Runner’s Log 19 June 2010
This last fortnight was very good for me training wise. I have been running on alternate days, averaging between 15-18km on the weekdays and over 20km on the Saturday runs. The idea is to continue to build “distance-endurance” and therefore I am currently not too concerned about speed. The running highlights of the fortnight were two “long” runs.
The first was in Bangalore, last week. My route was Home (Koramangala 1st block)-Koramangala Inner Ring Road-Domlur-Command Hospital-Trinity Circle-MG/Cubbon Road-Chinnaswamy Stadium-Cubbon Park-Church Street-Vellara Junction-Johnson Market-Adugodi Signal-Forum Mall-St. John’s Medical College-Sarjapur Road-Aishwarya Departmental Stores-Home, a total distance of c21.73km in a little over two hours.
The second was this morning, in Hyderabad. My route was Home (Road No. 14)-Jagannath Puri temple-Road No. 45-State Gallery of Fine Arts-Inorbit Mall-Hitech City Main Road-Mumbai Road-Gachibowli-Miyapur Road-Botanical Gardens-Kothaguda-Shilparamam-Hitech City Road-Road # 36-Jubilee Hills Check Post-KBR park periphery-Home, a total distance of c29.2 km in a little under three hours.
This morning’s run was a bit more tiring than usual, primarily because (a) I was running a distance greater than 25km after a very long time, (b) zero electrolyte replacement during the run leading to a higher fatigue level and quicker burnout (mistake, I know), and (c) it was a new route for me and the road undulates like crazy at several points during the run. My hamstrings and buttocks are still sore ;-).
On the electrolytes, am waiting for the Endurolyte shipments to arrive next month, which should definitely help up the game a few notches. As for the route itself, I had driven with Atri yesterday AM and scoped the entire route I was planning to take. I recently purchased a Garmin unit, the Oregon 550 and used it to create the track with all waypoints and so on and so forth marked up. It rained quite heavily last night and the roads were wet or still water logged, so I did get a bit drenched what with the oncoming lorries spraying water on the roadsides – a definite mood dampener. All told, an experience of a kind, ha!
I have also been able to work out at the gym regularly, currently concentrating on my core, back and shoulders. It’s strange because I’ve never really appreciated resistance and strength training but I can see the benefits, having practised this for a little over a month now. The results are slowly but surely beginning to show in my running. The endurance levels are slowly improving and I am able to maintain a steady 8-9kmph pace for over two hours, without any major pain in the hamstrings, glutes or lower back.
This upcoming fortnight, I intend to add a bit of yogā and prānāyāmā to the routine. The yogā should help strengthen the back and spine and the prānāyāmā will help cool the body during the workouts.
This evening, I intend to celebrate a bit on completing the first 25km after many many months. Nandita and I are going out to watch the ongoing FIFA world cup at a local sports bar and I’ll probably have a few beers to mark this milestone.
Will write again soon. Onward and upward. . .
Cheers
S