50 mins - 10k's @ 5:00mins/km
Had a comfortable run on the tready this morning that seemed to go quicker than usual. That brings my total to 40k's for the week. On Sunday, I'll be doing a 2hr long run from the Ship Inn at 6am with Langy, Slash, Pete, Jonesy and more. That should tally up around 25k's and take my total for the week to 65k's. Its nice to be getting closer to my previous peak mileage week of 72 kms per week and I should be there in a month when my Wednesday midweek long run hits 90 mins and 18k.
Km's this week - 40
Km's this month - 208
Km's this year - 1314
Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Sunburnt already!
4k tempo in 16:39, 3k WU, 3k WD
On a warm morning with hardly a cloud to be seen in the clear blue azure sky, I set off along the Kedron Brook at 8:15am. After my warm up, I did some stretching, glute firing exercises and finally some strides. Despite that, I fell asleep during the first k of my tempo run clocking a slow 4:33. I woke up after the nasty shock of seeing the split on my Timex Ironman and then proceeded to clock splits of 4:03, 4:03 and 4:00. Quite pleasing.
Less pleasing was discovering at lunchtime that I had sustained quite a bit of sunburn. But I was finished by 9:15am!!!!???? Summer is on the way already!!
Km's this week - 30
Km's this month - 198
Km's this year - 1304
On a warm morning with hardly a cloud to be seen in the clear blue azure sky, I set off along the Kedron Brook at 8:15am. After my warm up, I did some stretching, glute firing exercises and finally some strides. Despite that, I fell asleep during the first k of my tempo run clocking a slow 4:33. I woke up after the nasty shock of seeing the split on my Timex Ironman and then proceeded to clock splits of 4:03, 4:03 and 4:00. Quite pleasing.
Less pleasing was discovering at lunchtime that I had sustained quite a bit of sunburn. But I was finished by 9:15am!!!!???? Summer is on the way already!!
Km's this week - 30
Km's this month - 198
Km's this year - 1304
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Humming along nicely
Tues - 5 x 1min with 30JR, 7 x 30 secs with 30JR
Wed - 50 mins, 10k's @ 5:00mins/km
I pulled up nicely from the 10k time trial with only some mild tightness in the right achilles - which I have never had before. I will monitor it occasionaly and carry out RICE as need be to ensure it doesn't become a real problem.
Tuesday saw a solid hitout at speedwork and the session was tailor made for my endurance. I settled into about 6th spot on the way out and was running nice and controlled on the efforts and doing my jogging recoveries faster than most. I'm looking good for a low 10:20ish at next Tuesday's 3K TT.
Today, it was off to Fitness First for my longest Wednesday midweek run since breaking down. 10k's was ticked off and I can't wait to get back to 18k's in a few weeks.
Km's this week - 20
Km's this month - 188
Km's this year - 1294
Wed - 50 mins, 10k's @ 5:00mins/km
I pulled up nicely from the 10k time trial with only some mild tightness in the right achilles - which I have never had before. I will monitor it occasionaly and carry out RICE as need be to ensure it doesn't become a real problem.
Tuesday saw a solid hitout at speedwork and the session was tailor made for my endurance. I settled into about 6th spot on the way out and was running nice and controlled on the efforts and doing my jogging recoveries faster than most. I'm looking good for a low 10:20ish at next Tuesday's 3K TT.
Today, it was off to Fitness First for my longest Wednesday midweek run since breaking down. 10k's was ticked off and I can't wait to get back to 18k's in a few weeks.
Km's this week - 20
Km's this month - 188
Km's this year - 1294
Sunday - BRRC 10k Hcp
BRRC 10k Hcp 39:49, 1k WU, 7k WD
Standing on the start line at West End for the 10k Hcp at 6am on Sunday was the oldest and slowest runner of the BRRC and........yours truly. Whilst club members had a staggered start for the 10k Hcp race based upon their times this year, I was among a handful of runners given a special dispensation to start at 6am and conduct a 10k time trial to help Gerard and Wayne go sub 40. Langy, Slash, Pete, Robbie and Coach Pat were also along to assist. I had taken the trouble to prepare well and knew that I was fit and in good shape. Despite having a very soft 38:22 10PB set in the 2004 Nike 10k, there was little doubt in my mind that I could comfortably dip under 40 mins whilst only running at 90% effort. And so it proved. The time trial started well enough with Gerard and Wayne on pace to the 4k mark but unfortunately, they began to leak time at this point. Whilst the rest of the boys tried to drag Gerard and Wayne back into contention I ran alone in front of the group churning out consistent 4 min k's while providing a target for the boys to chase. Regrettably, nobody caught up to me but on a personal note, I was very pleased to cruise across the line in 39:49. Its a good feeling knowing that I'm in pretty good shape at the moment and will only have to turn up to shatter my 10k PB. Now I just have to find a suitable race and no....it won't be the Noosa Tri.
Km's this week - 10
Km's this month - 98
Km's this year - 1204
Standing on the start line at West End for the 10k Hcp at 6am on Sunday was the oldest and slowest runner of the BRRC and........yours truly. Whilst club members had a staggered start for the 10k Hcp race based upon their times this year, I was among a handful of runners given a special dispensation to start at 6am and conduct a 10k time trial to help Gerard and Wayne go sub 40. Langy, Slash, Pete, Robbie and Coach Pat were also along to assist. I had taken the trouble to prepare well and knew that I was fit and in good shape. Despite having a very soft 38:22 10PB set in the 2004 Nike 10k, there was little doubt in my mind that I could comfortably dip under 40 mins whilst only running at 90% effort. And so it proved. The time trial started well enough with Gerard and Wayne on pace to the 4k mark but unfortunately, they began to leak time at this point. Whilst the rest of the boys tried to drag Gerard and Wayne back into contention I ran alone in front of the group churning out consistent 4 min k's while providing a target for the boys to chase. Regrettably, nobody caught up to me but on a personal note, I was very pleased to cruise across the line in 39:49. Its a good feeling knowing that I'm in pretty good shape at the moment and will only have to turn up to shatter my 10k PB. Now I just have to find a suitable race and no....it won't be the Noosa Tri.
Km's this week - 10
Km's this month - 98
Km's this year - 1204
Friday, September 22, 2006
Not your ordinary week....
Tues - 8 x 1 min, 30 SR, 3k WU, 3k WD
Wed - 40 mins, 8k's @ 5:00mins/km
Thurs - 2 x 1k @ 3:30, 3:27, 4k WU, 4k WD
Getting a little slack with the blog at the moment as the demands of life catch up, so here we go:
Tuesday speedwork went well indicating I was almost fully recovered from last week's virus. This is not my best session at present with some team mates taking advantage of the short reps to outsprint me whilst I concentrate on keeping my pace around the 3:30 mark. I had a controlled session running at the back of the A-Team and afterward ran strongly up Gold Coast Hill twice.
Wednesday saw an easy run on the tready at Fitness First before work - thank God my membership expires in November. I can't wait to be rid of the place!
Yesterday, I did a solo speedwork session along the Kedron Brook. It didn't feel like I was going very fast and I was dehydrated, but I still managed to clock 3:30 and 3:27 for my reps. A satisfying session! Then I had to get ready for a round of golf after being invited at short notice by Clairie yesterday. The event was an IBM Charity Golf Day and North Lakes to raise money for cerebral palsy and I was fully paid for! Thanks Clairie! Some of you might know that at one time, I had ambitions of becoming a single figure handicapper and sub 3hr Marathoner at the same time, but eventually gave up as there are not enough hours in the day to do both. As such, I arrived at North Lakes looking forward to my first round in almost a year. With the event being a 4 ball ambrose (everyone hits from where the best shot went), I envisaged a relaxing day driving around on the carts and working the rust out of my game. However, after seeing my enthusiastic but untalented team mates(Clairie had only ever played three times!) on the driving range, it was soon apparent that I would have to play some good golf otherwise, the team would have a very long day out on the course!!
Fortunately, I soon found that my swing had remained largely intact and I was able to give us some length off the tee and set up the holes in the process. We had a lot of fun along the way, if you don't count Clairies golf cart driving. I'm telling you, Clairie thought we were at Bathurst sometimes driving like a maniac and on one occasion when trying to catch up with the cart in front of us, shooting over the crest of a steep slope and putting two wheels into the top of a steep bunker and for a heart stopping split second, we came perilously close to overturning the cart!!! And Clairie loved every minute of it!! Our group ended up with a reasonably respectable 83 off the stick for 11 over par.
The fun didn't end on the course as we then relaxed with a few beers and a delicious dinner at the Clubhouse washed down with a glass of red. I can report that Clairie was quite disciplined and stuck to her new diet for most of the part, if you don't count the part where she tried to steal some of my delicious carrot cake when I wasn't looking. As the evening drew to a close, it was a very relaxed Matty who was nestled comfortable in his seat finishing off his glass of red. Possibly, I was too relaxed - that might explain why when the opening bidder in the auction offered $3k for a 5 night Hong Kong holiday for two at a 4.5 star hotel, airfares inclusive, I calmly trumped him with $4k bid!!!!!!! Now, although the prize was allegedly worth $8k, I had done some mental calculations and valued the prize at around $3.5k to $4k and I thought that MJ and I could do with a holiday, so I thought that I would have a go and maybe get lucky with a value holiday if the demand wasn't there. Apparently the demand wasn't there at all and it was with surprise and some trepidation that I listened to the auctioneer announce 'going once!!' As I started to wonder how the hell I was going to pay for this holiday, a bloke trumped my bid with a $4.5k offer. I whispered to Clairie '$4.6k??' and she I could see the whites in her eyes as she hissed back at me 'No, no, no!!! Don't do it!!!!' Although I was tempted to raise the bidding to see Clairies reaction, I kept my hand down and brought the hammer down at $4.5k. I should add that Clairie was in no position to be rebuking me for making outrageous offers. In the silent auctionl, she successfully bid $100 for afternoon tea at the Stamford Plaza and unbelievably, $80 for a doll in a wedding dress!! I really don't know how she is going to explain the latter purchase to Al! Yep, it was great day!
Wed - 40 mins, 8k's @ 5:00mins/km
Thurs - 2 x 1k @ 3:30, 3:27, 4k WU, 4k WD
Getting a little slack with the blog at the moment as the demands of life catch up, so here we go:
Tuesday speedwork went well indicating I was almost fully recovered from last week's virus. This is not my best session at present with some team mates taking advantage of the short reps to outsprint me whilst I concentrate on keeping my pace around the 3:30 mark. I had a controlled session running at the back of the A-Team and afterward ran strongly up Gold Coast Hill twice.
Wednesday saw an easy run on the tready at Fitness First before work - thank God my membership expires in November. I can't wait to be rid of the place!
Yesterday, I did a solo speedwork session along the Kedron Brook. It didn't feel like I was going very fast and I was dehydrated, but I still managed to clock 3:30 and 3:27 for my reps. A satisfying session! Then I had to get ready for a round of golf after being invited at short notice by Clairie yesterday. The event was an IBM Charity Golf Day and North Lakes to raise money for cerebral palsy and I was fully paid for! Thanks Clairie! Some of you might know that at one time, I had ambitions of becoming a single figure handicapper and sub 3hr Marathoner at the same time, but eventually gave up as there are not enough hours in the day to do both. As such, I arrived at North Lakes looking forward to my first round in almost a year. With the event being a 4 ball ambrose (everyone hits from where the best shot went), I envisaged a relaxing day driving around on the carts and working the rust out of my game. However, after seeing my enthusiastic but untalented team mates(Clairie had only ever played three times!) on the driving range, it was soon apparent that I would have to play some good golf otherwise, the team would have a very long day out on the course!!
Fortunately, I soon found that my swing had remained largely intact and I was able to give us some length off the tee and set up the holes in the process. We had a lot of fun along the way, if you don't count Clairies golf cart driving. I'm telling you, Clairie thought we were at Bathurst sometimes driving like a maniac and on one occasion when trying to catch up with the cart in front of us, shooting over the crest of a steep slope and putting two wheels into the top of a steep bunker and for a heart stopping split second, we came perilously close to overturning the cart!!! And Clairie loved every minute of it!! Our group ended up with a reasonably respectable 83 off the stick for 11 over par.
The fun didn't end on the course as we then relaxed with a few beers and a delicious dinner at the Clubhouse washed down with a glass of red. I can report that Clairie was quite disciplined and stuck to her new diet for most of the part, if you don't count the part where she tried to steal some of my delicious carrot cake when I wasn't looking. As the evening drew to a close, it was a very relaxed Matty who was nestled comfortable in his seat finishing off his glass of red. Possibly, I was too relaxed - that might explain why when the opening bidder in the auction offered $3k for a 5 night Hong Kong holiday for two at a 4.5 star hotel, airfares inclusive, I calmly trumped him with $4k bid!!!!!!! Now, although the prize was allegedly worth $8k, I had done some mental calculations and valued the prize at around $3.5k to $4k and I thought that MJ and I could do with a holiday, so I thought that I would have a go and maybe get lucky with a value holiday if the demand wasn't there. Apparently the demand wasn't there at all and it was with surprise and some trepidation that I listened to the auctioneer announce 'going once!!' As I started to wonder how the hell I was going to pay for this holiday, a bloke trumped my bid with a $4.5k offer. I whispered to Clairie '$4.6k??' and she I could see the whites in her eyes as she hissed back at me 'No, no, no!!! Don't do it!!!!' Although I was tempted to raise the bidding to see Clairies reaction, I kept my hand down and brought the hammer down at $4.5k. I should add that Clairie was in no position to be rebuking me for making outrageous offers. In the silent auctionl, she successfully bid $100 for afternoon tea at the Stamford Plaza and unbelievably, $80 for a doll in a wedding dress!! I really don't know how she is going to explain the latter purchase to Al! Yep, it was great day!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Sunday - On the road again
Sunday - 70mins 14k's @ 4:50 mins/km
I didn't feel up to a recovery run on Saturday bringing my total of missed runs this week to three. I joined Langy, Slash and Bolty on Sunday morning for a run along the Kedron Brook. I was hoping to do 100 minutes but after 4k I was struggling and still a little weak from the virus. So after 35 mins I turned around whilst the fellas continued on to Nudgee Beach. I managed to hold the core strength and the running gait together for the remainder of the run without too much effort. Fortunately, the shins pulled up fine and I'm looking forward to a normal weeks training this week.
I didn't feel up to a recovery run on Saturday bringing my total of missed runs this week to three. I joined Langy, Slash and Bolty on Sunday morning for a run along the Kedron Brook. I was hoping to do 100 minutes but after 4k I was struggling and still a little weak from the virus. So after 35 mins I turned around whilst the fellas continued on to Nudgee Beach. I managed to hold the core strength and the running gait together for the remainder of the run without too much effort. Fortunately, the shins pulled up fine and I'm looking forward to a normal weeks training this week.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Slight setback
Have suffered from a mild virus since Wednesday with my body and particularly my legs significantly weakened and feverish. Fortunately, my head was unaffected and thus I was able to complete my Workplace Health and Safety Officers course without incident. In truth it was a relief to come down with this virus as it explains my shin soreness for the past week - my shins historically get sore when I contract a virus and I don't realise it till I get cold or flu symptoms.
All goint well I'll do a 10k recovery run tomorrow morning along with Sunday's long run. That will see me missing just two runs for the week.
All goint well I'll do a 10k recovery run tomorrow morning along with Sunday's long run. That will see me missing just two runs for the week.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Coming up for air!!!
Fri - 50 mins, 10k @ 5:00mins/km
Sun - 90 mins, 19k @ 4:45mins/km
Tues - 15 mins fartlek, 3k WU, 3k WD
This week, I'm doing a training course to be the OH&S Officer at work and this is my first chance to update the blog. I guess it shows how often I blog at work. I'm already having withdrawl symptons not being able to keep up with breaking news etc whilst at work.
Sunday's long run was not without its problems. Despite having only three beers at the Broncos game in order to be ready for the BRRC 25k Champs, I woke up dehydrated, hungry, tired and with my shins still sore from the bashing that Bruno gave me on Friday. So I elected for a mid afternoon run which I commenced at 2:40pm in steady rain. I cut the 120 min run to 90 mins and managed to get through it without any dramas. I thought I'd be doing 4:55's to 5:00's because of my problems but managed to do 4:45's without extending myself. Its pleasing that my comfortable long run pace is getting closer to marathon pace and augurs well for my first attempt at a sub 3hr marathon.
This morning was fartlek in the Botanic Gardens with the Pat Carrollers and unfortunately a little under a quarter of the course was grass and I didn't want to risk sprinting over it so I had to do recovery pace along this stretch and subsequently the A-Team pulled away from me half way through the session. Nevertheless, it was an honest effort. The right plantar fasciitis is almost healed and whilst that is great news, my shins are causing a little concern at the moment so I'll have to be vigilant.
Thanks
Matt
Km's this week - 10
Km's this month - 98
Km's this year - 1204
Sun - 90 mins, 19k @ 4:45mins/km
Tues - 15 mins fartlek, 3k WU, 3k WD
This week, I'm doing a training course to be the OH&S Officer at work and this is my first chance to update the blog. I guess it shows how often I blog at work. I'm already having withdrawl symptons not being able to keep up with breaking news etc whilst at work.
Sunday's long run was not without its problems. Despite having only three beers at the Broncos game in order to be ready for the BRRC 25k Champs, I woke up dehydrated, hungry, tired and with my shins still sore from the bashing that Bruno gave me on Friday. So I elected for a mid afternoon run which I commenced at 2:40pm in steady rain. I cut the 120 min run to 90 mins and managed to get through it without any dramas. I thought I'd be doing 4:55's to 5:00's because of my problems but managed to do 4:45's without extending myself. Its pleasing that my comfortable long run pace is getting closer to marathon pace and augurs well for my first attempt at a sub 3hr marathon.
This morning was fartlek in the Botanic Gardens with the Pat Carrollers and unfortunately a little under a quarter of the course was grass and I didn't want to risk sprinting over it so I had to do recovery pace along this stretch and subsequently the A-Team pulled away from me half way through the session. Nevertheless, it was an honest effort. The right plantar fasciitis is almost healed and whilst that is great news, my shins are causing a little concern at the moment so I'll have to be vigilant.
Thanks
Matt
Km's this week - 10
Km's this month - 98
Km's this year - 1204
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Mid week update
Tues - 3KTT - 10:29 with 3:22, 3:38, 3:28 splits
Wed - 40 mins, 8k @ 5:00mins/km
Thurs - 4k tempo in 16:30, 3k WU, 3k WD
Tues - I kicked of my week at the PCRG 3KTT with the intention of going at about 95% effort and running 10:30. It was probably just as well as I wasn't targetting a fast time as my legs were quite dead - probably from Sunday's long run in warm conditions. Nevertheless, my breathing and core strength were excellent and I managed to drag my legs to 10:29 with few problems.
Wed - The dreaded tready run at Fitness First out of the way and done with - enough said! Will increase this run to 10k next week.
Thurs - In blustery conditions, I left my cap in the car and ran along the Kedron Brook. After a 3k warm up and some strides(it always feels funny doing strides by yourself) I cruised along fairly comfortably at a touch faster than next years sub 3hr marathon pace. That was until I turned around at 2k and ran into possibly the strongest headwind I've ever trained in for the remaining two kilometres. With my eyes watering, I put my head down and buffeted my way through clocking 4:06 splits that felt as hard as 3:30's at times. Fair dinkum! An interesting morning. I've just logged on to read that Langy was similarly affected and there are gale force winds in Sydney, so at least I wasn't the only one.
Except for a few niggles and the slowly recovering plantar fasciitis, all is well and I'm looking forward to my Sunday long run at the BRRC 25k Champs.
Km's this week - 27
Km's this month - 59
Km's this year - 1165
Wed - 40 mins, 8k @ 5:00mins/km
Thurs - 4k tempo in 16:30, 3k WU, 3k WD
Tues - I kicked of my week at the PCRG 3KTT with the intention of going at about 95% effort and running 10:30. It was probably just as well as I wasn't targetting a fast time as my legs were quite dead - probably from Sunday's long run in warm conditions. Nevertheless, my breathing and core strength were excellent and I managed to drag my legs to 10:29 with few problems.
Wed - The dreaded tready run at Fitness First out of the way and done with - enough said! Will increase this run to 10k next week.
Thurs - In blustery conditions, I left my cap in the car and ran along the Kedron Brook. After a 3k warm up and some strides(it always feels funny doing strides by yourself) I cruised along fairly comfortably at a touch faster than next years sub 3hr marathon pace. That was until I turned around at 2k and ran into possibly the strongest headwind I've ever trained in for the remaining two kilometres. With my eyes watering, I put my head down and buffeted my way through clocking 4:06 splits that felt as hard as 3:30's at times. Fair dinkum! An interesting morning. I've just logged on to read that Langy was similarly affected and there are gale force winds in Sydney, so at least I wasn't the only one.
Except for a few niggles and the slowly recovering plantar fasciitis, all is well and I'm looking forward to my Sunday long run at the BRRC 25k Champs.
Km's this week - 27
Km's this month - 59
Km's this year - 1165
Monday, September 04, 2006
Spring, Snakes, Sunshine and Shane
Fri 50 mins, 10k's @ 5:00 mins/km
Sun 105, 22k's @ 4:45 mins/km
A pretty routine couple of days in my running life. The only notable features occured on Sunday's run which was delayed to a 10:40am start due to voluntary duties with the Women's Classsic race and an appearance in the office. It was a beautifully warm Spring day with temperatures in the upper 20's and I made sure to cover up with 30+ so I shouldn't have been surprised that I had to stop for a half metre red bellied black snake which was sunning itself on the Kedron Brook path. I ended up losing 2kg during the run, which rarely happens to me during a Winter run. Then it was off to Suncorp Stadium to watch the legendary Shane Webcke and the mighty Broncos bash the Warriors. Yeah! Life's good!
Km's this week - 60
Km's this month - 274
Km's this year - 1138
Sun 105, 22k's @ 4:45 mins/km
A pretty routine couple of days in my running life. The only notable features occured on Sunday's run which was delayed to a 10:40am start due to voluntary duties with the Women's Classsic race and an appearance in the office. It was a beautifully warm Spring day with temperatures in the upper 20's and I made sure to cover up with 30+ so I shouldn't have been surprised that I had to stop for a half metre red bellied black snake which was sunning itself on the Kedron Brook path. I ended up losing 2kg during the run, which rarely happens to me during a Winter run. Then it was off to Suncorp Stadium to watch the legendary Shane Webcke and the mighty Broncos bash the Warriors. Yeah! Life's good!
Km's this week - 60
Km's this month - 274
Km's this year - 1138
Thursday, August 31, 2006
All is quiet on the Western front.
Wed - Midweek long run - 40mins, 8k's @ 5:00 mins/km
Thurs - 2 x 1k with 90 SR - 3:30, 3:25, 4k WU, 4k WD
After a seriously boring run on the tready yesterday it was a relief to get out to Kedron Brook for some solo 1k efforts this morning. The first effort was spot on 3:30 as I concentrated on an even stride and cadence throughout. Although I went a touch too fast in the second rep with a 3:25, it was a pleasing workout completed just before the heavens opened. I then enjoyed a very pleasant 4k warm down run through torrential rain back to my car and I was quickly soaked to the skin. Gees, I love a good run in the rain! Upon arriving back at the car, it was less than pleasant to discover that all three towels I keep in the back had been removed for a long overdue washing......
For most of the part, my body is in reasonable shape at the moment. My right PF still needs a lot of work and my left PF still has a 1cm spot where scar tissue seems to be forming and I have to keep massaging it. The shins have a mild ache once or twice a week but nothing dramatic. All is on track for another threshold effort race in the BRR 10k in a few weeks when Langy and I will pace Gerard to sub 40. Then perhaps a full comeback to racing in the BRR 5k Champs in October. So you could say all is quiet on the Western front at the moment.
Km's this week - 28
Km's this month - 242
Km's this year - 1106
Thurs - 2 x 1k with 90 SR - 3:30, 3:25, 4k WU, 4k WD
After a seriously boring run on the tready yesterday it was a relief to get out to Kedron Brook for some solo 1k efforts this morning. The first effort was spot on 3:30 as I concentrated on an even stride and cadence throughout. Although I went a touch too fast in the second rep with a 3:25, it was a pleasing workout completed just before the heavens opened. I then enjoyed a very pleasant 4k warm down run through torrential rain back to my car and I was quickly soaked to the skin. Gees, I love a good run in the rain! Upon arriving back at the car, it was less than pleasant to discover that all three towels I keep in the back had been removed for a long overdue washing......
For most of the part, my body is in reasonable shape at the moment. My right PF still needs a lot of work and my left PF still has a 1cm spot where scar tissue seems to be forming and I have to keep massaging it. The shins have a mild ache once or twice a week but nothing dramatic. All is on track for another threshold effort race in the BRR 10k in a few weeks when Langy and I will pace Gerard to sub 40. Then perhaps a full comeback to racing in the BRR 5k Champs in October. So you could say all is quiet on the Western front at the moment.
Km's this week - 28
Km's this month - 242
Km's this year - 1106
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Noosa Half photos
Ok, here we have photos of me just after the start of the Noosa Half and again at halfway after having just gone around the hairpin turn.
500's at speedwork
8 x 500 avg 1:41:5 with avg 33 secs SR, 3k WU, 3k WD
Woke up to the beautiful sight of a rainy morning - unfortunately not drought busting rain. It seems however that many of my team mates didn't agree with me with that it was a beautiful day and about a third of the Group were missing! Those absentees missed a great session with the rain abating by the time the warm up started.
Yours truly had a shocking start with my energy tank running on empty early in the reps. Despite a large bowl of porridge for breakfast, I was starving and in need of a good feed. Whilst I had a large and nutritious stir fry for dinner last night washed down with a quarter piece of Sara Lee Bavarian cheesecake, that feed only served to make up for my small lunch rather than stock up my energy stores for training. I've put a reminder in my mobile to eat a decent lunch and dinner every Monday from now on. Fortunately, I got a second wind halfway through the session and was able to finish it off nicely. We did 500's under the Story Bridge in a session that was dominated by Glenda and Slash followed by Pete and Aza with a small gap to yours truly and Jamie. Pat had said that we could choose our own recovery times and Glenda and Slash decided about 40 seconds was appropriate and naturally the rest of the A-Team took off every time they. As a result, I averaged just a 33 second standing recovery with a low of 29 seconds before the last rep. With the exception of a 1:46 effort on the seventh rep, my efforts were nice and consistent in the low 1:40's and there was a bit in the tank as I was taking care not to run too much faster than 3:30 pace. Slash finished off the session with a barnstorming last rep in the low to mid 80's, narrowly ahead of Jamie.
Naturally, Gold Coast Hill was next and Glenda and I lead the recovery back to the Hill and then gunned it all the way to the top, well ahead of most others. At the top, I asked Glenda 'do we have to do one or two?' and her wordless response was to start jogging back to the bottom of the hill and the two of us were the only ones to tackle that insansely steep hill behind All Hallows for a second time. After that, I was sucking in the big ones but managed to croak out to Glenda '4:10's back to the Ship Inn?' and the two of us then pulled away from the rest of the Group with a Marathon pace warm down back to the Ship Inn to complete a very satisfying session, particularly given my poor start. Observing my team mates, it was clear that Ally had a great session averaging around 1:54's in a PB for this session - well done Mate! Melbourne is looking good for you! Elsewhere, Tesso convincingly toweled Clairie and it was nice to see after Clairie has spend much of the year in front of Tess! Perhaps now that Clairie is a year older its a case of 'The Empire Strikes Back' and Tesso will give Clairie something to chase for a while - he he he he. No doubt Clairie will take offence to this post and we'll see some spirited duels between the dynamic duo in coming weeks!
It was lucky we didn't have a full group in one respect this morning because a construction worker stole four Up and Go's from our table at the Ship Inn when Sue had her back turned for a moment. I'm really upset I didn't get to see this! As I was telling Ally, Its always been a fantasy of mine to catch a thief trying to outrun me, make a classic tackle on him, 'accidentally' bash his head on the ground when restraining him and then make a citizen's arrest! Oh well, maybe next time.
Km's this week - 10
Km's this month - 224
Km's this year - 1088
Woke up to the beautiful sight of a rainy morning - unfortunately not drought busting rain. It seems however that many of my team mates didn't agree with me with that it was a beautiful day and about a third of the Group were missing! Those absentees missed a great session with the rain abating by the time the warm up started.
Yours truly had a shocking start with my energy tank running on empty early in the reps. Despite a large bowl of porridge for breakfast, I was starving and in need of a good feed. Whilst I had a large and nutritious stir fry for dinner last night washed down with a quarter piece of Sara Lee Bavarian cheesecake, that feed only served to make up for my small lunch rather than stock up my energy stores for training. I've put a reminder in my mobile to eat a decent lunch and dinner every Monday from now on. Fortunately, I got a second wind halfway through the session and was able to finish it off nicely. We did 500's under the Story Bridge in a session that was dominated by Glenda and Slash followed by Pete and Aza with a small gap to yours truly and Jamie. Pat had said that we could choose our own recovery times and Glenda and Slash decided about 40 seconds was appropriate and naturally the rest of the A-Team took off every time they. As a result, I averaged just a 33 second standing recovery with a low of 29 seconds before the last rep. With the exception of a 1:46 effort on the seventh rep, my efforts were nice and consistent in the low 1:40's and there was a bit in the tank as I was taking care not to run too much faster than 3:30 pace. Slash finished off the session with a barnstorming last rep in the low to mid 80's, narrowly ahead of Jamie.
Naturally, Gold Coast Hill was next and Glenda and I lead the recovery back to the Hill and then gunned it all the way to the top, well ahead of most others. At the top, I asked Glenda 'do we have to do one or two?' and her wordless response was to start jogging back to the bottom of the hill and the two of us were the only ones to tackle that insansely steep hill behind All Hallows for a second time. After that, I was sucking in the big ones but managed to croak out to Glenda '4:10's back to the Ship Inn?' and the two of us then pulled away from the rest of the Group with a Marathon pace warm down back to the Ship Inn to complete a very satisfying session, particularly given my poor start. Observing my team mates, it was clear that Ally had a great session averaging around 1:54's in a PB for this session - well done Mate! Melbourne is looking good for you! Elsewhere, Tesso convincingly toweled Clairie and it was nice to see after Clairie has spend much of the year in front of Tess! Perhaps now that Clairie is a year older its a case of 'The Empire Strikes Back' and Tesso will give Clairie something to chase for a while - he he he he. No doubt Clairie will take offence to this post and we'll see some spirited duels between the dynamic duo in coming weeks!
It was lucky we didn't have a full group in one respect this morning because a construction worker stole four Up and Go's from our table at the Ship Inn when Sue had her back turned for a moment. I'm really upset I didn't get to see this! As I was telling Ally, Its always been a fantasy of mine to catch a thief trying to outrun me, make a classic tackle on him, 'accidentally' bash his head on the ground when restraining him and then make a citizen's arrest! Oh well, maybe next time.
Km's this week - 10
Km's this month - 224
Km's this year - 1088
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday - The new Matty
Fri 10k's @ 5:00 mins/km
Sun 14k's @ 5:00 mins/km
Things have been chaotic at work lately so I was in the office on my day off on Friday. Instead of a whole day in which to do some writing, I was up to 11.30pm on Friday night desperately putting together my R4YL Noosa Half race report before the Sat AM deadline. So if the report is not up to my usual standards, you'll know why!!
After five hours sleep, I was back in the office on Saturday morning and by Saturday evening I felt like I had the symptoms of a mild cold but I was so groggy from tiredness, I couldn't really tell. MJ and I went to Hannah B's party and whilst the old Matty would have unwinded with 7-8 beers, the new Matty doesn't drink whenever there is even a hint of a cold/flu on the horizon. Instead he made several trips to the kitchen to drink water out of a plastic wine glass!
After seven hours sleep, I woke up still exhausted on Sunday morning and with deep regret(yes, really Clairie!) decided to go back to sleep for three hours instead of going to the Brisbane Roadrunners 14k Champs and Clairies Birthday Breakfast. When I woke after 10hrs sleep, I still wasn't feeling 100%. Fortunately, its a recovery week on my program and only 18k was scheduled but I cut that back to 14k which I managed ok.
Went to RooBoy's place in the arvo to watch the Broncos pack give Parra a nice touch up and again did not drink considering I still felt like a cold was coming on. Yes, that's the new Matty for you!
Km's this week - 50
Km's this month - 214
Km's this year - 1078
Sun 14k's @ 5:00 mins/km
Things have been chaotic at work lately so I was in the office on my day off on Friday. Instead of a whole day in which to do some writing, I was up to 11.30pm on Friday night desperately putting together my R4YL Noosa Half race report before the Sat AM deadline. So if the report is not up to my usual standards, you'll know why!!
After five hours sleep, I was back in the office on Saturday morning and by Saturday evening I felt like I had the symptoms of a mild cold but I was so groggy from tiredness, I couldn't really tell. MJ and I went to Hannah B's party and whilst the old Matty would have unwinded with 7-8 beers, the new Matty doesn't drink whenever there is even a hint of a cold/flu on the horizon. Instead he made several trips to the kitchen to drink water out of a plastic wine glass!
After seven hours sleep, I woke up still exhausted on Sunday morning and with deep regret(yes, really Clairie!) decided to go back to sleep for three hours instead of going to the Brisbane Roadrunners 14k Champs and Clairies Birthday Breakfast. When I woke after 10hrs sleep, I still wasn't feeling 100%. Fortunately, its a recovery week on my program and only 18k was scheduled but I cut that back to 14k which I managed ok.
Went to RooBoy's place in the arvo to watch the Broncos pack give Parra a nice touch up and again did not drink considering I still felt like a cold was coming on. Yes, that's the new Matty for you!
Km's this week - 50
Km's this month - 214
Km's this year - 1078
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Recovery mode
Tues - 10k Recovery Run at 5:00's
Wed - 6k Midweek Long Run at 5:00's
Thurs - 4min, 2min, 4min, 2min, 4min with JR and SR, 3k WU, 3k WD
Monday saw me walking gingerly with significant DOMS in the quads and glutes. On Tuesday morning, I didn't go to speedwork as the session was on the grass at the Botanic Gardens and I still avoid grass at the moment. It was just as well as I was incapable of running at speed and instead did my impersonation of the Cliffy Young shuffle with a 10k recovery run along Kedron Brook. Yesterday, I was as Fitness First doing a comfortable 6k's on the tready as I continue the process of building my Wednesday midweek long run up to 18k's at the rate of 2k's per week.
This morning with the legs almost back to their normal selves, we did a session of longer reps through the Gardens alternating jogging and standing recoveries. I settled into a nice pace in the vincity of 3:30's at the back of the A-Team with Andy, Glenda, Aza, Langy and Jamie motoring along in front of me.
The shins have pulled up about as well as I expected them to this week. There is no discomfort whatsoever when running or following a run. Occasionally there may be a 'pang' of discomfort that flickers through the bone for a second or two late in the day but these a few and far between.
I'll continue the recovery theme this week with an easy 10k tomorrow and a reduced Sunday long run of 18k at the Brisbane Road Runners 14k Champs.
After 87 days without a drink, three days longer than my plan of 12 weeks on the wagon, I'll finally enjoy a quiet drink tonight!!!!
Km's this week - 26
Km's this month - 190
Km's this year - 1054
Consecutive alcohol free days - 87
Wed - 6k Midweek Long Run at 5:00's
Thurs - 4min, 2min, 4min, 2min, 4min with JR and SR, 3k WU, 3k WD
Monday saw me walking gingerly with significant DOMS in the quads and glutes. On Tuesday morning, I didn't go to speedwork as the session was on the grass at the Botanic Gardens and I still avoid grass at the moment. It was just as well as I was incapable of running at speed and instead did my impersonation of the Cliffy Young shuffle with a 10k recovery run along Kedron Brook. Yesterday, I was as Fitness First doing a comfortable 6k's on the tready as I continue the process of building my Wednesday midweek long run up to 18k's at the rate of 2k's per week.
This morning with the legs almost back to their normal selves, we did a session of longer reps through the Gardens alternating jogging and standing recoveries. I settled into a nice pace in the vincity of 3:30's at the back of the A-Team with Andy, Glenda, Aza, Langy and Jamie motoring along in front of me.
The shins have pulled up about as well as I expected them to this week. There is no discomfort whatsoever when running or following a run. Occasionally there may be a 'pang' of discomfort that flickers through the bone for a second or two late in the day but these a few and far between.
I'll continue the recovery theme this week with an easy 10k tomorrow and a reduced Sunday long run of 18k at the Brisbane Road Runners 14k Champs.
After 87 days without a drink, three days longer than my plan of 12 weeks on the wagon, I'll finally enjoy a quiet drink tonight!!!!
Km's this week - 26
Km's this month - 190
Km's this year - 1054
Consecutive alcohol free days - 87
Monday, August 21, 2006
Sunday - Noosa Half Marathon
Half Marathon - 86:49 - PB, 59th out of 966, 1k WU, 1k WD
Well, what a fabulous weekend it was! My good fortune started on Friday night when the Broncos smashed the Doggies 30-0. Just as importantly, the Broncos win assured me of winning a 'Double up' footy tipping comp that I'm in. My two closest rivals attempted to double up their current points tally by tipping the Doggies and went back to 0 points on the ladder after the Doggies bit the dust leaving yours truly in an unassailable position to claim the $500 winner take all prize!! You beauty!
MJ and I drove up Noosa at 5:30am on Saturday morning so I could cover the Viridian Vertical race for R4YL. Had a good chat with Steve Moneghetti whilst we were waiting for the runners to finish. MJ and I then went to the Eumundi markets for a while before spending the rest of the day taking it easy at the Glen Eden Resort, Peregian Beach. My luck continued when I won $175 on the horses so I had a grin from ear to ear! MJ and I rounded out the day with a quiet meal together at the Peregian Beach SLSC.
Race day dawned fine and cool and I got to the starting line in good order, albeit with my stomach churning a little with a large bowl of porridge and a litre of Enervit. After an easy 1k warmup, I did some strides with Langy and exhanged greetings with just about everyone on the starting line - who I knew. The plan was to run at threshold pace, about 95% effort, between 4:05's and 4:08's and Jonesy would be running with me offering us the opportunity to run as a team.
The race started perfectly, with Jonesy and I keeping the brakes on as we went through the first two k a little over goal pace whilst countless overenthusiastic rabbits overtook us. Jonesy and I then quickly found a rhythm running the next 7k's between 4:03 and 4:08. We were taking it in turns to draft each other each other whereupon one of us would go to the front every kilometre or two and the other would take a sit slightly behind and usually to one side to escape the light cross winds from the Noosa River. I had expected to keep quiet and conserve my energies for the duration of the race but I was cruising along comfortably and feeling a million dollars! As such I couldn't resist keeping up a steady stream of chatter with Jonesy whilst also firing up my team mates on the other side of the road when we passed by each other. I could feel myself losing a little bit of energy at the 8-9k so took the precaution of consuming a GU that I had in my pocket shortly before we reached the halfway mark and ran strongly through the cheers of the crowd and MJ.
By now, Jonesy and I had built up an unspoken trust that the man in front could reel off the required splits and the man drafting could relax and not worry about his pace for the duration of his stint behind. I even got used to the sweat from Jonesy's long hair bouncing off his shoulders into my path!! The momentum carried us to 13k where we had a slight hiccup posting a 4:14 split(possibly a 'long' k'). Here, I had my first bad patch of an otherwise trouble free run - I felt fatigues and momentarily doubted that I could keep up with Jonesy. However, I told myself to tough it out and I would come good soon enough and 500m later, I was back to my usual self and Jonesy and I remedied the damage with 4:01 and 4:03 splits. The 17th k saw another 4:15 fadeout before we powered home steadily with 4:01, 4:02, 4:02 and 4:02. By this stage, my chatter had replaced by slightly heavier breathing and I concentrated on maintaining good form in the run to the line. Jonesy seemed to grow another leg as we went past the 20k mark and pulled nearly 10m away from me. Reminding myself of my pre race plan not too flog myself unneccesarily with a 3:30 pace finishing kick, I let Jonesy go but soon caught up as I powered strongly up the incline to the final bridge. I got my voice back and told Jonesy "Lets go through the line together, but no holding hands - not that there's anything wrong with that!" And so we stopped the clock together in 86:49, comfortably beating my old Half Marathon PB of 87:55 when I ran at goal Marathon pace in the 2004 Qld Half. I was very, very pleased with my run and will elaborate further in the coming days. Thanks for the experience Jonesy - you're a legend!
There is no rest for the wicked and two minutes after crossing the line, I was back out on the course, running towards the 1k marker with a notebook in hand and bottle of Enervit in the other so I could take the splits for the 10k race. Any excuse for a warm down run!! The rest of the morning was great as I spent time chatting with all the winners and in particular enjoyed a great five minute chat with Dual Commonwealth Marathon Gold Medallist Kerryn McCann. She was a lovely lady and great conversationist. I got all the material I needed for my R4YL article but in hindsight, I neglected my own recover a little so will have to be more selfish in future.
Finished off a great weekend with a shift at work and then arrived home utterly exhausted. The last thing I wanted to do was a 15 minutes recovery in the freezing cold pool, a self massage of both my plantar fasciitis and pull on my long Skins - but I did all bloody three of them!!!
Race Splits
1-5k 6-10k 11-15k 16-20k Final
4.11 - 4.07 - 4.05 - 4.03 - 4.02
4.10 - 4.08 - 4.06 - 4.15 - 0.24
4.07 - 4.08 - 4.07 - 4.01 - 86.49
4.07 - 4.08 - 4.14 - 4.02
4.03 - 4.03 - 4.01 - 4.02
20.39- 41.25 -62.02 - 82.27
Km's this week - 53
Km's this month - 164
Km's this year - 1028
Consecutive alcohol free days - 84
Well, what a fabulous weekend it was! My good fortune started on Friday night when the Broncos smashed the Doggies 30-0. Just as importantly, the Broncos win assured me of winning a 'Double up' footy tipping comp that I'm in. My two closest rivals attempted to double up their current points tally by tipping the Doggies and went back to 0 points on the ladder after the Doggies bit the dust leaving yours truly in an unassailable position to claim the $500 winner take all prize!! You beauty!
MJ and I drove up Noosa at 5:30am on Saturday morning so I could cover the Viridian Vertical race for R4YL. Had a good chat with Steve Moneghetti whilst we were waiting for the runners to finish. MJ and I then went to the Eumundi markets for a while before spending the rest of the day taking it easy at the Glen Eden Resort, Peregian Beach. My luck continued when I won $175 on the horses so I had a grin from ear to ear! MJ and I rounded out the day with a quiet meal together at the Peregian Beach SLSC.
Race day dawned fine and cool and I got to the starting line in good order, albeit with my stomach churning a little with a large bowl of porridge and a litre of Enervit. After an easy 1k warmup, I did some strides with Langy and exhanged greetings with just about everyone on the starting line - who I knew. The plan was to run at threshold pace, about 95% effort, between 4:05's and 4:08's and Jonesy would be running with me offering us the opportunity to run as a team.
The race started perfectly, with Jonesy and I keeping the brakes on as we went through the first two k a little over goal pace whilst countless overenthusiastic rabbits overtook us. Jonesy and I then quickly found a rhythm running the next 7k's between 4:03 and 4:08. We were taking it in turns to draft each other each other whereupon one of us would go to the front every kilometre or two and the other would take a sit slightly behind and usually to one side to escape the light cross winds from the Noosa River. I had expected to keep quiet and conserve my energies for the duration of the race but I was cruising along comfortably and feeling a million dollars! As such I couldn't resist keeping up a steady stream of chatter with Jonesy whilst also firing up my team mates on the other side of the road when we passed by each other. I could feel myself losing a little bit of energy at the 8-9k so took the precaution of consuming a GU that I had in my pocket shortly before we reached the halfway mark and ran strongly through the cheers of the crowd and MJ.
By now, Jonesy and I had built up an unspoken trust that the man in front could reel off the required splits and the man drafting could relax and not worry about his pace for the duration of his stint behind. I even got used to the sweat from Jonesy's long hair bouncing off his shoulders into my path!! The momentum carried us to 13k where we had a slight hiccup posting a 4:14 split(possibly a 'long' k'). Here, I had my first bad patch of an otherwise trouble free run - I felt fatigues and momentarily doubted that I could keep up with Jonesy. However, I told myself to tough it out and I would come good soon enough and 500m later, I was back to my usual self and Jonesy and I remedied the damage with 4:01 and 4:03 splits. The 17th k saw another 4:15 fadeout before we powered home steadily with 4:01, 4:02, 4:02 and 4:02. By this stage, my chatter had replaced by slightly heavier breathing and I concentrated on maintaining good form in the run to the line. Jonesy seemed to grow another leg as we went past the 20k mark and pulled nearly 10m away from me. Reminding myself of my pre race plan not too flog myself unneccesarily with a 3:30 pace finishing kick, I let Jonesy go but soon caught up as I powered strongly up the incline to the final bridge. I got my voice back and told Jonesy "Lets go through the line together, but no holding hands - not that there's anything wrong with that!" And so we stopped the clock together in 86:49, comfortably beating my old Half Marathon PB of 87:55 when I ran at goal Marathon pace in the 2004 Qld Half. I was very, very pleased with my run and will elaborate further in the coming days. Thanks for the experience Jonesy - you're a legend!
There is no rest for the wicked and two minutes after crossing the line, I was back out on the course, running towards the 1k marker with a notebook in hand and bottle of Enervit in the other so I could take the splits for the 10k race. Any excuse for a warm down run!! The rest of the morning was great as I spent time chatting with all the winners and in particular enjoyed a great five minute chat with Dual Commonwealth Marathon Gold Medallist Kerryn McCann. She was a lovely lady and great conversationist. I got all the material I needed for my R4YL article but in hindsight, I neglected my own recover a little so will have to be more selfish in future.
Finished off a great weekend with a shift at work and then arrived home utterly exhausted. The last thing I wanted to do was a 15 minutes recovery in the freezing cold pool, a self massage of both my plantar fasciitis and pull on my long Skins - but I did all bloody three of them!!!
Race Splits
1-5k 6-10k 11-15k 16-20k Final
4.11 - 4.07 - 4.05 - 4.03 - 4.02
4.10 - 4.08 - 4.06 - 4.15 - 0.24
4.07 - 4.08 - 4.07 - 4.01 - 86.49
4.07 - 4.08 - 4.14 - 4.02
4.03 - 4.03 - 4.01 - 4.02
20.39- 41.25 -62.02 - 82.27
Km's this week - 53
Km's this month - 164
Km's this year - 1028
Consecutive alcohol free days - 84
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Tempo run with Langy
Wed - 20 minutes easy - 4k's @ about 5:00 mins/km
Thurs - 4k's at race pace - 3:55, 4:10, 4:08, 4:04 - 3k WU, 3k WD
The body has held up ok so far this week after the dramas earlier in the week. The right plantar fasciitis is looking more and more like the tear that afflicted my left PF. Thankfully, there is no sign of 'classic' PF.
Yesterday, I did an easy twenty minutes along the river at Newstead before work. I would have done 6k's as part of my plan to build the midweek run back up to 18k, but I want to freshen up for the Noosa Half.
This morning, Langy and I went out to the Nundah Criterium at 6:30am. After the warm up, we stretched and then did some strides before commencing our 4k Noosa Half pace tempo run. Langy's was targetting 3:55's and I was targetting 4:05-4:08's. I felt a little tired and stiff in the first k as Langy slowly pulled away from me, but I felt much better the last three k's and it was a timely reminder that if you can concentrate and battle through difficult patches of a race, you're a good chance of feeling better eventually. I went out a little too fast with a 3:55 but was pleased to come home in 4:10, 4:08 and 4:04 considering I haven't done that pace for a while. If anyone sees Langy in the next few days, don't ask him about his pacing because it was all over the shop and he's cranky :)
Km's this week - 25
Km's this month - 136
Km's this year - 1000
Consecutive alcohol free days - 81
Thurs - 4k's at race pace - 3:55, 4:10, 4:08, 4:04 - 3k WU, 3k WD
The body has held up ok so far this week after the dramas earlier in the week. The right plantar fasciitis is looking more and more like the tear that afflicted my left PF. Thankfully, there is no sign of 'classic' PF.
Yesterday, I did an easy twenty minutes along the river at Newstead before work. I would have done 6k's as part of my plan to build the midweek run back up to 18k, but I want to freshen up for the Noosa Half.
This morning, Langy and I went out to the Nundah Criterium at 6:30am. After the warm up, we stretched and then did some strides before commencing our 4k Noosa Half pace tempo run. Langy's was targetting 3:55's and I was targetting 4:05-4:08's. I felt a little tired and stiff in the first k as Langy slowly pulled away from me, but I felt much better the last three k's and it was a timely reminder that if you can concentrate and battle through difficult patches of a race, you're a good chance of feeling better eventually. I went out a little too fast with a 3:55 but was pleased to come home in 4:10, 4:08 and 4:04 considering I haven't done that pace for a while. If anyone sees Langy in the next few days, don't ask him about his pacing because it was all over the shop and he's cranky :)
Km's this week - 25
Km's this month - 136
Km's this year - 1000
Consecutive alcohol free days - 81
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
A crock or what?
2 x 2k @ 6:53, 6:52 1k @ 3:35 3k WU, 3k WD
It was with a fair degree of trepidation that I arrived at training this morning. My right plantar fasciitis got worse yesterday and I suspect that it had a microscopic tear from running backwards at the Gold Coast Half, that finally tore open five weeks later. Like its almost recovered counterpart on my left foot, it was firmly taped. Add to the mix the fact that I was very lethargic and tired yesterday and my back was playing up like it does for a few days every six months. I was also hungry!
Nevertheless, I tucked myself in behind Langy and Luke on the first rep and watched Glenda accelerate into the distance ahead of us. She was going so far I had to yell 'Hey Glenda, we're not doing 500's!' I was pleasantly surprised that my body held together as I completed the first rep holding my position behind the leaders with only Slash showing off his turn of foot by swooping past me late as I clocked 6:53 on a course Langy reckons is three seconds per k short. The second rep began similarly until I pulled level with Langy and Glenda at the 400 and motored past them whilst maintaining a steady cadence. Going down the incline after the turnaround, Glenda hung around for a while before dropping off. Going into the second k of the rep I was reminding myself not to go faster than 3:30 pace and to maintain a controlled stride. By this stage, i had cleared out to a lead of almost 10 metres and I was wondering when Langy and Glenda were going to stop playing games and catch up to me, but it never happened as I finished with a controlled rep of 6:52 only being pipped at the post by Luke putting in a gut busting finishing kick. I try not to race it training now and was pleased I resisted the temptation to match Luke's kick. The A-Team was always going to be well ahead of me in the last rep over the shorter 1k which I did in 3:35 as the fatigue started to kick in.
All in all, I was very pleased with the session considering the problems I brought to it. In the leadup to last years Noosa 5k when I was fitter and running at closer at sub 3:20 pace, I busted a gut to average 6:57 for three reps of 2k. Fast forward a year and my more economical and efficient running gait enabled me to record similar times despite not being as fit and not extended myself as much as I could have. Nice!
Km's this week - 11
Km's this month - 122
Km's this year - 986
Consecutive alcohol free days - 79
It was with a fair degree of trepidation that I arrived at training this morning. My right plantar fasciitis got worse yesterday and I suspect that it had a microscopic tear from running backwards at the Gold Coast Half, that finally tore open five weeks later. Like its almost recovered counterpart on my left foot, it was firmly taped. Add to the mix the fact that I was very lethargic and tired yesterday and my back was playing up like it does for a few days every six months. I was also hungry!
Nevertheless, I tucked myself in behind Langy and Luke on the first rep and watched Glenda accelerate into the distance ahead of us. She was going so far I had to yell 'Hey Glenda, we're not doing 500's!' I was pleasantly surprised that my body held together as I completed the first rep holding my position behind the leaders with only Slash showing off his turn of foot by swooping past me late as I clocked 6:53 on a course Langy reckons is three seconds per k short. The second rep began similarly until I pulled level with Langy and Glenda at the 400 and motored past them whilst maintaining a steady cadence. Going down the incline after the turnaround, Glenda hung around for a while before dropping off. Going into the second k of the rep I was reminding myself not to go faster than 3:30 pace and to maintain a controlled stride. By this stage, i had cleared out to a lead of almost 10 metres and I was wondering when Langy and Glenda were going to stop playing games and catch up to me, but it never happened as I finished with a controlled rep of 6:52 only being pipped at the post by Luke putting in a gut busting finishing kick. I try not to race it training now and was pleased I resisted the temptation to match Luke's kick. The A-Team was always going to be well ahead of me in the last rep over the shorter 1k which I did in 3:35 as the fatigue started to kick in.
All in all, I was very pleased with the session considering the problems I brought to it. In the leadup to last years Noosa 5k when I was fitter and running at closer at sub 3:20 pace, I busted a gut to average 6:57 for three reps of 2k. Fast forward a year and my more economical and efficient running gait enabled me to record similar times despite not being as fit and not extended myself as much as I could have. Nice!
Km's this week - 11
Km's this month - 122
Km's this year - 986
Consecutive alcohol free days - 79
Monday, August 14, 2006
Sunday - Brisbane Road Runners 10 Mile
115 mins, 24k's @ 4:44 mins/km
I woke up at 5:20am and spent thirteen minutes still in bed contemplating whether I should stick with my original plan and do my Sunday long run at West End in the Brisbane Road Road Runners 10 Mile race or get an extra hour of sleep and do my normal Sunday long run. In the end, getting an earlier start to the day won out.
However, the delay ensured that I missed the start of the race by two minutes - not that I was concerned about missing it! Wearing my new Brooks Glycerin 4's for the second time, I rolled along comfortably until around 14k's when my right plantar fasciitis (the good one that I did not tear at the GC Half) started to ache and cause considerable discomfort. I pulled over at the Pauls Milk Factory where Rent Bouy and Eddie were marshalling, took of my shoes and spent about two minutes self massaging it. That did the trick. I then finished the race and immediately did another 8k's. With just one k left the right PF started to ache uncomfortably again. I'm not sure what is wrong with it nor what caused the problem(surely not the new shoes albeit half a size smaller?). Nonehteless, I'm confident that I can keep the situation under control. I taped up the right foot last night and that should ensure that I can walk and run without discomfort until I fix the problem. Buys shares in sports tape companies - thanks to me, they'll report record profits this year.
Am looking forward to the Noosa Half on Sunday when Jonesy and I plan to run a good solid 86 minute tempo run.
Km's this week - 58
Km's this month - 111
Km's this year - 976
Consecutive alcohol free days - 77
I woke up at 5:20am and spent thirteen minutes still in bed contemplating whether I should stick with my original plan and do my Sunday long run at West End in the Brisbane Road Road Runners 10 Mile race or get an extra hour of sleep and do my normal Sunday long run. In the end, getting an earlier start to the day won out.
However, the delay ensured that I missed the start of the race by two minutes - not that I was concerned about missing it! Wearing my new Brooks Glycerin 4's for the second time, I rolled along comfortably until around 14k's when my right plantar fasciitis (the good one that I did not tear at the GC Half) started to ache and cause considerable discomfort. I pulled over at the Pauls Milk Factory where Rent Bouy and Eddie were marshalling, took of my shoes and spent about two minutes self massaging it. That did the trick. I then finished the race and immediately did another 8k's. With just one k left the right PF started to ache uncomfortably again. I'm not sure what is wrong with it nor what caused the problem(surely not the new shoes albeit half a size smaller?). Nonehteless, I'm confident that I can keep the situation under control. I taped up the right foot last night and that should ensure that I can walk and run without discomfort until I fix the problem. Buys shares in sports tape companies - thanks to me, they'll report record profits this year.
Am looking forward to the Noosa Half on Sunday when Jonesy and I plan to run a good solid 86 minute tempo run.
Km's this week - 58
Km's this month - 111
Km's this year - 976
Consecutive alcohol free days - 77
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