Running on nails?

The snow and ice has been hanging around far too long this year, and normally I wouldn't even venture out; but Tommo blogged about carrying Kahtoola micro spikes for running in and as I was climbing the walls desperate to get a few miles in, I bought a set.

They are superb.

The pair fit in the palm of your hand, or a stuff sack.

Have spikes on the forefoot and heel.

...and they give you serious grip.

I've put about 20 miles on them and it's as if they're not there, and there's no snow/ice around. They don't slip or flap, take about a minute to put on/off and they just are what they are and do what they're supposed to do.

Just this morning I've seen some blogs about putting screws into the sole of your shoe to give you the same effect. What a waste of a running shoe! These spikes are serious kit and will probably last for decades.

Which camera should I run with?

My crappy old Canon has had it, and my HTC Desire isn't exactly ideal, mainly because it's a phone with an afterthought camera built in.

I'm after something small and light that I can put in my waist pack, and it needs to have decent optics, that are suitable for landscapes. Of course, these days cameras can take video as well, but that's not really on my list of needs.

So, what do you use, and what would you recommend?

The frustration of rest

After 5 months of no running... actually no phys at all due to an ulcerative colitis flare, I'm back to it again, at last.

But things are not good. I'm frustrated... but I know it's a ridiculous place to be in. When the flare stopped me running, my Saturday morning run was 25 miles, life was good and I was really starting to run long. And so after the massive break I want to back out there doing those 25 milers.

HAH! not going to happen, not for some time. I'm forcing myself not to run, because I'm desperate to just get out there and smash out the miles, which would end up in injury without doubt. I probably need to get a marathon training plan together to give me some direction, although my goal right now is to run my cross country commute as soon as I can. Hopefully I'll end up doing that 11 miler 3 times a week once my body is ready for the effort.

I'm really looking forward to those cold, windy evening trail runs out on Salisbury Plain, they're the best.