Running in late 20s

Instagram is my favourite social network. I've been using it for more than a year now. Searching the username mamad_m and the hashtag #runninginlate20s should take you through my photos. So let's keep in touch and inspire one another.

Just watched this film last night. A documentary of 2010 Western States when four of the greatest runners compete with each other to win the one of the most prestigious ultra races in the world. It also features Gordy Ainseligh who was the first human to run the western states course - which was a 100-mile horse race - in just under 24 hours in 1974. Highly recommended for everyone interested in ultra trail running.

Since I started running, I have been injured a couple of times a year. It was about six weeks ago that I twisted my left ankle. For a couple of weeks before then I couldn't run quite often due to the air pollution in Tehran. And I decided to sneak a couple of long runs while I was away in mid February. We were in Qeshm Island - the largest island in the Persian Gulf - and it was a great day for running. I started running at 6am and after almost 200 metres my left ankle twisted. I stopped, walked for a few seconds and started running again. I knew that it might get worse after this run, but I couldn't help running. after a few minutes the pain faded away. I ran 14 km and when I finished my run the pain came back. It wasn't the worst ankle sprain I had, but it took me longest to recover. I am just about to recover now, but I missed so many training sessions that I decided - only 12 days before the race - not to run the Iznik Ultramarathon.   My next race will be Eiger Ultr...

The other night I went for a 10k run on snow, slush and ice. Didn't drink before and during the run. After running I had a banana and a small bottle of water. Up to this point it was going all right. That was when I started drinking with friends and had several drinks during the night. And as a result came the worst hangover I've ever had that lasts for more than 24 hours. I missed one training session and was feeling absolutely fatigue the day after.  If you are a runner you are likely to have low alcohol tolerance. There is a few reasons to that. You probably only drink occasionally, so your body hasn't built up the same alcohol tolerance as someone who drinks regularly. Because you run regularly your metabolism rate is higher and you get the effects of alcohol faster than someone who doesn't exercise regularly. And because you are likely to have less body fat alcohol remains in your body longer.  Alcohol affects your training in different ways. In short term...

Happy new year everyone! In 2013 I ran 1468 km. Considering a couple of injuries and the time I dedicated to hiking, It wasn't a bad year at all. Now that I have planned a couple of marathons and ultras for 2014, I will try to run more than 2014 km this year. That's 5.5 km a day on average. Let's see how it goes. Wish you all the best in 2014.

I only got to know Dr Jack Daniels yesterday. I reckon these videos are quite useful and worth sharing. He introduces four types of training and describes the benefits of each type.

"Runners, Yeah we're different" is an advertising campaign by adidas back in 2000. Each ad reveals a part of runner's life. It shows the commitment, dedication and obsession of runners. If you are a runner you have probably experienced most of these situations and you do remember how everyone stares at you.