Tough Mudder Chronicles - Looking to Soak in Some Support

lookingforme · ‎22-07-2016

Hi All,

I very recently signed up for a Tough Mudder event in December while on a temporary high from getting some good news. Now it has become glaringly obvious that I stopped believing I can do it, mainly because I haven't slept at all well in the last 7 days, which has made me skip training, let alone the last....well there's a whole chunk of time where this has been an issue but at least before, I got up and did stuff.

I do know that I still want to do it, if only not to regret pulling out (may not be the best reason, but still is a reason I can understand - one less regret).

I suppose what I could do with is some support from the mental health support team that's around here in all of you. I already have the support system in another social network, but rather than constantly reminding me that they, or we are all team no excuses, get it done, maybe a little more sensitivity on the days where I couldn't get up, and am already hard on myself. And who knows, maybe my chronicles will help inspire also?

That's me. What do you think?

Joelle out.

lookingforme · ‎25-07-2016

Haha, I bet you get looks. I grew up as a barefoot walker, all the shoes I have are as close to barefoot as I can get without actually being barefoot.

And thanks 🙂

I have tried Zombie Run, haha, I enjoyed it for walks but I felt I slowed down when running trying to listen to the story, though I really want the t shirt. Might get back into it.

lookingforme · ‎25-07-2016

Had the realization this morning that I will have to be mixing the bodweight and the running at some stage. Ugh

james1 · ‎26-07-2016

I find it's all about routine. Once you get into the routine, it's less effort to get started.

Unfortunately, I'm not in that routine yet, haha.

lookingforme · ‎26-07-2016

Yea..how many weeks until it's routine? 3? 4? It's hard because I don't sleep well. Do you? I had a particularly bad night last night so...slow to the mark. Plus, sore everything lol. I'm playing the Nike Rise And Shine add over and over to get me going.

lookingforme · ‎26-07-2016

Day 3 of training done. Not so great today. I don't know if it was the cumulative effect of my poor sleep quality, the soreness, or the fact that I put my tee on backwards and only realised close to home after my workout, but I couldn't fully commit. The slight failure feels like a big one. Rest day tomorrow, I intend on using it.

james1 · ‎26-07-2016

Let's just go with 3 weeks so it seems easier, hahaha.

I've been having lots of dreams and interrupted sleep the past month - 2 months. I'm usually quite good, but I've just had so much on my mind recently. And it definitely affects my fitness.

Do you listen to music while exercising? I remember the last time I did training, I ran to the music of lord of the rings and just imagined myself following the fellowship as they did all those running scenes over the mountains.

Yeah, some days just aren't as good. I can be a full 1-2 minutes slower per km on a bad day and that's a bit demoralising. So i have a rest day and slightly lower my expectation for the next session. That way I can at least achieve it, then get better. I find that gives me a bit more motivation.

If it gives you any comfort, 3 days in a row is really good! Keep it up (after your rest day)!

lookingforme · ‎26-07-2016

Ahah, alright, 3 weeks it is.

Yea, sleep is definitely required, to build back that muscle, well thank you insomnia....

Hah, that must have been a powerful thing to imagine, lifts you right up actually, never thought of doing that. I do listen to music when I train. As you already know, I kind of use music to guide my emotions, or communicate what I am feeling to myself, if that makes sense...I put on things that psych me up and get me feeling like I want to be stronger.

That is a good idea, might try that.

Hah, well not exactly 3 days in a row...I guess I started on Saturday, but took Sunday off, and Monday and today...so Day 4 it should be. I guess I'm only counting the days I got out of bed to do something.

I forgot to say that I ended up going back to athletes foot, and they had changed their assessment thing, and it turns out the shoes that I got were too supportive for me, so I was running on the side of my feet, like I felt, and they were too big. Got a pair of nike frees now. I am a natural midfoot striker as well. Which synced more with how I wear out my other shoes than what I was initially told.

james1 · ‎27-07-2016

Hmm...did they say what the downside of being flatfooted was and also then overcompensating for that? Did the shoes have too much in the middle so you were rocking to the sides?

How are the nike ones? I bought some from puma and they're so amazingly light which is great, but transitioning sucks, haha.

lookingforme · ‎27-07-2016

Physiologically, the foot can roll in too much, putting added strain on your knees. It turns out, when I walked, my feet didn't roll inward too much anyway. I knew this already because when I wear out my shoes, you can see the impression on the side of my foot and the balls of my foot, not much in the middle. So yea, my first set of shoes essentially had too much support for my so I was hitting the heels on impact and rolled of the side of my feet. It always felt like my feet were slipping too much to the sides. Like I was running with my feet rotated inward at the ankle, if that makes sense.

I love my nikes, I could feel the difference straight away. Less pain in my knees also, during and after the runs. They are the ones with the flyknit fabric so it feels like wearing socks. The fabric is a bit elasticated so rather than being restrictive it kind of allows your foot to move as it will, and it may help shock absorption, receiving your foot and all. I actually love them, but a good friend of mine has flyknits and aren't happy so I guess it's a very personal thing. I think she prefers a bit more structure in the shoe. I love shows that allow my feet to move in them. Like the Merrel barefoot shoes, those are beautiful, New Balance also has one. They have the vibram soles, so I love walking/hiking in them.

Yea, I bet. Pain everywhere.

I guess I should add this in...

Day 5 of training - Rest Day:

Entire body is sore, but have to study and would rather go back out there and do some more bodyweight exercises. Time for some mental exercises...blah

lookingforme · ‎28-07-2016

Day 6:

Feels like day 60, only at day 60, I'd be a whole lot better than this. The lack of good quality sleep is getting to me, but I went out and got some exercise. My planking is better at least. Rest day wasn't as rejuvenating as I'd hoped.