Jul13201010:30 a.m.
To swim or not to swim, that is the question.....
Hello, hello and welcome to another week which has already started. Thearle’s big dilemma this week, apart from managing negative feelings about an octopus who is better at predicting the scores of football matches than I am, is what to do to keep fit on my upcoming summer hols. Six of us are heading off to Majorca at the end of the month for a week and I am torn between taking my running gear, which will add further weight to a monstrously full suitcase, or just packing lots of swimming cosies and having a week of intensive pool activity.
Last year I took my running gear to Crete and managed one run first thing in the morning, before returning to the villa and promptly throwing up..... Now my suspicion then was that it was a tummy bug and nothing to do with the running. But I must confess I was scarred somewhat by the experience. I did attempt another outing later in the week and was chased by dogs, so all in all, the fantasy of running by the sea and the reality, didn’t really match up too well. My sister and her husband, who are joining us on this Mediterranean jaunt, are planning on running most days which is great motivationally, but practically useless, as they run much quicker than I do.
So I am seriously pondering some swimming instead, not just pottering around in the shallow end I hasten to add, but proper lengths and everything. But I thought I would throw it out into health and fitness land, because I never feel quite as tired after a swim as I do after a 4-mile run (or interval session like the one I completed yesterday). I don’t want to feel like a lazy bones and it is a holiday when all is said and done, but I feel so aerobically fit at the moment, I am reluctant to surrender any of it. So any thoughts my friends gratefully received.
My other dilemma currently, blimey I am bombarding you, is running shoes. I realised yesterday as a faint throbbing in my achilles returned, that I have had the same running shoes (two pairs of them in fact) for approximately 5 years...... Gosh the shame of even writing that is overwhelming. So clearly I need to purchase new ones. I just wondered if anyone had any particular recommendations? I will of course do it properly and suffer the ritual humiliation of having to jog red-faced around my nearest store with a complete stranger inspecting my running gait. But if I could look remotely knowledgeable, that would be a cracking start. Right I am off to buy camping gear......I really am. Yes get me. Outdoor Annie. Oh and you can also follow me on Twitter now as well - @SueThearle. I have no idea how it works, but apparently the young people like using it....... Toodle pip.....
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Comments (6)
Fiona_G 'Swimming is a fantastic form of aerobic exercise! I don't even feel like i am doing exercise when all is said and done after 40 lengths back to back - i feel slightly red in the face but totally enjoy being in the pool - and swimming outside in the sun what more could you ask for?? Have a wonderful holiday!' added 13th Jul 2010
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spudz 'Hi Sue. When I'm on holiday I usuall always start the day with a nice long walk preceded by a nice healthy breakfast. I know it's not quite the same has running but at least you don't need to take loads of extra gear with you. You could always combine it with a swim has well. Good luck with finding some new trainers. I actually invested in my first pair of proper running trainers a few weeks ago (never really run regular enough before to warrant buying any) and they really make a difference. I just went on the Nike running site to work out what foot shape I had and then got some trainers that were within the corresponding colour. They seem to be okay, although when I went out the other day I got a blister on the side of my big toe but that could have been the socks.' added 13th Jul 2010
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Sam_Graham 'Hey Sue. There is in essence only two types of running trainer; cushioning shoes for those that have a normal gait, and control shoes for those who have a slightly unstable gait (ankle and knee tend to bend in a little bit). Control shoes have a slightly larger in-step to stop you collapsing in and keep the pressure going through the centre of the foot/leg - you can always tell wether a tariner si a control shoe as it will have a different colour on the inside where the in-sole is built up (see your picture above). Once you have worked out which type of trainer you need, it is then simply a case of finding the one's most comfortable. Most important thing is to know wether you need a control or cushioning shoe and to get the sizing right. There should be an index fingers width between your big toe and the front of the shoe - bare in mind that you might be wearing slightly thicker socks when you run and you're feet will expand a little. Good luck in finding a nice pair. Adidas Ride or Glide have always done the job for me!!' added 13th Jul 2010
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Sue_Thearle 'Guys thanks so much for the top tips. I will definitely look at Nike and Adidas. I think I have an unstable gait - at least it feels like it (!), but I will let you know what the clever man in the running shop says..... when he has stopped laughing..... And someone has also suggested running in the pool, which I am also going to have a go at!' added 14th Jul 2010
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tinabee 'I have recently got into swimming and find I am more tired after doing 20 odd lengths than any run makes me! Maybe a short jog followed by a swim would be good. Brooks and Saucony do good stability trainers.' added 19th Jul 2010
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twammers 'Gotta be swimming - best low impact exercise you can do. You can always catch up on your running when you get back to the UK...have a nice trip.' added 19th Jul 2010
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