Running

I have new shoes, the weather is cooling down and I have time, so no more excuses.

Today I went for my first decent run in ages. I managed to run the 6km around Bibra Lake. I don't think I've had a decent run since before Christmas. My biggest down fall has been the heat, it just kills me to run in the heat, and I get no enjoyment from it what so ever, so it's very difficult to stay motivated to do it. I get frustrated with my lack of ability, and sometimes you just have to know your limitations.

I'm pretty pleased with my effort considering how long it has been. Admittedly the last 2 km was more of a shuffle style run, but you have to start some where! I got a chance to try out my lovely sennheiser sports headphones too which was great.

One interesting thing of note. Last time I bought running shoes at Sports Power, they told me all kinds of things wrong with my stance, gate, posture, one leg being longer than the other etc and recommended a shoe accordingly. This time around I was proclaimed to have a 'very neutral foot' with no problems at all. This change in stature I put down to my chiropractor.

Another thing that was putting me off running a bit too was my knees. When I first started to run, I'd have to do 10Km to start to get knee twinges, but it was only ever a slight twinge that I could almost ignore. Of late it had been a twinge from the moment I started, and would be quite noticeably sore at about 2-3Km, not good! You know you're doing permanent damage when you're getting sharp pain. I'm so paranoid about stuffing up my knees. I'd like to be able to run for most of my life, not have to give it up in my 30's due to a bung knee. Or worse have to have knee operations. Eep!

It wasn't until I was home and showered that I realised my knee hadn't hurt once! Not even the slightest twinge. I also found that I ran in a very up right position. Previously if I was pushing myself and struggling a bit I'd be very slouchy with my head down, and shoulders rolled in. Not so now, it feels very natural to stand as I should.

So again I contribute my lack of knee pain to my chiro, before seeing her I often had twangs and pains, tingling and odd sensations in my body, and almost always on my right side. Now I have none!

So to anyone with similar problems, I highly recommend you give chiropractic a go. It doesn't always work for everyone as we are all different, but it works wonders for others. I think the potential benefits certainly out weigh the possibility that it's not for you. Both of my parents go to my chiro (Dr Taylor Vagg) and have had great success. My sister on the other hand gets more relief from a physio. So 3 out of 4 is pretty good odds.

The only down side to my run is now I can't sleep. I went to bed at 9 and have been tossing and turning, so I got up. It's almost midnight now, and I'm not tired. Might have another chamomile tea.