Should it hurt this much?

Ok so I went quite a bit further yesterday - 6 1/2 miles or so (get me) - and it felt ok mostly except towards the end by left hamstring (I think) started feeling a little painful. This morning my left ankle is aching and I keep getting shooting pains down my left thigh (hamstring or sciatica???)

I was pleased with myself for getting so far though. Of course it means that's now the normal route and I have to go at least as far every time I venture out. I might have to fight the urge to do that - it seems running for over an hour doesn't do me a lot of good. How on earth did I ever finish the 1/2 marathon?? (training? Determination??)

It will get better though, I'm fairly certain of that much at least. As long as I keep going. Should I invest in new shoes? These are 3 and a bit years old, but I haven't exactly run a long way in them. Perhaps the thing to do is to try out some different ones in the shop and see if I can tell the difference. Gait analysis would be a good option as well.

Oh, the pain

Went for an early evening run last night and managed over 5 miles without it really hurting too badly. At the time. Afterwards my left ankle felt hot and achy. This morning it's my lower back and top of hamstrings - really quite painful but probably just a measure of age and unfitness and poor technique. Can't do anything about the age thing but the rest of it is negotiable.
Listened to radio 4 news followed by 'the unbelievable truth' which was quite entertaining and also just the right length for the run.
Not sure how boyf - who is fit but doesn't run much at the mo - manages to go out and run about 7 miles without thinking about it. Perhaps I think about it far too much and should just put up with the aches and pains and push harder, get fitter and stronger and generally improve (as opposed to worrying and planning and comparing...)

Bring it on

Another fantastically sunny day and another run on the downs. It was borderline enjoyable, too. Loads of other people out there running and making me feel inadequate of course - they're all fitter, younger, have better teeshirts on etc. But I did a full circuit and only felt like a twit once when trying to cross by St Monica's: I had to jog on the spot for ages waiting a gap in the traffic. Such an embarrassment but I can't bear to stop moving.

And I was listening to Johnathan Ross which was slightly less entertaining than I'd been expecting - possibly cos I was listening to him for 50 mins or so and previously it'd been about 20mins. Hey ho, you have to learn these things sometime.

Wonder what the best possible listening would be? Sometimes I would like to listen to a play and really get caught up in the story. Other times it's something like BH on Sunday mornings (Radio 4, 9000-1000) Otherwise it's just an onslaught of fast and loud music... Nothing like a bit of variety.

So there is nothing to report other than the borderline enjoyment - is this a sign of endorphins kicking in? I can only hope. Oh, and the pain running down the back of my legs - think it's a fairly common complaint among runners. I did try to run putting my heel down first which stretched everything a bit and felt like it might be the right thing to to. I expect I'd better speak to an expert really.

Once more unto the downs...

Not quite such hard work yesterday morning - plus the sun was out and it felt very springlike. Almost a pleasure to be out running. But not quite, not yet.

I might have to start going a little further or at least changing the route or I'm going to get bored - after all I have been running round there for years and years. Never get bored of the changing seasons though...

So what's to report? Listened to the radio rather than songs and was entertained by Chris Moyles - not everyone's cup of tea I know but I quite like him. Bit more energetic than Today and I have an almost physical aversion to Terry Wogan. Sorry Tel.

Running on empty

OK so I'm extremely glad I've been for a run today - but dear God it was hard work. Possibly something to do with a couple of v large glasses of wine last night, followed by a couple more.
Forcing myself to go for a run when my whole being was screaming out for a large veggie sausage and fried egg sandwich was, I think, heroic. And fully deserving of such a sarnie when I got back home.
I had virtually no energy and so wanted to walk once I got half way but that's the kiss of death for completing a run. It's giving up. So I didn't. Aren't I just the bee's knees.
I am planning to run more over the next couple of weeks as I've some time off work so fewer excuses not to run. Oh joy. Perhaps I'll get hooked.
Perhaps

At long last

Ok, there have been good reasons, including adverse weather conditions, illness and lameness (of the motivational cortex) for not running for the past 3 weeks or so - but this morning I was Out There. Hurrah!
It wasn't as bad as I'd feared (it never is) but I'm aching now. But the feeling of well-being makes it all worthwhile.
I ran from home (as opposed to driving up to the downs) which is never very interesting, but it's realistic in the sense that all it takes to go for a run is to step out the door and get on with it.
Oh, and dress appropriately, make sure the ipod is charged, it's not going to rain too much, you've got a key, people know where you're going, etc etc and all the other things which can be used as excuses not to go.