Stars !

AAAGGH ! I hate when people get to me. It doesn't usually happen but for some reason it happened today and not just one person but two?!?. Leaving work it stayed in the back of my mind and I had trouble forgetting about it. That's why I love running and fishing. I can get out on the road or out on ocean and clear the mind. The plan was an easy 15k and in the first 7k I almost felt like I was at about 5:25 pace or slower. I made a decision to add a k on at half way because I felt like I wasn't going hard enough so I had to go longer, if that makes sense?.
At the 13k mark I checked Garmin (normally I don't check it till I get home) and my pace was a surprising 5:15 so I pushed hard for the last 3k and came in at 16.5k at 5:10 pace.
I sat down on the grass looked up at the stars and my hassles were gone, all I was thinking about now was my next run.
That felt good.
I am planning to try get out to the 10k at the BRRC on the 16th. At this stage I have not done any speed training so it might be just a run with a lot of socializing.
Take care

Feeling fit again !

Just the usual 15.5 k with a couple of hills thrown in.
The plan was easy running with no pushing and that's about how it went. All up 15.5 k at 5:20 pace and I felt relaxed, comfortable and felt fit again.
I remember early on in the year running 22.3k on two consecutive days. The first day taking it easy and doing it in about 2 hours then the next day doing it in about 1:55 hrs. That's when I felt fit and able to take on a marathon. Mind you I had run 50k before that but all respect to the marathon distance. It's a running race not an ultra that your goals vary from times to just finishing.
Tonight rest and make a dint in the couch.
Take care

That's Better

A nice 22.3k last night in 5:07 pace.
I was happy with that and even felt strong going home the last few k's.
This weekend I will do a 29k but very easy and see how I fare.
A short post, busy busy.
Take care

Sun Sea Surf !

A weekend up the coast at Maloolaba was what the doctor ordered.
A couple of early morning run's but without a watch or any distance recorded. It was just nice to run an easy pace for an hour and take in the water and the local joggers about.
Boy was that nice. It actually felt like a weekend.
Tonight back to the grind with a very easy 20+k.
Take care.

Ouch a hill !

Just finding time to get out for a run meant getting out very late. I had to sacrifice my sleep for a nice hilly run.
I chose a hilly coarse because I tend to get too comfortable on the flats and get into a rhythm. Not a bad thing but last night I didn't want to be comfortable, I wanted to feel like I was actually training. Ha Ha like I know how to train properly !
Anyway a nice big hill in the middle of the run with little hills along the rest to mix up the pace.
I felt good till I hit the big hill and my legs hurt a little. I think I should have pushed a bit harder going up and not held back trying to save a bit for the run home.
Getting home at about 10:30pm meant after a shower and relaxing on the couch I almost fell asleep without eating dinner.
But I was happy with the run! 15.8k at 4:58 pace.
Take care
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz.................................!!!

Running down a storm!

After a nice 22k the other night I thought a very easy 15k would be in order. Reports of a storm on the way sounded like another wet run. I am always indecisive whether to wear old shoes in wet weather because some wet nights turn out dry with very little rain.
I was glad the storm didn't last long and headed out just after it went past. It wasn't till I hit about 6k that the rain came down in one quick shower for about 5 Min's. The only bad thing about the storm was the wind and the first 5k was into the howling wind. Dam it's hard work when it's in your face almost blowing you backwards.
Anyway a nice easy 15.3k at 5:25 pace.
Tonight rest, eat, make a dint in the couch and watch a box.
Take care

Half !

I honestly felt like I needed to sleep for a couple of days to recharge my body. After a days work I just wanted to Vege on the couch or sleep. It was a struggle to push myself out the door but I couldn't find any excuses not to go. The plan was to run at least 20k and easy. A walk up the road with a few stretches and as I turned to start my run I heard a koala grunting. Standing in the middle of the road listening to the koala grunting away my heart started to beat a bit harder and I set off. A little quicker than I would have liked but I controlled my breathing and was feeling good. Apart from dropping my water bottle twice and getting the odd scream from Neanderthals in cars the run went well.
All up 21.5k at 5:07 pace and boy was I happy with that. Coming home I had a couple of bursts and could have gone harder but held back. A little sprint to finish off and my confidence was boosted by the run.
Tonight a real easy 15-16k.
Take care

Sad but true !

Only one run this weekend 18k at 5:05 pace. It was a nice run but with so much to get done on the weekend I did not have time to get serious.
Anyway. At the beginning of the year I read Glen Hendry's blog on a race he ran over on Russel island. To cut a long story short the result of this race was disappointing. He had done too much racing in too shorter time. The results were getting worse the more races he did. It would seem he needed to rest/recover between races properly. I am no expert but after reading Blair's race report on Sunday that story bounced back into my head. I really felt for Blair and I am sure he will bounce back even stronger.
So how often can you race without it affecting your results ? I know I cant achieve the adrenaline hit before a race or create the atmosphere during training runs and I cant run as fast as race days. I know we would all like to enter every race out there but to achieve PB's in every one I doubt we could.
Anyway tonight 20+k easy.
Take care

More of the Same !!!

After a rest on Wednesday night and a good feed to fill the belly it was time to get out again.
I really enjoy my running when there is no injuries or I am feeling really fit.
For some reason lately when I run I go through 3k of little niggles that are all different and seem to have disappeared at about 3k. The right quad has a little pain then the left kneecap has a couple of sharp pains then the left calf then the right ankle etc etc......
But as always it goes away and all is good. I sometimes wonder if that's why people stop running or use it as an excuse to not run?.
Anyway a nice easy 15k last night with 2 big hills. At about 5:05 pace and home easy nice as I described it in my running diary. A head wind on my way home was refreshing and the two cars yelling abuse at me had me smiling. It's not every run you get conversation out there to liven things up a bit.
The really loud stereos are great and give you just enough of a song to singing the rest.
Take care

Time on my feet !

After an early 4 am start and a very busy day at work I did not feel like a 20k run.
I needed a motivation and for the life of me I couldn't find one. Sitting on the edge of my bed staring down at my shoes the mind was blank and I could have just lay down and crashed.
But as what happens every time I just got up and walked up the street looking up at the moon.
The plan was to take it easy and get time on my feet. I started well, holding myself back and getting into a good easy pace. Even though I took a couple bottles of .....aid I still lost 3kg in weight and was really thirsty getting home.My right shoe for some reason was saturated and the last few k's was like I had just crossed a creek.
All up 22k @ 5:30 pace and I was happy with that.
tonight rest ?
Take care

Change of plan !

As always things never go as planned.
My plan to do at least 20k last night didn't happen but it will tonight. So all I could do was a quick 10k at 5:50 pace and get home to finish business. I could really feel the heat off the road in some bits and was saturated in sweat in no time.
Tonight a very easy 20k. Then look at the plan again to decide on the long runs. I don't want to blow out or have any problems as it will lower my confidence.
Take care

Busy !

A nice easy run Saturday morning left me in a good mood for the rest of the weekend.
21.8k at 5:20 pace and I knew if I didn't get this run in there was no way I would get one in the rest of the weekend.
A 3:30 am start was good not too rainy or cold but just nice. I took plenty of drink and gel in case it was needed. Getting home was great as I had plenty of energy left.
Tonight another easy (time on your feet as Tesso say's) 20 odd k and sweat out some of that red wine !
Watching that 6 foot footage on Coolrunnings was awesome it had me itching to get out and do that run one day.

Take care

Beat the rain !

The weather report for last night was supposed to be rain and I wanted to get out and beat the rain. A little windy but no signs of rain so I set off for what was a easy run. After my last run my lefty was a little sore so I didn't want to push it or aggravate any injury's. A few K's into my run everything warmed up so I pushed a little but not too hard.
Coming home was great as I hit a long flat bit I upped the pace and boy did that feel good.
The last k I slowed down a bit but was still feeling good so I sprinted the last 100m.
Nice !
All up 15.5k at 5:00 pace and I felt good.
The rain is bucketing down now and so I am looking forward to a nice 20 odd k in the rain this weekend.
Take care.

Thats why I'm Easy !

A little pain in my left leg below the knee had me worried.
After coming back from an injury the last thing I want was any more time off. So my plan changed a bit to a very easy 14k and no pushing at all. It took a few k's to get the left leg feeling better but with about 6k to go it came back. I wanted to stop but I just grit my teeth and held on for home. All up 14k at 5:25 pace. Fitness wise I felt really good but that left leg............... If it wasn't attached to me I would throw it out in a second. Tonight REST, yep rest.
Thursday night 15+k and see how the lefty feels.
Take care.

Lazy !

My plans for the weekend went out the window.
Not only the easy half but any sort of run. I put it down to just plain lazy. I was also a bit dubious about the half and trying the legs out on a nice distance again.
What was I afraid of ?
Last night I finally did it. Yep, I went out really easy and just tried to comfortable. At half way I was cursing not taking a water bottle and by the time I hit 3k to go my mouth went dry.
You idiot.
Anyway a little push the last k and home.
All up 21.1k @ 5:21 pace. nice.
This morning I feel good and no pain or strains, no sore legs or anything.
Tonight really easy 15k.
Take care.

A Terrible Week.

I wont talk about work but what a terrible week.
A nice 15.5 k at 4:55 pace on Wednesday night and it seems as though my confidence is coming back. I am still fearing the longer runs as the last time I did a long run I had to walk the last 2k and was injured for 2 weeks.
Last night a quick 8k. I tried to just ease out and come home strong. It was as per plan and I even managed to sprint the last 500m.
Rest tonight then the dreaded 21.5k on Saturday morning. I will get up at 3 am, yeah I know but a busy day lies ahead and I just wont have much time this weekend.
So the plan is go out easy and push when I feel good. Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong.
Take care