Virus

Seemed to be suffering from my first virus of the year this week - occupational hazard.

Not too sick but just felt unenergetic, interrupted sleep and really tired by the end of the days.

Runs were affected, especially my interval session which ended up lasting 3x1k rather than the aimed 6x1k - I just felt physically exhausted. No weekend long run due to commitments - didn't have time to run that long and more importantly, spend a couple of hours recuperating as I usually have to. So I ran 16k Sat -with 10k at MP, and 12k today -with 7k at MP.

Next weekend is the bridges 10k. Don't think I have sub40 in me, if I'm realistic, but a PB might be do'able. That was 40:51 at Challenge 10k last June. On that day I went out in exactly 20 min for 5k and tried to hold on. I think I might do the same this Sunday. The second half of Bridges is much flatter than Challenge, and the last 2k in particular should be fast, so if I'm 20 at 5k a PB should be in order. The main challenge may be to avoid trying to keep up with Rob and TS&TF who will probably end up running 1-2 minutes faster then me. I ran the equivalent run in 42:15 last year and seem to be running 12 sec/km faster than last year at the same time in other runs, would be happy with 40:15!

Really sore ankles at the moment, deep pain ?mild arthritis. Luckily the shins, ITB and PF seem to be behaving themselves (apart from the odd twinge to remind me they're only one bad run away!)

Nothing exciting

Not too exciting a week. Took a little time to recover from Darlington Half.

Ran a couple of marathon pace 9k runs on Wed and Thurs

Mona intervals/fartlek session on Saturday

This morning only managed 20k on the long run - took it too hard yesterday and perhaps too high intensity a week overall. Also fairly warm as I dragged my feet getting out there - was watching the webcast of the world cup cricket upset ( Ireland over Pakistan)

Looking for another fairly tough week (for me) this week in advance of a lighter week leading into the Bridges 10k. Then focus on distance, including the off road marathon training run on the MundaBiddi - which I must admit to being quite excited about - love the idea of a long slow offroad run without watchong the clock.

Darlington HM

Was a little concerned at the start today - there was a strong easterly and we ran directly into it and up the hill for the first 10k. The outcome was a 4 minute negative split!

First 5k in 22:52 (about 4:35/k)
Second 5k in 22:23 (about 4:30/k)
Third 5k in 20:53(about 4:10/k)
Fourth 5k in 20:33(about 4:07/k)

Finished the 21.2k as per garmin in 1:31.41

Four minutes faster than last year and a final 10k which was faster than my straight 10k time from Matilda Bay

Still a long way out from the Marathon, TS&TFs exercise physiology test reminds me I need to focus on distance not speed for a while now, if I want to not hit the wall like I have in my first 2 marathons.