It"s Wednesday morning and by now I should have done at least 42k but the hot nights have not helped my goals for the week. Monday night a nice 22k in 1:50 and I took 2 small bottles of aid stuff. They only lasted till 16 k then I was thirsty the last few k's. It doesn't sound so bad but I had the evil angle on one shoulder saying I should take a shortcut and walk the rest of the way. Then the good angle on the other shoulder saying "just keep going, there is u huge cold drink for you at home". Luckily I was too dehydrated to even remember what the other angle said.
Last night was different. I loaded up with fluids but after 4k my guts felt yucky and I had a couple of moments when I just wanted to stop and walk home. I have done this in the past where I just wasn't up to it or felt like I had no energy. But I stuck through it and decided to do an easy 10k. HA. The brain can easily be fooled and I started to think about things that make me happy and other things that are "R" rated and before I knew it I had hit 8k and the top of a big hill.
That's when I turned for home. Slowly making my way down the hill a lady whistled out the window at me. I had this visual of me hot ,sweaty, probably red faced and looking near death and not looking anything like what someone in their right mind would whistle at. HA. I laughed and nearly fell over. Which reminded me of the time I used to frequent a gym. One night on the treddy going hell for leather when the lady in front of me dropped her towel, tripped and slid off. Thankfully not hurting herself ( just ego) and I laughed which caused me to double over and do exactly what she had done.
Anyway I got out 16.5k at 5:15 pace but the goal was 20k.
Tonight rest then 20k on Thursday night.
Take care.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A big bang then a little mouse.
Driving home yesterday I witnessed an accident. The passenger in the car in front of me jumped out and ran in front of my car. He noticed the lights had turned green and looked at me to see if I was going. I hadn't moved and he gave me the "thanks mate" before stepping into the next lane. That's when it all happened in a split second. I noticed a car out the corner of my eye flying up that lane and then "Bang". He bounced off the windscreen and flipped in the air landing on the road right next to his mates car. I wont spare you any more details but it shook me up a bit.
I waited for the storm to pass before I headed out for a run. The roads were steamy and I knew by the size of some of the puddles that my feet were going to get wet. For some strange reason I didn't take any water again and this hit me at 16k when I actually got thirsty. All up 21.5k in 5:30 pace. Wet feet and the only feature of the run was a little mouse crossing the road. I swear he turned and gave me a wink.
Take care.
I waited for the storm to pass before I headed out for a run. The roads were steamy and I knew by the size of some of the puddles that my feet were going to get wet. For some strange reason I didn't take any water again and this hit me at 16k when I actually got thirsty. All up 21.5k in 5:30 pace. Wet feet and the only feature of the run was a little mouse crossing the road. I swear he turned and gave me a wink.
Take care.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Time will tell
I am trying to set out a training plan for my next race/run. I have trouble at the moment relating to races as races. To me they just seem like a run. I guess my definition of a race is a flat out hard slog. Anyway part of my plan is to keep up the k's. So all my runs will be long and take more than 2hrs at a time. The next run will be Glasshouse 17th May so my plan involves trying to get out for the 80k but I can always fall back to the 50k if things don't go to plan. Like injuries, lack of motivation or liefs curly moments.
Last night was a nice 22k at 5:25 pace. A few hills thrown in and I felt really good. My only mistake was not taking any water or gels. I really felt it the last 3k.
Take care
Last night was a nice 22k at 5:25 pace. A few hills thrown in and I felt really good. My only mistake was not taking any water or gels. I really felt it the last 3k.
Take care
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Rock Bottom
Back down to earth now. I had a 12k run on Saturday morning because I knew Sunday morning was going to be out of the question. A nice easy 12k with no watch or pressure to try get something out. Saturday night was my bosses birthday (pimps and hoes) and after a big night/early morning with the alcohol testing and pole dancing I was not in the mood for any form of exercises.
Monday night we begin again.
The next assault is Glasshouse and if all goes well the 80k but lets be realistic and settle for the 50k.
Take care
Monday night we begin again.
The next assault is Glasshouse and if all goes well the 80k but lets be realistic and settle for the 50k.
Take care
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The After Shock !
Now back to reality.
Monday at work was weird. My legs did not feel that bad nor did my body or brain suffer too many affects. Having my office upstairs never helps after these long run's but for some strange reason it didn't seem to matter. I guess I was still on a little high. My confidence has risen just that little bit knowing the training I put in work just right.
I don't belong to a running club or run with anyone but I do get great advice from the Coolrunning website. And have started to listen to my body a bit more. Being a male it's hard as we think we are invincible and doctor's/physio's are a waste of time.
Last night was the recovery run.
I don't know why I call it that because there is nothing to do with recovery about it. I chose the 8k coarse and headed off like I was in the last half hour of a 100k race. Very slow. Not quite the Cliffy Young shuffle but it sure felt like it. At 4k my average pace was 5:25/k and my left hammy was still a little sore but at 6k the body was warm and the legs feeling strangely good. As I hit a flat section I decided to go hard for a little bit. Well that little bit ended up being the last 2k home and it felt great.
All up 8k at 5:15 pace.
My plans for this year are almost full. I sat down yesterday looking at the calendar. It's full.
So my race plans have been somewhat restricted.
Hmmm....
Take care.
Monday at work was weird. My legs did not feel that bad nor did my body or brain suffer too many affects. Having my office upstairs never helps after these long run's but for some strange reason it didn't seem to matter. I guess I was still on a little high. My confidence has risen just that little bit knowing the training I put in work just right.
I don't belong to a running club or run with anyone but I do get great advice from the Coolrunning website. And have started to listen to my body a bit more. Being a male it's hard as we think we are invincible and doctor's/physio's are a waste of time.
Last night was the recovery run.
I don't know why I call it that because there is nothing to do with recovery about it. I chose the 8k coarse and headed off like I was in the last half hour of a 100k race. Very slow. Not quite the Cliffy Young shuffle but it sure felt like it. At 4k my average pace was 5:25/k and my left hammy was still a little sore but at 6k the body was warm and the legs feeling strangely good. As I hit a flat section I decided to go hard for a little bit. Well that little bit ended up being the last 2k home and it felt great.
All up 8k at 5:15 pace.
My plans for this year are almost full. I sat down yesterday looking at the calendar. It's full.
So my race plans have been somewhat restricted.
Hmmm....
Take care.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
6 hrs of Dusty track
The Caboolture Dusk till dawn.
After getting great advice from Tesso on how to set up for this run I had a shopping list for goodies. I was actually excited about this run and was ready to go from Saturday morning. I left for home about 3pm and had one stop on the way up for a some Panadol, my head started pounding. I took it as a bad sign but an hour later it was gone. I was there in plenty of time and started to set up my table. After getting set up I got my shirt and headed over to meet Ann my lap scorer. A quick chat with Blair and his wife and sat down to rest the legs. It was an hour to go and I tried to lie down and close my eyes but the noise of people chatting and walking past were too distracting so I sat in my chair and chatted to all walking past and people near by. I took a small walk around the track and did a few strides to feel the surface. It was not a track that I like but it soon felt better under my feet. With 5 mins to go I was at the start line and turned on my Garmin. Ready Steady Go ! Garmin still not working ! It took almost 3 laps before it kicked in and I could see what pace I was at, but by looking at the clock I had done the first two laps just under 5 mins so I slowed a little. I was feeling good and had found someone who was doing a nice pace in front of me so I stuck to about 5 meters behind him. But after an hour he started to walk so I continued on trying to hold that pace. I decided not to look and just run the race as good as I could. The key was staying comfortable. I now know why they changed direction every hour. After a couple of hours I noticed how depending on the direction witch leg got a little sore. 2 hours gone and I was feeling good, chatting to the odd person and making sure I was well hydrated. 3 hours gone, 2 shirts later and I was running topless. Man boobs were out in the open! Ha. I was still feeling good but got a little worried when after consuming a GU I had a coughing fit that really hurt my stomach muscles. I never stopped but it hurt and the tickle in my throat would not go. That's when I noticed at the start they had just put out some green drink and I stopped walked for about 5 seconds to get at least 2 of these into me and they seem to do the trick. They were cold sweet and just what the throat needed. Coming up to the four hour mark and energy was going up and down in waves. For 15 mins at a time I would feel cr#p and almost walk then bang I was feeling good again and focus on the next person to try and overtake. 4 hours 30 mins and I hit a low patch. My legs started to feel tied and I got thirsty. I grabbed a cup from the start line and got half a sip out of it while the rest went down my legs. A quick grab at my table for a water bottle but grabbed the coke instead. Two big sips of the coke and dropped it off back on my table the next time round. Almost half a lap later I had this little energy burst and I was feeling better. My shoes had started to get soggy from my sweat and At this stage it didn't bother me, Nothing did !. Another few laps and I finished the coke as well as a GU and a bottle of water. 5 hours gone and I was ready to walk but my legs had turned into a machine doing one pace and not wanting to stop. 5:12 I hit the 50 k. 5:15 gone and I knew I could do the whole 6hrs, hell I was on a high and if someone had asked if I wanted to go on and do the 12hr I would have said "sure this is easy". I tell you what, the people on the side of the track are a fantastic bunch of supporters/runners/scorers/good guy's/champions. Blair's wife "Trick", "AndyP"and Ann yelling all sorts of nonsense I never got to feel the real pain the last half an hour. Blair was an inspiration, he looked down and out but just kept on going. Smashing his PB on a day when most of us would have called it a day. I tried talking to him a few times but I was having trouble getting the words in the right order and with only 15 mins to go I drank my can of V (a mental thing to push me through) . I was so happy and words cant describe how I felt when I finished the 57k in 6:02. 114 laps but only 113 counted. 4th in the men's by one lap.
I stayed up all night to watch the 12hour guys. Just after they finished I left.
Hmmmmmmm...........
Next time.
Take care
After getting great advice from Tesso on how to set up for this run I had a shopping list for goodies. I was actually excited about this run and was ready to go from Saturday morning. I left for home about 3pm and had one stop on the way up for a some Panadol, my head started pounding. I took it as a bad sign but an hour later it was gone. I was there in plenty of time and started to set up my table. After getting set up I got my shirt and headed over to meet Ann my lap scorer. A quick chat with Blair and his wife and sat down to rest the legs. It was an hour to go and I tried to lie down and close my eyes but the noise of people chatting and walking past were too distracting so I sat in my chair and chatted to all walking past and people near by. I took a small walk around the track and did a few strides to feel the surface. It was not a track that I like but it soon felt better under my feet. With 5 mins to go I was at the start line and turned on my Garmin. Ready Steady Go ! Garmin still not working ! It took almost 3 laps before it kicked in and I could see what pace I was at, but by looking at the clock I had done the first two laps just under 5 mins so I slowed a little. I was feeling good and had found someone who was doing a nice pace in front of me so I stuck to about 5 meters behind him. But after an hour he started to walk so I continued on trying to hold that pace. I decided not to look and just run the race as good as I could. The key was staying comfortable. I now know why they changed direction every hour. After a couple of hours I noticed how depending on the direction witch leg got a little sore. 2 hours gone and I was feeling good, chatting to the odd person and making sure I was well hydrated. 3 hours gone, 2 shirts later and I was running topless. Man boobs were out in the open! Ha. I was still feeling good but got a little worried when after consuming a GU I had a coughing fit that really hurt my stomach muscles. I never stopped but it hurt and the tickle in my throat would not go. That's when I noticed at the start they had just put out some green drink and I stopped walked for about 5 seconds to get at least 2 of these into me and they seem to do the trick. They were cold sweet and just what the throat needed. Coming up to the four hour mark and energy was going up and down in waves. For 15 mins at a time I would feel cr#p and almost walk then bang I was feeling good again and focus on the next person to try and overtake. 4 hours 30 mins and I hit a low patch. My legs started to feel tied and I got thirsty. I grabbed a cup from the start line and got half a sip out of it while the rest went down my legs. A quick grab at my table for a water bottle but grabbed the coke instead. Two big sips of the coke and dropped it off back on my table the next time round. Almost half a lap later I had this little energy burst and I was feeling better. My shoes had started to get soggy from my sweat and At this stage it didn't bother me, Nothing did !. Another few laps and I finished the coke as well as a GU and a bottle of water. 5 hours gone and I was ready to walk but my legs had turned into a machine doing one pace and not wanting to stop. 5:12 I hit the 50 k. 5:15 gone and I knew I could do the whole 6hrs, hell I was on a high and if someone had asked if I wanted to go on and do the 12hr I would have said "sure this is easy". I tell you what, the people on the side of the track are a fantastic bunch of supporters/runners/scorers/good guy's/champions. Blair's wife "Trick", "AndyP"and Ann yelling all sorts of nonsense I never got to feel the real pain the last half an hour. Blair was an inspiration, he looked down and out but just kept on going. Smashing his PB on a day when most of us would have called it a day. I tried talking to him a few times but I was having trouble getting the words in the right order and with only 15 mins to go I drank my can of V (a mental thing to push me through) . I was so happy and words cant describe how I felt when I finished the 57k in 6:02. 114 laps but only 113 counted. 4th in the men's by one lap.
I stayed up all night to watch the 12hour guys. Just after they finished I left.
Hmmmmmmm...........
Next time.
Take care
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Grunting Koala's !
It was time. That 50 cent coin was mine, I deserved it. All that training and hard work, it was time to collect my dues. HA !
I decided on 16k with almost no hills and go real easy. But I was going to pick up all the coins I saw. Who said running doesn't pay off ? I got a whole 70 cents. Mind you if bottle tops and cigarette butts were worth anything.
Anyway I felt really good and stayed at 5:30/k pace for the whole run.The only highlight was a couple of grunting koala's and a water monitor eyeing me off. Coming home was the best part because I knew I had plenty of energy left and I had to hold back a sprint finish. A couple of years ago leading up to the Kurrawa to Duranbah run I decided to go really hard the last k home on my last run before the race and got a huge pain through my left knee. It was 3 days before the race and I was not happy. So I feel good and ready to do my best on the day. This should be fun.
Thank you to Tesso for the help with setting up for this race.
Take care.
I decided on 16k with almost no hills and go real easy. But I was going to pick up all the coins I saw. Who said running doesn't pay off ? I got a whole 70 cents. Mind you if bottle tops and cigarette butts were worth anything.
Anyway I felt really good and stayed at 5:30/k pace for the whole run.The only highlight was a couple of grunting koala's and a water monitor eyeing me off. Coming home was the best part because I knew I had plenty of energy left and I had to hold back a sprint finish. A couple of years ago leading up to the Kurrawa to Duranbah run I decided to go really hard the last k home on my last run before the race and got a huge pain through my left knee. It was 3 days before the race and I was not happy. So I feel good and ready to do my best on the day. This should be fun.
Thank you to Tesso for the help with setting up for this race.
Take care.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Push out
Where did my speed go ?.
I know I haven't been training sprints or farts but I thought I could still get out and run fast.
Instead of my usual night running my run started at 4:30pm and the heat and humidity were still about. My plan was for 15k with a couple of hills. I started a bit slow then picked up the pace going through 3k in 14 min. By the time I hit 7.5k I had lost huge amounts of sweat and needed a drink. But in my infinite wisdom I didn't take any water so I had to stick it out and pray for rain. Well it almost worked, as I hit 11k a sprinkle of rain started then stopped. 3k to go and my pace was a tad under 5min/k so I slowed the lat few k's and came home easy.
I passed the same 50 cent coin that I have spotted a few weeks ago. Every time I see it I think Hmmmmmmm............... na not quite worth picking up. But once past it I regret it. It is on a section near a bridge so no pedestrians walk here but it always seems to move just a little each week.
Take care
I know I haven't been training sprints or farts but I thought I could still get out and run fast.
Instead of my usual night running my run started at 4:30pm and the heat and humidity were still about. My plan was for 15k with a couple of hills. I started a bit slow then picked up the pace going through 3k in 14 min. By the time I hit 7.5k I had lost huge amounts of sweat and needed a drink. But in my infinite wisdom I didn't take any water so I had to stick it out and pray for rain. Well it almost worked, as I hit 11k a sprinkle of rain started then stopped. 3k to go and my pace was a tad under 5min/k so I slowed the lat few k's and came home easy.
I passed the same 50 cent coin that I have spotted a few weeks ago. Every time I see it I think Hmmmmmmm............... na not quite worth picking up. But once past it I regret it. It is on a section near a bridge so no pedestrians walk here but it always seems to move just a little each week.
Take care
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ready ????????????
I am looking forward to this run on Saturday night.
I have no chance of winning or maybe even finishing but for some strange reason the brain wants to get out there. I had a couple of short (10k & 12k) runs on the weekend and felt really good. I tried to come up with a plan or strategy for the run but changed my mind every time I decided how to attack the 6hrs. I still have the problem of going out too hard or just not pacing so I am just going to wing it and use will power or a magical spell from the witch doctor. I guess my first goal will be 50k or 100 laps then go from there. But if by some stroke of nature I get there with time to spare, my dream goal will be 60k. Ha.
I will say it again I hate tapers. I get the feeling I am losing something. So I will keep up the schedule but just reduce the k's a little. Maybe.
Anyway tonight a 15-20k easy.
Take care
I have no chance of winning or maybe even finishing but for some strange reason the brain wants to get out there. I had a couple of short (10k & 12k) runs on the weekend and felt really good. I tried to come up with a plan or strategy for the run but changed my mind every time I decided how to attack the 6hrs. I still have the problem of going out too hard or just not pacing so I am just going to wing it and use will power or a magical spell from the witch doctor. I guess my first goal will be 50k or 100 laps then go from there. But if by some stroke of nature I get there with time to spare, my dream goal will be 60k. Ha.
I will say it again I hate tapers. I get the feeling I am losing something. So I will keep up the schedule but just reduce the k's a little. Maybe.
Anyway tonight a 15-20k easy.
Take care
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