Monday, 24 January 2011

Do you like my color scheme?


That’s what my toes look like at the moment. Luckily there’s no pain that accompanies the color scheme. I’ve had this a few times over the years and so far it has never been sore. In time the nails just fall off and usually a new nail will be in place before that happens.

I think the main reason I have the black toe nails at the moment is the sand I had to deal with during the Odyssey Ultra. This is what my shoes looked like when I took them off after the race.


You can also see why I had a painful blister on my right heel. The blister has since completely recovered.

Talking about recovery, I’ve had a few questions and comments regarding my 6 day training weeks I posted last week. In general people want to know how I handle recovery and how do I stay injury free.

I’m an ultra runner and all my goals for the next 3 to 5 years are ultras or other races that will take more than 6 hours to complete. For this I don’t do any speed work or repeats of any kind. I believe that is the key to me being able to run 6 days a week. No speed work, no repeats.

My ultra training is based on distance and recovery between long runs. Being able to recover after a 6 day running week that finishes with a marathon to follow that with a 6 day week that finishes with a 50km is the key to building up for the long ultras. That’s what works for me and that’s how I’ve been doing it for years. The fact that I never push for speed during any of the 6 runs of the week makes this possible.

Have a wonderful week of training everyone!
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32 comments:

  1. KovasP24 January 2011 at 13:47

    Sounds like a solid plan, Johann. I couldn't give up my hill repeats though, too much fun.

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  2. Teamarcia24 January 2011 at 14:13

    Johann you look so Goth with those toes! I have two to match!

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  3. Kate Geisen24 January 2011 at 14:35

    Eww. :) Glad that I could use nail polish to disguise that. That sand would've been brutal.

    It's always interesting to see how other people train. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  4. Amy24 January 2011 at 14:45

    That makes sense, actually - speed and distance are such contradictory goals when you really think about it. I'm glad you've found the kind of training that really works for you - that's the main thing, right?
    My black nail doesn't hurt anymore but the day of the half marathon it was killing me!

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  5. HappyTrails24 January 2011 at 14:48

    Like the fancy toenail scheme ;-) Thanks for outlining you keys to success. Have a great week!

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  6. Raina24 January 2011 at 15:57

    Oh, that is some serious toe-nail damage! Pretty sure you are right about the sand. :/ It was worth it, though, right!!?

    You aren't alone. I know many people who swear off the speedwork.

    Of course, I haven't done any ultras, but I had issues when I first tried to do speedwork and then again when I added a second day of it. When increasing mileage, it can over-stress the body to throw in speed. I would get various tendinitises and it took a while to work through. *For me* I had to stay at a certain increased mileage for a month or more before I could add in speed without getting issues. But....I am happy that you found what works for you!! It is awesome to be running INJURY FREE.

    Take care of your toenails!

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  7. The Turtle24 January 2011 at 16:57

    Your poor toes. I think your training plan makes a lot of sense.

    I was wondering, with all of that running, how many pairs of shoes do you go through each year? (Not sure if you've blogged about that before...)

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  8. Laura24 January 2011 at 17:07

    Ooof...I feel sorry for the piggies.
    I still can't fathom that much running each week/month. Amazing.

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  9. Big Daddy Diesel24 January 2011 at 17:12

    Isnt that just lovely!!! Nice shade of the color too

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  10. misszippy24 January 2011 at 18:20

    They are beautiful! Well earned badges of honor. I think you have a solid approach to training and staying injury free. Smart guy!

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  11. Jill24 January 2011 at 18:45

    Great badge of honor! :)
    I think of all the toenails I've had black and blue, I can't ever recall a baby toe being so. I salute you, Johann!! :)

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  12. racing dawn24 January 2011 at 20:06

    Gorgeous toe nails... I'm currently seconds away from losing two all together...

    Sounds like a great plan for the ultras! I could do without speedwork but it's still a necessary evil for me... :)

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  13. Mike24 January 2011 at 20:09

    Hey...nice toenails!! Thanks for the tips on Ultra training.

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  14. Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel24 January 2011 at 21:28

    That training plan makes total sense to me - it's funny how, in some ways, going long is so much more forgiving than going hard.

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  15. Molly24 January 2011 at 21:34

    okay, I'm glad you said that about not doing speed work. I felt like I should start doing some, but I'm relatively happy with my pace. I don't want another injury. Ouch for your toenail though!

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  16. Cindy24 January 2011 at 22:34

    Thanks for the info about speed training. Whenever I try to fit it in, my knee starts to hurt. SO I'll follow your advice and enjoy running.

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  17. Bethany + Ryan24 January 2011 at 22:34

    nice plan and nice toe nails! I have 2 black toenails currently too. I got stabbed in the toe nail while running through a stream at mile 43 of my 50. I thought it would fall off but it's still hangin' on :-)

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  18. Cathie24 January 2011 at 22:38

    I'm surprised you have any nails at all! Mine look like mielie pips! :)

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  19. Giorgio24 January 2011 at 23:30

    Great training plan! Take care!

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  20. Jennifer25 January 2011 at 01:43

    Great post Johann! I always get so much from your experiences, thanks so much for sharing. Love the pictures of your sandy (wet) running shoes!

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  21. Char25 January 2011 at 02:54

    I think you and only you can make that colour work for you. But I'd be doing the matching fingernails and lipstick.

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  22. Alyssa25 January 2011 at 02:59

    I personally think pink would look better, but black & blue will work for now. :)

    Great insight on not pushing the speed work and repeats as your means of staying injury free! What I'm reading from you is that I shouldn't attempt the 1:45 half marathon after all. :) I'm kidding! I definitely think you're onto something, though. Your endurance is so high that your ability to stay injury-free is impeccable. I'm glad you have found what works best for you. If only we could all be so lucky!

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  23. ajh25 January 2011 at 03:40

    Love hearing how you are successful. Still sounds amazing to me.

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  24. ultra collie25 January 2011 at 08:20

    id say its a 'gonner' johann!

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  25. Chris K25 January 2011 at 16:38

    Johann, I'm doing my 1st 50k in April. A trail run. I don't run trails. I need to send you an email later for tips.

    Just saw your comment on my Blog about your friend Joe. Funny.

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  26. Lindsay25 January 2011 at 20:49

    Oh boy! My 2nd toes are both turning purple/black but not as bad as your big toe! It's not sore at all? Mine are sore...

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  27. Emz25 January 2011 at 22:47

    Love. The. Toes. :)

    I have only six "good toes" at the moment. But your colors are way better than mine. :)

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  28. Unknown26 January 2011 at 03:58

    You've earned those toes! I also love the dirty shoes, nothing better!

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  29. Amanda@runninghood26 January 2011 at 17:51

    Awesome toes! ;) Those shoes look like they smell great too. ;) See, it is the speed work that is probably making us all fall apart. :) Thanks for your comment.

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  30. Natalia27 January 2011 at 04:46

    Baie mooi tone! They have been very good to you. I think you have hit on the right formula for your life and your body, and it really works out great, and your success attests to that. Keep on encouraging us with your races and good advice.

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  31. Marlene27 January 2011 at 20:10

    Thast sand does NOT look comfortable!

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