New running shoes!

I went shopping in Bath on Monday with the intention of getting some 'proper' running shoes.

Running Bath are a shop that "specialise in running shoes and apparel". They have a running pad (it's proper name is footscan gait analysis system...) that measures the pressure you apply on your feet as you run. After a few jogs over the pad with each foot you get to see the analysis on screen of where your weight is distributed.

Unfortunately I couldn't take the diagram away with me. It showed that I was pronated on both feet within normal levels and would benefit from extra cushioning on my running shoes. I didn't suffer from over-pronation or supination, which I understand would require different types of shoe. This is by far the best link I have found the subject.

Once the analysis was complete (a few minutes) I trialled a number of shoes outside the shop with the assistance of the one of staff that was very knowledgeable. I ended up going for a mid range Asics that just felt the most comfortable (picture to follow).

It felt good knowing that I had taken the time to find a good pair of running shoes, after hearing of the damage that can be caused with the wrong running style/wrong trainers etc...

Now all I have to do is get back out there and run.

Digital red nose!

He actually has a pink nose at the moment. A little more red wont do any harm. :-)

Happy New Year

2009 already, but still no flying cars.

Hope everyone has a great year regardless!

Back on my feet and running!

Well it's only taken 94 days but I've finally managed a decent run after fracturing my knee. Phew! I'm absolutely knackered right now but the endorphins are being released making the experience not that bad.

I managed just over 5km in 32 minutes which isn't a great pace for my ability but just getting round the circuit was my main goal.

I've been thinking of signing up for the Bath Half Marathon again next year. A few of my friends have already committed themselves to it so I guess I should. :-) If I do I will certainly want to break the 2 hour barrier and possibly even lower than 1hr 50.

Broken kneecap - argh!

It looks like I wont be making the Bristol Half Marathon after breaking my knee cap. It was a moment of idiocy whilst playing football that led to a visit to Frome Hospital and the resulting leg cast. Although I didn't get to see the x-ray at the time the doc said it was fractured in three places - but that it should heal naturally without the need for surgery.

This was taken a few hours after the injury. As you can see it was the right knee that was broken, although at this point I had no idea. You can also just about see the swelling just above the knee. That was painful!

There are some more photos here: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/craigmarch/BrokenKneeCap

It looks like I will be having this cast on for 6 weeks, taking me up to the 2nd September. Given that the half marathon will be 12 days later it's just not going to happen which is a huge disappointment.

I'm due to visit the fracture clinic tomorrow for the first check-up, hopefully things should be progressing nicely. We shall have to see!

So what happened to the HTC TyTN?

In a word, sold. Actually it was sold within almost a week of getting it. Why? It was just not what I was looking for and so it had to go (for a small profit).

That's the end of that adventure.

P.S. I have now a Nokia N95 that I am very happy with.

Training summary - Week 3

A bit late with this update, but better late than never!

I had the week off from work but only managed one run. This was in Bristol, just over 10km, with a friend of mine. It was good to actually train with someone else for a change! I was surprised by how much we were able to talk during the run, although at about 7km and facing an incline to the end it was silence all the way.

Always good to run with a different view, even if it was Fishponds... :-)

Another 10km this week. Hoping to have the motivation to complete this twice before the distance gets even harder.