So the same 6 mile route last night, but with a slightly different flavour. 7 minute warm-up, followed by 3 minutes at 170-180 heart rate beats per minute, then 6 minute slower with heart rate knocking around 140-150, repeated 3 times, and then 7 minute warm-down.
Hardwork come the last 3 minute slog, and the great news is that I'm getting ill again. I don't know what it is over here in Australia. Everyone is sick and ill, and I pick up everything that's going. I feel like shite! Training will have to be postponed tonight, and see if I can do it on Friday, and then I have the long slow run planned for Saturday. Really want to do at least 18 miles, but we'll have to see how I fair... to be fair!
Two good sessions though yesterday and the day before, good speedwork, which really helps the fitness.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Back on the routine
So after the highs of a new marathon PB, a light week last week and a 7km sprint around my local bay in the big local race of the year, it was back to the grind of weekly training schedules. As mentioned my calf is a little tight still at the moment. I don't think it's pulled or anything, just tight, which is a good thing. However I was a little worried as I embarked on my usual 6 mile route last night, but took the first 3 miles fairly slowly to ease it in. I've just bought a Garmin 50 as well, as I want to measure my heart rate and train accordingly, and I have to say it's brilliant. So setting off and keeping the levels at around 140-150, I took the first 3 miles nice and easy, but the calf was still concerning me. However when I quickened up and move it up a notch for the last 3, the calf felt fine, and I got the heart rate up to 165, and then up to 180 towards the end. A good training session, boshing off a nice 10kms in just over 45 minutes. Bizarre! 10 months ago, Id have been over the moon with a 45 minute 10km, but last night was just a casual run... weird how expectations rise...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Bay Run
So after what was a fairly chilled week following the marathon, with just a nice 4 miler on Thursday morning, following a few days of rest. Today was a break from the norm of long distance running, and a 7km lung buster called The Bay Run. This is one lap of a bay as you might imagine, and is here I do quite a lot of my running as it's a beautiful part of Sydney.
So another early Sunday morning start, and I wasnt quite sure how I was going to fair in this little sprint a week after the marathon. The stretch goal was under 28 mins, but I always knew that would be a tall order to achieve, so thought that anything under 30 mins would be respectable. The start was hilarious as loads of people got themselves to the front, who quite clearly had very little running ability. This was proven as when the start gun went off, they sprinted to the first 400 metres of so, before rapidly slowing down (some almost to a standstill)... it really was funny. I too though thought I started off quite quickly, but found myself smack in 4 minutes for the first kilometer. It was at aorund 2kms that I felt my calf twinge a little, and I thought that if it started to get any worse then I'd definately stop and pull out. However it held up fine for the rest of the race. At 4kms, I was still on track at 4 minute kilometres, but my legs started to burn a little and I knew that it would be extremely tough keeping this pace going for another 3kms. I also decided that for the sake of my calf, I didnt want to push it too hard for the sake of gaining an extra minute here or there, so fell into what I thought was a slower and more comfortable pace, although the heart rate as still up at 180, and was around 170-180 for the entire race.
By 6kms the legs were truely burning and the effects of the marathon were still in them, but I pushed on and with 500 metres to go, put the after burners on and overtook a few people, coming home in 28mins and 51secs, coming in 70th out of 1,215. Not quite the stretch goal time, but still pretty pleased that I came in under 29 minutes, and I was fairly happy with that given that I'd run a marathon only a week previously.
This week, I'm back to normal training again, but quite a few marathons coming up in the next 2 months. next is Wagga Wagga trail marathon, followed by Fraser Island trail marathon, then the Glasshouse 100km (hmmmm, still not sure about this!). Then the sydney amrathon, and then finally the Melbourne marathon, where I'm going to try and run a sub 3hr 25min. Yikes!
So another early Sunday morning start, and I wasnt quite sure how I was going to fair in this little sprint a week after the marathon. The stretch goal was under 28 mins, but I always knew that would be a tall order to achieve, so thought that anything under 30 mins would be respectable. The start was hilarious as loads of people got themselves to the front, who quite clearly had very little running ability. This was proven as when the start gun went off, they sprinted to the first 400 metres of so, before rapidly slowing down (some almost to a standstill)... it really was funny. I too though thought I started off quite quickly, but found myself smack in 4 minutes for the first kilometer. It was at aorund 2kms that I felt my calf twinge a little, and I thought that if it started to get any worse then I'd definately stop and pull out. However it held up fine for the rest of the race. At 4kms, I was still on track at 4 minute kilometres, but my legs started to burn a little and I knew that it would be extremely tough keeping this pace going for another 3kms. I also decided that for the sake of my calf, I didnt want to push it too hard for the sake of gaining an extra minute here or there, so fell into what I thought was a slower and more comfortable pace, although the heart rate as still up at 180, and was around 170-180 for the entire race.
By 6kms the legs were truely burning and the effects of the marathon were still in them, but I pushed on and with 500 metres to go, put the after burners on and overtook a few people, coming home in 28mins and 51secs, coming in 70th out of 1,215. Not quite the stretch goal time, but still pretty pleased that I came in under 29 minutes, and I was fairly happy with that given that I'd run a marathon only a week previously.
This week, I'm back to normal training again, but quite a few marathons coming up in the next 2 months. next is Wagga Wagga trail marathon, followed by Fraser Island trail marathon, then the Glasshouse 100km (hmmmm, still not sure about this!). Then the sydney amrathon, and then finally the Melbourne marathon, where I'm going to try and run a sub 3hr 25min. Yikes!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
How many marathons?
So following my run at the weekend in the Hunter Valley Marathon it's really got me thinking about how many marathons should I run in preparation for my little jaunt around the desert next year. Initially I was going to do one marathon (Canberra) as a test of my fitness and to put a stake in the ground.
However having done the Hunter Valley marathon, I've firmly caught the bug. It was also interesting to read a post by Ian Sharman on UK MDS website about the fact that he ran pretty much a marathon every other weekend in the build up to the event. He came 13th overall, a great achievement.
It's also got me thinking because of the way I feel after a marathon. After Canberra I could barely walk, however after this weekend. movement is a lot better. Obviously it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that the more marathons you do, the better you are at recovering from them. I've recently started posting on the Cool Running Australian website, and there is a healthy set of runners on there who appear to be running marathons on a very regular basis i.e. 1-2 a month. I'm sat here now thinking it would be great to compete in the Cities marathon this weekend, but instead I'm doing the Bay Run 7km.
I suppose I'm answering my own question, but essentially it boils down to how much you want to train and what you want to achieve. I want to do the best I can possibly do. I initially said, just to finish and that still has to be the end goal, but now I'm thinking top 200. However I know that if I do that I'll want top 150. Who knows. Personally I think my training is now going to evolve much more to incorporate as many marathon race events as possible. The only bugger is that in the build up to the MDS in March, we're slap bang in the middle of summer, so events are few and far between. Still I guess I'll just have to get out there on my own and run in the blistering heat - good preparation I say!
One thing is for sure - I have the marathon bug now. There's a little bit between 35-40kms that hurts like hell, but I need to do it more often so I can get used to it more often! If that makes any sense! It does raise some interesting points though about how to train for an event like this. There is no template as the event is quite unique, rather like a game of rugby, it's for all shapes and sizes and is what attracts many people to it. It's interesting to see how my training has developed as a result. I said at the start if this, my goal was to reach 3hr 45min marathon status and then maintain that through to the race. I'm a 3hr 30min runner now, and I want more. I told the missus last night that I want to aim for a sub 3hr marathon once this is done? 10 months ago I'd have told myself I was an idiot. Now with the right application and training I might be able to do it - who knows?
However having done the Hunter Valley marathon, I've firmly caught the bug. It was also interesting to read a post by Ian Sharman on UK MDS website about the fact that he ran pretty much a marathon every other weekend in the build up to the event. He came 13th overall, a great achievement.
It's also got me thinking because of the way I feel after a marathon. After Canberra I could barely walk, however after this weekend. movement is a lot better. Obviously it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that the more marathons you do, the better you are at recovering from them. I've recently started posting on the Cool Running Australian website, and there is a healthy set of runners on there who appear to be running marathons on a very regular basis i.e. 1-2 a month. I'm sat here now thinking it would be great to compete in the Cities marathon this weekend, but instead I'm doing the Bay Run 7km.
I suppose I'm answering my own question, but essentially it boils down to how much you want to train and what you want to achieve. I want to do the best I can possibly do. I initially said, just to finish and that still has to be the end goal, but now I'm thinking top 200. However I know that if I do that I'll want top 150. Who knows. Personally I think my training is now going to evolve much more to incorporate as many marathon race events as possible. The only bugger is that in the build up to the MDS in March, we're slap bang in the middle of summer, so events are few and far between. Still I guess I'll just have to get out there on my own and run in the blistering heat - good preparation I say!
One thing is for sure - I have the marathon bug now. There's a little bit between 35-40kms that hurts like hell, but I need to do it more often so I can get used to it more often! If that makes any sense! It does raise some interesting points though about how to train for an event like this. There is no template as the event is quite unique, rather like a game of rugby, it's for all shapes and sizes and is what attracts many people to it. It's interesting to see how my training has developed as a result. I said at the start if this, my goal was to reach 3hr 45min marathon status and then maintain that through to the race. I'm a 3hr 30min runner now, and I want more. I told the missus last night that I want to aim for a sub 3hr marathon once this is done? 10 months ago I'd have told myself I was an idiot. Now with the right application and training I might be able to do it - who knows?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Great Hunter Valley weekend
What a great weekend. The missus and I decided to make a weekend of it, so headed up to the Hunter on Friday night after work, and were greeted by a lovely warm welcome at our guesthouse. Lovely people and great accommodation right in the heart of the Valley, if you're ever in the region, I can highly recommend Thistle Hill where we stayed.
So after some very light wine tasting on Saturday afternoon, it was a nice 5:30am start to get some fodder down me ahead of our 8am race start. Like I said, I wasn't expecting the world with this one, and whilst we were on the first lap, so my first chance to get a look at the course. Give the hilly nature and amount off-road, I really thought that anything under 3:45 would be realistic. In the months since Canberra, I've done lots of speedwork, which I know has made me fitter. But the longer distance runs have been lacking with only one 26 miler in the Blue Mountains, and a couple of shorter 16 milers too.
After the gun went I set off way too quick, hitting 3kms in just over 13 mins, so I deliberately slowed myself down, and soon got into a comfortable running stride. It was then that I also began to realise that a lot of this course is off-road as well, which I was actually very fine with, but knew that maybe a quick time wasnt so much on the cards - well not as quick as Canberra anyway - but still, I was very much in the mindset of using this as a training run, and seeing what will be will be. So after slowing down though, I still found that I was running well inside a 3hr 30 min pace - averaging 4min 50sec kms for the first 13 miles, so a 1hr 42 min first half. As I went past the start-finish line for the second lap, I knew this was far too quick, but I did feel pretty comfortable at this stage. Indeed it seems that quite a few people went off quite quickly as I made up around 5-6 places on the return leg. Waht was great about the first lap is that I ran and chatted with someone for 12kms, which was great and not something I've really done before, so the time shot by, so really enjoyed that - Troy from Newcastle on his first marathon. (Think he came in at 3hrs 39mins, which was a great effort!)
Like I said, the course was pretty challenging, with some steep hills and very undulating too, coupled with the gravel tracks, made sure that by 37kms I was really feeling it. What was great is that I felt really quite good up to around 33-34kms though, which considering that lack of longer distance runs really pleased me. 34kms onwards though was a hard slog. We had an out and back section along some dirt gravel roads, and coming back was all up gentle slopes. First time round they were fine, second time round they were killers. I remember thinking that 36kms onwards was so so hard. We hit a water station at 36kms and I just wanted to die and I really wanted to give up, I thought my body had had it. My legs were shot and it was then that I knew a 3hr 30min was not going to be on the cards. There were no markers between 36kms and 40kms which I think was great, as it meant I wasn't counting them down. Plus the fact I didnt really know how far I'd gone. Well the reality is that I did, but it was good not to see the markers.
However come 41kms I made a huge blunder and took a wrong turn in the car park, which cost me around a minute overall. I was pretty pissed off at the time, as I'd started to catch and overtake runners, and as a result I lost a place and a minute on the clock. Still I can't be too displeased as I came in at 3hrs 32 mins and 9secs, a new PB for me, which given the course compared to Canberra, shows hows how far my fitness has actually come in the last 3 months since then, compared to what I actually thought it was.
This was a great race to do, and now makes me think I've firmly caught the marathon bug. The camaraderie between competitors was great, everyone was really friendly and encouraging and that's what I loved about this race. I was really hurting between 36-40kms, and felt like I was going backwards at some points. However you could see other runners were going through the same, and it's that look in the eye when you run alongside someone that says, "yes, I hurt like hell too, but fair play to us both".
Next up for me will be a trail marathon up at Fraser Island in just over a month, followed by the Sydney marathon where I'm aiming to break the 3hr 30min mark. Something I really feel I can do now following this marathon. However I am planning on doing the Glasshouse 100km event in September and just looking at the calendar, the Sydney marathon falls one week after the Glasshouse 100km. That will be a tough call, but realistically, given what I'm going to put myself through in March next year, I should do them both. I'll get annoyed because I know I'll be nowhere near a 3hr 30 mins if I do the 100km first, but I have to keep telling myself that it's not about these races, they are merely preparation!
So after some very light wine tasting on Saturday afternoon, it was a nice 5:30am start to get some fodder down me ahead of our 8am race start. Like I said, I wasn't expecting the world with this one, and whilst we were on the first lap, so my first chance to get a look at the course. Give the hilly nature and amount off-road, I really thought that anything under 3:45 would be realistic. In the months since Canberra, I've done lots of speedwork, which I know has made me fitter. But the longer distance runs have been lacking with only one 26 miler in the Blue Mountains, and a couple of shorter 16 milers too.
After the gun went I set off way too quick, hitting 3kms in just over 13 mins, so I deliberately slowed myself down, and soon got into a comfortable running stride. It was then that I also began to realise that a lot of this course is off-road as well, which I was actually very fine with, but knew that maybe a quick time wasnt so much on the cards - well not as quick as Canberra anyway - but still, I was very much in the mindset of using this as a training run, and seeing what will be will be. So after slowing down though, I still found that I was running well inside a 3hr 30 min pace - averaging 4min 50sec kms for the first 13 miles, so a 1hr 42 min first half. As I went past the start-finish line for the second lap, I knew this was far too quick, but I did feel pretty comfortable at this stage. Indeed it seems that quite a few people went off quite quickly as I made up around 5-6 places on the return leg. Waht was great about the first lap is that I ran and chatted with someone for 12kms, which was great and not something I've really done before, so the time shot by, so really enjoyed that - Troy from Newcastle on his first marathon. (Think he came in at 3hrs 39mins, which was a great effort!)
Like I said, the course was pretty challenging, with some steep hills and very undulating too, coupled with the gravel tracks, made sure that by 37kms I was really feeling it. What was great is that I felt really quite good up to around 33-34kms though, which considering that lack of longer distance runs really pleased me. 34kms onwards though was a hard slog. We had an out and back section along some dirt gravel roads, and coming back was all up gentle slopes. First time round they were fine, second time round they were killers. I remember thinking that 36kms onwards was so so hard. We hit a water station at 36kms and I just wanted to die and I really wanted to give up, I thought my body had had it. My legs were shot and it was then that I knew a 3hr 30min was not going to be on the cards. There were no markers between 36kms and 40kms which I think was great, as it meant I wasn't counting them down. Plus the fact I didnt really know how far I'd gone. Well the reality is that I did, but it was good not to see the markers.
However come 41kms I made a huge blunder and took a wrong turn in the car park, which cost me around a minute overall. I was pretty pissed off at the time, as I'd started to catch and overtake runners, and as a result I lost a place and a minute on the clock. Still I can't be too displeased as I came in at 3hrs 32 mins and 9secs, a new PB for me, which given the course compared to Canberra, shows hows how far my fitness has actually come in the last 3 months since then, compared to what I actually thought it was.
This was a great race to do, and now makes me think I've firmly caught the marathon bug. The camaraderie between competitors was great, everyone was really friendly and encouraging and that's what I loved about this race. I was really hurting between 36-40kms, and felt like I was going backwards at some points. However you could see other runners were going through the same, and it's that look in the eye when you run alongside someone that says, "yes, I hurt like hell too, but fair play to us both".
Next up for me will be a trail marathon up at Fraser Island in just over a month, followed by the Sydney marathon where I'm aiming to break the 3hr 30min mark. Something I really feel I can do now following this marathon. However I am planning on doing the Glasshouse 100km event in September and just looking at the calendar, the Sydney marathon falls one week after the Glasshouse 100km. That will be a tough call, but realistically, given what I'm going to put myself through in March next year, I should do them both. I'll get annoyed because I know I'll be nowhere near a 3hr 30 mins if I do the 100km first, but I have to keep telling myself that it's not about these races, they are merely preparation!
Friday, July 18, 2008
A casual 4 miler
So last night was a little 4 miler in preparation for the weekend marathon. So a total of 16 miles leading up to this weekend, which is probably far more than usual, but given the lack of running int e last few weeks, I decided to do a little more as I really want to use this as just a normal training week really. However we'll see how we go. Will probably do a very gentle 2 miler on Saturday evening just before the race on Sunday to loosen the legs up, and then straight into it on Sunday morning. I think I've decided not to run with a backpack. Given the injury last week with the calf, I don't want to put anymore undue pressure on it, and wearing a backpack with a bit of weight is probably not going to help that. Indeed last night running around I could feel tightness in my calfs, so I'll be doing loads of stretching ahead of Sunday, and indeed have been over the last few days. So we'll see how we go. Just looking at possible times, to do a 3hr 30min marathon, I only have to go at 8 minute miles, and my last long run of 18 miles, I was well within reach of that, and I was wearing a backpack with around 4kgs in it, so kind of makes me hopeful that a good time maybe on the cards, but who knows hey, it could all go wrong with the calfs - we'll have to see!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Another early start
I appear to have the bug, the bug of getting up early and going for a run - I love it. So this morning I was up just after 5am and hit the roads for another 6 miler around the quiet streets of Balmain, just how I like it. I hate running near traffic, and love the peace at dawn over here. It's like when I do road races - I like them quiet, I'm not a big glory hunter as I love the challenge of just me and the road.
It's dark when I set out, but as I'm coming to the finish near my house by the harbour water overlooking Sydney Harour Bridge, the sun is just about to rise and it's simply beautiful. I really should get a picture up here. Running first thing also sets up your day so well - I feel fresher and more alert and the change in pattern means that I generally feel so much better. I go for my run, come back have a lovely breakfast with fresh fruit and generally take my time before getting ready for work, which is a simple ferry ride across the harbour. Previously I would get up right at the wire, shower, change and onto the ferry. The true test though is if I'll keep it up, as jet lag makes it quite easy to get up at 5m at the moment, as I'm waking up and not tired. Although if I keep the routine up, I'm usually in bed by 10pm, so getting up at 5am means a good night's sleep too.
This is probably old hat to a lot of people, but quite new for me, and it means I have my evenings free as well - bonus! Marathon on Sunday and I'm feeling OK about it all. I've had two back to back good runs following the calf injury. This morning it was a little tighter, but to be expected I think given that I havent done a lot on it in the last two weeks. A good sign was that both were tight, so it meant that I didn't get worried about just the one being tight and me being paranoid that it was still not right.
It's dark when I set out, but as I'm coming to the finish near my house by the harbour water overlooking Sydney Harour Bridge, the sun is just about to rise and it's simply beautiful. I really should get a picture up here. Running first thing also sets up your day so well - I feel fresher and more alert and the change in pattern means that I generally feel so much better. I go for my run, come back have a lovely breakfast with fresh fruit and generally take my time before getting ready for work, which is a simple ferry ride across the harbour. Previously I would get up right at the wire, shower, change and onto the ferry. The true test though is if I'll keep it up, as jet lag makes it quite easy to get up at 5m at the moment, as I'm waking up and not tired. Although if I keep the routine up, I'm usually in bed by 10pm, so getting up at 5am means a good night's sleep too.
This is probably old hat to a lot of people, but quite new for me, and it means I have my evenings free as well - bonus! Marathon on Sunday and I'm feeling OK about it all. I've had two back to back good runs following the calf injury. This morning it was a little tighter, but to be expected I think given that I havent done a lot on it in the last two weeks. A good sign was that both were tight, so it meant that I didn't get worried about just the one being tight and me being paranoid that it was still not right.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Jet lag can be a good thing
Oh yes it can... I was in bed by 10pm last night having just landed that day back in Sydney, and was wide awake at 5am. Beauty I thought, I'll go for a run. This was the first 'proper' run for a good 10 day or so given the calf trouble. The few 'tester' runs I'd done meant that the calf was feeling good, so I decided to push this one a little. I set out pretty steady as I didnt want a repeat of the calf pull, but all in I did a good 6 miles in just over 45 mins. I was so paranoid about losing fitness in the last few weeks, as I seem to lose it quite quickly, but all felt good today on the run. Plus it's so beautiful where I live, watching the sun come up as you run around the water's edge and then with the stunning views of Sydney Harbour Bridge to boot as well. Really makes you realise why you move over here, having been back in the UK for the last 2 weeks visiting family and friends. Anyway, quite how the marathon will go on Sunday I dont know - not sure if I have the longer distance stamina at the moment to complete in a good time i.e. beater than Canberra, but we'll see. Anything around 3hr 45min would be OK I guess... but OK is never good enough. I want to beat 3hr 30 min!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Back on it
So after 4 days of rest, today was the little 'tester' run before I fly back to Australia. So with great care I embarked on a very casual 5kms, just nice and steady, but towards the last few kms, put some more intervals in and faster strides to test the calf and see how it is. The good news is that it came through well with no aches, tweaks or pains, so it appears that the 4 days of rest has done me good. That said, I've now done very little mileage in the last 2 weeks - just 20 to be precise, so I hope that fitness hasnt suffered as a result.
So after landing in Oz on Monday morning, I have 6 days to get over the jet lag and get ready for my second marathon - which should be a great one through the Hunter Valley Wine region. I'm not expecting much from this as prep has not been great, plus I dont want to push the calf too hard either, so we'll see how we go with this one. But I shouldnt be pushing this one at all - that said I know I'll be arsed off if I dont get near my time at Canberra. The funny thing is that my average minuter per mile is now quite a lot quicker than when I ran Canberra, however I'm concerned by the lack of longer distances I've done since then. The reason for my quicker times I feel is that I've don more shorter distance speed work, which I felt like I've really benefitted from. As a resul though, I've only done one 26 mile trail run, and a couple of 16-18 milers, but have done quite a few half marathon distances, so here's hoping!
So after landing in Oz on Monday morning, I have 6 days to get over the jet lag and get ready for my second marathon - which should be a great one through the Hunter Valley Wine region. I'm not expecting much from this as prep has not been great, plus I dont want to push the calf too hard either, so we'll see how we go with this one. But I shouldnt be pushing this one at all - that said I know I'll be arsed off if I dont get near my time at Canberra. The funny thing is that my average minuter per mile is now quite a lot quicker than when I ran Canberra, however I'm concerned by the lack of longer distances I've done since then. The reason for my quicker times I feel is that I've don more shorter distance speed work, which I felt like I've really benefitted from. As a resul though, I've only done one 26 mile trail run, and a couple of 16-18 milers, but have done quite a few half marathon distances, so here's hoping!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Rowing not running
So I@m being sensible-ish and instead of running did a nice load of rowing yesterday. A brisk 2000m warm-up in 7mins 36secs, followed by a steady 5000m at 19mins 37secs and then a 2000m warm-down in 7mins 37secs. Nice to get back on the rower actually as I used to do a lot of indoor rowing. It bloody hurts when you start to go for it, but I think it's a really good one to keep the aerobic stuff going whilst I cant run on my calf.
In some ways the calf injury is probably a blessing in disguise, as it's enforcing me to have a break, exactly half-way into my training, which can't be a bad thing at all. Plus I should technically be on taper for the marathon next week, but to be honest I dont give a stuff about tapering too much now. I'm not even looking at the Hunter Valley marathon as a big thing now. For me, it's another chance to get some mileage under the belt, and I'm going to wear my backpack as well, and test out my kit and load it up with some weight also. Quite what other competitors will make of it I dont know, but hey, all good fun. I do worry about the distance and being able to run the whole way given prep for this has not been great, but I should be OK. I only did Canberra 3 months ago, and I know my fitness overall has increased since then, as I'm running quicker so all will be OK i'm sure - it will just hurt. I have to be careful with the calf as well, which is another good reason not to leg it too much in the marathon. The last thing I want to do is bugger it up more. So the plan is to rest it until Saturday, then go for a 2 hour run and see how that feels. The a couple of shorter runs ahead of Sunday and the marathon.
The all being well after the Hunter Valley, I'll be setting out to do a couple of 30 milers before the Fraser Island marathon in late August, and the biggie... the Glasshouse 100km race! YIKES!
In some ways the calf injury is probably a blessing in disguise, as it's enforcing me to have a break, exactly half-way into my training, which can't be a bad thing at all. Plus I should technically be on taper for the marathon next week, but to be honest I dont give a stuff about tapering too much now. I'm not even looking at the Hunter Valley marathon as a big thing now. For me, it's another chance to get some mileage under the belt, and I'm going to wear my backpack as well, and test out my kit and load it up with some weight also. Quite what other competitors will make of it I dont know, but hey, all good fun. I do worry about the distance and being able to run the whole way given prep for this has not been great, but I should be OK. I only did Canberra 3 months ago, and I know my fitness overall has increased since then, as I'm running quicker so all will be OK i'm sure - it will just hurt. I have to be careful with the calf as well, which is another good reason not to leg it too much in the marathon. The last thing I want to do is bugger it up more. So the plan is to rest it until Saturday, then go for a 2 hour run and see how that feels. The a couple of shorter runs ahead of Sunday and the marathon.
The all being well after the Hunter Valley, I'll be setting out to do a couple of 30 milers before the Fraser Island marathon in late August, and the biggie... the Glasshouse 100km race! YIKES!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Two posts and one calf pull in a day
Well, nothing for a week and then all at once. Just been out for a run, and just under 3 miles in my calf goes again. It's weird because it was fine on the run on Sagturday morning, but today I could feel it get progressively worse to the point were it just wasnt worth the risk. However I've probably put myself back now a couple of days as a result of running today. Highly frustrating and annoying as the last few weeks have been shite as I've already mentioned - illness and injury. However I guess this is just part of the life of training, and up until now I've been blessed with little or no injury thus far. It still doesnt take away from the fact that it makes me feel even less prepared for the marathon next week now. I'm in two minds about it all. This one is not the be all and end all, so i'd rather get right for the Glasshouse 100km than this one.
I also need to look at the bigger picture and so far training has been pretty good. I've just totted up my total milage and its at just under 1,350 since I started training (properly) back in Oct last year. I'm now exactly halfway through my training so things look good I feel. I guess I'm just going to have to rest the calf for a few days now - I'm not veryt good at doing that!
I also need to look at the bigger picture and so far training has been pretty good. I've just totted up my total milage and its at just under 1,350 since I started training (properly) back in Oct last year. I'm now exactly halfway through my training so things look good I feel. I guess I'm just going to have to rest the calf for a few days now - I'm not veryt good at doing that!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Manic week
Well I always knew this week was going to be a tricky one. I flew back to the UK last Tuesday, having had a good weekend of training and some decent back to back distances. However with jet lag and then spending 4 days up in Scotland at a wedding, training mileage for this last week has been one of the lowest since I started, although the rest will have probably done me some good - if I hadnt managed to strain my calf running on the streets of Glasgow!
So having landed Wednesday morning and being all over the place, the planned run for wednesday afternoon just didnt happen, I was whacked! Then Thursday I flew to Glasgow for the stag do, and managed 20 mins running in circles by the hotel we were staying at before I felt my calf pull. Somewhat surprisingly for me, I stopped right away and rested it. It was sore, so I rested it on Friday (not that I had the time to do any running anyway), and then on the Saturday morning before the wedding I got up at 6am to head out for a very gentle 9 miler around Loch Fyne which was truely beautiful. The calf was still sore for the first 40 mins or so, but after that it was OK, and I really enjoyed the run.
So after a terrible week on the training front, I now have this week, before the Hunter Valley marathon next weekend, and this following a flight back to Oz as well. Great! To be honest I'm not expecting the world from it - I dont think I'll be as quick as Canberra, even though I know I'm fitter than 3 months ago. I nearly decided to jack in doing the full marathon and just do the half, but I think that's more to do with self-preservation and ego than me thinking I'm not fit enough to run it. I am fit enough to run it, I'm just bothered that I'll go around more slowly than the Canberra marathon. So the attitude has to be that this is just another training run for me, and to that effect I'm not really going to taper for it. I need to keep the miles up. I wont be silly and run 50 miles this week, but I'll probably keep it up at 40, and then a few 4-5 milers next week ahead of the actual marathon as well.
My prepation has not been great to say the least. A nasty chest infection has really hampered my ability to get some bigger distances in over the last few weeks, but the fitness should easily be there to get around in under 4 hrs (I hope!). Plus the bigger short term goal is the Glasshouse 100km race in the middle of September, so really I should just use Hunter Valley as a training run for this little bad boy that will take it out of me! Following the Hunter Valley Marathon, i'm then down for the Fraser Island trail marathon which will be very cool. And then in between all of this I need to get a couple of 30+ milers under the belt before then in the National Park just down below Sydney. So now I have a bit more direction with the training as I was starting to feel a bit all over the place and the motivation was a struggle to be frank - but with an 18 month training regeime, it's understandable that you're going to get frustrated every now and again!
So having landed Wednesday morning and being all over the place, the planned run for wednesday afternoon just didnt happen, I was whacked! Then Thursday I flew to Glasgow for the stag do, and managed 20 mins running in circles by the hotel we were staying at before I felt my calf pull. Somewhat surprisingly for me, I stopped right away and rested it. It was sore, so I rested it on Friday (not that I had the time to do any running anyway), and then on the Saturday morning before the wedding I got up at 6am to head out for a very gentle 9 miler around Loch Fyne which was truely beautiful. The calf was still sore for the first 40 mins or so, but after that it was OK, and I really enjoyed the run.
So after a terrible week on the training front, I now have this week, before the Hunter Valley marathon next weekend, and this following a flight back to Oz as well. Great! To be honest I'm not expecting the world from it - I dont think I'll be as quick as Canberra, even though I know I'm fitter than 3 months ago. I nearly decided to jack in doing the full marathon and just do the half, but I think that's more to do with self-preservation and ego than me thinking I'm not fit enough to run it. I am fit enough to run it, I'm just bothered that I'll go around more slowly than the Canberra marathon. So the attitude has to be that this is just another training run for me, and to that effect I'm not really going to taper for it. I need to keep the miles up. I wont be silly and run 50 miles this week, but I'll probably keep it up at 40, and then a few 4-5 milers next week ahead of the actual marathon as well.
My prepation has not been great to say the least. A nasty chest infection has really hampered my ability to get some bigger distances in over the last few weeks, but the fitness should easily be there to get around in under 4 hrs (I hope!). Plus the bigger short term goal is the Glasshouse 100km race in the middle of September, so really I should just use Hunter Valley as a training run for this little bad boy that will take it out of me! Following the Hunter Valley Marathon, i'm then down for the Fraser Island trail marathon which will be very cool. And then in between all of this I need to get a couple of 30+ milers under the belt before then in the National Park just down below Sydney. So now I have a bit more direction with the training as I was starting to feel a bit all over the place and the motivation was a struggle to be frank - but with an 18 month training regeime, it's understandable that you're going to get frustrated every now and again!
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