Sunday, July 1, 2012

2012 Training Day 133: 21K with a pro

I was due to do a slow 21K in about 2:2X but I met some guy at 12K and ended up doing it in 2:08. He told me I have power and gave me a few tips. I was meeting him at about 8:30am yet he had been running since 5 am. That sounded like he had been running forever. He was doing his last long run before Sotokoto on 8th July. He was fast and strong. And he was not taking any water! He was surprised that I could run with water - I was carrying a 500ml bottle. He said that even if he runs with a cell phone, it becomes heavy and he throws it away! He said he only drinks water after the race is done. That water slows him down.
Wow. Imagine running for more than three hours!
He really pushed me especially towards the end. And when he told me to give it the last kick, he said No: don't use your energy. Just use your legs and arms. That was quite something.
A

6 comments:

Carolyne Gathuru said...

Hi,

Lewa was not in your plan? Forwarded your hilarious breathing technique advice to a gym colleague Moses Aluodo who said he was in school with you. Small world huh?
Now explain the sprint finish without using energy and usng arms and legs?
And also - what became of death in a matatu?
Cheers
Carolyne

Running Writer said...

Lewa is too expensive so it was never in my plans. Sotokoto will take place at a wrong time so its not in my plans either. Yes, Aluodo was a schoolmate. He kicked our butts academically from form one to four. He never eased his foot from the pedal even for one term. He was the best yet he worked the hardest. I met him in Nakumatt recently, he looked ripped so I am not surprised he goes to a gymn. Death in a matatu: a crowded schedule and some writers block but I will be continuing with it soon: make no mistake. What the guy meant is that we should finish fast but relaxed. When you run with your arms and legs, it means you don't recruit your stomach, chest, back, neck and shoulders in the effort - when you do, you inevitably tense up. In other words, you run relaxed and fast but try to ensure only your arms ad legs do the work. Sprinters recruit every muscle in their sprints. Marathoners have to learn to rely mostly on arm swing and leg speed. That is what he was saying. How are you guys practicing? Are you runners or just a group of "Lets just fit" moderates?
Cheers

Carolyne Gathuru said...

Kicked your butts huh? Will tease him about being a chop:)
Clarify about Sotokoto being at the wrong tme?
We're a group of amateurs, keeping fit, running twice a week as part of the exercise regime and enjoying it. Wanting to up our game though and run better and will do Ndakaini and Stanchart in the coming months.
Understood the fast but relaxed finished. Will give it a go this Friday.

Running Writer said...

About Sotokoto, I will be traveling on Sunday. That is cool, we are all amateurs. So you work with Moses?

Carolyne Gathuru said...

Hi,

No. We go to the same gym. We'll do Sotokoto this Sunday. Walking though. May I ask what your day job is that has you travel in the region?

Running Writer said...

I am an IT Project Manager @ KRA. Good luck with Lewa.