Rop's Reflections

Heading into last week of the year, I’m feeling well. Got my morning run in again today after a good night’s sleep. Temperature started off cool (22-23c) but got warm quickly as the sun came up, as usual.

Felt tired but ended up with a good pace. Pretty busy day at work tomorrow, not sure if I will have time for a run. If there is one, it will be easy and short.

Ate small shrimps at breakfast. Didn’t feel the effect of urticaria during or after the run. So I am probably only allergic to normal-size shrimps.

Had good lunch today. Boat noodle (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ) near Kaset. Quite spicy, just the way I like it. Hope the stomach won’t get upset.

Had a nice weekend. Ate good meals, had good rest, did my runs. Simple happiness. Can’t ask for more.

December has been a month of consistency. The routine is pretty simple. Wake up early and go do my miles. There is no set schedule, for now. Each day I decide on what type of run to do, based on how the body and the mind feel. Rotating hard, easy, moderate workouts. Finding the balance. Some days are better than the others.

Pain in left foot is still there. Looks like I might have it with me for quite a long time. But it’s okay. Somewhere out there, there are other people who suffer much more. It’s silly to complain about little foot pain.

Just nine more days till 2010 arrives. I have no real goals for the next year. 2009 has been quite nice, so it would probably be wise for me to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Sleep-eat-run, and repeat. Just focusing on becoming a little bit stronger, a little bit better each week.

I’ve been able to stay consistent on the morning runs. Five solid runs again this work week. Sleeping enough, eating well, and running strong. Things are all right and I feel thankful.

Legs and hips are pretty sore now. Have to be mindful about the body. Only myself knows when to rest.

Quick update about today’s run. I ran about the same distance as yesterday. Felt good until some smoke came out of nowhere. Somebody must have burnt something. It was pretty terrible. I managed to complete my goal distance for the day though.

Had a camera with me today. So I took some pics of Kaset campus. I run here about 5 days a week.

Thought: Don’t take life for granted. One day I won’t be able to do what I love. Today is not that day.

It’s mid-December but the weather seems to be getting warmer already. It’s 24-25c in the early morning and get up to low 30’s in the afternoon. I’ve been running almost exclusively in the mornings these past couple weeks to avoid the heat.

Did a longish run with a fast pace on Sunday. Fastest run in about two months. The session made the pain in my left foot feel worse.

Went for a recovery run yesterday to begin the week. Then today, I did a moderate-effort run around the track. The pain is tolerable. It’s on the top of the foot. Since it’s not structural (the pain doesn’t propagate up the leg), I think I can keep on running.

Haven’t taken a day off so far this month. I feel okay physically. I think that if I don’t push the pace too hard, my body can take the beating of daily runs and recover reasonably well enough.

And there is no reason to push hard, really. No race on the horizon. Thinking about a 10K this Sunday in Nonthaburi. Probably will just do a training run in the park again though. Will just see how things go.

Today is Constitution Day in Thailand which means no work. So I went to run in Kaset in the morning. The temperature was 22C at the start, which was very cool by Bangkok’s standard. Got some good number of miles in, even though not as many as I originally hoped. Legs got wobbly as the temperature rose. Strong sun today. Only had water with me. To do long runs, I need more fuel.

Spent the rest of the day relaxing. Played with one of my dogs. Had nice suki at lunch. Best time to eat is after a hard workout, isn’t it? Did some work on the computer. Watched some SEA Games action on TV. Did some short yoga before bed. My body is really stiff.

Overall, a very good day. Three weeks left in December, which has been a good month so far. Must stay consistent.

My computer has been in a repair shop for about 10 days now; so it has not been convenient to blog.

Still running regularly without major incidents. That’s the most important thing I think. After dedicating one week after the race for recovery, training has gotten back to normal. I’m thankful for having been able to run without any pain for a good stretch now.

Been getting up real early to run before work, and took the evenings off to come home early and rest. Finding time to run is always tough, but one must manage. Life is short. Must do what you love.

a run in KU campus on holiday Monday 7 Dec

These current training sessions are anything but flashy. Just doing steady miles, mostly at slower than marathon pace, one small loop at a time. I looked back at my log, and realized that, except for the race, my pace never dipped under 9 min/mile the whole month of November. Just patiently building my base.

I’m still new to this, having taken up running seriously for less than a year. Still learning things and experimenting with my body. Can’t rush through the process.

This week has been good so far. No complaint (beside the bad shrimp episode on Monday). Solid runs on three straight days. Legs are sore but no sharp pains (fingers crossed). Mostly running around 400m track, while dreaming of being somewhere like this:

Haven’t done much yoga lately. Only quick stretching before and after each run. Legs and back are stiff. Still can’t touch my toes. Should go back to doing it. I’m not doing any weights or other sports, so the muscles could get overused from repeated running. Yoga poses should help us runners become more flexible.

Still no plan for when my next race might be. Might sneak in a 10K soon. This year I’ve run only three races so far (10K, half, and marathon), but that’s still the most I’ve ever raced in one year. Some runners regularly do three races in a month. I am happy just going out each day and train, but the race atmosphere on Sunday mornings can be so nice.

Race or no race, I just hope to keep on running with good health. Just four weeks remain in 2009. Looking to finish off the year strong.

November has been good. 185 miles. 4 days off. Mileage is not my record high, but I’m pleased about the consistency. Put in my longest training run ever. Ran the marathon and achieved a personal best. I’m really happy with this month.

november 2009 runs

Happy Thanksgiving day. I’ve been most thankful for my family, my girlfriend, my online running friends, my dogs, and my good health this year.

Have been taking a good long rest this week. Legs are feeling okay, not as bad as last year. Feet still hurt though, especially the left bunion.

Did some light jogs yesterday and today–very short and very slow. Already want to get back out there and run, but must be cautious. After such a long race, there might be some muscular damage inside that I cannot feel. No sense in rushing back.

Just focusing on the present, not thinking too far ahead. My next marathon probably won’t come until Bangkok Marathon 2010, which is of course a full year ahead. I’m pretty sure I will be running some shorter races between now and then.

Eagerly waiting to begin a new training cycle.