It’s ironic that my post labelled Stamina is closely followed by posts relating to fatigue. How do you increase your stamina without increasing your fatigue levels? I feel the 10k race last weekend was probably a ‘race too far’ and has tipped me over the edge. Although I’m still enjoying getting out there my legs today were heavy to say the least and I can feel a tight groin that has the potential to become a real problem as I sit here typing this post. There has been niggles over the last 2-3 weeks and you’d expect that as you step up from a 100k-130k average week to 160k-190k. Ignoring the 10% rule for increasing distance but that rule I feel is aimed more at the beginner runner not the experienced version. The real problem is like a gambler on a lucky streak when a runner hits a bit of form the last thing they want to do is stop or rest. The old saying ‘is it better to burn out than fade away’. Fading away may be the right thing to do because it does mean you can return quicker, a ‘burn out’ in running terms is normally a long stint on the sidelines.

Fremantle half is so close that I feel the best course of action is 48 hours complete rest. Easy to type but, with my track record over the last few weeks, harder to achieve. A half marathon, when raced, will bite you if you are fatigued and try to run at a non-fatigued pace. You can probably get to 16k but the last 5k will be a lesson in pain management and mental torture. The mind will be willing but the legs will not play game. I have had this pleasure the last two times I have ran the Fremantle half. Both times I was racing for a top 5 finish (and a medal) but both times I faded and finished 6^th and 7^th. I may have mentioned this in a previous post, remember I am nearly 50, I tend to repeat myself. I wonder if this has anything to do with my current fatigues state, old age ! I was hoping 50 was the new 20, but really I feel this is a myth put about by 50 year olds. I’ll tell you in February next year.

So can I take 48 hours off running? I am going to make a big effort as I know it’s the right thing to do. It’ll give me more time to write a few killer posts over the weekend and maybe look at improving my blog. There’ll be the ‘good luck’ run to Yelo on Saturday morning for the best coffee and muffin in Perth. Not sure how much good luck is actually involved with this exercise but it’s something I look forward to and as a runner, as I have mentioned many times, we give up so much. I don’t consider a Yelo Muffin too much of an indulgence.

Funnily enough I did sneak out for a 10k recovery run in the evening and felt a lot better. I wear my 6 year old skins tights for recovery runs and these bad boys do make a difference. They do give you the support you need and this can certainly help and stave off injury , I hope. We’ll see on the weekend when I race Fremantle half. On the evening run I was actually trying to work out that if I run tomorrow morning early could I get back in time to give me 48 hours before Sunday morning, give or take a few minutes… Have I mentioned I could be addicted….