Off season 2012

[El Gordo]

Back on the road!

Well, off it mostly, but you know what I mean.

The doc signed me off last week so I've resumed some general plodding. Three three milers to the good this week, each 50/50 grass/tarmac. I need a solid month of that before I think about any increases in distance, or use of a stopwatch. Post-run stretching will also be compulsory. My former mantra was that while I wasn't getting injured, I wouldn't bother stretching. Well, as of last season, I'm getting injured - so it's no longer negotiable.

As this is a fresh start, I'll try and get into some good technique habits - good stance, shorter strides, front foot landing. Today I measured my cadence for the first time. At what I thought was a fast footfall, certainly faster than my usual one, it came in at 160. After 3 more attempts, the last of which felt pretty silly, I'd got it up to 170. The funny thing was, as soon as the time trial ended, I relaxed into my old tempo. It will take a while for this to feel natural. It's all good, though.

Good news Dan. Did you get my mail about the Chi Running videos on my shared Dropbox? You sound like the ideal candidate -- posture, shorter strides, hmm... midfoot landing, and increased cadence. The required, or at least recommended, tempo in Chi Running is 180. You'll appreciate the trouble I'm having with that. Like you, I'm also usually in the 155-160 area.

I am delighted to report that I have never felt the slightest twinge of a desire to do a triathlon of any kind, never mind an Ironman.