Tuesday, March 31, 2009

3 weeks to go

Apologies for the belated weekly update - been busy
Last week was due to be the last big one, but I had a bit of a HM 'hangover', leaving it OK but not great

93.4k@4:30

Mon 10.6k@4:43 - recovery. Tired legs
Tues 13.3k - intervals 400hard200easy400hard200easy200hard - 1400m x4

4:56,4:53,4:53,4:56 - 3:20to3:25 pace including the slow bits. This was tough.

Wed 10.1k@4:43 - easy
Thurs - wifes birthday - no run as a present to her !
Fri 17.1k@4:13. 9k@4:00 then 4k@3:55 plus 6k up/down
Sat 10.1k@4:36
Sun 32.2k@4:37

Long run with Rob, who slotted back into long run pace easily. We cruised at 4:30s the first 15k, then purposely slowed down as this was supposed to be an easy one. Did 3k at MP near the end just to stress the legs a bit.

So in the 13 sundays this year - 9x30k+, 1x28k, 1x24k, 2 races both PBs

This week brings the start of taper, although as the last 2 weeks have been mileage light, this will still mean 90k, with 24 on sunday - as last year with a stop in the middle to watch the bridges runners pass by.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Darlington HM 2009

1:23:06 - big PB, big confidence booster

The week started with me continuing drop my bundle with the funeral on Tuesday and family staying with us. I decided to cut the training and taper properly for the HM - no point trying to fit in runs at the expense of adequate sleep.

So it was 45k leading up to today, with just a Tuesday tempo of 7k@3:52 then 4k@3:55 as quality

I had put a bit of pressure on today's run this way, as there was no excuse for poor performance.

Conditions were perfect, fine, little wind and 10-15 degrees. My aim was to head out at a little harder than usual HM effort and hold on down the hills. Sugar was running a MP run after 35k yeaterday, so I thought I could hold him up the hill then pull away in the second half.

Usual fast start 3:46, then the 2 gravel kms 4:15,4:14
Quickly settled into a bunch 5th-9th led by Sugar, next 5k 3:55/4:02/4:04/3:59
At 8k I pulled away with another guy on a bit of downhill - 4:05/3:45 - 10k in 40:10

I had in my mind that it was all downhill from halfway but soon remembered the first couple had some up, 3:59/4:00/3:53/3:57. At 14k I was bang on 4min/k and felt that if there was any decent uphill from here I'd be dead - luckily there wasn't

3:47/3:48/3:46/3:54/3:44/3:43/3:45 plus change. I was passed by 2 guys down the hill, both with long strides and both disappeared quickly in the distance (and I thought I was running fast!)

I'd not really looked at my watch in the last 3k gravel as I watchd my feet and counted breaths to get to the finish. It was a big surprise as I turned onto the grass to see the clock tick onto 1:23.

This was definitely a 100% effort run on a decent taper, and is a big confidence booster for Canberra, which I needed psychologically. VDOT would equate this to a sub2:55 mara, which is less tight than prevous predictions.

Now I need to make sure this wasn't my peak race ( as was the case in '06 at FreoHM) - so I will try to make this week a 100k plus before starting the marathon taper.

42:34/40:32 up/down by GPS (42:54 turnaround on course - past halfway)
8:30 min PB on this course and big HM PB

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Challenging week

I was going to write difficult week, but challenging sounds more upbeat, and in the end, the running wasn't too bad.

When it hits, it all hits at once. I've noted the gastro already, which luckily only affected me Tues and Wed. More importantly, and sadly, my grandmother died on Tuesday night. It was expected, and in many ways a blssing, but still took it's toll and with family members flying in from o/seas and interstate for the funeral, time and sleep have been short. And of course this had to be the week where I was covering for a colleague on holidays, and exams have started again so spent 5hrs supervising exams yesterday.

Anyway, enough complaining. I'm healthy, and managed to fit in 95km running this week at 4:31min/k average. Most of the running was in the dark!

Mon am 10.6k@ 4:54 recovery
Tues am 10.5k@ 4:34 - the gastro started soon thereafter - had to skip intervals
Wed pm 9.4k @ 4:33 - looks better than it was - took 2 stops to slow down HR
Thurs am 10.55k@ 4:18 - 2x5k progression to 10k pace
Thurs pm 11.2k@4:12 - nighttime run knowing time would be short friday. 7k@3:55s plus w/up and down
Friday - no running. I really wanted to fit a run in somewhere, but with catchup work, airport pickup and catching up with family it didnt happen
Sat am 10.6k@4:36 easy-ish
Sun am 32.4k@4:36

Dragged myself out after little sleep (dont know how TB does those long runs on almost no sleep) and felt like a piece of poop. I was concerned by the forecast of 37, and already 22.5 at 530, but luckily things stayed around that temp the whole run, and the fresh breeze made it feel cooler. I ran exactly the same course a last sunday, trying to use those times as a motivator. I set out faster than last time, as I didnt have the oomph to run at MP later. Things went smoothly til Hale Rd at 25k - made it up the first hill fine, but ended up walking 100m of the second section. Once again I didnt have a gel (really need to get some in bulk) and again felt it after the 28k stop. I skipped a little final loop I did last week and shuffled home. Although the running time was a little quicker, last week the 2 breaks were about 2 minutes each, this week significantly longer, plus the walk up the hill.

So I cant really complain - for my 'bad' week, the running is fine. The first half of this week will be similar, then get ready for Darlington!

(AdizeroTempos - felt good but insecure/slipping at the heel- I'll try heel lock lacing next time. Speedstars felt great on thurs pm run. 2140s fine this morning, although a large blister due to the sock I think)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Marathon Shoe Dilemma

An unusual midweek post for me.

Unfortunately I have picked up a gastro bug which had affected about 20 of my patients at a nursing home last week - pretty unavoidable to get it.

It's not too bad, apart from the gastro I just have some muscle and joint aches. I'm taking the running easy for a couple of days, but I've also had to stop patient contact 'til I'm better - my inner workaholic doesn't handle that well!

After reading Biscuitman's post I thought again re marathon shoes. All my marathons, including the trail ones, have been run in Asics21xx series - they are a known quantity. Wearing the 2140s for the first time on sundays long run I was immediatel reminded how comfortable they are, despite my foray into other shoes over the last 12 months.

Here are my options from current collection:

Mizuno Idaten 200g (too light and lacking support)
Adizero Mana 210g (a bit more supportive but more a 5-10k shoe)
Asics Speedstar 265g
Asic DS trainer 290g
Adizero Tempo 295g
Br0oks Adrenaline 330g
Asics 2140 340g
Adidas supernova 350g

The 2 adizero pairs were picked up cheap at Harbourtown today - I've been eyeing off the tempos as a midweight marathon shoe with reasonable motion control for a while now, and will probably try them at Darlington. The Ds trainers were my shoes at Matilda bay, but are old. The speedstars are similar and an option, whilst the 2140s are a safe bet.

The other issue is weather. It rained last year at Canberra. Previously the Ds trainers have really slipped in the wet and I suspect alot of the racing type shoes dont have great grip, so I'll probably need to take the 2140s in case.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Lacking some self control

107k@4:34 this week. I'm not complaining, but Im annoyed with myself that planned sessions changed due to a lack of self control, in particular the elusive longer MP run

Mon 14.2k@4:33 - took advantage of the public holiday for a midafternoon fartlek run through bold park. Very enjoyable but the heat took it's toll and I felt a bit crappy in the evening. Legs felt the hills as I've been running exclusively flat the last couple of weeks for Canberra

Tues 10.4k@4:10. - WAMC intervals. Due to a lack of the fast guys and my improvement, this was the first (and potentially only) time I was the fastest runner on most of the intervals. 4x300, 4x400,4x300. 100m jog/60sec or 90 sec recovery. I sped through the first set, leading the way in 50-54s. I tried to keep pride in the second set but came second in 2 of them ( 70-74). I was timing the recoveries (poorly, as I didn't have my garmin on interval mode) and obviously was making them too long so 3 guys started the last set 10 sec in front of me, but the faster young guy stayed with me and kept me honest -he hit higher gear and pulled away in the last 2 300s(51-53). Nearly vomited on the last one, and was too stuffed to even do a decent cooldown.

Wed 10.1k@4:42 easy
Thurs 10.7@4:54 easy and the slowest recovery I've done in a while

Fri 17k@4:17. This was meant to be the MP run. Headed down to Lake Monger, which I rarely run round despite it being so close. Started the session in 4:10s for the first 4k but gradually increased the speed and finished 10k in 40:20, more a tempo effort in the end. Had a drink then did another 2k in 8:00 then 3k cooldown. Hopefully next week the 20k@4:15

Sat 10.6k@4:46 easy
Sun 34.2k@4:37. Went back to the old route with Bold Park and Hale Rd hills, aiming to minimise breaks. 17-25degreesC with a gusty NE wind in the second half. Started easy with thoughts of a longer 40k'ish run, did the 1st 10k in 4:55s. Felt good once I hit the coast and sped things up, running at MP for a few km until my first stop at 18k, and 4:20s for the next 5k. Slowed down a bit over Hale Rd hill but then a couple more 4:15s leading up to the second drink stop at 28k. Last 6k slowed down to 4:35s. I was disorganised today so had no gels, just ran with the one powerade, after 18k was just running on water, so I'm pretty happy with the second half. Could have used a gel at 28k.

This Friday, work allowing, I will control my pace and run a 20k MP run. May need to start out at 4:20s just to force the slowness, and pick it up to 4:15s in the second 10k.

Commiserations to training partner Clown, who was forced to cancel Canberra due to injury. Perth will have to be your sub3 effort.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Tough Day at the Office

96.9km this week @ 4:33 average - pretty fast week for me

Mon 9.4k@4:52 easy
Tues am 10.8k@4:39 - easy
Tues pm 9.9k intervals

800/400/400/600/300/300/400/200/200
2:42/1:14/1:13/1:54/54/55/ 1:14/35/ 35

As usual intended to take it fairly easy, ended up running my guts out, stuffed at the end.

Wed 10.1k@4:28 - supposed to be easy but got sucked into racing a guy around the lake did last 3k in 4:00s

Thurs rest day (second non running day for the year, worried re overtraining)
Fri 17.5k@4:21 - 6k@3:57, 1k easy then 4k@3:57
Sat 10.6k@4:40 easy
Sun 28.6k@4:40 Hot and humid morning. Drank a lovely bottle of '01 Bin389 by myself the night before to celebrate finally selling the house. Rob&I took plenty of breaks on this run. Did manage 4:15s for 18-20k and 21-25k.

I'm in sub 3:05 form now, just need to take it one step more to be ready for the goal.
The aim this week - a 20k midweek run, mostly at MP

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Record Week

114.5km this week - record for me

Mon am 10.5k@ 4:52 recovery
Tues am 10.6k@ 4:48 easy
Tues pm 11.9k - 4.4 w/up, 2.6 w/down.

Whistle type session - 2x2min, 2x90sec, 2x60sec, 4x30sec with 1min jog or 30sec jog between.
I perhaps overperformed in this one, mainly because I treated it more like a Mona fartlek session, with a float rather than a jog between.
Total 4.9k in 18:30 (@3:46) continuous

Wed pm 13.2k@4:45 easy
Thurs am 10.6k@4:47 easy
Friday am 12.3k @ 4:22. Tempo run - 5k in 19:50, 90 sec break then 3k in 11:40
Sat am 10.1k@ 4:46
Sun am 35.2k@ 4:44.

Long run - started alone and ran the first 13k easy in 5:00s before meeting Rob and accelerating to 4:35-4:40s. We split at 25k, and I pushed 2k MP then returning to 4:40s for the last 8k. I took 2 gels again today at 20k and 30k, and noticed the benefit, but again more so the crash once the first wore off - I felt a sudden fatigue in the legs, which quickly disappeared with the second gel. As I noted in a previous post I think, if I start taking them I need to keep doing so. In the marathon I think I'll probably stick with pre-dropped off sports drinks which should give me a more consistent carb intake.


Great to see Clown running so smoothly again (looks good for Canberra), and Sling starting to return to form.

If anyone hasn't seen this YouTube video, it's a current favourite of mine - I think I initially stole it from my cousin's site (chris-berg.com)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Matilda Bay 10k

Very light week this week, not specifically intended to be a taper, rather workload with meetings and some evening call-outs limiting my running. I had my first non running day after 42 straight on Tuesday thanks to an early morning meeting and an evening callout.

Mon 6k@5:07 recovery
Wed 13.2k@4:43 progression
Thurs 10.7k@4:39 easy
Friday 10.1k@4:28 progression to tempo pace
Saturday11.2k@4:45 easy (plus 700m @5k pace)

Sunday 13k total

about 19 degrees and 95% humidity, but luckily no wind to speak of

Felt heavy in the legs this morning - but I must admit to never feeling particularly lively before a race.
Started reasonably controlled in 3:37 and found myself just ahead of Chris Maher, who subsequently ran on my shoulder until 9.75k - this was a blessing as it kept me going.

3:36/3:47/3:51/3:51/3:54 (19:01) but went past 5k marker at 19:10
3:49/3:50/3:52/3:50/3:43 (38:09) plus 80m

Passed the line in 38:21 (more than a minute PB)

Very happy with the run - obviously painful but breathing was good first 8k, only the shins complaining a bit. Went into the red zone in the final 2k, passing 2 guys and being passed by then re-taking Chris to finish first in my little group. Really happy with the even pace in the 3-9k section.

Chatted to Rob afterwards then had to rush home to get my wife to the airport for a little Melbourne shopping holiday - leaving me a week to be able to do some late evening runs if necessary to fit around work and therefore hopefully fit in a bigger week.

I was going to go out for a pm run, but with that long awaited PB done, I decided to treat myself!

Sunday, February 08, 2009

What a difference the weather makes

Two weeks this post - and an end to the song titles ( I can hear the tears of sadness)

The weeks go quite well together, as my recovery week was contained across the two - triggered by a strained right hip abductor (probably gluteus medius)

Week 1 (26/1- 1/2) 88.4k @ 4:43

Monday 10.6k @4:50 recovery
Tuesday 12.9k Yasso Interval Session 6x800m in 3min with 3min jog recovery. Felt crap throughout, no rhythm.

Wednesday 10.7k @4:40 recovery
Thursday 10.5k @4:26 - 4k tempo pace (watch not working so estimated time from IPod songs!)
Friday 10k @4:43 easy - very sore right hip abductor
Saturday 10.3k @4;55 recovery - still very sore hip
Sunday 23.4k @4:46. Hot humid day, running solo and with a time limit to drive down south for our holiday, I really struggled. Still very sore hip


Week 2 (2/2-8/2) 96k @ 4:45

This week saw my first holiday since last May, if only for four nights. Sadly I hadn't arranged cover very well and by the end of breakfast on monday morning I had fielded 8 calls and was not feeling very relaxed. Things did improve though, thanks to company (family), setting (Bunker bay) and plenty of wine. The area was quite hilly with some nice trails as wel as the northern end of the Cape to Cape trail, so I enjoyed some slow trail, hill and barefoot beach running. I went slowly to ease the hip.

Monday 10k @ 5:35 - explores some narrow trails which had me walking a bit - thus the slow time
Tuesday 12k@ 5:00 - included 4k of barefoot beach running
Wednesday 12.2k@ 4:33 - the last 3k was downhill - 3:52/3:40/3:37- 11:09 for 3k!
Thursday 10.25k @ 4:27 - back in Perth too soon! Progression with 4k @ MP
Friday 10.22k @ 4:25 - 5k @ MP this time
Saturday 6k@5:00 - perfunctory run to keep up the record
Sunday 35.2k@ 4:39

Today's run was the reason for the title. The 9am temp was 9 degrees lower than last Sunday and far less humid, much better to run in. I knew this was a chance to get a quicker long run in, and ran from home to UWA then around the bridges plus Windan bridge loop.

first 5k @ 5:02
then 12k@ 4:43
then 10k@ 4:19
last 8.2k @ 4:42

I wanted to do 10k at about MP, and although it was a little slower, that pace for the 17-27k section was pleasing. More pleasing was the fact that I finished fresher than any of the 30k+ runs so far this preparation. First stop for water and gel at 22.5k, second stop at 27.5k, third stop/second gel at 31k.

January total 422k
Current sequence - 42 consecutive running days.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Run To Me

Bee Gees 1972 - Oh Yeah! (YouTube it)

98.2km @ 4:44 this week.

Monday 10.6k @ 4:54 recovery
Tuesday 12.85k @4:15 - intervals

Back to Perry Lakes group for some shorter intervals. Big crowd, lots of fast triathlon guys.

2x800m 2:44, 2:42 (?recov time 2min)
4x400m 74/74/73/74 (90sec)
6x200m 38/37/37/38/38/36 (30 sec )

Too fast! Especially the 400s and 200s which were more like VDOT 60 pace.
Felt it afterwards, paid for trying to keep up with the flying Clown


Wednesday13.1k@4:37 - supposedly easy
Thursday 11.6k@4:47 - easy
Friday 9.8k@4:33 - 2x2k tempo intervals
Saturday 6.1k@5:15 - drills - knee lifts/butt kicks/fast steps/bounding/strides

This was my answer to needing a rest day but being obsessive about running every day in Jan - was fun but looked weird down around the Lake jumping about

Sunday 34.2k@4:51

Long run with Rob - felt OK. After my usual slow start we did the longer Bold Park loop , sped up along WC Hwy and went over Hale Rd fine. Took a gel at 21k and really could have done with one at 28k. I think once you start taking them you need to keep on doing so regularly or your sugar crashes. About 27C at the end and with little wind, felt even hotter. Struggled a bit mentally last 3k after splitting from Rob.

I felt quite a bit of ache and fatigue Thurs-Sat, not sure if this was from overdoing the intervals or from the 26 days straight. Luckily this morning boosted my confidence again.

I know I need to program in a light week, wondering if it can wait til the week of Matilda Bay 10k ?

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Runaway

Del Shannon (1961)

95.4k @ 4:43 this week

Monday 10.2k @ 4:59 - easy (Staying in Dalkeith - down to Matilda Bay)

Tuesday 11.85k- intervals - longer intervals with Rob. 4x1.6k 3 min recovery
1.61k in 5:56 @3:42
1.61k in 5:51 @ 3:38
1.61k in 5:48 @ 3:36
1.61k in 5:44 @ 3:34


Wednesday 10.25k @4:20 - 7km at MP. Very windy day - ran 3.5k with wind at back - MP effort tempo pace (4:00s), and 3.5k into the breeze - more effort, much slower - 4:20s

Thursday 8.5k@4:51 recovery
Friday 11.2k@4:43 easy (very warm - 29C at 630am)
Saturday 10.2k@ 4:37 - with a token 3k at MP

Sunday 33.25k @4:57. Slower long run - combination mental and physical tiredness, the new year energy has left me. Ran the traditional course with Rob, but purposely slowing things down. Stil made it up Hale Rd OK, and finished with pretty strong legs. Only low 20s but felt quite humid.

So another reasonable week - especially the longer intervals which were very pleasing.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Nowhere to Run

Martha and the Vandellas 1965 (Motown)

97.9km @ 4:42 this week

Monday 6.13k @ 4:59 - recovery (slept in so very short)
Tuesday 11.1k@ 4:54 - easy. Felt very lethargic
Wed am 10k total - 10min MP (4:13) 10min Tempo (3:58) 1.5k 5k pace (3:37) Was meant to be 10min at 10k pace but started off too fast.

Wed pm 7.9k @ 4:35 - ran to in-laws in 30 degree heat - went just a little too fast.
Thurs 10.4k@ 4:55 - recovery
Friday 10.1k@ 4:29 - fartlek with approx 4x1k at tempo (4:00s)
Saturday 11.1k @ 4:53 avHR 150 - easy

Sunday 30.62km in 2:23 @ 4:40 - ran with Rob from City Beach to Sorrento and back. First 15k in 4:35s then pulled back a touch 21degress at the start, 28 by the end. Periods feeling really good, some feeling crappy. Felt like pushing myself at the end intending to do a MP last km. Ended up doing it in 3:55 - felt good!

Have lost 2kg last month or so, eating healthier (more low GI cereals,chickpeas,lentils,quinoa) and coping with the heat and training OK. Occasional left ankle pain, no specific incident so not sure why.

When fatigued, I'm feeling unstable around the hips/pelvis, so trying to do some core work to help this.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Keep On Running

The Spencer Davis Group 1965

86km @ 4:43 this week

Tuesday 10.13 @ 4:28 - last 3k at MP
Wed 10.32 @ 4:33
Thurs 13.36 @ 4:38
Friday 10.34 @ 4:43 - av HR 156 - trying to slow myself down
Sat 11.11 @ 4:48 - av HR 156 - same again in hot conditions
Sun 30.88@ 4:51

Overall OK for week 2 post SixInch. Fell into the trap of medium effort 'nothing' runs as is often the case.

This morning quite happy with the long run, very little motivation running alone in increasing heat. Struggled through the first 10k in 5:00 pace, but once on WC Highway found some rhythm and settled in to 4:45s for the next 15k, including over the Hale Rd hill.

Only stopped to fill water at 13k and 23k, finished in reasonable shape. Hopefully the first of 11 30k+ runs in the next 3 months (need to get faster)

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Break My Stride

Matthew Wilder 1983.

2008 running year in review:

3:14 Canberra Marathon - highlight
Sub 40 min 10k - 39:34 Lake Monger
Sub 19 min 5k - 18:55 Lake Joondalup
3000m time trial - 10:38

3:19 Perth Marathon off inadequate prep was OK
35min PB in the SixInch - very pleasing (and only just realised I ran only a minute slower than Dave did in 2007)

Of note in recent times has been a real meditative pleasure coming through my running, and with it a desire to run every day.

2009 Running Goals:

Put simply - SUB 3 HOUR MARATHON

Attempt #1 - Canberra Marathon (April) flights and accomodation have been booked, my wife's coming with me this time (!) and a downscaled post marathon holiday compared with last year - a week in Sydney.

Attempt #2 - Perth Marathon(July)

Subsequent Attempts_Other marathons are possible, depending upon the result. There is a chance I may need to take up swimming in a hurry to do the swim leg of Busselton in December.

Other distance PBs will need to come if I can do it, but they are secondary.


This is a challenging target, and I'd rate myself at best a 50:50 chance of achieving it. I am aware of several runners, all better than I, who have come so close but not quite got there. Everything will have to go right to scrape under that barrier. (Hopefully I can get dragged along by Clown who will do it with his eyes shut)

Many thanks to the other running bloggers, you all provide me with motivation in one way or another. I hope you all have a successful 2009.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Running

Evermore (2006) - don't love this song, but I'm starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel

Recovery week post SixInch and Christmas/Boxing Day overindulgence. I really enjoyed having 4 days off for the first time since April/May holidays.

Just 40km in 4x10k approx. Overall pace a bit fast at 4:35s, but included a 5k tempo.

Couldn't resist the Jim Kidd post Christmas sale - Bought Asics 2140s with Asic Speedstars free - these are a little lighter than the DS trainers (which are coming to the end of their run) but still significantly more supportive than the Mizuno Idaten - for tempos and 10k-HM races. Still too light for marathon I suspect.

I'll post midweek with New Year Review/Goals

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Running Up That Hill

Kate Bush 1985

Six Inch Track Report

I had felt borderline viral/congested all week, so I took it fairly easy with Mon,Tues (race),Thurs,Sat runs total 32km

Saturday night I left the family Xmas party early and got about 4hrs sleep before a 2:45am rise, drive down to dwellingup then back to the start. Much bigger crowd than last year - over 20 I think.

I set off on the uphill first 4k much more comfortably than last year, but still found myself in 5th. Joined with Nathan and we upped the pace well under 5min/km. About 10k one of the Irish guys ran up to us, asked how fast we were going - I said 4:40 and he sped off ahead of us. Soon thereafter we saw him miss a turnoff, shouted to him, but his Ipod prevented him hearing us, and he was going too fast to readily catch.

About 14k or so Nathan let me go ahead. so I set on a plan to stay ahead of him as long as possible, knowing his endurance is great, and he'd catch me eventually. I run better when chased.

I managed to maintain the pace well up to the 23km mark (first drink stop) - not having walked and being 1hr58. Nathan was within a minute of me though. I was also told I was third, 2 of the other early leaders having made wrong turns too.

I realised I'd gone out too hard, but was already 14min up on last year at halfway. I reasoned that if I could stay ahead of or with Nathan to 35km stop, I could slog home in 4:15, my aim.

The next 12 km are some of the hilliest of the course, and I walked the steeper uphills and made it up down the hills, managing to maintain 5:10-5:15s despite the walks. I was surprised to get to 35k without Nathan in sight, and again stopped for 10 sec only before carrying on. 35k was smack on 3hrs, and I reasoned I could slow to 7 min kms and just make my target.

Fear of being caught driving me on, I maintained sub5:30 pace to 40k, and then after a section where i could look back 300m I couldnt see anyone following and realised I could come third. Soon I also realised sub4hrs was in the offing. At this point anything resembling a hill I was walking up, but only for seconds before running again.

I crossed the line third in just under 3hrs58 - a 35minute improvement on last year! I certainly hdn't taken it easy in the end, and was cramping up pretty badly for me.

As I had predicted, Craig Dufty was the dark horse in the race and won in a new course record of 3hr36, with Dave Kennedy a few minutes behind. The 3 stray runners were found and ended up running 3-5km longer than the course in total. They were a good hour behind me so I'd like to think I'd have got third anyway.

Now I'm tired but happy - the marathon time plus an hour rule of thumb and a 35min improvement in 12 months don't mean I could run a sub 3hr marathon today, but are confidence building nonetheless.

Nice to meet/carpool with Coops, who backed up well 13days after LasVegas Marathon. Bernadette broke the womens record by over an hour, Gunner stopped by at the end to say hi and TB completed (I hope - hadn't finished when I left) another mammoth effort on his injured ankle.

5k splits (2007 splits in brackets)
27:54 (31:37)
24:18 (27:28)
24:49 (27:17)
24:40 (27:31)
26:11 (29:44)
25:59 (28:05)
26:09 (31:51)
27:08 (32:23)
25:45 (32:08)

plus 960m 5:00

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Perry Lakes 3000m (Da do run run)

(not a real song title for not a real post)

Quick update for Clown's benefit, as he couldn't make it
Blustery southwest wind was into your face on the final straight of each lap

The slower race went first, and was won in 11:20 or so by the faster of the boxers who has been doing intervals recently - not sure why he didn't run with us.

We started off and quickly split into groups - First two young guys from intervals, then a group of 7 - including Jon Kappler, Sugar, Gina G-Cassey and Tony Stahl. They ended up finishing all between 9:50 and 10:00.

I sadly ran much of the race alone, feeling more exposed going into the headwind. One guy briefly pulled ahead of me for a lap then I took him again, and the 'green tshirt guy' well known to us from intervals cruised past me with 400m to go as though he was out for a sunday jog. I think I came 11th (clearly a few ringins who dont usually run tuesdays!, and no blond guy who is usually around our pace)

77/84/84/89/89/89/89/37 -10:38 for the 3k

This was about what I was expecting but had hoped for 10:30 flat if I ran really well. I think I ran a little too within myself in the middle laps.

Great fun anyway, held off on a long cooldown to start saving the legs for SixInch
This time is VDOT 54.9 - on track for what it's worth!

Band On The Run

Wings 1973 - who said Paul went downhill after the Beatles?

75km week, capped off by a sad performance at City Beach 4k race

Mon 11.2k @4:44 154 - easy
Tues 12.5k@4:13 - intervals
Wed 11.15k@4:36 157 -
Thu 9.65k@5:01 148 - recovery
Fri 10.53k@4:45 156 - easy
Sat 9.94k@4:59
Sun 9.74k@4:19 - race

Tuesday Intervals - 300mx4, 60sec.500mx4 90sec, 300mx4

55/55/55/56
97/97/95/95
57/57/56/59

Pretty good session, first interal finished about 8th, but by the end of the 500s was 3rd.

Sunday, 4k race
Slept in and missed my morning routine. Ridiculously narrow start - went out hard to get some space. Pushed too hard early but going OK when an extremely urgent call of nature came - cut out at 3.2k to toilets!

3:27/3:34/3:37 - 10:39 at 3k (about 10:42 on the course) +200m @3:46
Given that sub 10:40 is the goal for the 3k track rac, I guess this is OK, but felt pretty dumb pulling out of a 4k race (until I later found that Clown had pulled out with a similar ailment at 1.7k)

This week - 3000m track, taper for SixInch. Will I continue my everyday run (25days now)?

Sunday, December 07, 2008

The Long Run

The Eagles, 1979

101km this week - nice to crack the ton again. (9 points in the 60 runs 60 days comp after 8.5 last week)


Monday 10.7k 5:05min/k, 147bpm average - recovery
Tuesday 10k @ 4:19 - intervals
Wednesday 10.5k @4:59, 151 - recovery
Thursday am 10.7@4:48, 155 - recovery
Thursday pm 9.5k with tempo/10k pace section
Friday 8.1k @5:01 149
Saturday 10.6k@4:46 - hilly fartlek (forgot HRM)
Sunday 31.2k@4:45


Tuesday intervals, an easier session - 10x300m 60sec rest
57/55/55/54/55/54/54/55/54/53 - peak HRs just touching 190 again

Thursday pm, tried out my new racing flats with a 10k pace session over 5.5k
3:41/3:44/3:48/3:54/3:54/1:54 last 500m - av HR 180, peak 184
Went through 5k in 19:04 - only 10 seconds off my 5k PB so pretty happy as I felt I could keep that up a while longer

Sunday long run. Started off 1st 6k alone at 5:00s then met Rob and we pushed it up to 4:40s and held this kind of pace for the rest of the run, for a few km in the middle running 4:30s then slowing a tough at the end.

Mild taper this week, but mainly just not doing a long run on sunday should cut the mileage. Now being at Day17 of consecutive running days, I'm tempted to stretch that out for a while longer, so we might see some pretty slow and short ones here and there in the next 3 weeks.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

I Ran (So Far Away)

A Flock Of Seagulls - 1982. A classic 1980's one hit wonder.

98km week @ 4:46 - that's big for me!

Distance Pace Av HR
Monday 10.7k 4:53 154 Recovery Run
Tuesday 12.3k 4:20 180 (intervals) 153 (w/up,c/down)
Wednesday 11.25k 4:43 158 Recovery
Thursday 10.6k 4:57 153 Recovery
Friday 10.5k 4:28 170 (5km of tempo 4min/k) 150 (other)
Saturday 10.4k 4:56 151 Recovery
Sunday 32.2k 4:54 No monitor


Tuesday intervals were tough - 12x400m total.
400 hard, 100jog, 400 hard.
90sec rest, then repeat
4x400 with 2 min rest between
400 hard, 100jog, 400 hard, 90sec then repeat

82/84/78/81/78/79/76/77/81/80/80/84
HR max 192 in all after the first 2 intervals
Was buggered at the end!

Friday tempo was pretty average (3k@400, 2k@3:55) Effort felt much harder than HR which only peaked in the mid 170s. will keep trying a second quality session

Sunday long run with a nice pace progression over 5k splits -
5:03/4:57/4:54/4:52/4:50/4:47
Rob took a short one after a tough week, but I managed to run the 19-30k section in a good rhythm without a stop, and finished off strong after a quick walk at 30k.

I am entering Sling's territory in terms of shoes now, 8 pairs in rotation:
Asics 2110 (x2) Asics 2130, Adidas Supernova Control, Brooks Adrenaline, New Balance 1224, Asics DS trainer, Mizuno Idaten. The first 4 are pretty similar with the asics having a more cushioned ride, whilst the NB are very stable and cushioned but heavy, and the final 2 are for speedwork - yet to run properly in the Mizunos.

I've decided to just have a 2 week taper for sixinch as I'm not intending on running it 'all-out' and want to use my current motivation and mild weather to log some decent kms. So one more big week.

The plan the following week is to race 4k at City Beach and 2 days later race 3000m track at the Interval Group's Perry Lakes time trial. Will be interesting how I back up, and how far behind the speedster I am.