Monthly Archives: September 2011

09.18.11
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Sikh strides with Pride

So it was my first 5K. Running for one’s own identity and own pride is such an awesome feeling. The race was organized by SikhCoalition, a non-profit organisation who fights for the legal rights of the minority groups in US.

Since 9/11, there have been lot of hate crimes, and discrimination against the Sikhs, because of their identity. This was a fund-raising 5K race. Money raised through the effort, goes into running the SikhCoalition.

Now to the race part. This was a flat quick race. Challenged strongly by a bunch of high school kids, and freshmen, I believe I ran my fastest and strongest 5K ever. The kids were awesomely good, and paced hard throughout the distance. Coming back from a 13 mile run the previous day, and lot of icing, I maintained a constant speed throughout the run. Keeping a close tab on my strides, ensuring that the landing happens on the foot / mid-foot and the turnover remains quick.

Honestly, it was so exciting to be in the lead pack for around 4K, till I slowed down a bit, and two runners passed me. I enjoyed every moment of the crowd cheer, as I ran my way back from the half mark, being the fourth runner in the lead, rest all being high school kids and freshmen.

But it was so much fun to run a fast race. Overall, this was one of the best runs I ever experienced.

For details on SikhCoalition visit their website at SikhCoalition

09.17.11
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couch to 13 miles

Hola!! my readers..

So with a good feeling on my foot, heels responding great to the 3 mile run two days back. I did a 12.44 miles of long and easy run. Well, honestly it was being nuts to do this long run after being away from the trail and pavement for a month. I was instead planning to gradually bring it up to a 13 -15 mile distance.

But only a runner can get to know the excitement and anxiety to hit the trail. Adrianne and me signed up to do the distance on Friday morning. Started off well, with me focussing a lot on my stride, because I was very particular on hitting the road with either the foot or the mid-foot. So I kept the strides small.

Honestly, and after experimenting I found that, if you keep your strides small, your turnover is quick. Your foot leaves and hits the ground faster. This definitely helps you improve your pace. If you want to catch the guy ahead of you, try running with longer strides, you may or may not catch him, but you would have exhausted hell lot of fuel. The next time, catch the guy ahead of you with shorter and quick strides, you will definitely spend less energy and catch him.  

So that was my footwork, but at around 9 miles, I was feeling soreness in my heels. Nevertheless, at an easy pace, completed the distance. It was so much rejuvenating. Awesomeness was at its prime 🙂 …..

To avoid any inflammation of the Plantar fasciitis, I took my icing bottle to the office, and kept icing the entire day while sitting at my cube. Took ibuprofen. And gave ample rest to the foot.

The run was possible, because I was biking and swimming, while giving my heels the much needed rest.

09.14.11
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Getting out of the cradle

4 weeks of rest to the sore heels, popping in ibuprofen’s lot of stretching and icing… and NO RUNNING…

Since last Monday I did not get the pain in my foot, so an extra day of rest, and thought I should hit the pavement…

The run today was easy, with change in the stride. Made quick turnovers, by keeping shorter strides. Shorter strides helped me in a faster run, and less impact on the heels. Landing was more on the toes, and mid-foot. Though it always feels to run more after a long lay over period, but it is good intelligence not to. Start slow and steady, and build it up with strength.

Ofcourse one does not loose the stamina and lungs are still as strong as they were before, because swimming or biking or any other form of cross training keeps them in shape.

Anyways, I hope that the heel pain doesn’t come back during the day, have taken anti-inflammatory, and am icing while writing this post.

For readers, here is an article on Running Form- http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267-268-8210-0,00.html

as far as strides are concerned, there is no sacred stride 🙂

till I post again painless running !!

09.04.11
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Fell Running…..different kind of hill-running

I came across this term on the web, while exploring few books on running.

‘Fell-Running’ the sport is quite popular in UK. So far I haven’t found any club or group which does Fell running in US.

Fell running is not trail running or hill running. Well, you can say it is closely related because the running happens on the hill trails, slushy paths, grass, and the gradient climb is a significantly difficult part of the component. The name arises from the origins of the English sport on the fells of northern Britain, especially those in the Lake District.

The main difference from trail running and hill running is that the runners use their navigational skills to reach the destination point, and have to carry adequate survival equipments.

Less is known of this sport in US, but there is a Fell Running Association in UK, which administers the sport. Every country has its own, I came across the following link for US – American Fell Running association.  but it hardly has anything in it :).

I would say if you love the idea, you should read – ‘Feet in the Clouds- A Tale of Fell Running and Obsession’.

Also visit the wikipdedia for this.

So far I have been sold by the whole concept and idea, seems so much fun to me 🙂 …

09.03.11
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Train while you are strained..

Doctor’s, in this case it was my podiatrist, who has asked me not to run for the next two weeks… its bullshit, I freaked out.. 🙂 ..

Already annoyed at myself for hurting my heels, and the residual pain is not relieving, inspite of new pair of shoes 😦 .. regular icing.. and now am taking anti-inflamatory pills.

Well, instead of sitting on the couch, I have started biking more, hitting the gym for circuit weight training, and just started swimming yesterday. Off all this I feel that swimming is the best to keep the heart rate healthy.

While you are suffering from a running injury, you can utilise that time to give most rest to your legs, and exercise your upper body, and cross train. For a runner nothing can be more frustrating than not hitting the pavement or the trails. But it is always best to respect your body.

Listen to your body, listen to your doctor, read and talk to other runners, and check this out- http://runninginjuryfree.org/2008/09/foot-strike.html

Certain things that one can do at the gym-

  1. Do elliptical
  2. work on the glute muscles
  3. work on the quads  (do the first three depending on the injured area on your leg)
  4. do planks, and side planks
  5. with moderate or low weights do more reps for shoulders, biceps, and chest
  6. Rowing is a great way to keep the heart rate going
  7. spinning and biking are amazing, but again depends on where you are injured
  8. Lastly, swimming is always a great alternative
the upper body is as important for a runner as the lower body, one realizes this with his right hand movements while running uphill. Plus right strength exercise builds motivation during runs, and makes you feel strong.
One thing, I have read, and been told is that always rest the injured area 100%, before starting fresh.
So happy training, and happy running.. !!