Flexibilty

When I was younger I used to do weight training in the winter to supplement my running. Well over the last few years I have been telling myself that I need to get more flexibility, but of course I would either forget this  or just do it for a couple of days then stop. Well this winter I have finally got around to it and now usually after my morning run I do a few exercises  to strengthen my core and some yoga to improve my flexibility. I have noticed an improvement in the way I feel when I run and the last few days my sleep seems to have also got better. As time goes on I will add  more and plan to continue throughout the year and not just for the winter.

Winter running

Over the last month or so I have had the opportunity to experience some very cold running conditions including snow and some warmer ones with rain,but managing to get out there and run is the most important thing for me. I remember many years ago while participating in a 24 hour race a runner from Michigan, I believe his name was Ron Berber, said to me that he felt that running a mile in the cold of the winter was like running 2 in the warmer months. I guess he felt the muscles work harder and you get more of a benefit. I have a tendency to gain weight over the winter and I find that the running helps me keep it down a little and of course one wears more clothing and I feel that the extra weight maybe helps to strengthen the muscles a little. In the past I have also done some light weight training. All this usually means that once Spring comes around I tend to be a bit more prepared for it. 

Go on anyway.

Something I have learned when I am on one of these running streaks, is that I can talk myself into delaying my run to maybe not run early in the morning, I always find however that at some point in the day the feeling to go run will be strong and I will go out. It will sometimes mean that the weather may be worse than it was earlier, but that has never really stopped. Usually my muscles are looser when I run in the afternoon or evening, but then when you run multiday races you get used to running with tight or sore muscles to start with.
This time next week if I make it I will reach 700 days and will of course report it here.

Recently

Last week just before I traveled to Ljubljana by bus I started have some major pain in my right hip, but it didn't bother me when I walked or ran. My experience has been that this usually means there is an in balance in my hips. I tried doing an exercise that usually corrects this but it didn't do anything, so it persisted for about a week and then started to get better. Near the end there was also some stiffness in my lower back, but all the time I managed to keep running. So sometimes you just have to see how things go when you have an apparent injury, but still want to run. 

Friday and Sunday.

On Friday as I tied up my running shoes to go out for a run I was still a little sick from some flu bug and it was raining and cold, but the desire to run was there and as it happened the run would mark 20 months without missing a day.
On Sunday when I went out for my run my legs felt a bit like the 3rd day of a 6 day race, but I managed my usual run. I noticed that there was a guy with some tables and and paper cups at the bridge near where I finish my run. Remembering that  the Sarajevo Half Marathon was happening I realized that this was an aid station.and decided to return there later to watch part of the race.The running conditions where good, about 11 C and sunny and I quickly found out that the aid station was at the turnaround. I got to see the leaders and check out what there times were at the halfway point. The race is fairly new, just a few years old and there were just over 300 runners. My friend Amur came from Banja Luka, but I somehow missed him when he ran by. There were a few Americans, who I assume live and work in Bosnia and others from Serbia and Slovenia, but the race was won by a Bosnain in a time of 1:06. Maybe I will run next year.

600 Days

With this mornings run I have now completed 600 days without missing one.There have been a few when it was a struggle to get in the minimum 1 mile requirement I set myself, but the desire to go out and run has always been there. It had just stopped raining when I went out this morning, so it was like a blessing to mark the occasion. I usually don't count days in my streaks after the first 50 or so, but do to a project involving the first 80 I have kept tabs on the days. I am also approaching 20 months, which as I have stated before is my second longest streak. I hope this inspires others to be a bit more consistent in their running. It really helps.

World Harmony Run

From August 10 to 16 I was part of the World Harmony Run in Bosnia and Hercegovina and also Croatia.It is always interesting to be part of the run and since the Olympics had just finished people are reminded of it when they see us running with a torch.. As part of the team you go out and run your shift. sometimes in the countryside sometimes in Cities.The average distance per runner per day is around 10 km, but some like to add to their daily stint but joining others on their shift.The official meetings we have are sometimes quite simple and other times involve traditional dance and local or national TV. If you ever get a chance to participate take the chance.