15K

Finally got some motivation to run on weekends..Woke up late as usual...since our new cell group started we've been ending a bit later than usual...that's because we start later as well, and plus supper included, most times it's nearly 12 midnight by the time I get home.

Thank goodness the weather was lovely today. Ran around Damansara Heights, about 15km. Slowed down a bit on the second round, especially going uphill. Even the lorry stalled uphill!

I've got a bit of a tan now, and now I am just waiting for dinner..that totally negates all my hard work this morning!

Tripping

No I am not talking about the psychedelic experience from drugs. I'm talking about tripping, as in falling over something.Went out for a short 6km run this morning, and at about the 5th km, I stepped on a long twig with my right foot, and somehow it momentarily got lodged between both my feet and nearly caused me to trip. I was then reminded of the times that I actually tripped and fell while running.

I have fallen twice in my entire running career. The first one was back in 2002 (I think), where I fell down and scraped my left knee badly. I still have the keloid to remind me of it. (I actually took a picture of my keloid to post on the blog, but the close up looked so disgusting even after touching up the picture, so I decided to spare you from seeing it). It was one of the most painful experiences I've had, a superficial cut hurts even more than an internal injury. I could feel all the nerves on my skin being ripped or something like that. What made it worse was the cut was right on the kneecap, so there was no way of it healing properly as the cut would open everytime I flexed my knee.It took quite a long time to heal. What a nightmare. THis happened at the Power Run...I remember I was quite tired that day, and this all occurred before I started running any marathons. At that moment in time, I was just praying to God that I would be able to finish the run..and guess what, I tripped and fell over RIGHT IN FRONT of an ambulance. So, I DIDN'T get to finish my run, but there was DEFINITELY some divine intervention there....how coincidental can that be, falling down INFRONT of the ambulance? I was trying to be a hero and finish the race anyway, but it was too painful and I was bleeding too much to finish the race. So that was the one and only time I ever got back to the finish line IN AN AMBULANCE. How embarrassing!

THe second time that I tripped was a few years back...think I was dragging my feet and then whoops, suddenly just tripped and fell....this time RIGHT infront of a bus. Good thing the bus didn't run me over!

But today, no I didn't fall infront of any vehicle. Definitely no psychedelic feel either!

OOUUUCCHH!!

No the scream's not from the 20km run. Yes! I did it! I did a 20km run with Peck Yah today..nearly wanted to bail out as I've been getting cold feet from lack of training and physical lethargy. We ran at a leisurely pace, and it turned out to be very enjoyable. I guess most of the time i find it intimidating to run with other people, as i am slow and it's difficult to find people as slow as me. Running with Peck Yah's really fun because it takes the pressure away as we can pace each other. After 10km we still felt pretty good, and by the time we finished the 20, we were tired but not exhausted.

Actually the 20km didn't kill me. But the chafing did. By the time I hit about 16km, I could feel that stinging sore feeling between my thighs (that's what you get for having big thighs) and on my lower back where the elastics of the running tights are) It was extremely painful!! So painful that it hurt even more than the run itself! Taking a shower was like being in a torture chamber.

I must remember to put on Vaseline next time (actually i remembered but I was so lazy to I guess I deserved it).Also must shop for new running tights which are longer as i only have 1 pair which I use for long distance running.Oh yea, and also need to buy new sportsbras as I;m using the same ones for the last 10 years!

I've also signed up for KLIM....FULL.....

Point of no return...

Here are some tips from prevention of chafing taken fom "Time to Run"

You running along not a care in the world, so you think. A little later into the run and 'boy oh boy' you have a chafe and is it not irritating. The irritation you can cope with but now it has lead to an open wound and it is bleeding. People around are you ready to call in the paramedics, a helicopter is being radioed for. BUT .. before going to all that trouble lets discuss the problem and in so doing try to avoid the look of alarm when you cross the line with blood oozing from the chaffed areas. Yes, this can be a sensitive subject.

How is it caused : They say the major contribution to chafing is from sweating and rubbing. Many of us consider that chafing is a signal that it is time to lose weight, however even the skinniest eprsons can experience the same problem. Chafing generally takes place around the groin, underarms and nipples, but it can occur anywhere.

Prevention: Prevention of chafing falls into four categories: try to stay dry, keep hydrated, using a lubricant and wear the proper clothing. Lubrication before walking with petroleum jelly or an anti-chafing product such as Body Glide or Runner's Lube.

Try to stay dry: Go light on the deodorant roll-on as this can lead to a stickier situation. Use talcum powder, cornstarch or potato starch to stay dry, if absolutely necessary. If all else fails consider using a lubricant.

Hydration: Always drink lots of water during the day, keep hydrated during training and make sure you drink sufficient after exercise. This will assist you in perspiring freely so that the remanants don't dry into salt crystals which will make the possibility of chafing higher.

Lubrication: While exercising all kinds of lubricants are used to keep the skin areas sliding past each other instead of rubbing raw. Petroleum jelly, bag balm and udder cream are the longtime favourites. Make sure the lubricants are petroleum-free and non-staining. They can also be used on your feet and toes, in attempt to avoid blisters.

Clothing: Loose clothes may feel good on the trail, but to prevent chafing you need a snug fit. Bike shorts are designed to give a skin tight fit that will prevent chafing and are excellent if your trouble is in the lower body or thigh area. For the upper body, polypropylene or lycra tops that fit skin tight will do the trick. Also avoid wearing new clothes on a long run, during a hard session [ where the intensity is higher ] or race.

Treatment: Once you are chafed, treat the area like an open wound. Wash and clean with antiseptic to prevent infection and cover with a sterile gauze pad that allows the area to breathe until it is healed.

The worst chafe is the nipple area: There is nothing worse than trying to recover from chaffed nipples, as they stay tender for long after and the chance of them bleeding reoccurring is high. This affects both men and women.

Prevention: As above concentrate on using antichafing lubrication. Use fabrics that can deliver moisture from the skin to the outer layer .. the key word being 'sweat-wicking'. It is advisable for women to wear sweat-wicking sports bras. And if necessary wear plaster over nipples during your exercise.

All this may seem slightly 'over the top', but you will understand if you ever become a member of the CNS - the 'chafed nipple society', they can be seen wearing their distingushed badge of red on their tops.

Take heed and avoid the chafing dilemma.

source Time-to-Run - adapted from various articles

Pant!

Nearly died today. Only ran 6.6km but my legs could not move. My thighs felt really sore..I don't think it's from 20km but more from the Smithy. Ok I should not be doing weights on legs on the days before a run, but then I run every other day, and I still need to strengthen my legs, so I guess it's better to do it earlier in the week than later, when I do my LSD.

Signed up for New Balance 15km run.

6.6km outdoor run