The Start

In the UK the perception of Australians, and in particular Australian sportsmen is that they are more thorough and disciplined than most of us in the UK. Psychologically stronger and more detailed in their preparation to succeed. Well, I aim to succeed in the targets I have set for 2011 and this website, and a few people in particular have influenced me to get really motivate to do so.

So thank you to Fossil and sportsphysio for providing me with some good advice. I have a lot to learn about running and these guys have pointed me in the right direction.

maryclaire posts on my thread has prompted me to think about how planning achievements is important and to be patient. I am not the most patient person at work and in sport and probably always push myself too hard. I need to stop running as if everything is a race!!!

This is where I am beginning from Help - Shin/knee Pain and my first target is to run a sub 20 minutes 5k run. Actually no, it isn't it is to:

• fully recover from current injury
  
• sleep and rest
  
• eat the right foods at the right times
  
• sit properly at work and think about my posture more
  
• do my stretches
  
• improve my running technique
  

The plan at the moment is to go for a swim tomorrow 30/12/2010 at the local sports centre and then on 31/12/2010 to do some bike work and light weights on the legs, especially focusing on some of the stretches shown to me by my masseuse.

Due to openings times of sports centre a 3 day rest followed by starting my 1st day back at work (04/01/2011) with an early morning swim in the morning before going to work. I need to start doing this twice a week as part of a regular routine. Not loads but 10-20 lengths gets me going in the morning.

Need to do a bit more research on the amount of weights to include and how I plan to improve my running technique. This website is a good starting point:

• http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/index.html
  

I like the following two videos:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE
  
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkUqkdPQHis&feature=related
  

Really excited as I start my journey for 2011.