Forefoot strike, big toes and piano progress

I'm experimenting with a new running style, were you land on your forefoot instead of your heel. I think it's called "pose" running. There is lots on the net about it, supposedly it is more natural. However as I discovered it can really bugger your calves as it puts a lot of strain on them. The first time I tried it I hobbled for 4 days! Although I land on the fore foot my heel touches down briefly very quickly afterwards. This brief touchdown gives the calves a split second of relief. If you don't do that (i.e. heel never touches ground) you will very quickly tire the calves.

It's odd to do because you have to consciously think about it. But eventually it does become second nature. I find I can now alternate between heel striking and forefoot striking as required, to give my calves a break.

I've found that forefoot striking encourages a more efficient running motion and therefore is speedier. When I switch back to heel striking I feel "clumpier" although it is more relaxing. I reckon my times have improved using the technique, probably taking off 15 secs per km over 10k compared to a few months ago.

As an aside, does anyone else find that their big toe wears a hole in the top of their trainers?! I've had 3 pairs of Asics and each pair has the same hole where my big toes have rubbed right through the material on the top. They do fit me perfectly though. Weird.

Finally, I've been learning piano for about 6 months and I can now play stuff that doesn't sound like a retarded gorilla. I've spent a few weeks trying to learn Mozart's Minuet in F which Wolfie wrote when he was 6. And here's anothere 6 year old playing it on Youtube. Gah!

Here's a gratuitous pic of my piano (it's a digital one). It's even got dinky pedals so I can pretend I'm a real Liberace.

Synergy Gallipoli 8km – 36:42

A beautiful morning. Dragged the whole family down for a 9am start at Kings Park. There were 2 new dinos in the park which the kids noticed straight away. I was feeling good and quietly confident I could beat last year’s time and go sub 38mins. Said to hi to Lou, who was doing the 4k.

Once again a very moving bugle call of the Last Post, as we stood in silence at the start line with the gentle breeze rustling the trees that were planted in memorial of those who died in the armed forces. Always brings a lump to the throat, especially as the poem is read by John Gilmour, a well known local runner and veteran.

As we set off I was determined to take it easy, instead of blowing up like last year. The first 1.5k is a rather brutal uphill. I managed 5:10 for the first 1km and I knew then that I was on the right track (5:22 last year). The next 1.5 is a fast downhill in which I managed to get my first ever sub 4min km - 3:59 :-)

I think my 4km split was around 18:20 which is as fast as I’ve ever run. The second lap uphill was brutal and I shamefully stopped to walk for about 20 secs. I hate doing this and I need to work on my motivation. As Lance Armstrong says “Pain is temporary”. I need to push on through these moments. But God my legs were shot. At the turnaround I sped up again downhill but this time could only manage around 4:07.

I love the run down to the finish line, you can see everyone in the distance. I powered down as fast as possible and could hardly believe the time on my Garmin – 36:42. This was an improvement over last year of 1:20. I was pretty pleased and know I can do even better if I didn’t stop halfway!

I brought my new camera and took some photos of the winners. The mens 8k was won by Roberto Busi and Tina Major took out the womens 8k.