That perhaps best describes my club run tonight.
After doing so well in my last couple of outings I went tonight perhaps expecting more of the same. Unfortunately I got something of a rude awakening.
We set off at quite a brisk pace and a few of my fellow runners remarked that the pace felt so much quicker tonight than last week. But that was ok, that’s what we turn up for – to get a decent run, to be tested.
Normally I wouldn’t have minded, I have been increasing my speed lately so initially I welcomed the challenge.
However, after about 15 minutes or so it became evident that my legs just weren’t for having it tonight. My ankles burned up, my calves felt tight and I just couldn’t shake them loose. I also felt that my left foot was landing at an angle with every step, it was like I was running with a hobble.
I think I know the reason. There seems to be a common denominator between tonight and my last dodgy run on Thursday last week …… and, I’m sorry to say, it seems to be my new trainers.
I didn’t wear them at the weekend and I was pleased with how I got on. I also didn’t wear them on a couple of my runs last week and I don’t recall being particularly disappointed with those runs either.
So I can only deduce they are the problem.
Now, of course, I’ve got a dilemma. They weren’t cheap so I’m loathe to ditch them. I’ve also been wearing my Mizuno Wave Inspire’s which my podiatrist suggested I shouldn’t but I’ve always liked them, they feel so comfortable and light.
Perhaps the answer is to get a pair of Mizuno’s that match my Asics as closely as possible and use the Asics for my walking trainers, for which they’re perfectly fine and I have no issues with. It’s just running in them that I struggle with.
Or maybe I just had an off night. It happens to everyone. Maybe I was tired, it was my third day running in a row. Perhaps I need to revisit my schedule.
Pace wise, the run wasn’t the quickest but a few weeks ago I know I would have been quite pleased with it. It was also quicker than my first run with the club so, in that light, it wasn’t ‘bad’ as such. I just wasn’t happy with myself.
But, as with every run that doesn’t please me, I’ll pick myself up and go at it again. I survived the London Marathon on barely any training following a long time out with injury so I’m not going to let tonight defeat me.
On the plus side, because I’m determined there will be one, I felt I finished the run strongly and I collected my official club shirt.
HUFF, PUFF AND SHUFFLE 