I’d never really considered myself a runner until I got about four months into this challenge and I still find I have my doubts at times about whether I really am one.
Other people I know though have been running for years and, sometimes, you just have to bow to their superior knowledge. Point in case is Steve Swift, regular reader and commenter (is that a word?, Steve would know, he’s a proof reader). Steve has been running for some time and regularly offers me pieces of sage advice… go back two entries ago to see his comment on my 18.5mile run: ‘be careful on Tuesday’.
While yesterday I was a little stiff, today I was a lot stiff. I mean a real lot stiff, so much so that I could go no faster than 12 minutes a mile and I began to wonder where the line is drawn between a slow run and a quick walk.
As is often the case though, a sign comes up just when I’m feeling a bit glum about things. Just as I got back, the postman was arriving – unheard of for 7.55am in the morning and he was delivering my new 1095miles.com running shirts. I’ll model them in a pic on tomorrow’s entry!
Click here for a Google Map and full details of the day’s run
Miles today: 3
Target: 513
Miles to date: 663.1
Want to dedicate a run to someone or have one dedicated to you? Click here
3 comments
Ben Maher says:
March 10, 2010 at 16:38 (UTC 1)
Your pain is obviously not funny but I was reading this yesterday and thought I must send this to you. Possibly a day late but an interesting read.
“running is a form of eccentric exercise, meaning that the muscle is forced to lengthen while trying to contract. Prolonged or unaccustomed eccentric exercise often leads to pain, tenderness and stiffness hours or even days later. This is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and is very common.
The sensation of discomfort usually develops approximately 24 hours after exercise, peaks about two days and then gradually subsides. During the 24 to 48 hours post-exercise period, muscle swelling and stiffness usually results in a reduced range of motion and also muscle weakness.
Because the onset of muscle soreness is delayed, it cannot be attributed to the metabolic end products of exercise. In fact it is caused by localised damage such as microscopic tears to the membrane and protein filaments of muscle fibres. One hypothesis is that the damaged cells die because they are subject to excessive calcium inflow. Another is that exercise free radicals attack the cell membranes, leading to their death.
In addition there is increased blood flow to the muscles, which causes the tissue to swell. Such swelling increases presuure on the neighbouring structures. The nerves in the muscle sense this and send pain pain messages to your brain as you move the morning after you have exercised.”
Needless to say there are hundreds of other theories but that was some of my geeky reading yesterday thought you might like it.
Cheers
Ben
Steve Swift says:
March 10, 2010 at 17:37 (UTC 1)
That’s a brilliant definition of DOMS, Ben.
It’s really the body’s way of registering a complaint.
I was thinking, James, that not only was the 18.5 miles a hell of an achievement but you didn’t break down or succumb to a specific injury.
That sounds a bit negative but with all the stress you’ve placed on yourself that could quite easily have happened and you should take a lot of confidence from that.
It suggests that you’ve come through the worst period and that the DOMS as described above should begin to recede as your body continues to catch up with your ambition.
No point saying enjoy a rest day so instead – keep going!!
worldofjames says:
March 10, 2010 at 18:06 (UTC 1)
Thanks lads… interesting stuff the old DOMs eh? Let’s hope the theory is right and my body will catch up!