulled some muscles in the back. Simple, it's happened before with weights and it will ease down. Just fucking annoying right now - AGHHHHHH  Heat helps massively so I am either hot showering (to the point of scalding) or standing up against a radiator - much like a cat ! Form - so frustrating. Yesterday I left my run VERY late for me. Jumped on the treadmill and set to 14 kmph. Now I know they're not 100% accurate but generally on Zwift this will show anywhere from 13.9 to 14.3 kmph. Starts showing ...

Hip Watch Day 9

Day off early doors, did nada!  Off to the Chiro in the afternoon.  Long story short - ankle flexibility and tight hips are the issues. No nerve or structural issues just good old alignment and inflexibility. Cool down all the rolling, more static stretching hips and ankles.  See how it goes. Possibly best case scenario. She put me back into alignment (hips and spine) and I'll see how things are. Back (right upper) is still crazy tight so will tens it later and run 45 mins very easy - probs treadmill as cold and dark. If Saturday goes well I'll be back for more!

Hip watch - Day 8

After total rest yesterday, felt the usual pre-run lethargy today. Good warm up pre-run as top of back is TIGHT and have a nagging very slight (almost like I am imagining it) ache in left hip on the joint. Started run - mile @ 14 kmph feeling very bleugh to start but focussed by the end. Stopped for a pee then 3 miles @ 16 kmph. Have to say this felt VERY relaxed and pretty easy. Not even steady effort. HR was 145 avge - even with the 10 bpm it would be outdoors that's still pretty easy. Warm down to 35 mins. The new Adios are bang on. These are my new treadmill shoes for sure. I'll race in the pink ones but keep these ones indoor. Feel pretty good, still concerned about the aches and pains of the back and the hip but I am in good shape even minus the sessions. Will do strength set tonight - cannot be avoided that is where this will die out or become an injury. If I can build the muscles it should avoid any major issues.   The hip does feel like a nerve issue which would make ...

Hip Watch Day 7

Rest day today, glutes and hip felt 'fatigued' today. Pretty certain I survived the long run OK but happy for the rest! Had a massage this morning with Jenny, I think if I get issues again I 100% need to get in to see her. She mainly focussed on the back which still isn't fully relaxed - the knots are brutally tight BUT I do feel all around much better. Total rest today - body needs to heal and start getting set for Saturday. Race day looks OK, bit cold but not much wind so should be OK once I get going. Need to do course reccy on Strava today, see where and when it'll be fast, slow and congested. The first new pair of Adizero Adios Pro turned up today. Day glow not as nice as the pink ones but I'll be using these for my steady runs I reckon. They are pretty sweet to be fair. On Jenny's recommendation have booked into Chiropractor to get my spine and hips put back in to line. Can't see that hurting for the weekend. Idea now is to relax into Saturday, runs wi...

Hip Watch - Day 6

OK, so I'll drop the hash tags! After yesterday's decent tempo. Late night decision to do an outdoor easier and longer run today to reccy the 10k route for NYE. Ian wasn't running with DC and DC was running with the Hunts boys so headed up with him to tackle the route. The route is pretty shit. From about a km until the end of the 2nd mile is twisty, muddy, slippery & hilly. Last 4 and a bit is quick. Not a great course for me but if it's OK weather wise I will tempo it just for the catch up and the craic. Run wise, felt pretty good. 6.40 pace feeling pretty easy. Few (ok a lot) of stops to check route and to avoid ice but felt really easy at that pace. Distance as usual is an issue after about 9 miles which just felt bleugh but overall that was pretty easy. Hip a little sore (left one) when I got home. 2 hours in car probably not helpful so usual routine to take the edge off. Possibly should keep distance outdoors under control at this stage but it feel ok enough -...