Right on track !

It feels like the wheels are back in motion. Last night I ran 15k. The first 5-6k felt terrible and all the niggles and pains were done by then. That's when it all came together and I felt really comfortable and at ease in my mind. No ipod makes for better running some nights and on others inspires you to pick up the pace and go with the music. Lately I have had fewer runs with the ipod to listen to my pace and breathing, but then I remember back to many races and with hundreds of feet hitting the ground and onlookers cheering its hard to hear yourself think.
I am planning another run 12 April The Pinnacles 18k 18 hills , sounds nice.
Take care

Catch up time !

Its been a while since I had time to sit down and write my blog. I have although been doing lots of running and for some reason hit a bit of a slump until yesterday.
Since my last blog about the easter break dam run I ran the next day to Coominya and back from the dam doing a nice 16k early in the morning keeping to about 5:10 pace all the way.
Returning home I did manage to get in a 13k on monday night then 15k on tuesday night, rest wednesday 15k thrsdaynight rest friday then a terrible run Saturday midday!
This is where it all began.
Yep midday! Normally the rain never stops me going out for a run, I even have my rain shoes(old pair). But When I opened the door and looked out I could not see up or down the street. The rain was bucketing down. So back to sleep I went and boy did I sleep well.
Anyway to cut a long story short at about 12:30 it was overcast cool and looking nice so I thought I would head off for a run. Only packing 2 bottles and 1 Gu.
A really bad move. After about 5k the sun came out and it got real hot real fast.
At 21k I had no water/aid and no Gu.
Thats when I hit a big hill and my legs ok but my body went no way. So being the true warrior I ran the hill hard got to the top and walked for a little while then ran home with a couple of stops to run into peoples yards to get water from their taps.
Sunday was another midday run ? why ? who knows.
But I did a nice 8k in 5:00 pace and that really lifted my spirits.
A total for last week was 84 k.
4 weeks to go and I am over ready !
Whatever that means. Tonight 15-12k, see how I feel.
Take care

Dam Easter !

Hey its good to be back !

I ventured out to Atkinson's Dam for Easter for a bit of camping and skiing. Weather was great and although the dam was only at 18 % full we could still ski.

I did plan to get a few runs in over the weekend but a rest was needed.

Second day eating brekky ( bacon and eggs) I looked out over the dam and declared to everyone that I was going to run around the dam. It looked like a fair hike and the tree's, long grass and electric fences that divide many properties around the dam seemed my only obstacles. So after letting my brekky go down a bit I got into my road running gear and set off.

As with all plans they never seem to go as planned.

About 500 meters along the edge I decided to cross what I thought to be a dry end of the dam.

The long grass had me running with high knees and when I hit the mushy muddy bits I started to collect mud on most parts of my body. After crossing the mushy area I thought that's it no more mud easy running from here on. Ha This is where it all just started.

I headed up a hill to the trees and made my way along the top edge of the dam.This is where I found a track (motorbike or something). Like a drunk following the sidewalk I followed the track and focused my eyes on about 3 meters ahead. The grass was long filled with spider webs and weeds galore. When I finally looked up I realised I was heading for the waters edge and got off the track heading along the edge. 3 electric fence jumps later I noticed ahead water flowing. So I followed the edge of that till hopefully I would find somewhere to cross. About 1 k later I found a spot where it narrowed to about 2.5-3 meters wide with hard ground on either side. Off to the right was a little steep hill and so my plan (oh yeah the plan) was to run up the hill turn around run down for max speed and jump across. Easy!. All went well up to the point when flying through the air (well I thought so) I came to the realisation that I was not going to make it. Isnt it funny how in a split second your mind goes from oh yeah to oh sh*t. Well I think you can guess what happened next, yep I landed about 2 foot from the edge in the water/mud.
Wet shoes, dry long grass and dirt patches what more could I ask for ?
I followed the line of tree's high up on the dam to get a bit of shade and try get away from the long grass but thats where all the cows were and I was hopeing there were no bulls around.
A couple more gate and fence crossings I headed for the waters edge, why ? I guess I was getting hot and it seemed a good idea at the time. The grass got longer and thicker, I was wondering wether this was a good idea. So I aimed for the top edge of the dam wall but when I got there I was faced with 3 barbed wire electric fences close together ? 3? anyway the only way out was to scale the dam wall rocks and hope I didn't get injured climbing.
At the top of the dam wall was a nice dirt road and the view was spectacular.
I ran to the end jumped yet another gate and headed for the road. About 2k up the road was the entrance to the campsite and I had only done 11.5k so I ran a futher 2k down the road and back to get a few more k's.
The next two days I stuck to road runs and was surprised to not find any wildlife on any of my runs. 16k and 12k.

Snakes alive !

A nice 17 k. I started easy and by about 6k started to feel really good, so I picked up the pace and headed towards some hills. I was feeling really good and came to the crest of a hill where there was an intersection. A car approached and waited for me to run accross (Yes some people are runner aware) . Then all of a sudden he starts beeping at me and thats when I noticed it. A snake about 50 odd centimeters long dark in colour making its way accross the road. Well i did the leap of faith and jumped over it. All turned out well and he/she made it accross the road and I got in some sprint training ! ha
All up a pace of 5:20/k
Last night a shorter run 14k at a pace of 5:10 nice and easy with a little sprint home the last k.
Take care

Rest Time

I am trying to follow these new training programs where less is more. I noticed the last two weeks my total k's for the week were around 80k a little less than I would normally do. But after reading about the new training programs where lots of rest is the key and avoiding injury by resting muscles I do feel a lot better. The long runs are the key, and coupled with sprint nights should help improve my times. So rest it was last night and load up on carbs (pasta). Yum.
Tonight 15-16k hills with a sprint home the last 1.5 k.
Sounds like a plan.
Take care

Crying game !

Sleep is very important no matter what sport you do or career you choose. It helps clear the mind and relax the body from the day to day stresses. We recover better and perform better with good rest and most importantly sleep. This is how I justify me not doing a long run this weekend. I did manage to run back to back half marathon's ( about 22k) on saturday and sunday. On saturday the pace was very easy and nice. 5:35 pace for the saturday and 5:25 pace for sunday, both felt really good and comfortable.
Back to the title, Every time I see a bit of Fat Barstards or Biggest Looooser they seem to cry at a drop of a hat ? Crying seems to be the game. Do all fat people cry for no reason ?
oh well
take care

Get better soon !

A nice easy 14k last night still feeling the affects of the flu. I will rest tonight but my long run on Saturday morning might be kept short to aid in some sort of recovery !
yep only 6 weeks to go and I dont think it can come soon enough. I feel like sh*t but running easy and enjoying it.
Maybe its time to sit down and write out a plan for the race.
mmmmm.........
Take care

Here we go again !

It happens every time I feel really good or get close to a race the dredded flu, cold, cough or sorew throat seems to pop up. Bieng a male I never see a doctor, rest or do anything to help myself. So I went for a run last night, head pounding throat feeling like sh*t and not feeling well at all. But at about 7k something changed my body felt like good and the head cleared. A miracle I dont think so because at 11k it all came back and my body said "what the ?, go home you silly boy" So I did, I ate well and went to bed early with acouple of panadol in the guts.
Last year the day before the noosa half marathon I got the flu bug thing and pretended not to have it so I could still run the race. Mind over matter crap who said it works ?.
I got up early for the race got some food into me and drove to the start. On the way I stopped at a servo and picked up a "V" (I had weened myself off caffine a week before the race to get the full effect) and with my water bottle took sips of both up to the start of the race. It worked for the first 18k (mind you I did not drink any water up to this point) then I felt thirsty........ we all know when you feel thirsty its too late. I had to stop at an aid station and drink about 6 cups of fluid and walk for a few minutes before running to the finish line. Before this day I was running half marathons every weekend up hills non stop easily.
So I guess the message here is .......
Oh I forget I am just a mere male !
Take care

Run forest run !

I feel like I need a holiday !
It has been a long while since I had time off to enjoy what life has to offer. The best thing about living close to the water is Friday afternoons driving to the waters edge and leaving the week behind and starting the weekend. It must be the water or just looking at the sea, it just clears the mind. Days just seem to just fly by and before you know it...... oh sh*t Marathon day!
I went down the footy oval last night and did a few sprints with a jog there and back. No k's recorded or time taken just a nice comfortable nights training !
Oh well back to the grind
take care

6 weeks to go, only !

I did not plan to run as fast as I did but I felt really good. I did manage to get my 15 k done in about 5:05 min pace comming home strong. It was hell windy and running home into the wind was cooling and annoying at the same time. When a gust of wind came it felt as though I would slow to a crawl but looking at my time it does not seem to be the case. I might do the 15- 16 again tonight but a lot slower and add a few sprints along the way. Or I could rest but I dont feel like I need to, No injuries or niggles but rest days are recovery days for muscles. I am starting to get worried about my shoes as they should only last about 800k or less and I have hit over 600 already ! hmmm
Take care

Eat Something !

I guess you learn from your mistakes, but being male means we don't. Friday night was rest night and to cut a long story short I went to sleep early after a long week with not a lot of sleep and NO dinner. I awoke Saturday morning 3:30 am and you would think eat something. No just a drink of water and set off for the hills. I started off really easy and pushed a bit harder on the hills. I was feeling nice and comfortable till about 26k then the batteries started to run out and I made my way home. A total of about 30k. I was disappointed with my efforts and pace time (5:50/k). Mental note "EAT". Well if that was not bad enough Saturday night large amounts of KFC and beer were consumed to make up for the night before. Then Sunday morning I woke with a headache heart burn and a sick feeling. Oh yeah time for the punishment run !
11.7 k and I did not feel good (I don't know why ?) A slow pace but I got to sweat out some evil poisons. Ha here comes that famous saying "I wont do that again"
So in my conclusion, Bad weekend of running and no lessons learnt.
I guess I will have to do it all again and work out where I went wrong ?!
Tonight 15-16k push hard home.
Take care

Whats with the traffic ?

I managed to get out a bit later than usual, about 7 pm. Started off nice and easy running against the wind (gale force) and aimed to do my negative split. I wanted to come home strong and do some sprints between light poles. For some reason every man and his dog or two was out and about. I checked, no not a full moon. No runout sale at Bunnings, and it was not National get your fat ass off the couch day! So why was there all of a sudden, like never before, peopleout and about ?!
I managed to get my 15.5k done neg split as planned and at least 6 good sprints in the mix.
5:15 pace altogether. Not good but not bad.
Then it hit me. That show Fat Brother or Fat Bastards was on and maybe people were starting to feel guilty. Maybe they weighed themselves and went WOW I am as heavy as the contestants !
Maybe not.
But hey, from my kickboxing days I remember anyone who got in the ring for a fight earned my respect and admoration because I knew what it took to get there win or loose.
So for some people just to take that first step out there door and go for a walk, jog or run. I take my hat off to them and say Good on ya Matey. Ha that sounds funny !
Rest tonight then long run tomorow morning, Yipeee
I have mapped out a different route with lots of hills to test the brain ?!
Take care and keep smiling

Rest time !

Some things need to be done. I seem to find excuses to go running and really love running but there is more to life and it has a world to offer. So rest night it was although I did read runners world mag and planned out my long run for Saturday morning. Yeah I know get a life !
I am going to run a lot lighter on Saturday morning (only two bottles and one gel).
I have in the past set up my own water points. Ha Ha that sounds funny but I did drive the route the day before and drop off old water bottles hidden behind poles and in tree's. I should have set up tables with water cups, lollies and fake people clapping !
Anyway back to reality. Tonight an easy 15 or 16k.
take care

Time to get busy !

A quick very easy 10 k last night. I went out trying to run very easy at a pace as though I could run all day. Did not feel even the slightest bit tied or out of breath. The hills seemed easy and when I got home it felt really good !
I never looked at the garmin once till I got home and was surprised to find I had run a 5:08 pace the whole way !
I will rest tonight (maybe) and do 15k tomorow night.
till then
take care

Though for the day !

'If you have never pushed yourself through your boundaries you forfeit the right to complain about the mediocraty of your existance.'

Just a quickie !

Very busy night with all sorts of crap needed doing. But I did fit in a quick 8 k in 35 mins. I started off quick and never stopped pushing even up the hills.
It was very hot on the roads and lost about 1 kg in sweat !
It sounds like a lot but I sweat heaps and on my long runs even though I drink lots of heaps !
I seem to still loose up to 3kg maybe more on hot days !
So the plan for tonight will be 15k easy comming home strong trying for a negative split .
I have been searching the web for the new coarse map of the brizzy marathon but still no luck.
Oh well
take care

Another weekend gone!

What no rain ? It sounds funny but it has been a while since we had rain on the weekend.
Wakeing at 3 am and seeing stars accross the sky was a loverly sight. Start the ipod, strech ,warm up and start running before you can think up any excusses not to do it !
I read in a magazine article on training for marathons. About all these different coaches giving advice on all aspects of marathon training. The one that struck me the most was a coach who only ever asked his runners to do the first klm. If you had any excusses not to go running just do the first k and I bet you keep on going !
43 k done this weekend and a 9 k on sunday morning to punish myself for pigging out on kfc,wine and chips.
Ha that will teach me.
Remember just do the first k then do what ever you want ! Well I guess the worst you could do is 2 k !
Take care