Run, Iceni, Run: the Training Begins
If someone tells me I can’t do something, I’m always determined to prove them wrong.
Yes, my big birthday pushed me firmly into middle age, but I’m the fittest I’ve been since my teenage basketball days, so I don’t think that is a problem for me. However, balancing work and children is a slightly harder thing to do.
So, the training begins… in spring, I began to think a little more seriously about my training. Though, still a maverick runner, I opted to do my own thing and just run however I wanted to. My partner had also signed me up to receive a running magazine on a monthly basis, so I did a little bit of reading. However, more often than not, I would end up crashing in bed at the end of a long day, determined to read, but my need for sleep overpowering that. Each week, I would attempt to run either further or quicker than previously. When you’ve focused on beating your personal bests for so long, it can be difficult to get out of that pattern. Eventually, I started to find my feet though and got into a bit more of a rhythm.
I try to eat a carb-heavy meal the night before a long run. My favourite is a creamy chicken, mushroom and pea pasta dish with homemade coleslaw that my partner makes. Naked Nutrition kindly sent me Naked Energy and Naked Casein to try to support me in fuelling and refuelling as part of my training. I make up an energy drink using the Naked Energy powder mixed with coconut water 15 to 30 minutes before a run. Boasting few ingredients, the supplement is free from most allergens, so suitable for the majority of people in spite of dietary requirements. I find it really gives me the boost I need on a morning, although it took me a while to get used to as I had eliminated almost all caffeine from my diet. Naked Casein is something I drink before going to bed, again made up with coconut water. This is a slow-digesting protein and keeps you satiated all night, also helping your muscles to absorb protein while you sleep. I can honestly say that since starting this, I don’t seem to ache as much on a morning.
Having overhauled my diet, I did decide it was probably about time to download a training plan… reluctantly, I printed it out. More on that next time!
Current status: full of caffeine and feeling great!
Blog by Colin Jeffery (Owner/Director of Iceni Magazine)
