Paris Marathon 2013

As I was reading thought I'd offer to teensit for Kaz during Paris...but the Maj's have it.  I think it'll make Kaz run faster to get her innocent wee scottish isle girls away from the welsh as soon as possible

TD - YUP, the sprinters are a very different breed.  It's all about themselves and psyching out the competition to make a mistake.

ATM - can we be bridesmaids?  I love a bit of bridesmaiding!  All the fun, don't have to decide what to wear (can blame the bride if it's crap), get in all the photos and don't have to deal with that whole groom thing for the rest of our lives. Sorted!

This is interesting about barefoot running...:

http://zenhabits.net/barefoot-running/

I think I'll continue with my 10 minute sessions and give my feet time to adjust...  of course, if I feel any twinges I'll stop..

RS - are you announcing an intention to spectate?

TD - No, Midichlorians are from an equally valid 'religion' - The Force

* If Ms. ATM ever wanders onto this thread, I'm dead. I think that's unlikely, though... *

RS, I confess to having watched ' Glee' and the gym teacher's wedding dress should be your guide..

DV, Finn and I met an ' Italian-version-of-Vibrams' runner on the Start in Venice and he was still smiling at the Finish.And there before us...*I know it's not the same, of course, but after the horror of stability issues/orthotics/blisters that wouldn't heal/repeated reblistering etc, I decided that the feet I've got are the ones I'm going to run on, bought neutral shoes and have had no problems since. I bet, your body will follow your head. Wait...Maybe that's not the way to go..

Makes sense to me DV - foot strengthening to get away from the artifical aids of orthotics. We al know the body adapts fabulously, as long as we give it enough time to do so. And you must be the master at making long term plans. I don't need orthotics, so for me personally, I see little advantage in going bare...as it were.

In my first mara in Germany, I had to follow this big dude in a g-string for a while. That was an unpleasant sort of bareness, but it didn't put me off maras. I've done 11 of them now but have yet to see a lady doing the same thing. Still, back to Berlin next month. Maybe I'll see it on my 12th.

Running Rodent - can I say how much I am enjoying your's and Radar Sal's "on the scene" Olympic reportage - the fan's eye view. Really adding to my enjoyment of the events. Thanks ladies.

Monday morning intervals for me.  Oof.  

TD I have to say I share your opinions of the sprinter ego....I was having a bit of a grumble to Mr Maj about it last night.  I know they are billed as the Alpha Males of the running world, but oh boy, the posturing that goes with it!  You're the fastest guys on the planet, that's actually impressive enough for me....

Maus, this thread is like Hotel California....

......you can check out any time you like but you can never leave

TD - good to hear that i'm not being toooo madly smug...but for this afternoon's entertainment The olympic park for some park live action (if we can find a seat) and THEN athletics in the evening!  I get to go to the stadium WOOO HOOOO! mens 400m hurdles, mens 400m and women's 3000m steeplechase THEN there's NZ's big medal chance in the women's shotput!  YAY!  So nervous watching the prelims of the shotput.

No running or cycling for me today.  Ahhh...rest day is good.  The stumpies are very tired.

MM - once you get this sandpit sand between your toes it's hard to shake off

Orbutt - if amsterdam goes well, then will aim for London for my 5th.  Doing both paris and london would be too much for me...so I'm probably going mad supporter styles for Paris...although entering as a precaution could be an idea...

So So jealous RS. I'm actually green.

DV I really enjoy my 10 minute barefoot runs. I don't do them that often as it's somewhat difficult to find an expanse of grass that I trust not to have broken glass hidden in it in the city but I do like them. I reiterate what the others have said though - be careful. You may not feel the stress at the time but the stress on your calves can build up over a week or two.

You might remember but I had all kind of issues and was running in orthotics but didn't feel they did anything for me at all. I went chi(!), binned the orthotics and am now in much flatter shoes (4mm). They still have a bit of cushioning too but the next step will be down to 2mm with a thinner sole. Step at a time! Anyway, apart from a freak ankle sprain I haven't looked back so I wish you well.

Got myself a lovely 2km swim at lunchtime in the open air pool. Had it all. Brilliant sunshine, heavy downpours. Feel like my technique is improving so I am not dropping a lung at the end of every length. Have that lovely buzzy feeling across my chest.

And now for some mental exercise to complement the physical stuff. My mind will be tortured by my French teacher so in 90 mins time I will feel like an inadequate dummy again.

TD..   you are just one credit card payment away from an Iron Man entry....     go on...  you know you want to...   it'll be a welcome change to the constant running and give you something else to think about....

HS..   thanks for the feedback.    I spoke to another runner this morning who also ditched the orthotics in this way.   I think its a step in the right direction...  slowly and gently, but generally the right thing to do...

"Get thee behind me Vader"

OK, bad mixture, but until I have an idea what sort of training effort my body can cash in, I'm not setting any goals. The swimming felt really good, much easier than before, a sort of sustainable stroke. Doubtless there are massive efficiency (and therefore speed) increases still to be made. I'm just not practised enough.

Anyone else cheering on the Belgian twins in the 400m Men's Final tonight? Poor Belgium only has one silver and a bronze. Unfortunately for them, cake-making and beer-brewing are not classified as sports.

Oh yes RR - the New York Marathon that was highly recommended to you. My personal opinion (which I never seem to be shy in sharing hey), is that it should be the renamed "The Marathon Hanging about before and after a run past the 7 Dunkin Donuts of Brooklyn Marathon"

If you want a lifetime experience, you can do much much better than this. I went there and bumped into DV. He looks less impressed than I was....

That's my enigmatic smile...  

TD - I'm willing to support our Belgium friends in pushing cake baking as a sporting event. Particularly if I get a slot on the judging panel. Just be aware than any submissions containing marzipan will suffer automatic disqualification.

RS - Very jealous. You seem to be having a great time at all these Olympic events.

RR - I originally thought of New York for this year, but the cost of it put me off. I ended up signing up for Chicago instead. Plus Chicago works on a good old fashioned first come first served, rather than a ballot. That and for less than one four day running package for the NYC marathon I got four days in Chicago and then five down in New York to stuff my face with pastrami sandwiches washed down with cel-ray and plenty of Juniors cheesecake. Who said I think with my stomach?

Mmmmmm marzipan.....