Feeling Stylish

I’m a little obsessed with the apocalypse. I wrote a novel set after a world disaster (although it needs to be hugely rewritten) and this year’s NaNoWriMo novel is going to be Zombies in Space.

Recently Anninyn, from In Case of Survival, and I decided that exercise and getting fit were great ways to prepare for the apocalypse.

Then I discovered ZOMBIES, RUN! and I’ve never been so excited about a running app.

Essentially you are a runner during the apocalypse. Your jobs is to tear around the post-apocalyptic wasteland collecting supplies and avoiding zombies.

Not only do you have a map and stats but through your headphones you’ll also get radio messages from your team back at base and will sometimes hear the ominous moan of zombies if you aren’t running quick enough.

I am so excited about this. If anything is going to get me running it’s the thought that I might get eaten if I don’t. There’s also something immensely cool (geeky) about making running into a game. I love games!

Check out ZOMBIES, RUN! for all the details. It seems the app – for iPhone and Android – is going to be released in the first quarter of 2012.

I just wanted to share this picture with you. It’s me just before going on a run at the weekend. I only did 2k but I think I may attempt a 5k this week to see just how hard it will be next year when I do the Race for Life.

I think you can also tell from this that I’ve lost a bit of weight despite the fact that this isn’t a very flattering photo.

I am by no means a runner, I am someone who jogs and complains about it. But I’ve been doing this a short while and there’s a lot I’ve learned. As a beginner runner I hope there’s something I can share with you. I enjoy running but I never realised just how much there was to take into consideration.

Shoes.

Get proper running shoes. If you can get a gait analysis done at a running shop (their shoes tend to be quite expensive though so if you are strapped for cash find out what they recommend then buy from somewhere such as Spartoo.)

I overpronate, which greatly affects how I run, where I might get injured and what shoes I need to buy to correct this. Runner’s World explain this here.

Because I’ve been finding myself with some calf and shin pain I’m thinking my current shoes aren’t really doing the job. I currently have the Asics shoes below. They are a great mid-distance running shoe that aren’t too highly priced.

They’re comfortable and nothing rubs but I’ve just got this feeling that they aren’t right for me. They’ve now also done a great deal of miles so it’s probably time for an upgrade.

Other things to think about

• You can’t always run through the pain, if anything hurts then you should take a look at how/where you are running.
• The impact on your joints is huge when you run. Bear this in mind if you have bad ankles, knees, hips or lower back.
• It’s easier on your joints if you run on grass or treadmill than if you run on road/pavement.
• Walking quickly at an incline burns as many calories as running.
• Stretch! It helps to prevent injury. Dynamic stretches before you run so you just warm your muscles.

I am not an expert. These are just things I’ve learnt from being a beginner runner. If you have any questions or are injured then please consult a physiotherapist, doctor, personal trainer or similar. If anyone would like to correct or further inform me on anything above then please do so!

Yes I only went out for 10 minutes ish, but I ran. For the first time in 3 weeks. I’ve been so lame. Apologies to those of you who were watching this blog for my C25K updates.

Ben has said that he will start to come with me on my runs. He’ll motivate me to go out more. The problem is that he can walk about as fast as I jog. Means I’ll have to jog faster…

So yesterday I did 0.78 miles in just over 10  minutes. I wasn’t timing myself so I’m going to do the same route tonight and see how long it really takes me.

I’ve been very healthy this last week. Eating lots of fruit and drinking loads of water. I feel good, I’ve lost weight and I’ve lost a few inches from various flabby parts. The sun is out, life is good.