Final hit out before Sunday

A short run this morning, so as not to overdo it before Sunday. 5km in what I thought was slow but ended up being 43 minutes. (Which I guess IS slow, but not as slow as I thought.)

I'm still a bit worried about my shins. I'm icing them at the moment, but there was a bit of pain this morning. More so when I finished. I've been trying to stretch and I've been using Nurofen gel so I guess I'll just have to take it semi-easy until they get better. I've got my new shoes now too, so hopefully I'm not putting more pressure on them.

This morning I thought I'd try to run on my toes. I tend to run on my forefoot, but I flap. Loudly. Bob suggested I try and run as "quietly" as possible. Since I run on my forefoot anyway, this would help me run on my toes. I did that for a couple of k this morning, but I couldn't sustain it. It wasn't natural for me, so I guess I'll have to keep working on it. Forefoot running is better than heel running, but toe running is better again - especially with shin splints. I must admit I was also inspired by Em who said that it came as a revelation to her that she no longer "flapped". The sooner I can learn to run properly, the quicker my times will improve - or that's the theory.

Sunday is looming and I am excited. Like most of my fellow runners in Melbourne doing the R4K, I have planned where to park and when to leave home, where to meet people, what to wear, what to drink, eat - everything. I am very excited. This will be my first timed 10km. Phew! How amazing is that?? If anyone happens to be in Perth, and notices number 825 pant across the line after about an hour and 20 something minutes - come and say hi!! That's if you can catch me!!!

Shorter club run

Another great club run tonight! Bob didn't run because he was off organising the run on Sunday but Jenny was there. Off we plodded. Only 6km tonight because I don't want to do too much leading up to Sunday. It wasn't until I got home that I realised I'd managed it with an average pace of 7.37 min/k!!! Holy cow!! And I thought I was being fairly conservative too. I must admit I do tend to run that little bit faster when I'm with someone though.

New shoes today too! I went and visited Bob at his shop. I bought a pair of Brooks Glycerin 5. Very schmick. Bob had me running up and down his back laneway in various pairs and we eventually settled on the Glycerin. But the men's not the women's.

While I was there I picked up a Fuel Belt, new socks and a long sleeved running shirt for those brisk mornings in Perth!!

I've got the Bridges fun run on Sunday and I've managed to work out that I was issued a 5km number instead of a 10km number. It was only coincedently that someone mention a "red" number and a "white" number or I would never have known. I swapped over my numbers tonight at the club house but now I'm home I've realised that my new number doesn't have a timing chip on the back of it. Sigh. I'll take it in to Bob tomorrow and see what we can work out. Someone else on the run tonight said that happened to them last year and they had their 10km time put down as a 5km time!! Nothing like a bit of last minute drama to keep me excited!

Stairs hurt

You know those stairs at Kings Park I found a few weeks ago - that I went DOWN? Well I've been wanting to do the route along the river, UP the stairs and back home through Kings Park. So I decided that's what I'd do today. I figured, in my wisdom, that the stairs couldn't be all that hard, and that it would be good fun, since I could then enjoy the gentle grassed downhill on the way home. I also figured it'd only be about 8km. Maybe 9.

I now know I have NO wisdom.

It was 5km to the stairs. A nice gentle jog since I didn't want to aggravate my shin. I took it slow and really enjoyed the run - but it was damn cold!!!! I am NOT used to this cold weather. My nose, ears and fingers were FREEZING!!! Anyway, 5km to the stairs. The stairs are not the Kokoda trail stairs (they've been closed because of a rock slide) but the ones near the Aldephi Hotel. I saw some people coming down, reaching the bottom and then turning around and going back up. One of them was jogging. Right, I thought, this will be fun! So after about 10 stairs I realised that I was in big trouble. Man, stairs are HARD WORK! I tried to keep an even pace, just walking, but I stopped at one of the landings to let someone go past me. Then every step was hard. My heart rate was absolutely through the roof. I was sucking in breaths but there was no disguising how hard it was for me. When I only had two flights to go I had to stop again and I thought I was going to pass out. I started gagging and dry reaching (pleasant thing, these stairs). I eventally got to the top and I had to sit down for about 5 minutes before I could even take a swig of my water bottle. Inside, of course, I am laughing at myself. I must have looked ridiculous. Chicky babe who passed me on her way down, reached the top again, took a mouthful of water and headed back down and was not even PUFFING. And here I was, unable to even stand up after only one "lap".

Here's the elevtion chart, just to show how damn hard it was!
I now have a new challenge. To climb those damn stairs and get to the top feeling as though I can keep going - ala Rocky.

I knew I was only halfway through my run. But I was still looking forward to the gentle grassed downhill. A thought came through my head that I could also climb DNA tower in Kings Park. When I passed the tower, a grin came onto my face and I headed over. But the tower was closed "for safety reasons" so I couldn't climb it. Probably just as well. I can be a stubborn idiot sometimes and I would have climbed that damn tower even if it killed me. Perhaps someone is looking out for me. So I ran the downhill and I DID enjoy it. I was pretty well stuffed by the bottom so I decided to walk the last couple of k's home. Almost 11km, in a time you most definitely do not want to know.

Another day of stretching, icing and anti-inflam cream for my shin - and I'll be fine. Haven't bought my new shoes yet either. That's either today or tomorrow. (I may also have to buy a beanie and a long sleeved shirt - OMG it's COLD!!!!!)

I think it will be OK

I went for my planned run with Bob this morning. As soon as we got started I was nattering to him about shin splints and sore shins and that I needed all the advice I could get. Despite the fact that my Asics shoes only have 350km on them, it does, indeed, appear that I need new shoes. Bob, who is a nice bloke but subtle as a shark attack, said my extra weight is wearing my shoes a lot faster than "normal" people. No beating around the bush here.

However, Bob doesn't seem to think that the shoes were the only reason my shin(s) were/are getting sore. Ever since my first funrun, Bob has been around. He has seen my meteoric improvement from a 32 minute 4km to a 63 minute 8km to a 85 minute 10km. My distances have been steadily increasing since I moved to Perth. Add onto that my desire to run as fast as I can (which, admitedly is not very fast) and he thinks I've done too much too soon.

He thinks I should either cut back on my distances, or cut back on pushing myself to get faster. I decided as I was running that distance is much more important to me than speed. So Bob and I decided to run very slowly this morning. And NO SHIN PAIN!!! (It was sore before I started, and is sore now I've stopped, but I couldn't even feel it for the first 8km this morning.) The last two km I became conscious of the pain, so it seems 10km might be my limit for a while - at least until my body gets used to it. And no upping the speed, AND upping the km.

Thank you everyone for your advice - it is greatly appreciated. I will continue to ice 2P, and I take on board the cross training suggestions (if it's not running, then it's not fun! But I'll try.). I will try a few slower runs and see how my shins go. If they are not improved in a week, then it's off to a sports physio. But today I managed a slow 10km quite easily.

Bob runs the Runners World shop here in Perth so I am going to visit him this week and get a new pair of shoes. He'll fit me and check my gait and all that sort of stuff. While I'm there, I might just pick up one of them fandangled fuel belts too.

Oh by the way - 10km this morning in 86 minutes.

No running :(

I don't know what I've done to my leg, but ever since the run on Wednesday it's been SORE! It's more in the shin area and I am paranoid about shin splints, so I haven't run on it. It's now day three of no running and it's still not better. I wish there was someone I could ask, but this running malarky is still too new for me to know anyone.

I was supposed to run 10km tomorrow with Bob, so I might go along and ask him then. If he says I shouldn't run, then I won't. Gosh I don't want an injury. I think perhaps my 18km stupidity took more out of me than I thought.

Anyway, I'm very unhappy and frustrated. I want to run, but I don't want a long term injury. I don't even know what is wrong. Would a massage help? Should I see a physio? Should I just stay off it for a while? Am I panicking over nothing?

And just when my fitness was starting to improve.

Aaaarrggghhhhhh!!!!!!

8km club run

Well there was a BBQ tonight so Jenny, Bob and I headed out at our usual pace, but Jenny and I wanted to be back for the BBQ. Bob did 10km but we are so slow that the BBQ would have been over when we finished the run, so Jenny opted to turn around at about 6km, so we finished at about 8.5km. Still over an hour - but get a load of this pace chart!

I seem to get faster the further I go. I'm really not sure how I manage that. In the first half, I was running with Bob mainly and he did most of the talking. At about 6km, Bob kept going so I ran with Jenny and she kept asking me questions! I had to answer her, and you know I think that's why I went faster!! Bizarre, but there it is!

It was hard work, but at the same time I felt strong. Even Jenny noticed the change of pace, and she said my breathing is not as noticeable as when I first started! I have a sore shin tonight, so I am icing it and stretching - I hope it's not because I was running on the path instead of the grass. Naughty, naughty.

18km. Oh dear.

I did 18km today, but before you panic Ang, 13km of it was walking. So much for my 10% rule. I was on my feet for 3 hours! And boy are my feet sore!!!!

I had no intention of doing a run/walk over 18km today - it was as a result of a miscommunication with hubby. I sometimes run or walk to meet him as he walks home from work. Today I THOUGHT that's what we had arranged. I decided I'd walk for a km then run as fast as I could for a km, then walk for a km and so on. I expected to meet him about 5 or 6km into the run. I figured it would be a sort of faster session, with a big long recovery between runs.

Percy tells me I did a marvellous job! My runs were 6.53, 6.34, 6.44, 7.16 and 7.03!! :) But I gave it everything and I was absolutely stuffed when I finished each km.

The problem was, I ended up 10km from home at hubby's work, with no sign of hubby and no other way home except to walk!! A quick call to hubby and he was still at work, so I stretched while he got changed and we walked home together (via the city so it was a bit quicker).

Now I'm sitting here in my skins about to soak my aching feet in a tub of water!! But I'm secretly very pleased about the time on my feet! Only 5km running, but 3 hours exercising. Surprisingly my legs are not sore, but my feet are. Plus I think I need to rethink my *ahem* underwear for such a long time - a little chafing. All good practice for BUNBURY!!! I am now confident I will make the distance - even if I walk!!!

However it will be quite a while before I do something as stupid as 18km again!

Darlington cross country

The organised club run today was a cross country at Darlington. There was a 6km run or a 12km handicap run. I did the 6km. (Just out of curiosity, my handicap for the 12km would have been 25 minutes - the highest possible. It wouldn't have been enough!) I managed to finish today in about 48 minutes which I'm really pleased about since it was pretty hilly and rough underfoot in parts. I thought it was very hard, however, and I struggled. A nice feeling to struggle through 6km in 48 minutes especially since my first 6km in Karratha was close to an hour!!

I dragged hubby along again - he was not pleased but came reluctantly. He finished about a minute behind me, but walked most of it. That's not fair, I reckon. Sigh.

Pretty good week for me - 32 km. I'm starting to feel good too.

Invoking the 10% rule

I was so inspired by Scott's post yesterday that I was just itching to get out there this morning. I planned on jogging to hubby's work (yes, he's home safe!) to pick up the car and drive home. It's 10km but I wanted to try a different route, and cross the bridge and run on the other side of the river. That's the route for the Bridges Fun Run and I wanted to test it out. But then a little voice told me that perhaps I ought to invoke the 10% rule. I've had a FANTASTIC week, and I'm all inspired, but I don't want to stuff it up by overdoing it. Better to enjoy a shorter run, than blow up trying to do more and more and more.

So, I drove with hubby half way to his work and jumped out of the car at a set of traffic lights (it's OK the lights were red and hubby was driving!!). Then I jogged the rest of the way, picked up the car as planned and drove home. Just a shade under 5km.

But I felt GUILTY!! I'm really not sure why. I know I'm being sensible but I feel like I'm slacking off somehow. The 5km was hard too! My usual pace (well, I've only got one pace) and I could have easily walked it, but I didn't. So while my brain feels guilty, my body is telling me to take it easy, and another part of my brain says I'm doing the right thing.

I just want to RUN! But I must be strong and behave myself. I've come so far, I don't want to be stopped by an injury caused by overenthusiasm. And anyway, 5km is still pretty good!

Club run

I had a blinder of a run tonight!! At the running club there is a 6km option, a 10km and a 14km. I set off tonight with the intention of running the 6km. But Bob was there! Remember Bob? He was the bloke who helped me across the line on Sunday's 8km race. We started off at his pace (and soon slowed down for me - lol!) with Jenny (my usual partner) and another lady Di. They were discussing how far we should run tonight. Bob suggested I might try the 10km after my performance on Sunday! (What a nice bloke!!) I have run 10km - as you well know - but never WITH someone and I was a bit shy. I am VERY slow. Anyway, I gave it a go and I made it! OMG - 10km AGAIN!!

Bob and I had a lovely chat during the run - it was great!!! And then when I finished there were a lot of people calling me by name (!!) and congratulating me for my run tonight and my ripper of a run on Sunday! I'm still the slowest (with Bob!) but I felt sooooo welcome! I told myself I would go 7 times before I decided if it was for me - but after only 4 times I absolutely love it! All the runners are celebrating my milestones with me - it is awesome.

Of course, now I have set a precedent and will have to run the 10km loop each week.....

Proud of myself

OK so it's not a fluke. I ran 10km AGAIN today. Still slow - 83 minutes but I'm starting to become convinced that it's an achievable distance. Well, I've only managed it 3 times, so clearly it's still a novelty - but nonetheless I managed it. And I think I managed it fairly well too. Km number 8 was my fastest at 7.15 pace. Not sure where I pulled that from but there was a bit of a downhill and I felt strong so I just went for it. There were a few hills today so my pace was a bit all over the shop, but I enjoyed the feeling of striding out (if you can call 8 minute k's striding!!).

I wanted to run to my new workplace at the top of Kings Park to see if I could commute the distance like warriorwoman. It only seems to be 5km, so I reckon I could easily run there and back, depending of if they have showers and change rooms. At worst, I could cycle. We'll see how it pans out.

Mighty proud of myself, just quietly! I'm starting to think of trying 12km but that is SO FAR!! When all of this started, my ultimate goal was to run 10km. I'd still like to improve my time, but I've achieved that goal. I remember in Karratha doing a run/walk over the distance and wondering how I would EVER run it all. And now I have. I'm heading to BUNBURY for the half marathon but I never dreamed I would run it all. My intention in Bunbury is to cover the distance (still a mighty feat) but as a run/walk. Now there is a tiny, tiny voice just whispering that maybe, just maybe, a half marathon CAN be run. I don't think it is realistic to aim for 21km non-stop by May - but I might just go further than I ever thought.

Darlington fun run 8km

I went to the Darlington Half Marathon today and they had an 8km option so I ran the 8km. I was very pleased with myself because I lasted the whole 8km. It was an out and back course with the first half predominately uphill which meant it was mostly downhill coming home. Best way to have a run! I had the most awesome negative split! It still took me 63 minutes so I'm not breaking any records but I was at 4km in 34 minutes so it only took me 29 to get home!!!!

This is my pace chart - I got faster and faster and faster!

After my initial excitement, I settled into the run and I felt strong! The gentleman (Bob) who I was chasing at the 5km fun run the other week was there again. I was in front of him most of the way today, but he gradually reeled me in. He ran with me for the last couple of k and I really needed to dig deep. I was struggling at the end and had no idea my speed was so good! Bob pushed me and then right at the end, he stopped to let me go across the line in front of him! What a nice bloke!! He shook my hand and told me it was a good run, and I felt great!

THAT's what running is all about!!

I dragged a friend along too, and she walked the 8km. I was so proud of her. After I finished, I toddled back along the route to walk with her to the finish. She was the last of the 8k runners and the half marathoners had already started to finish. It was a lovely morning!

George and Jacob

I was supposed to be on a rest day today but I've spent the past two days listening to the live stream of the cyclone coverage up in the Pilbara and I felt a great need to get outside! I decided to just have a run/walk - whatever I wanted to do, just to enjoy the outing. I ended up covering 5km but only ran 2km. It was so nice to get outside and see people going about their normal business - it helps to reinforce that life goes on even after such devestation.

Cyclone Jacob has now intensified and is bearing down so hubby will not be home any time soon. The picture below is from the weather bureau. I've never seen anything like it. Two complete severe systems in the one graph. I'm glad I'm not in Karratha but at the same time, I'd like to be there sharing this with them. I haven't heard from hubby but I'm sure he's fine - just very, very busy.

Another night listening to the cyclone coverage on the ABC...

*Edit* Just heard from hubby - he's in Port Hedland!! Aaaarrrgghh!!! The company that he works for covers the entire Pilbara, not just Karratha, so he's in Hedland. He flew there from Karratha and has no clothes, no toilteries, nothing. Now he's stuck there with no power, no water and extreme heat - wearing the one set of clothes. He reckons he hasn't slept and the clean up continues - he should get some sleep tonight before more clean up tomorrow and then bracing for Jacob. If there are any shops open, he will buy some clothes - I know people go to extremes to get new clothes, but this is ridiculous!

A new habit?

I made 10km without stopping again today. Goodness, if I'm not careful I'll make a habit out of this!! Another big thrill for me - but slower than last time. I seem to be very consistent with my speed. If I start slow, I maintain that speed the whole way. But if I start faster, I maintain THAT speed. Work it out. I went slow today with the intention of covering 10km but I didn't expect to run it all!! I thought my calves would give me a bit of grief but they were fine. I'm starting to feel fairly confident of lasting the distance in the Bridges fun run on April 1. In fact, I felt really good at the end of 10km this morning. The last km was my fastest and I wasn't puffed at all today. But I'm still travelling at walking speed, so it's not as impressive as it sounds.

A very slim, blonde haired girl wearing the latest tight fitting, skimpy running gear zoomed past me this morning. I thought she was running fairly effortlessly but I think she had an attack of vanity fartlek because not 20m in front of me she stopped and started walking. I overtook her and thought she would just start running and zip past me again, but she didn't. I'll take that as a little victory. Of course, she might have just finished 20km coincedently at that time, you never know.

In other news, Cyclone George is bearing down on Karratha. What was going to be a routine bunkering down for hubby has become a full scale alert at Category 4. (Cyclone Tracy was a Category 4 when it destroyed Darwin, and Larry was a Cat 4 in Innisfail, so things are a little concerning at the moment.) The building where he is is only engineered to withstand Category 3 but we think it should last a Category 4. Anyway, we'll find out tomorrow! The positive out of all this is that George will cross the coast sooner than expected (tomorrow) so hopefully hubby will be home sooner than expected, provided the aftermath is not too bad. Still, my thoughts are with him and the town. I know how damn scarey a Cat 4 cyclone can be, having survived Glenda last year. (AND there is a 2nd system off Christmas Island - Cyclone Jacob. We have to madly hope the two don't join.)

Sore calves

My calves are sore today! Ha Ha - must have been those damn stairs and that nasty hill yesterday. Plus I obviously didn't stretch sufficiently. Naughty me. But it feels like I actually did some work - so it's good!

It's hot here today (I came to Perth to ESCAPE the heat) so I am not going to the running club this afternoon. It's still high 30's and I don't need to impress anyone with my stamina, so I'm not going. I'll run tomorrow morning, so I don't feel guilty - I'll still run 4 times this week.

Plus I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. Hubby has had to go back up to Karratha for Cyclone George. The new manager who took over from him has had no experience bunkering down for a cyclone so she needs a hand. Typical. We rejoice that we never have to go through another cyclone - and he flies into one deliberately!! And a big one at that! So I'm by myself for a week or so. I've got some comfort food, a DVD, an air conditioner and the cat - so all is not bad!

Grass, sand and cement

Today I thought I'd try and find some grass, so I headed off to Kings Park. Turns out all the paths are either cement or sand - neither surface makes for pleasant running! There is a great wide grassy strip right through the middle of the park so I headed for it. It is almost two km long but all uphill. I didn't realise it was uphill - I tried to run it, but the combination of grass and hill meant that I was simply incapable. Mind you, my calves were burning so I knew I was still working pretty hard. At the end of that 2km hill is DNA tower - a metal tower in the shape of a DNA molecule with stairs around the outside that leads to a lookout. I decided to have a go at climbing the stairs. Man, if I thought my calves were burning from walking up a grassy hill, I had no idea it was so hard to climb a set of stairs!! I was puffing and panting and carrying on by the time I got to the top! I had to hold onto the rail to come down because I thought my legs would give out!! Meanwhile I'm thinking that this is a different type of workout from a standard jog, so it can't be all bad having only limited running in it. I found another sand track and started to head home. It lead onto a cement path and bottom line is I walked home. I tried to keep my pace up and I feel like I've done some exercise even though it was mostly walking. All up 7km.

Kings Park is a great place to exercise (not QUITE as good as the river!) because you could be a million miles from the city. All you can see are trees and scrub and the traffic sounds like it's miles away. It's a shame the trails are cement or sand. Still, a wonderful alternative for my runs when I want some peace and quiet.

I've also filled in my entry form for the Asics Bridges fun run on April 1. I've decided to have a go at the 10km. I've convinced hubby to enter the 5km run/walk so he should be at the finish line before me. That way he can tell them not to pack up until I've finished!! I'm going to aim for 80minutes. I made 82 the other day, so I should be able to give it a good shot I reckon. I'm also buying a running singlet from the run which is VERY exciting. I hope it has Asics Bridges fun run 2007 plastered all over it!! The ladies sizes only go up to 14 (sigh) so I've ordered a men's extra large. That seems to be the biggest size on offer. I currently run in a men's XXL so I hope the extra large will fit. (Hee hee - then I can run in that singlet at BUNBURY and I won't look like a complete novice!!!!) :)

That's better

After my failed attempt at a run yesterday, I decided to have another go last night. Hubby and I went to a flash hotel for our anniversary and stayed the night. They had a schmicko gym so I jumped on the treadmill. I set it to 8km/h and managed 30minutes (4km)! It was hard work, but I was really pleased with the effort. Then I jumped in the spa which was too hot so I sat in the freezing cold pool and pretended I was giving myself an ice bath! Then back in the spa to warm up and last night I felt great!!

I've worked out that all I need is a pool in the backyard and I'll be set! As the weather cools down I'll have an ice bath ready to go. But I don't have a pool (and no bath either) so the ice baths will have to wait.

Whimped out

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and I didn't feel like running. But I got up and started walking. I figured I could walk for a bit longer as a warm up and then I might feel like running. The plan was to go the "usual" route down to the river and along the river back home. About 7 or 8 km's. I walked the first km and noticed the roads were closed to traffic. Before long hundreds of female cyclists zoomed past me - another triathlon! (An all ladies triathlon) I kept walking and watched all the cyclists. After the main bunch, the number started to trickle out but then came some oldies on ladies mountain bikes and some ladies who were clearly just in it to compete. I wanted to run at that point, but felt embarrassed, so I kept walking and then cut down a track to the river. I started running along the river, on the grass. I must say, I don't really like running on grass. Karratha didn't HAVE grass so I'm not at all used to it. Grass has little bumps and undulations and you have to concentrate to keep from falling over. Plus it's slow. Anyway, I was jogging along the grass for about 1km when I realised I was on the running route for the triathlon. The leaders effortlessly zoomed past and I am ashamed to say I stopped running then and there. I continued to walk towards home, as far off the path as possible. All the runners started going past me and they were all fit and very slim. I felt conspicuously out of place. I didn't like that feeling at all, but had no choice but to continue. Soon, though, the really fast ones had passed me and we were at the not-so-fit ones. But the time I walked past the transition, the just-competing ladies were finishing. THEN I started wishing I was there. But I'm a long way from that.

All up 7km this morning - mostly walking. Sigh.

I overtook a jogger!

Miracle of Miracles - I overtook two joggers today!! Well, maybe they weren't really jogging - they were doing a Cliffy Young shuffle but slower! Two Asian gentlemen, clearly in no hurry and just enjoying the sights of our wonderful river. I could see them in front of me and I was sort of just maintaining the distance between us. Every now and then, I would look up and the distance would be smaller. I'm not sure if they slowed down or if I sped up, but all of a sudden my little "milestone" instinct took over and I decided I would try and overtake them! I pushed hard and knew I would need to maintain the speed (whilst still trying to keep my breath even, so they didn't know what a thrill it was for me!!) and I had to keep going once I'd passed them, because they couldn't see me all puffed and stopping! That'd ruin the whole appearance! It was harder than I thought it would be, I needed to maintain my pace for about 500m (yes, we were going THAT slow!). But I did it!! I wanted to dance a jig but I had to concentrate on getting a lead on them. Shortly afterwards I was overtaken by two very fast ladies, whom I am quite certain were NOT planning their overtaking strategy on me. They were just going fast.

I wasn't expecting any milestones today, so I've had a pleasant bonus! I set out to do 7km and ended up covering 8 with a run/walk. I had another massage yesterday and the MT said I should be trying to run on my toes and leaning forward. So I tried to do that - it's MUCH harder that what I have been doing!! My calves didn't like me at all! I am also now running on the grass beside the path (my new home) because my MT politely suggested I was putting too much strain on my joints/muscles with the extra weight I am carrying. Since I do not want to snap my shins in half, I will do as he suggests.

Running on grass is much slower than bitumen. And it is harder work too! I was slower today than I have been for a while, but I realise that is the grass and not really my speed. There were parts of the path where the grass was not even and I had to run on the path, and I noticed my speed increase. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to run on my toes and not clench my fists, lightly touching my thumbs to my forefingers, letting my arms hang lower, relaxing my shoulders - goodness this running takes lots of concentration!!! Better to get the technique right while I'm a novice.