It's a somewhat controversial subject among those who run professionally and on the novice level. Some see it as an annoyance, some see it as a distraction and some see it as motivational.
My opinion is that music is something that drives me to run and perform faster. I admit that I do have a selected playlist of 'power' songs so to say, songs that pump up your blood. Some songs do not even make sense being played at standstill but play them during a run and you become a beast.
Today I got to thinking why is that? Why do most people resort to music? Is it a way to take away the boredom? Or is it that we all want to feel like that famous Rocky scene?
Well my answer, would it be asking too much for a bit of both?! Truth be told when a really good song comes on I do feel that surge of endorphins which just takes the pain away and gives me that extra push to climb that hill or keep that pace.
So if for you running is para-para-paradise or else you're looking for the Eye of the tiger.
Put in your headphones and run like hell =D
Hope you all have a wonderful new year filled with all kinds of good things =))
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Friday, 30 December 2011
Half marathon training progress 4: Genesis
Today I had my first ever "all out" speed run; I'm telling you I've done this route tens of times and I always do enjoy the challenging hills and the long straights but today I felt relieved when it was all over.
During the run today I started thinking about how I had started running and the difficulties I faced, I know it sounds so melodramatic but it is true that I had to overcome some barriers so to say before I got to this point.
The obvious reason would be of course a very inspirational and influential character in my life; my father. Of course back in his days he used to post great timings and train really hard and I do admire him for that but one thing I admire the most I think is how he started. I was only about 4 years old when he started but I do remember one factor which hit me greatly;
First week of training the coach gave him an ultimatum "Smoking or running" decide what you want to do and let me know. I really admire my father for quitting the habit cold turkey and resorting to something healthier instead.
Now going forward at about when I was 9 years old, I started having real trouble breathing especially on cold days and at night. I consulted a doctor and a specialist and I got diagnosed with asthma and allergies to dust, pollen and any animal hair (my room being where 3 cats usually sleep). I couldn't even go to the playground like most kids and run around on a cold day because I would get horrid wheezing sounds and sharp pains throughout my chest. The chances of me ever running for such distances where bleak.
Later on as time progressed I handled the 'condition' well enough with regular doses of inhalers and antihistamines. Trust me I tried every brand of them but to no avail. My nose usually looked like Rudolf most days and you wouldn't catch me without a half used packet of handkerchiefs. Yeah right I cant even bweed much lews wun.
One day I decieded to hell with all these pills and stopped right there, and thought OK to get healthier I needed some sort of sport, simple athletics.
Started off with small hops really compared with today, usually before going swimming in summer my mum would drop me off at a particular point and I would run (sometimes walk) to where they would be. Sure it felt good to finally be doing something healthy, but still it felt like such a long distance compared to now. I felt great! So you can say I kind of grew out of my asthma and allergies!
Moving on, I then started exams and stress levels escalated so again I resorted to my run. Mentally it used to clear my head even if it was 20minutes run (3km run). I remember being out of breath most times. But I persevered, I continued on running this route (sometimes joined by my dad who used to take the mickey out of me because I didn't do it as well). Until that day I felt at peace with running; at one point on a spring Sunday morning my dad told me "OK lets start off as we usually do but half way though I want you to stop the stopwatch", Fine so I trusted him. We started off great at a jog pace but little did I know this was to be my first ever long run and I enjoyed every second of it. The spectacular scenery which you don't appreciate as much while driving with a car, the fresh air, it all felt just right. And so I wanted this feeling to continue on and that is how I got to hear. =)
I urge anyone who wishes to start running for any reason be it health, mental relief, weight loss, etc to stop thinking and just do! Set a goal like running 10km one day or perhaps even more ambitious like the half marathon, risk big but you have to be willing to make sacrifices and train. Trust me when I say it's a 110 % worth your while! =)
For any information of tips please comment or email me on markpace123@gmail.com
During the run today I started thinking about how I had started running and the difficulties I faced, I know it sounds so melodramatic but it is true that I had to overcome some barriers so to say before I got to this point.
The obvious reason would be of course a very inspirational and influential character in my life; my father. Of course back in his days he used to post great timings and train really hard and I do admire him for that but one thing I admire the most I think is how he started. I was only about 4 years old when he started but I do remember one factor which hit me greatly;
First week of training the coach gave him an ultimatum "Smoking or running" decide what you want to do and let me know. I really admire my father for quitting the habit cold turkey and resorting to something healthier instead.
Now going forward at about when I was 9 years old, I started having real trouble breathing especially on cold days and at night. I consulted a doctor and a specialist and I got diagnosed with asthma and allergies to dust, pollen and any animal hair (my room being where 3 cats usually sleep). I couldn't even go to the playground like most kids and run around on a cold day because I would get horrid wheezing sounds and sharp pains throughout my chest. The chances of me ever running for such distances where bleak.
Later on as time progressed I handled the 'condition' well enough with regular doses of inhalers and antihistamines. Trust me I tried every brand of them but to no avail. My nose usually looked like Rudolf most days and you wouldn't catch me without a half used packet of handkerchiefs. Yeah right I cant even bweed much lews wun.
One day I decieded to hell with all these pills and stopped right there, and thought OK to get healthier I needed some sort of sport, simple athletics.
Started off with small hops really compared with today, usually before going swimming in summer my mum would drop me off at a particular point and I would run (sometimes walk) to where they would be. Sure it felt good to finally be doing something healthy, but still it felt like such a long distance compared to now. I felt great! So you can say I kind of grew out of my asthma and allergies!
Moving on, I then started exams and stress levels escalated so again I resorted to my run. Mentally it used to clear my head even if it was 20minutes run (3km run). I remember being out of breath most times. But I persevered, I continued on running this route (sometimes joined by my dad who used to take the mickey out of me because I didn't do it as well). Until that day I felt at peace with running; at one point on a spring Sunday morning my dad told me "OK lets start off as we usually do but half way though I want you to stop the stopwatch", Fine so I trusted him. We started off great at a jog pace but little did I know this was to be my first ever long run and I enjoyed every second of it. The spectacular scenery which you don't appreciate as much while driving with a car, the fresh air, it all felt just right. And so I wanted this feeling to continue on and that is how I got to hear. =)
I urge anyone who wishes to start running for any reason be it health, mental relief, weight loss, etc to stop thinking and just do! Set a goal like running 10km one day or perhaps even more ambitious like the half marathon, risk big but you have to be willing to make sacrifices and train. Trust me when I say it's a 110 % worth your while! =)
For any information of tips please comment or email me on markpace123@gmail.com
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Marathon Training progress 3: Treadmill vs. Road vs. Track
During today's speed work training I got to thinking the actual difference between running on a treadmill as oppose to running on normal tarmac and pavement (road) and also track.
Well I guess the obvious difference is the environment sure, on the road it gets a little trickier to run and pace yourself (unless of course it's an empty road) but even the surface is different; uphill, downhill, winding road, pavement, tarmac, there is no real consistency to your run.
In contrast on a treadmill you can just set the machine at a certain speed, uphill elevation and with some you can even programme it to your requirements, some can even monitor your heart rate and push you accordingly. Smart stuff right?!
It's considerably less dangerous on the treadmill of course, no danger of a car running you over or a crack on which you can twist your ankle. But is it worth while?
Track well I guess it would be the best of both worlds, only you cannot elevate the track but you can monitor your pace consistently much better seeing that there are many, many markers which one can use. The track is also considerably the best in terms of grip so every step counts.
But which one if you asked me would I enjoy the best running on?
My answer is that it depends really because of many factors ....
All of them have their advantages and disadvantages and it depends mostly what kind of run you are doing. When training for any event I would require some time doing speed work, that is where a nice stable flat surface would be excellent so the track is perfect of that kind of workout.
I am also a firm believer of hills training, it gives you the muscle build-up an athlete requires without resorting to weights and tightening your leg muscles. There are many roads that would cater to such a thing I for one have a great road just 5min jog away so its very ideal.
For rainy days (such as today) you have to resort to something inside and so far I haven't heard of an indoor full size athletics, so therefore a treadmill would be convenient.
However and this is my utmost favourite for the long distance runs you have no substitute for a great piece of road with spectacular scenery if you can! Also an advantage of the road is that if I start to give up half way through, well then f**k it you've come this far continue on now! Again psychologically the road in my opinion is better because on any treadmill or any track its very convenient to stop for a breath.
So for me the road is the ideal place! Its a place of heaven!
Check out the difference in graphs from treadmill to the road:
Treadmill speed work run
Road long distance run
Please feel free to comment.
Well I guess the obvious difference is the environment sure, on the road it gets a little trickier to run and pace yourself (unless of course it's an empty road) but even the surface is different; uphill, downhill, winding road, pavement, tarmac, there is no real consistency to your run.
In contrast on a treadmill you can just set the machine at a certain speed, uphill elevation and with some you can even programme it to your requirements, some can even monitor your heart rate and push you accordingly. Smart stuff right?!
It's considerably less dangerous on the treadmill of course, no danger of a car running you over or a crack on which you can twist your ankle. But is it worth while?
Track well I guess it would be the best of both worlds, only you cannot elevate the track but you can monitor your pace consistently much better seeing that there are many, many markers which one can use. The track is also considerably the best in terms of grip so every step counts.
But which one if you asked me would I enjoy the best running on?
My answer is that it depends really because of many factors ....
All of them have their advantages and disadvantages and it depends mostly what kind of run you are doing. When training for any event I would require some time doing speed work, that is where a nice stable flat surface would be excellent so the track is perfect of that kind of workout.
I am also a firm believer of hills training, it gives you the muscle build-up an athlete requires without resorting to weights and tightening your leg muscles. There are many roads that would cater to such a thing I for one have a great road just 5min jog away so its very ideal.
For rainy days (such as today) you have to resort to something inside and so far I haven't heard of an indoor full size athletics, so therefore a treadmill would be convenient.
However and this is my utmost favourite for the long distance runs you have no substitute for a great piece of road with spectacular scenery if you can! Also an advantage of the road is that if I start to give up half way through, well then f**k it you've come this far continue on now! Again psychologically the road in my opinion is better because on any treadmill or any track its very convenient to stop for a breath.
So for me the road is the ideal place! Its a place of heaven!
Check out the difference in graphs from treadmill to the road:
Treadmill speed work run
Road long distance run
Please feel free to comment.
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Half Marathon training progress 2
Today I had my first medium run of the week, a 10km run. Very proud of the progress so far because of two reasons, today I felt like I could push further and faster and I broke the 1hour bench-mark (set by previous timings).
During the run I couldn't help but think of a recent phrase I read from the book "Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich, in which it said and I quote; "The life of a college athlete is hard", and I must admit even being an ammeture athlete such as myself it is difficult to keep giving your 100% at both sides of one's life. Admits all the studying and training sometimes the mind and body just want to shut down and not take a single step more, but that is the sacrifice which you have to be willing to do, to take that one more step and convince yourself that the finishing line is near.
To add onto this training in this kind of weather, cold, windy and gloomy it takes a lot of sacrifice to take that one step but it only lasts for the first one or two kilometres, then it's complete and utter freedom. You even start to feel shielded from the cold air hitting you. You only feel it at your extremities and especially when it hits your lungs but even that goes away especially when you reach a tricky or challenging part on your route.
I am starting to see some considerable progress. Will keep you updated
Mark
During the run I couldn't help but think of a recent phrase I read from the book "Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich, in which it said and I quote; "The life of a college athlete is hard", and I must admit even being an ammeture athlete such as myself it is difficult to keep giving your 100% at both sides of one's life. Admits all the studying and training sometimes the mind and body just want to shut down and not take a single step more, but that is the sacrifice which you have to be willing to do, to take that one more step and convince yourself that the finishing line is near.
To add onto this training in this kind of weather, cold, windy and gloomy it takes a lot of sacrifice to take that one step but it only lasts for the first one or two kilometres, then it's complete and utter freedom. You even start to feel shielded from the cold air hitting you. You only feel it at your extremities and especially when it hits your lungs but even that goes away especially when you reach a tricky or challenging part on your route.
I am starting to see some considerable progress. Will keep you updated
Mark
Monday, 26 December 2011
Half Marathon training progress
Well as most of you know I started training athletics a little while back. The first recollection of me running is when my father was at his peak of his training sessions usually involving long hours spent at the athletics track in Marsa. As a child I used to just run one lap and rest a while, then do another and repeat. I even did a sprinkle of fun runs which later on I might upload some pictures but little did I know that I might someday be following in some giant footsteps.
It really sparked into my mind when I saw my dad finish the 2008 half marathon after a huge gap, and with all those mixed emotions of pride and a little jealousy, I thought I should do this!
And so I had started training for a 10km run at first and the famous president's run. Setting small goals for myself and pushing the limits slowly. All was well and I had managed to finish the Marsascala 10k race in a good time 50:34, which for a novice and a first time race experience was pretty great.
And so this year I decided to set a more ambitious goal, something I had been wishing and dreaming to do for a while. The half marathon.
You never really notice how good it feels to run until your mind just switches off and starts to wonder off in so many different directions away from what the body is feeling.
Truth be told, your body does scream to stop especially during a long distance run, its constantly fighting you telling you "NO WAY AM I GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP!", an athlete's job is to just to ignore that and push on better and even faster. Trust me the reward for only stopping at the finishing line is even greater!
Will keep you guys posted on how the training progresses =) almost half way though and feeling excellent =D
Bring on feb 26th!
Mark =)
It really sparked into my mind when I saw my dad finish the 2008 half marathon after a huge gap, and with all those mixed emotions of pride and a little jealousy, I thought I should do this!
And so I had started training for a 10km run at first and the famous president's run. Setting small goals for myself and pushing the limits slowly. All was well and I had managed to finish the Marsascala 10k race in a good time 50:34, which for a novice and a first time race experience was pretty great.
And so this year I decided to set a more ambitious goal, something I had been wishing and dreaming to do for a while. The half marathon.
You never really notice how good it feels to run until your mind just switches off and starts to wonder off in so many different directions away from what the body is feeling.
Truth be told, your body does scream to stop especially during a long distance run, its constantly fighting you telling you "NO WAY AM I GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP!", an athlete's job is to just to ignore that and push on better and even faster. Trust me the reward for only stopping at the finishing line is even greater!
Will keep you guys posted on how the training progresses =) almost half way though and feeling excellent =D
Bring on feb 26th!
Mark =)
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