83.2k Home

After a couple of weeks away I had a lot of work to catch up on and as time flew past I forgot to fill in my Blog.
I got down to Port MacQuarie for the ironman and boy was it inspirational.
After a few disappointing runs down there I had a mate come up from Sydney and run with me. He did a 2:48 in the Boston Marathon. Wow !. We chatted and ran. I felt a lot better about how I was going but still didn't think 83.2k trail was going to happen. Back home I kept up the training and aimed for the fifty. But when it came time to enter the event I opted for the 80k !?!. No idea why but after I did I felt better for it. The whole week before the run I was hit with the flu and only did short runs with little improvement. The day of the race I had a busy day and had a corker of a headache. I did manage 2 hours of sleep before heading out to Woodford and stopped to get panadol on the way.
Race report coming up soon .........

Feeling better.

Most of the distances I have run in the last week have been around 20k or more. I need to get more time from somewhere. I don't mind the late night runs but it reduces my sleep and buggers me the next day to do it all again. Last night I pushed out an easy 30k at about 5:30 pace and although I got home about 9pm, by the time I ate showered and relaxed it was 11pm and still no signs of sleep. I start work fairly early 6am and it makes for a long day. Anyway I am feeling good. The 20+k runs are easy and pushing out a 30k is nice. The hills I chose last night went by without a problem and I have the water/aid thing sorted. My pace isn't fantastic in fact its ordinary but I figure my plan for the 80k is just to finish and get that distance under my belt.
Tonight Work, yep I know but it pays the bills and it's end of month only once a month. So Wednesday night a 20+k and sleep.
Take Care

Strange Days.

My plan was an easy 15-20k depending on how I felt at 13k. So i headed out on my old 15k route. it has a big hill in the middle with a couple of short sharp ones to add spice. I know I said i would stay clear of hills but it has been a while since I headed out in that direction and I needed some variety. I did go out a bit hard but pulled back and enjoyed the ride. at 13k I took the turn and headed away from home out to the bay. I felt good and the light cool breeze off the ocean was as good as it gets when it comes to cooling on the run.
Anyway I got 20k out in 5:30/k pace and it was nice. Tonight REST, EAT & SLEEP.
Take care.

Back on the horse !

I still don't know if I will do the 80k in May. After doing heaps of runs over 20k and back to back long runs last weekend the body wants a rest. Not to mention a cold/sore throat started on Sunday night and a few headaches that just annoyed me. I have been happy with my 5:30/k long runs and the last two nights I did back to back 15.5k runs at first an easy pace 5:04 pace then a push out hold on for home 4:50/k pace. So I am happy with that but some little niggles wont go away and I just feel like a rest. But what the body wants and what the male ego does are two different things. So tonight back to the over 20k runs and nice and easy.

The weather is cooling down and I love it. It doesn't stop the sweat but it cools me down and I don't sweat as much.

I will get into gear and get the camera out to liven up the blog. Photo's do speak a thousand words!.

Loopy loops!

I hate loops or laps. I prefer to run out and back or in one direction but last night with heavy legs decided on a short run. Well that was the plan. An easy 10k. I started to feel really good by the time I hit 9k and did a loop back to where I had just come from. I got that feeling of "oh no another lap" when I deviated up a few streets I had never run down. Luckily I took fluid with me because the humidity was a killer and I had a funny feeling I would go over 10k. I stayed really comfortable and even pushed the last k home. 19.5k at 5:14/k pace. So nothing flash but I am still happy with effort from Sunday morning considering the humidity.
Well tonight I am aiming for the same but no loops.
Take care.

10+20k BRRC

An offer to run with a few guy's before a race was an opportunity not to be missed.
It was so nice to be able to chat with these guy's and get some running tips hints and share a few stories. I was happy with their easy pace and the last few K's back the pace picked up a bit. All up a nice 10.15k at 5:19/k pace. About 6 mins to change shirt get in a drink and we were off again. The first lap I took real easy and got a bit of fluid into me. I was in no rush and my goal pace was 5:30 so no stress or pushing. But on the second lap I upped the pace for half a lap and it felt good but the humidity was affecting me and the sweat was pouring off. I stopped a few times on the third lap to get about 3-4 cups of water down and that seemed to help but my shoes were already wet and a few runners commented on my squelching shoes. The last k I pushed one lady along and was happy to finish strong. All up 20.23k at 5:35/k pace.
So for a 30k long run it was good and although I was disappointed with my 20k time I was happy overall. I really enjoy these trips out to Brizvegas and mingle with runners.
Tonight rest then Tuesday back into the swing.
Take care.

Tuesday long Wednesday short.

Tuesday night was another easy 20k with a push for home the last 3k. Cold wet and windy was the weather but it didn't seem to bother me. It was cool and apart from the squelching sounds coming from my shoes I felt good. All up a 5:35/k pace and a huge meal followed. I must admit I enjoy my food and if I didn't run I am sure to be the next contestant of "Crying game/Fat Bother". Ha.
Wednesday night was a push hard 8k. I went out too quick and hurt at about 6k but came home strong. A little rain and a huge head wind on the way home didn't help. All up 4:35/k pace so it's nice to do some faster runs again. Must have been the full moon but I had trouble sleeping and the mind was racing around all night.
Tonight looks like at least 15-16k, I will go for a negative split. Easy out push home.
Take care.