A few random ramblings…

Today I hit my first major milestone in my fitness training.

1km, solid run, no breaks, no walking, no slowing down, no stopping.

1km… flat out at an average just above 13kph… good for a final time on the treadmill of 4:20.

Still not good enough for FIFA… but, the first solid 1km is an achievement all the same.

So with 20 days remaining until I run my fitness test, I’m feeling good. Not 100% confident, but good all the same and I think a little apprehension and doubt is good in this instance as it will force me to push myself. Indeed, the additional adrenaline on the day may help push me over the line. It’s long been known that stressful situations trigger the release of adrenaline, and that this in turn improves the supply of blood and glucose to muscles… so I figure a little doubt breeding a little nervousness is a good thing.

My other preparations for the National Championships are progressing well. Since, once again, we are not permitted any equipment with logos other than Nike, I’ve purchased replacements for my Skins, Adidas sweatbands and Adidas futsal boots. Admittedly there isn’t much that can be done about the referees choice of footwear since that is a very personal choice given the varied needs of the referees in looking after their feet.After all, it’s not like we’re in the same basket as the World Cup referees and get supplied with a full kit including boots. So, I have splurged a little and upgraded my Adidas Climacool Sala’s from 2004 as a celebration of meeting my 1km milestone, and as extra incentive to do well in January.

So… what did I get? Well, being a BIG fan of the Adidas range of equipment, I got another pair of Climacool Salas, this time the F30.7 models. I also purchased a pair of Nike Total90 Shoot IC’s which surprised me by being much more comfortable than I had thought they’d be. Not as cushioning or as stable as the Climacools, but a good shoe all the same, and for playing in… they give a great touch on the ball.

I’ve been a big fan of the Climacool Sala’s for the past 4 years, both as a player and as a referee. They weigh only 9 ounces (255 grams for those of you in metric countries) per pair… and with the Climacool technology throughout the boot, promote air flow and help maintain a good temperature and dryness for the foot.

My only criticism of them until 2005 had been that they don’t sell them in Australia, and indeed, that is still a valid criticism since the best we get from Adidas here are their Absolada range. Again, not a bad boot, but not their best either.

The 2005 models featured a change in design that had a large climacool panel from the top of the toe, along the outside edge of the boot to just in front of the heel. This, I think, was designed to improve airflow and cooling. Unfortunately the strain on this material and it’s join to the sole at the point of maximum spread in the foot (from the ball of the foot to where the little toe joins) meant that with enough pressure, you could split the boot open whilst playing… something I did in the middle of the final in a regional tournament. Adidas must have recognised this, because with the 2006 Climacool Sala IV they added a reinforcement at exactly the same place.

I had hoped, though, to be rewarding myself with a purchase of the new Nomis Futspeed boots. Sadly, whilst these boots are BRILLIANT and feel absolutely fantastic on my feet and offer the best touch and control of the ball that I’ve ever experienced… they have a narrow sole in relation to the width of the heel and are consequently not a good choice for someone like me who has rolled both their ankles, breaking one of them.

To say I’m paranoid about rolling my ankles is an epic understatement. The first time I did it, I cannot begin to describe the agony of the experience… since that was when I broke the lower portion of the fibula that runs alongside the outer edge of the ankle. My physio did a fantastic job in having me up and running in 6 weeks (just in time for my first National Championships), and since then, I’ve rolled each ankle at least 3 more times. The taping of my left ankle borders on NASA level complexity to ensure that the tiny ligaments in the ankle are not further damaged, especially since I rolled it during the fitness test at this years Nationals. Not going to dwell on that, but I am trying to prepare for it, and it begins with footwear.

Which is why saying that I was disappointed with the Futspeeds is an understatement. Everything I’ve seen about the Nomis boots, every player that has worn them, everyone I’ve spoke to that wears/plays in them has said the same thing… that they are a quantum leap forward in football boot technology and well worth the extra cost. Add to that the fact that Nomis is an Australian company made the decision to try them out very appealing.

Hopefully, with the next production models, Nomis will address the portion of the market of players that require additional cushioning and stability in their footwear. If they do this, I’ve little doubt that players will snap them up in droves.

And whilst technology waits to catch up, I continue pushing my body.

So, just over 20 seconds in 20 days… good thing I like a challenge.