Finally forced myself into a motivated state and entered a race!

Wow, I didn’t realise it was this long since my last confession!

Well, not a lot of mileage under the belt since the last visit but I have been training relatively consistently between 50km and 70km a week but mostly working on my speed. It’s making a clear difference to my running but fatigue certainly sets in.

Anyway, I finished the last of six weeks on Tuesday (9th) with the ladder I’d adopted after the first two weeks. This consisted of a 1km warm up followed by a ladder of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and back down with 400 metres between efforts. As I said, it’s made a tangible difference but this was a week to far and I was glad to put it to bed so that I can go back to base and lead into the Dusk ‘til Dawn in February.

Before that there was the small matter of the Kurrawa to Duranbah 50km on Sunday just gone and the Hares & Hounds at Glasshouse coming up on January 11th.

The Kurrawa event is something else. I fully expected it too be a cruise along the sea front … what an idiot. It was 23 º C at the 5:00am start with 86% humidity. Throughout the run it became hotter and hotter as the humidity dropped and with welcome but strong winds. Suffice to say it was a tough event and I was more than pleased with a 20 minute PB over this distance despite having to forego my 4:30 race plan before the start.

If you want a challenge and are prepared to put something on the line, I recommend the event but it’s not for the faint hearted at this time of year. 3½ weeks to Hares & Hounds with some gentle km’s between now and then. Looking forward to getting on the trail.

I think my legs weigh too much!

Yes, I'm a slacker, but what can you do?

Interesting seven days. Had a tough run in the middle of the day last Saturday then then out in the middle of a storm on the Sunday. What a contrast.

Missed a day this week (Tuesday) due to the 2nd storm - yes, I'm a wuss, but having been in the middle of Sunday's spectacle I wasn't going to push my luck - so did my intervals in a 12km ladder on Wednesday. 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1km, then back down. Recoveries were of equal distance. Pretty tough workout as it turned out, and I wasn't feeling in great shape at the beginning so doubly hard.

Got out yesterday for a 12km loop in the state forest and got caught by the weather again but it was a welcome intervention as I was getting bloody hot and I was pretty heavy legged again. This speed stuff is all very well but It's energy sapping. I'm definitely getting some benefit from it though. True to form the rain stopped just as I got to the car. 10km at lunch today and 25km on the trail lined up for tomorrow morning with nothing planned for Sunday as it's Rhys' birthday.

One last interval session next week before I relax and get some km's in leading up to Hares & Hounds. Sounds too easy.

The new me ...

That's right, the new improved, faster version. Well, I'm getting there anyway. If only it were the new improved, faster and lighter version!

Not much happened over the last week or so. 50km week last week so just ticking over really.

I've started seriously working on speed and, with a bit of fartlek thrown into a couple of last weeks runs I put together a more structured 12km last night that included fast 3km (for me that is, not flat out but brisk!) then alternating km's with fartlek and recovery. Really felt like a training session as opposed to just going out for a run.

Nothing else to report really though I am conscious of needing to get into the longer stuff over the next six weeks before a genuine taper for Hares & Hounds.

My dutifull update

Interesting week and a half.

Started off with the usual; a few 12km runs, nothing more. Though I did take a run around Bracalba quarry on Thursday prior to picking the boy up from after school care (even got told off by a quarry worker for trespassing!). Very hilly 10km it turned out to be.

The weekend brought the Tre-X off road triathlon series which turned out to be a lot of fun. Not the fastest time but I have to say, the course wasn’t that easy. Hats off to the triathlon guys who took it to the cleaners, but I think Active Stride did well with both teams. Anyway, it was fun and I feel privileged to have been invited to take part.

Since Sunday, nothing much other than a 10km and 12km PB last night! Also got a nice 10km in this lunchtime.

This weekend should be telling. Planning to get out and achieve back to back long runs... I desperately need them. See how we go.

Montrails, what can I say?

What a pair of shoes these have turned out to be. Perfect fit, loads of space in the toe box, extremely light and no wide base on the sole of the heel – I thought this would make the shoe less stable but it seems to be the opposite as there’s a much better feel in them and the transition from heel to toe is very smooth. I'm expecting them to turn into a really good race shoe (for 50km anyway)

I took them out on the trail in the dark for about 13km they were an instant hit. Ran about 4:45’s which is pretty quick with a light on your head and I’m pretty pleased. Can’t wait to get in them again which, unfortunately, means it’s going to be even harder work breaking in the troublesome Trail-Sensors!

Not much through the rest of the week, a couple of staple 12km’s with a bit of fartlek followed by a hectic weekend at Surfers which included a dislocated finger (turned out to be a weekend that we’ll remember for as many bad reasons as good, but that’s a different story!).

Looking to really get back into it this week (I’ve been saying that for the last three) and am looking forward to the Tre-X off road triathlon series on Sunday. I’ve got the 4½ km running leg for the Active Stride team - I hope they’re not expecting anything too quick!

Pushup test tonight before getting into week 3 of the 100 push up challenge too, I’ll be interested to see how it pans out.

Who am I trying to kid …?

I was up in plenty of time on Saturday and feeling pretty fresh (for 4:30am). It was getting light outside and the rain had stopped for the time being but was a bit windy. Great conditions to give the Trail Sensors a further try out. Nothing doing. I just didn’t want to go. The wrench was that Stacey was away for the evening so I wouldn’t be able to fit it in later in the day so if I didn’t go, I was going to miss it. And so it came to pass.

I just can’t put my finger on why it’s like this. I went out and did 23km Sunday afternoon as soon as Stacey was back (my first run longer than 15km since Glasshouse) and while it was bloody hard going I was glad to get out there so the lack of motivation is a bit puzzling. As far as the run is concerned it was a route I hadn’t taken for nearly a year and tough as it went, it was still nearly half an hour quicker than the last time! The shoes are a different story though. Went well for most of the way but with about 10km to go and getting tired, I was getting a hot spot on the back of the left heel. Still, that means they went for 13km with nothing so getting better. They didn’t seem too hot this time either but they weren’t particularly hot warm conditions (humid though). Still not completely happy with them. I have a new pair of Montrail’s that I’m looking forward to using as they feel incredibly comfortable and light and may prove to be the ideal race shoe for me, at least that’s what I’m thinking at the moment.

So, another week and there will be no long run this Saturday morning as we’re away overnight and I’ll have too much to do. Maybe a run along surfers the following morning as we’re staying there so we’ll see how it goes.

Dear Diary ...

Have had a bit of a mixed back this week. ‘Mr Motivation’ has materialised from somewhere and I’m eager to get out on the weekend. I got 12km in on Monday and the same again on Wednesday but incorporated some fartlek over some of it and what a difference it made (it must have done some good because I was buggered!). Both outings were at a good pace overall too. Downside is that for both these runs I’ve fallen foul of my digestive system having to use a public convenience on Monday as I was only 3km in and having to wear it (almost literally!!) on Wednesday. Good workout for some of those hard to reach muscles though.
Seriously, I’ll have to look at what I’m doing because it’s not something I’ve failed to cater for in the past.

I got a gentle trail run (about 6½km) near Wamuran yesterday before picking Rhys up from after school care and boy could I feel the after effects of Wednesday’s run. I literally just parked up near what looked like a trail head and ran into the bush. The surroundings were pleasant enough but would have been more so if the Trail Sensors weren’t so uncomfortable. Still a bit sore on the heel (wearing in will take care of that) but they are hotter than I was expecting even given the fact that they’re Gore-Tex. The jury is still out but I remember having similar feelings about my second pair of Trabuco’s and they took a few hundred km’s to come good – they’re on about 800 now so it couldn’t have been that bad, will just have to run more!

So, motivation seems to be good, boredom level is high though and it’s going to prove difficult to resist finding an event between now and January (Hares & Hounds). Maybe the 100 push-up challenge can expand to 200!

No motivation ... again

Didn't make it out on Saturday morning. I was up at five, had a good sleep too but just couldn't be bothered. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to front up. Hoping it will wear off soon.

It’s funny, about February last year I did my first 15km training run on the trails and was delighted to finish in what was probably about 6min/km pace. I went out for about the same on Saturday evening (longest run since Glasshouse – I’ve been enjoying the rest!) and felt like I struggled all the way around and was a bit disappointed that I only just crept under 5min/km pace. Then I thought back to early last year and it soon brought me down to earth. The new shoes have given me hot spots on both heels (I've had this before with Asics trail shoes) so may have to tape them until they're worn in.

The past is behind us, but it sometimes pays to look back at it in order that you can appreciate how far you’ve come and how tough it was/how long it took to arrive. It also gives you an idea of how far you have to go too!

We didn't get over to Bribie for the 3km run, Rhys said he didn't want to do it and as he's agreed to join little athletics I wasn't going to push him for the sake of it. No run for me either yesterday. Incredibly I was duty bound to sit down with a beer and watch the NRL final with Stacey and actually changes out of my running gear to do it!

Karma or Kismet?

Well, no Bribie Beach Bash for me again this year. Probably for the best, I'd had some pretty strong advice from AT advising that I should do it so soon after Glasshouse so I haven't tried very hard to get it organised since Stacey new she was working.

I'll take the boy wonder across and do the 3km with him and at least get some of the atmosphere and share the BBQ.

Had two good runs this week, 12km on Tuesday night and 11km at lunchtime Wednesday in the heat. Nice pace for both so happy with the way things are going. Will get my first long(ish) run in tomorrow morning, maybe about 20km before getting back to some sort of routine next week.

Decisions, decisions.

46km at Bribie Island next weekend may be in jeapordy as Stacey has to work and I don't think I can get around in the 3½ hours necessary to get home in time. Even with an early start I don't think it's realistic. Will have to look for alternative arrangements if I'm to do it. I can't complain given the amount of events I've done this year (8 at last count) and the fact that I wasn't going to do anything until January. We'll see.

Good run tonight on an 8½km loop that I haven't done for a while, on the back of a solid 12km last night (that's right, I couldn't get up in the morning for my planned 20km!) - had the company of AT which was good but it was pretty warm and it was his longest run for a while due to injury and I think it was a bit more of a workout than he anticipated. Jerry (the springer) suffered too, to the point we stopped for a full two minutes while he had a paddle in a water hole. The pace wasn't deliberate on my part but I'm having difficulty easing up at the moment and we were looking to get back early to watch the Berlin marathon .... what a result!

Motivation ...

... and the lack of it!


Well, I seem to have recovered well from the escapades at the Glasshouse 100. Nothing aching, nothing sore. One toenail working its way off and the single, tiny blister I suffered has all but gone. By the way, in the picture, I just happen to be winking at AT, I wasn't having a stroke!


I've run a couple of 12km runs (first one last Saturday in the midday heat) with no ill effects. Legs were a bit heavy the first time but much better the second a few days later. I've got 20km lined up tomorrow morning and I'm sort of looking forward to it.


I say sort of becuase I'm motivationally challenged at the moment and though it's understandable I guess (I hadn't anything scheduled until Hares & Hounds in January) I wouldn't want it to continue for too long. The cure? It was my intention to cut my long runs to one every fortnight between now and January and concentrate on gaining speed, so I've scheduled my first one since the 100 miler ... the 46km beach run at the Bribie Beach Bash next Sunday (October 5th). That should keep me honest!


Have to say though that the motivation may be partly due to the departure of my visitors. Janet only left this Wednesday having stayed on for three weeks to work in the Mater Hospital here in Brisbane. Though I hadn't seen them for five years, I didn't realise how much I missed them and indeed home in general until they stayed for those few weeks. All the more reason to stick to our pencilled in visit to Wales in 2010.


We're in a pretty good spell at the moment, I think both of us were feeling the strain of the build up to Glasshouse and though there is a feeling of 'what now?', there's definitely a sense of relief too.


I'll keep you posted.

The Glasshouse 100 - 100 Mile

Wow. I've been a bit tardy in relation to the blog, what with the training and visitors and then the race itself.

Suffice to say, it went well for me on a day when, as Wayne Gregory a 100 mile stalwart put it, the Glasshouse Trails Western section "bared its teeth". It got really hot (the temperature gauge didn't say so) at about the 50km mark and the whole field suffered to some extent with over 30% of the field failing to finish. Plan B was activated and we (my crew Andrew Townshend and myself) managed the event well to come in at 23:05

There's not a lot I can say though. I've put together a comprehensive report that's long and boring. I've only read it about twenty times! You can find it by going to the Glasshouse Trails website (linked from the title of this entry) and going to 'Glasshouse 100 - 2008' on the left hand side of the page

If you read it, enjoy. If you don't, then go read it!

Stoked.

just a catch up

A long time between drinks, don't know why.

Was training like hell prior to vistors arriving (my best man and family) for three weeks which gave me a good taper leading up to the GH 100 this weekend.

All good, no niggles, about 50km short over four months but capped off with 34km at the 3 hour run during the Caboolture 24/48 hour event 10 days ago.

Looking forward to the 100, starting to get a plan together, fingers crossed.

Finally got out of bed!

Yes, I actually managed to get out of bed in time and got my 22km in without having to stress about the time and getting back to get Rhys off to swimming.

Good run, just what I needed and much more comfortable than I expected. Went really well, no sorenss, stiffness or anything else.

30km tomorrow will be a real test.

Glasshouse Trails, Flinders Tour - 50km

I sort of decided through the course of the week that I was going to have a go at this, though I had a lot of km's in my legs recently I have been running well so why not. Unfortunately, I hadn't decided on a thorough race plan and I've learned, sometimes the hard way, that this tends not to produce a good result - no exception yesterday!

Long story short, I caught up with Tamsin Barnes relatively early (maybe at about 8/9km) and we were both running well and seemed to be good company for each other. Unfortunately, we were getting on so well that we missed the turn into the goat track at about 15½ km because we were too busy yakking! About 3½ km later we'd realised our mistake but the damage was done I think.

The extra km's we 'chose' to do while very scenic were also very undulating and, stupidly, we ran back to the turn a little more quickly than we ought to have.

It was a shame because I'd pulled back the time lost climbing Beerburrum and was on rough five hour pace. Still, finished the rest of the first loop at a reasonable pace only to find that M1 and Glendry had passed me and were there already, M1 having sustained what looked like a bad fall but she seemed ok.

We all left together and carried on until Glen stayed with twin brother Craig for a while until CP4a and M1 and I carried on for a while longer until she sent me on my way. I did notice her breathing was a little laboured at this point and it turns out that she has bruised ribs as a result of the fall.

The walking we had done from Beerburrum to this point probably did me good as I was able to pretty much run it home from here after getting back through the goat track.

And that was the way it went. Picked up a couple of stragglers in the last 5/6 km and it was getting pretty hot by then too.

10km splits were 1:03:49, 1:02:23, 1:01:25, 1:10:36 and 1:02:23. The last (extra) 4km being 21:50.

All in all, I didn't have a hell of a lot of spring in my step and legs were a little heavy from the start so, 5:42 over a total 54km was pretty favourable and should serve me well in September.

Wild Horse Mountain

Good finish to what started as a pretty ordinary week given Tuesday nights mini blow up.

After squeezing in the 19km yesterday morning after my failure to get out of bed, what a welcome change today to end up being able to run at a relatively reasonable time with no concerns about having to be back by a given time as Stacey turned out to be not working today after all (under the condition that the rest of my day was congested with domestic duties!).

Anyway, got to my start point by 6:20 am and headed north toward Wild Horse Mountain, not that it was my intended destination, I just planned to run 15km along trail that I hadn’t run before and then come back. I had eyed it as a convenient target for a run for a long time though and as it turned out it’s just on 15km along a very undulating (ok, hilly), mostly wide trail.

I was working hard at the end but my 10km splits were 59:50, 59:41 and 58:11 (with just over 2 minutes for an additional ½km). Very steady, very pleased.

To put the icing on the cake, got out with the dog later this afternoon and used it for a gentle 10km recovery. Very slow, very stead, little soreness and no pain. Rounded off a 92km week which is a pretty good result given that I dropped my Thursday night 21km.

Just a 12km jog on Tuesday, maybe a shorter one on Wednesday but pretty much rest all week for the 50km at Flinders (Glasshouse) on Saturday.

Saturday slothness again.

This was a much better run than I thought it was going to be. I dropped the planned 21km on Thursday following my experience on Tuesday evening. Half intentional and half dicated by Stacey getting stuck in work. The rest wouldn't have hurt me.

Back to today. Slept in again (having real problems getting out of bed on a Saturday morning this last few weeks) but still managed to get 19km in even having taken a 10 minute km for a ... err ... comfort stop!

Spent a fair bit of time just having a look around on a few tracks that criss-cross my usual routes. Pleasure to be out.

Looking forward to enjoying my 30km outing tomorrow morning as Stacey isn't working so I can start at a sensible time (about 6:00 am) and get on with it without any time constraints.

Looking forward to next weeks rest leading up the 50km at Glasshouse on Saturday.

Phew.

Glad to get this in the bag after last night. Started to feel a bit queezy early on but I think it was nerves. Lesson learned, watch the diet. Niggle in the left calf won't go away either.

Even pace overall but included some fartlek just to break up the intensity. Nice run.

Ouch! (first one for a while)

Well, I learned a valuable lesson in respect tonight.

Ate a lot of crap food this afternoon then went out for dinner when we got home to maintain the domestic equilibrium, had a very ordinary chicken schnitzel meal (figured I’d be right for my 21km about 1½ hours later).

Out I went at about 9:40, only planning on 6:00 pace and that’s what I got. No leg problems, no soreness, etc. At about 12km, all was not well with the world and I knew I was about to get a spanking!

Through 14km, I was feeling decidedly unwell (legs were fine though) and by about 18, I was positively nauseous. Pulled the plug at 19km and had a 50m walk. Finished km no. 20 and walked in the rest. Legs were great and so was I almost the instant I stopped running.

Contributing factors?

• I’ve had three solid months of training following Brisbane with GH, Mt Mee and GC thrown in, so obviously there’s an element of fatigue.
• Diet yesterday was a major factor (loads of sweet rubbish from a conference we had) as I’ve been very well behaved with it in the last few months and it just didn’t agree with me
• Was back in the gym for the first time in three weeks on Monday (it’s been closed while students were on holiday) and had a pretty tough session.
• Big meal at a time I never usually have one, certainly not 90 minutes before a long run!
• Here’s the biggie, the main contributing factor … total complacency and lack of respect for the distance. 20km is 20km. I think this happened just in time to prevent me from becoming an ultra snob (a real one!). Here endeth the lesson!

My heart rate didn't get above 145 all the way around and was only about 135 at my worst. I could have just finished and was digging in but as my watch beeped at the 19km mark, I just thought, "nope, nothing to gain here." (12 months ago it would have been "gotta finish, gotta finish"). I calculatedly made the decision to walk but it was my body telling me to stop.

Gym again today along with 12km tonight. See how we go

Noela's Garden - Donnybrook

I couldn't have hoped for a better recovery from the adventures of last Sunday. This week has been ridiculously comfortable as far as niggles, aches and pains are concerend ... notice I don't say easy? I find nothing easy about a week that's had 2x20km runs and finished with a 30km but most runners would be able to relate whatever their preferred distance.

Very nice run to finish the week week off after GCM. A bit heavy going for the last few km but mainly psychological as I'd miscalculated the distance and was already winding down to the finish. Some might argue that for the sake of a few km's/minutes it makes no difference ... try telling that to Roger Bannister! My week has gone well and my schedule had a 30km run in today and though last weeks marathon turned out to be a different affair than was originally planned, there was no reason why I shouldn't do it. When it's the middle of the night at Glasshouse in September and I have 40km still to go, I'll need to be able to pick myself up and switch on again and I think this sort of thing is important (that is to complete what I set out to do).

Anyway, I took a detour and found a few extra km's somewhere else at the end. Very steady 6:00's all around.

One thing though, from about 14km I was in the dark. No problem, I had a light with me. I was running on a wide fire road for a while so I left the light off until about the 19km mark where I turned back into the denser trail, at which point I had to put it on. Strangely, I felt very nervous about running through the bush in the dark and it's really never bothered me before.

It was raining, so visibility was very 'different', but I really can't put my finger on what it was.

Anyway, like I said, very steady tonight and finally found a new loop that I suspected was there but hadn't had time to investigate.

I also discovered 'Noela's Garden' at Donnybrook. Only glimpsed it from the outside but it's a stunning jewel in what seems to be the middle of nowhere.

Check it out here

So much for taking it easy.

Another good run this morning, took a while to warm up, maybe 5/6 km?

Couldn't get out of bed this morning and dozed off after the alarm went off. My conscience got the better of me in the end and I dragged myself out. Started running an hour and ten minutes after I planned and figured I had 1½ hours running time before getting back to take Rhys swimming (and it would be tight)

All going nice and steady, managed to do a little more exploring having calculated where I needed to be to get back to the car in time at the one hour mark. Only one problem, I had parked the car 2km further away than usual (to get the extra km's) and was working on where I usually park so I was 2km short of where I needed to be!

Went from easy recovery type 6 minute pace to 5:25 to 5:00. Ended up getting 19 of the originally planned 20km in (good result having slept so late) with a six minute negative split!! I finished much harder than I would have liked and only got home in the nick of time. Good workout in the end though and managed to keep the domestic tranquillity on an even keel while only being ten minutes later than planned - just in time!

M1 will throttle me when she reads this

Recovery and stuff

To say I’m having a purple patch at the moment would be understating it.

After the GC Marathon on the weekend, I had two rest days in my schedule followed by 12km on both Wednesday and Thursday before ramping up again on the weekend. I wasn’t going to be able to get time to run on Thursday because of family commitments so I shifted everything forward a day and figured rest day’s on Thursday and Friday would have to do.

I went out on Tuesday for a very steady, very comfortable 12km in about 5:40’s. Legs were a bit heavy toward the end but no surprises there.

Last night however was fantastic. I’ve had little soreness all week so I decided yesterday afternoon to go and run my staple road half in the evening. Still little or no soreness and a very steady run in just over two hours with almost an even split (5:43’s).

Also, got my pictures from GC today. Self-indulgent I know but I couldn’t resist as I had a good picture coming across the finish line with virtually no one else in the frame apart from a few guys finishing the half marathon in the background.

Two days off now and maybe a few beers this evening too. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the trail for back to back long runs this weekend (20 and 30km respectively) and building up to the 50km at Flinders (Glasshouse) on the 26th.

In other, more important, news, good to note that mates are doing well.

Best is that Rachael (a good friend of M1’s) is running again after her stress fracture. Probably too much too soon if here backbone is anything to go by but definitely light at the end of the tunnel

M1 seems to be getting stronger, really putting a lot of work into her recovery with deep water running and some speed work and it seems to be coming off. She took a stroll on Sunday in the GC Half Marathon and trotted in nonchalantly at about 1:54 ... ho-hum.

M2 (Michelle Lake) came at 1:46 in the same race which I believe was at least a three minute PB.

What else … oh yes … Looks like Glen (Hendry) isn’t going to the US after all and will be toeing the line for the 100km race at the Glasshouse 100 in September. Interesting times ahead

AT (Andrew Townshend) is chilling out in Portugal giving a presentation at a conference before heading to Switzerland. Apparently he’s surrounded by nubile young exotics … bit of a chore but I’m sure he’ll get over it!

Gold Coast Marathon - July 6th 2008

Well, the ankle held up, I had two comfortable runs early in the week and was well rested by Sunday for the Gold Coast marathon.

I couldn't have had a better preparation what with being able to stay within five minutes of the start at M1's and was very well looked after as she's done this event a couple of times and just new the lay of the land. Went for a quiet dinner at the surf club with M1 and Rachael (a friend of M1's who I've run with before), early night and all good.

What a motivator and guide. For both my marathons she's proven to be a rock of encouragement and inspiration.

40 minute PB with a negative split, couldn't have wished for more.

Briefly:

• My half split was about 1:50:20, so about a 1½ minute negative split.


• I took six GU’s – one 15 minutes before the gun, and finished each one of the rest as close to every 45 minutes as I could from then. I.e. I started them about five minutes before they were due so when it was time I already had it down me.


• Didn’t take on any Endura until about 30km and made do with probably about four cups of water until then (I was well hydrated beforehand)

The first five km was relatively erratic mainly due to the crowd (first km was 6:13) and I was actually pretty nervous/pumped and took me a while to settle in. I caught up with John Sellars, whom I've run with a few times before, at that point and decided to run with him for a while as he’s pretty steady. From this point I got into a really good rhythm and though I was going quicker than planned, I felt good enough. I figured I’d get to the start finish at about 26km and ease up for five to ten to set myself up for the last turn and the run in which would be about 7km.

I had planned to catch the 3:45 pacer by halfway and see if I could pull away. As it goes, I was about 1½ minutes in front. That’s how it panned out. Couldn’t have worked better. I think I ran as good a race as I possibly could with my current pace and from the first turn at the south end there were very few people who passed me.

It was pretty humid, got to over 80% I think (70% at 6:00 am). There was the wind too and some of the posts on CR suggest it was a tough day. I felt they were perfect conditions as though the humidity was up it was relatively cool, though there was a stretch from 30 to 35 km that had shelter from the wind and it got hot there. I was saving myself through that stretch anyway but it did occur to me that it was just as well. Anyway, I thought it was perfect and am surprised that some people have said the conditions were hard (it was raining like hell and blowing a gale the night before and until 5:00 am so it certainly could have been worse!

Also, while I enjoyed the course, I don’t think it’s as flat as everyone suggests. There’s nothing steep but there are a couple of slow climbs that would take it out of you without noticing I think.

It was good to see M1 get through a comfortable ½ marathon too as she's building from here injury.

Nice to beat Mr Hendry too!!

Anyway, the splits are nice and it's always good to see a picture, so here they are:

Bugger!

Great run to start the week and begin the taper. AT and I were discussing Gold Coast pace for next week and where I was (i.e. a 3:45 would be a push as I haven't been training at the right pace over a long enough distance).

Anyway, went out and felt very comfortable - no sign of the calf niggle, amazing what a run on the trail the day before can do for you however crap it was!

First km was a bit quick for me so I decided I should ease up even though I was pushed for time. The second km wasn't much slower so I thought I'd keep it up. Pushed, not too hard, and ended up with 16½ km with a 5:04 average. Pretty quick for me over that distance. The spread was only 24 seconds with only one km over 5:09 (5:16). I had the headlight on for the last 9km! Click on the image for the splits.

Downside is that as I pulled up I turned an ankle (the usual one) on the edge of the bitumen where the car was parked. It's an almost identical scenario to the sprain in November. Definitely not as bad, but definitely worse than the recurrence I had during Hares & Hounds in January (I can run on this but can't run it off).

I took a full week off after that and this is nowhere near as bad. No swelling and I've strapped it as a precaution but should be ok. Absolute worst case scenario is that I won't train at all during the taper, we'll see.

In the words of Frances Harvey - "Dumb, dumb, dumb". It was a careless accident that could have been avoided.

Everything else is fine though!

"Make hay while the sun shines"

That's what my Nanna and my Mam say anyway!

I've had a very good recovery from Sunday - better than I could have hoped. Went out for what turned out to be a very comfortable 12km tonight at about 5:38. I did start to tighten a little from about 7km but very pleased.

I still have the niggle in my right calf but things are going really well at the moment so though this was going to be a very light week, I'll play it by ear and if I feel good through the remainder of the week I'll take the opportunity to get some easy mileage in.

The Mt Mee Classic

I’ve really got to get into the habit of visiting more often, at least every week.

Well, to take up where I left off, I finished the week pretty well. I didn’t manage my 30km on Sunday as we were out on Saturday night and spent the day recovering. I managed to get out a bit later than planned and just ran out of time, but still got a very good 20km in (12km in the dark) in about 1:50 including looking for the dog for five minutes after he got lost.

So, finished the week very strong and wrapped up my mini taper the following week with a 12km trail run in the dark and a gentle 12km on the road the following night. I was a bit concerned with the niggle behind my left knee that had been present since Glasshouse in May but by Friday morning it had gone. Amazing what sticking to the schedule does. Two heavy weeks and a relative rest had don wonders and I was looking forward to Mt Mee on Sunday.

What an event this is. I felt that knee about 6km in but it never turned into anything of note. Thanks to the people around me I had a well paced first 20km and finished with a massive PB of 5:08:xx over the distance (beating my previous by 57 minutes) on what I think is a solid course with some killer hills. Of note was the fact that my 10km splits had a ten minute range and my 5km splits only seven minutes. It’s always good to see the training deliver something but this was special.

I’ve pulled up pretty well too with minimal stiffness/soreness. I’m looking for a good but not too heavy week this week before a similar taper next week leading into the Gold Coast marathon.
The bad news is that unfortunately, one of my partners in crime, Michelle Healy, probably won’t be doing it as the injury she sustained during Glasshouse has returned, despite an initial improvement. Fingers crossed. On the other hand, our mate Glen Hendry is going to be able to take part despite initially thinking he'd be off to the USA to work for a year.

To finish the entry on a positive note, Stacey got up and went for a run last Thursday out of the blue. She did nearly 5km with a couple of walk breaks. I’m really proud of her.

Why do we do it?

This was always going to be a hard week. Last week was taking its toll and I was being careful just walking on Monday.

I got through my ½ last night, glad to finish, but not in as bad shape as I was the Tuesday before. I was expecting to pay for it this evening and was seriously thinking of dropping the planned 12km. I took a couple of voltaren earlier in the afternoon to alleviate the soreness and off I went as soon as I got home. I felt pretty comfortable beforehand so had sort of decided to have a go.

I came in at just a shade under the hour with a 4:29 finish just to make sure. Not fast by a lot of standards, but pretty good under the circumstances (for me). Sets me up nicely for the remainder of the week and a virtual rest next week leading up to Mt Mee on the 22nd.

That's why we do it ... tonight is why we do it.

Making some progress I think

Really good run to back up yesterday and round off a good week that I thought would not be so productive. Calf has been sore all day and last night but did a lot of massaging with Arnica cream last night (thanks Michelle, for putting me onto it). Popped a couple of voltaren as a precautionary measure and I have to say have pulled up well.

Repeated yesterday's course and came in a minute under. Pretty good considering I had a light on for the return. I'm getting a feeling about 4-6 km in at the moment that is quite negative (maybe I'll cut a bit off, take a shorter route, etc.) and had to get through it tonight. I think it may be a hangover from GH50 and last weeks 'failure' to perform.

Another week the same just to drill it in and then see how we go at Mt Mee.

More ouch ... but improving.

This has been a tough week so far but there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Tuesday
21km on Tuesday was really tough. I was so sore (following on from Friday) but felt it would be ok when I'd warmed up. I set off at a very sedate 6:00min/km and pretty much stuck to that all the way but it was hard going. With about 4km to go, pretty much all I wanted was to get home. It wasn't pretty.

Wednesday
More of the same, just the 12km but still hard work. Not as bad as the night before which wasn't all down to the distance.

Thursday
Light at the end of the tunnel. I was sore, but I felt I was actually running a bit as opposed to making it. Getting there. Can't wait for a run on the trail on Saturday.


Got up this morning and went out for a scheduled 20km on a new route. The day off on Friday (core session at the gym, NO LEGS!) had served me well and I took off ok. This route heads down toward the beginning of Steve Irwin Way through the state forest on the eastern side of the Bruce Highway. I'd been planning to head this way for a long time and map a 25km+loop toward Donnybrook. Anyway, 20km out and back this time, 4km bitumen, 5km compressed gravel road and the remaining 11km was nicely 'undulating' fire trail.

A bit of a niggle now some five hours later but pretty happy. Back it up with something similar tomorrow with the same results and I'll be looking forward to next week.

Ouch!

Had a great start to the week. 21km on Tuesday night at 5:10/km followed by a steady 12 at 5:30/km. Nice start to a 70+km week.

Foul weather and the remnants of a cold made the decision for me to skip Thursday (not being a wuss, jut didn't think I needed a soaking to turn my cold into flu). I had a really hard gym session - legs only - on Friday, and got up on Saturday morning for a planned 20km and came to the same decision as on Thursday. Shit happens.

However, by Saturday afternoon, I had the worst case of DOMS I've ever experienced following the gym session on Friday. I got up on Sunday morning, not looking forward to anything in particular. I hit the trail, as it were, and it was all very pedestrian. I ran about 4km and decided to walk. My calf, which had been a bit tight following Glasshouse, was suddenly very sore and felt like a small tear. I decided on a hard walk from there. Aside of 1½km at the turn, I walked the rest for a 17km outing which gave me a little over 50km. Not the best ending to a week that had began so well.

Not too concerned but we'll have to see.

Holiday Over

Well, we're a week on and feeling pretty pleased with ourselves. I feel strong, confident and am looking toward the Glasshouse 100 mile in September (I'm also a bit sore, but we can ignore that for now!).

Had a quite week since the 18th. Two 12km runs just to keep moving and all appears to be well. I've outlined a schedule to take me up to September including the following events:

• Mt Mee Classic 50km - June 22nd (probably)
• Gold Coast Marathon - July 6th
• Glasshouse Mountains, Flinders 50km - July 26th
• Noosa ½ Marathon - August 31st

Time will tell, but my schedule is pretty good and if I can stick close to it withoug missing too much (and stay injury free), all will be well.

Simple really!

Last word on the Glasshouse 50

Just remembered that I really need to thank three people in particular: Michelle Healy, Andrew Townshend and of course, Stacey, my wife.

Michelle has been a good motivator leading into this and a great training partner. She suffered an injury during the event and had to pull up at about 30km. She immediately jumped on the support wagon and got herself to the busiest checkpoint and helped out all afternoon. She would have been extremely disappointed at the time (I was for her) but you wouldn't have known. Go the 100km in September, Michelle!

Andrew has been something of a mentor to me. He listens to my incessant running gibberish and tries to rein me in when I'm doing something stupid. Doesn't succeed very often but at least he tries! Also, he's crewed for the last two ultras and has been a bit like a doctor with an unhelpful patient, but he doesn't let me down. At the 50 miler, he was driving me right to the end, giving me splits, targets and sustenance. I'd like him to run one of these with me but he has a few injury problems of his own right now.

Stacey isn't one for hanging around in the woods with a bunch of nutters at some ungodly hour. She also isn't one for getting up really early and driving to the start of a marathon then hanging around for four hours and looking happy about it. What she is though is quietly proud and supportive. We have our 'discussions' about time spent running as most runners and their spouses do, but I still get to do it. She doesn't even bat an eyelid these days when a new pair of shoes or some other kit appears. Now, if I could only develop some enthusiasm for crewing!

Catch up .. again

A very long time between drinks this time. So much has gone on since April 23rd (my last post).

Following the Brisbane Marathon, I had an easy week. First attempt out running on the Tuesday was aborted after about 200 metres. I just felt it was too soon. I went out the following evening and had a steady 12km in just over the hour. All good with a negative split.

From here, I had four 3½ weeks (including a taper) to lead into the 50 miler at Glasshouse on May 18th. Brisbane, whilst satisfying, had served its purpose and there was no reason why I shouldn't be ok. I was treating my injury as advised and though it was troublesome, it was definitely improving (I'd also received my orthotics and they seemed to be making a difference on the road, though they felt a bit weird).

I managed to make it through to the taper finishing with a really good, 'hilly' run around the Mt Beerwah loop the Sunday before Glasshouse. I was as ready as I was going to be and was pretty confident given what had passed before.

I won't elaborate here, check the report. It turned out to be a very satisfying event and I came in pretty strong. A real big stepping stone this, for the Glasshouse 100 mile in September.

Time to catch up

It's been a long time between entries and a lot has happened. I think I'll just post the entries I've added to my Sport Tracks records:

21/4/08
Rang up the POD to inquire about the x-ray results, all good. Just have to wait for the orthotics now. I'll survive until then.

Footnote: Sunday was my first actual marathon ... the whole marathon concept is a life changing experience. The fun thing is that most people can do one!

20/4/08
Well there you go. My first marathon. 4:18 with a negative split. Huge credit goes to Michelle Healy who was pacing her mate Michelle (!) for 6 minute km's. I ran with them for 34km and found myself a little in front of them and wanted to keep moving as they were taking some small walks.
I pulled up incredibly well and my leg even appears to be improved (or maybe the injury's blended in with all the other aches. Seriously, I've felt worse after 20km training runs.

19/4/08
10 km - Just trying out the shoes as an excuse to try out my leg! Not truly comfortable but no worsening. Made the decision to do the Brisbane marathon tomorrow. Hoping to at least get close to 4 hours.
Anyway, got the results of my x-ray's yesterday, they look completely clear to me, but I guess it's up to the podiatrist to decide that . I'll be surprised if there is a fracture there.

15/4/08
Having taken a complete week off having seen a podiatrist (x-ray's on the cards but wanted to try some treatments first), I virtualy couldn't feel the leg this morning but certainly did when I tried out some shoes at Active Stride. Went for the 12km tonight which was not as bad as I expected but certainly not good. Decisions looming.

6/4/08
10 km - Went out with AT, ran late after weekend away so cut the 12km short to 10km. Leg situation is quite strange in as much as it's no worse or no better. Two yakking sessions went down well after swallowing a couple of bugs!
Sort of relieved after a bushwalk this morning at Mapleton, the uphill climb seemed to stretch the calves a little and I could feel very little discomfort afterward. Though Andrew was entertained by two bouts of vomiting after my failure to eject and insect of some kind that had wandered down my throat ... nice.

5/4/08
28 km - Really good run under a black cloud (because of the leg). Starting to fear the worst, maybe stress fracture. This would be a bit of an acid test (have I already said that previously). Anyway, didn't go too badly. Finished up sore but had a steady run. Great company in Ian, MichelleH and her mate Rachael.

1/4/08
12 km - Bad leg won't go away. Very comfortable starting out but after about 6km it started to be painful. Stupidly continued and with about 3km to go, was really sore. Got home in good time but I'm not looking forward to the morning. I have a V02 Max test tomorrow so that ought to be interesting to say the least.

30/3/08
12 km - Pretty good after last nights efforts. Legs were a bit heavy but happy to get through it at an easy pace

29/3/08
28 km - Night time training run. After last nights 12 I wasn't optimistic about my calf holding out and I'd had an upset stomach for most of the day too. As it turns out, it went pretty well, felt my calf for most of the way but was able to run in a pretty relaxed gait and have felt no ill effects some two hours later which I expected to have especially having sat in the car for the drive home. Tomorrow morning will be interesting.

28/3/08
12 km - Had to take the time off. Felt really good before this in as much as the rest seemed to have done me the world of good. Firsd few strides told me it wasn't over yet. Pretty uncomfortable really, but not too bad later. See how tomorrow goes and if it's ok will do the Wildhorse Mountain night run. There's always Voltaren!

19/3/08
21 km - This was hard. Definitely need to rest legs now. Will be taking Thursday and Friday off anyway but doubtful as to whether I'll be right for Saturday.

17/3/08
12 km - Ran tonight as opposed to early morning tomorrow, in order to give myself maximum recovery time to put 20+ in on Wednesday. Very surprised at the run, as though it was cool, it was hard going at times, heavy rain and wind. Leg held up ok which was a surprise. Thank god for voltaren!!

16/3/08
10 km - Just backing up from yesterday, trying to beat the light so cut the loop short to 10km. Hard going, right leg not so good.

15/3/08
24 km - Having slept through my alarm, lack of sleep catching up with me, I had to get out this afternoon instead. I had planned 36 km this morning (3 loops) but setting out at 1:40 in 30 degrees it wasn't really going to be on. The first loop hammered me and it was tempting not to do any more after that. Dug in and finished the second, that was enough. Probably valuable training but not what I had in mind.

12/3/08
21 km - Meant to take this really easy and see how I went. Another run where I reinforced my believe that I'm not as clever as I thought I was. Took off at a comfortable pace and ended up with 5:05 and 4:58 for the first two and I paid for it. TIme was no worse than I expected or wanted, but it could have been more comfortable. I have a week and a half to go before a rest week and I'm on the threshold of a breakdown I think so I'll have to be a bit more careful. Still satisfied that I've got it under my belt though.

11/3/08
12 km - Definitely carrying an injury. After pulling up the way I did on Sunday it's no real surprise, but maybe shouldn't have gone this morning. Nearly came back at the 2km mark but decided to take it easy and do 12km. Worth it I think apart from the insect swallowing episode!

9/3/08
15 km - Sunday with AD - proving to be very helpfull. I don't think I'd have the motivation to get out and do anything beyond 12 without some company on a Sunday afternoon.
Reasonable pace, steady run. Bit of a shadow over it as when we got home, I stepped out of the car and could barely walk, felt like a shin splint initially but after time is definitely muscular. Stretching, hot bath, anti-inflammatories and it was a lot better. We'll see what the morning brings.
First 80+ km week!

8/3/2008
20 km - CP8 - Confirmed what I already knew: this section is tough! I'll be happy when I get around this section in May. No such thing as a bad run though ... is there?

6/3/08
12 km - Great run to back up last nights efforts, just a little bit stiff. The HRM was playing up. Shot up to 240 a few times and 192 a few times. I distinctly don't remember having any heart attacks so maybe the contacts just need a good clean or maybe it's buggered! - on further research today I have found that I probably need to change the battery.
Will have to check it out. Best midweek set ever, might even have a few beers tonight!

5/3/08
21 km - Great run with AD. Couldn't be more pleased. Half marathon in reasonable pace and ran pretty comfortably throughout. Back it up with 10 or 12 in the morning and I'll be happy.

4/3/08
13 km - Very stiff this morning (!). After the first 500m - 1km I was seriously debating whether to cut short or not (and continued to think that for another three or four km's. Got through it though.
Combination of contributing factors, mainly the training over the last couple of weeks and the fact that there was no stretching done on Sunday. We'll see how it is tomorrow morning.

Just keeping on going

Sore calves after last weeks efforts so was dubious as to whether to run on Tuesday night or not (had already got up at four the morning and copped out until the evening, deciding I was too tired and too stiff). Anyway, set off carefully and didn't look at the watch all the way around. Nice steady 64 min. 12km. Legs pretty good ... we'll see what they're like tomorrow!

Pretty sore on Wednesday evening (all day really), not injured though, just getting used to the activity I think. A good 12km again in 65 min. Running easily and not really uncomfortably, just feeling the miles catching up I think. Will finish this week up and get through the weekend before I decide on next week’s workload. Though I was sore, I actually felt a bit more fluid than I did this time last week. However, I decided to rest an extra day before my long run on Saturday and take tomorrow and Friday off.

This was a really good run. I’d been planning all week to run the only western section of Glasshouse that I’d never been on (CP2 – CP4 – CP6 - Google image pictured). Tough going, dodgy start running the first hour or so in the dark (tons of spiders!) great run though. I took what I thought was the wrong route (it turned out to be the correct route when I checked it at home, but I was over the spiders by then!!) and ended up making the decision to run most of the sealed road to CP6. Ran every hill, including the killer behind CP6 on Woodford Rd. Not much more to add, just got better form as time went on. No real aches, unexpected stiffness or niggles.

Same loop as two weeks ago for Sunday, had AT for company again which did me good. Legs feel really good. Nice steady, glad to get through it though as this was a milestone and took me over 60km’s for the week. Good pace again, 63 mins. on the trail. The last 2 km stretch uphill was comfortable too. Have had a good fortnight and this told me whether I was sore or overtrained. Just sore and actually getting better as it turns out so I'm guessing my body is getting used to the workload. One more 60+ week and then a cycle down.

This is where the story really starts ...

Having tapped into the novelty of positive thinking and good attitude, part of my plan was to run more on the road. This is as much to toughen up as to cut down on the dark runs in the bush with the light coming later and later in the mornings.

I’ve had the run up to the Bruce highway in mind since we moved to Caboolture and finally did it on Tuesday morning (had to watch the traffic though). I always thought it was a convenient distance out and back, 12km. Really good run, particularly as I set out a good hour after I intended. Impressed myself on the return as I was feeling it a bit but maintained a good pace. The out lap is all uphill (strangely, so is some of the return – go figure), made good time and got home in 59:05. Tempting fate but things seem to be going well at the moment.

I followed Tuesday with 18km on Wednesday night, on the road again. I set out to run at about 5:20 - 5:15, first 2km were sub 5 and I just couldn't keep it over 5:15 after that. Very pleased but was much quicker than I planned (1:32:13).

I’ve had four hard but good runs in the last five days getting 65km’s in. I was feeling good too but was conscious that I had a bit of momentum and while I wanted to take advantage of it, I didn’t want to push my luck.

Got back on the trail for Thursday. Very hot and very slow and a bit sore from last nights run but was happy to take it real easy. Nice way to round off the midweek sessions with a gentle 8.5km.

Saturday was hard. Had a good week, plenty of Km's (for me) and pretty good pace too. Started out at 4:30 and even after the 4km's it was seriously hot - hottest weekend of the summer forecast - and I knew it was going to be a drag. I was planning to take it easy but the choice was taken out of my hands and easy wasn't the word for it. Didn't go all the way to the lookout as time was against me but I was fairing much better than last time I took this trip. Got 25km in but it was pretty sedate. Mileage of the last week or so catching up a little.

Today was really time to tell how I was holding out. Nice easy (most of the time) run. My plan was to run the first km comfortably then keep that pace right through. First km was 5:22 and I went on to finish averaging 5:18. End of probably my best complete week ever, certainly as far as consistency of pace is concerned. I’m really pleased. I’ve got 75.5km in for the week (a lot for me) and more importantly, it’s a complete week as far as my schedule is concerned. I’m pretty sore, but no actual injury. The coming week will tell if I’ve overdone it or am actually getting used to it.

A 10km route ... so good it was 12km!

A welcome run out with AT. Riding high on yesterday’s performance I was feeling pretty good and was interested to see if I could back up with a decent length run. Went really well, I think I actually had him out of breath.

He certainly wasn't expecting the pace we kept up.

We took an early turn which made it 2km longer than we were expecting (the extra distance represented by an uphill finish that was just about bang on 2k!). Good run and great to back up yesterday's run. Early days yet but I think the talking to I’ve given myself over the last few days while I’ve been unwell has done me good.

I have to say that witnessing the Dusk ‘til Dawn at Caboolture has to take some sort of responsibility as it was nothing short of inspirational at close quarters.

That's given me 41km for the week which is pretty tame but I'm pleased given I've had most of the week off and got two quality sessions in over the weekend. More than satisfied.

First run of the new regime

I've decided that I need to go out and actually run instead of running an ultra every time I go out (controlled pace, self preservation, etc.). There’s a school of thought that suggest distance running is dependent on the LSD method (long, slow, distance – an acronym that some idiot dreamt up in the 50’s or 60’s).

There’s a lot of merit in spending time on your feet at a steady comfortable pace, but there comes a point when you actually have to do some training. I’ve determined to start running during training as opposed to enduring it. Having most of the week off has done me good.

Today was the best run I've had in a long time. No stops, just kept the pace up. Ran every slope (as opposed to the ultra mantra of resting up the hills which I believe has set me back). I actually had a good time for the first time in ages.

Anyway, a continuous 23km in just over two hours. Hit half marathon distance at 1:52:37 which is pretty good for heavy trail. Really pleased.

As Emil Zatopek put it - When I was young, I was too slow. I thought, "why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow ..."

What's going on ...

Not quite over the cold yet but getting there. Had a good 8km run last night, gave it a miss this evening. You have to understand that it’s a real cold. You know, the type that these cissy weaklings in Australia take a week off for claiming to have the flu.

I mean, a heavy cold is enough to stop me heading out into the bush and running 20+ Km but as I have explained to some of these people, you can die of the flu and are barely able to get out of bed at best. A sore throat is not the flu!

Anyway, there are more important things afoot. My sister (pictured - she'll hate me for it) is practically on her way and will get here on March 14th (I think). Looking forward to it immensely, I might even relax for a short while and partake!

Also realised this week that all of a sudden, it’s three months until the Glasshouse 50 and I need to plan a schedule. It will keep, but not for too long.

Excuse me for being late ...

Well, it’s been a long time between drinks, as it were.

Things have gone pretty well since Hairs & Hounds. I clocked up 200km for January (that’s pretty good for me, especially for the last few months as it was consistent) and have been going pretty steadily at about 50km a week, inclusive of one long run.

Unfortunately, I hit a bit of a wall last week. I was fighting the onset of a cold all week. Had a couple of really good runs in the rain and a couple of hard ones two (on the road as opposed to the trail).

Went out for my long run on Saturday morning and blew up completely. My planned 23km turned into a 10km and even that was as much a bushwalk as a run. Nothing in the tank at all and I think, as well as the cold, I was paying the price of not easing up enough after January 13th. Anyway, I’ve taken it easy this week, just an 8km run last night thus far and am planning 12-15 tomorrow morning.

Forget all that nonsense though; the focus of last weekend was the Dusk to Dawn run at Caboolture over Saturday night/Sunday morning. I’ll add my account shortly but suffice to say it’s the most inspiring event I’ve witnessed close up.

What a recovery!

I can't believe how well I've pulled up after Sunday.

No real soreness, pretty tired through Monday and Tuesday after minimal sleep over the weekend but otherwise excellent.

It's put me in a very good frame of mind toward the 50 mile event in May and given me much confidence due mainly to the way I managed myself through this event. Aside of one spell (back up to Glasshouse lookout) where I was feeling it a bit it was all pretty steady. I knew I couldn't expect any miracles due to the lack of training and I managed to maintain a little discipline for the first half and it kept me in good stead to get home.

I've looked back at the whole run and picked plenty of places where I could have picked up considerable amounts of time but that wasn't the plan.

I went out for a run this evening with the dog (about 8.5km), nice and easy, all pretty good.

As I mentioned in the race report in my last entry, it feels like I'm actually turning a corner. I'm sure there's a bloody great hill to climb when I get around it (in the shape of the Glasshouse 50mile in May and the 100mile in September!), but I'm enjoying it all.

Hares & Hounds - 2008

Probably the most satisfying event I have taken part in. Finished well, hardly a record breaking pace, but very controlled and no real points where I felt I was in trouble.

Here is an account of events (P is Petersen Road at Woodford, the start).

P – CP7 – CP7a
This was my first event to start in the dark and having done a lot of night time training over the last 3 – 4 months I was looking forward to it. It was stupidly warm (‘nice’ warm though) for 3:30 in the morning and though I knew it was faster than I wanted to be, I got to CP7 in just over half an hour and was pretty comfortable. I ran straight through the intersection feeling pretty good, and waived Andrew up to CP7a.

Just before you get to the wet stuff in this section I could hear footsteps creeping up on me and was aware of a light getting closer. My first thoughts were that it would be that bloody Michelle Healy and Glendry about to cruise past me again like they did in September when I blew up, but I shouldn’t have been surprised (other than the fact I thought he was already ahead of me) to find that it was Roger Guard. Nice and steady, hardly a breath, we exchanged a few words about how it was good we weren’t doing the powerlines after all this rain and he was gone, a faint light beam disappearing into the distance.

I carried on like this, really comfortably though I knew this wouldn’t be something I could keep up for too long, but it would be a good if I could get through the first twenty km like this. I ‘thought’ too soon.

I was just coming up to CP7a thinking to myself that this was a nice start when I looked up for a second to find a huge (it was really big, honest) spider in front of my nose in the middle of its web … ok, it was about four feet away which means it was probably bigger than it looked. Either way, I wasn’t up for running through it and I just managed to duck under and to the side of it. I was just patting myself on the back and telling myself how cat like my reflexes must be to have avoided it like that (you know, being a dick head), when I lost focus for a second – on the ground that is – and turned the same bloody ankle! It felt pretty bad, I walked about twenty feet and it hurt more, to the extent that I thought this was it for the day. I determined to jog to 7a which frustratingly turned out to be only about fifty metres further on and mentioned it to Andrew. He suggested I keep walking/jogging, see if it warmed back up, etc. It did. Through the rest of the morning I had a few scary moments where I landed a bit unevenly but was fine (it’s better this morning than it was before the event thanks to the physio I got from the doctor when we finished at Woodford – thanks, I don’t know your name and I’m still not sure what you did but it worked!).

CP7a – CP6
This was what I needed after the scare. I’m pretty familiar with this road and even knowing it was only a couple of km’s, it was good to already have a feel for how long it would take to CP6. A nice run to the second part of the hill (a fast walk up with a long look to the right at the powerlines thinking how much nicer it probably was ‘here’ than ‘down there’) and from there to the foot of the hill at 6. Stocked up on GU, no need for more drink. Dumped the light and on to CP5a and CP5.

CP6 – CP5a - CP5 – CP4a
The Beerwah loop is one of my favourite parts of Glasshouse events (coming a close 2nd to the run up the bitumen to the pool at Woodford!), the turn right at the bottom of the hill wasn’t too bad, pretty much like the track that goes straight on toward Mt. Beerwah if you don’t turn. To the end then past Ian and up the track to the lookout and down to CP4a. Nice to see Susannah and Balri there (Susannah, you had a look about you that said, “am I awake yet” – same though crossed my mind!). The only significant thought coming down from the lookout was that it wasn’t going to be too pleasant making the climb back up but after that it would be relatively easier with not too much serious uphill but I was getting way ahead of myself (having conveniently forgotten that I had to make the two climbs on the way back to CP6 later on!).

CP4a – CP1 – CP2
This was new territory to me and I wasn’t looking forward to running on the bitumen. We were about 19.5 km here and I was feeling pretty good. I could feel the makings of a blister on my usual blister site, but felt it was ok to carry on and sort it out at Beerburrum. The run to Caves Rd. was pretty ordinary, took the decision to run down and walk up even the easier climbs, still a long way to go.

Just as I got to Caves Rd. I was caught up by a nice Irish bloke (sorry mate, I can’t remember the name, one of my failings). We ran most of the way to CP1 together and he started telling me about how this sort of stuff was all new to him and how he ought to seek some advice. I was starting to feel it a little and he seemed in considerably better shape than me so I was disinclined, with my limited experience, to offer any (I did anyway though, ‘Bloke Man’ took over!). At this point, David Waugh and Don Wallace came back past us. Aside of the fact that they had obviously gone the wrong way, both were running well and I got a close look ad Dave’s face and his expression suggested he had a race on his hands. Anyway, turns out that my new found Irish friend works with horses, eventing to be specific. He’s only recently taken up running because they’ve had nothing to do while the EI thing has been going on, just killing time! We chatted a bit more and I decided to take a breather and told him I was letting him go. He duly obliged but yelled back, “I’m sure you’ll catch me up, I only have little legs!” Top bloke (must have been the Gaelic-Celt in him).

I started jogging a while after and got to one, then onto Beerburrum. I never realised how far it was along the road to CP2 much longer than I remembered when passing in the car. I had Andrew attending to my every need (the amount of Mozzies there reminded me to put some more repellent on) while I dressed the blister on my heel, the doc made sure I was happy with the dressing I was putting on, that I ‘d used that type before and just to let him know if I needed anything.

Just then, I heard a “hey Taffffffyyy!” No mistaking Glendry and Michelle’s arrival!

Anyway, not too long a stop - change of socks, cup of Coke, over half way and off down the road.

CP2 – CP4a
I’d been dreading this section since I knew that the course had been changed. For some reason, I had it in my mind that the run along Beerburrum – Woodford Rd was going to drag. As it turned out, I had a pretty steady time to the foot of the hill just before the turn to Caves Rd. I ran it all the way from Beerburrum, it started to drizzle a bit, which was nice, but I found something that I hadn’t found before in other events: The ability to just dig in a little when I was feeling well travelled.

I turned onto Caves Rd and heard the voices that I’d been picking up for the last km or so getting closer. I’d passed a couple of guys on the way out of Beerburrum and had a feeling it wasn’t them. I went on for probably about 3-400m when it became unmistakable ... it was Ms. Healy! My suspicions confirmed when I heard, “Aluuun! Alun!” There was no escape!

I turned around and there was a little banter, then carried on until they caught up. They being, Michelle Healy, Glendry and Mark Rasi(?) the supposed Trail Snail. It was the best thing that could have happened to me! Lightened things up a bit before they had chance to get dark. Added to my joy was Michelle’s question of “have you lost weight since September?”, I stated no but thanks and “it’s amazing what a pair of tights can do for your figure though!”. Inside I was pretty chuffed. I turned 42 two weeks ago, how to make an old man feel happy eh?

We turned off Cave’s Rd.(on which we got passed by the first hound) and headed toward Old Gympie Rd. (which always makes me think of some bloke in a strange leather suit with zips and buckles everywhere) and up to CP4a. I didn’t notice who was there and went straight to the car, picked my stuff up and braced myself for the climb up to the lookout.

CP4a – CP5
It may not have looked it at the time, but this was a lot easier than I’d anticipated. Glen was feeling it a bit here and I had much empathy. He looked a bit like I felt at GH in September. It was getting really warm and Michelle was keeping both Glen and I going. As for Mark, I don’t think I noticed any difference in his motion or mood, he just kept going and chatting to Michelle. Both of them obviously have too much energy. The comment from Michelle of, “erm, we’re walking? Why?”, when we’d encountered an almost imperceptible downhill of at least four yards during a 1:4 uphill section sort of summed it up, but it made me smile.

Anyway, we made it to the top, both Glen and I were feeling the heat I think but I have to say that it was easier than I’d anticipated and it took a lot less time. Michelle had a bit to do with that I think, very motivational ... other cultures might refer to it as nagging!

CP5 – CP5a - CP6
We were all still at the checkpoint at more or less the same time though. I skipped the car (and a scheduled electrolyte) in favour of water at the checkpoint. The other three were still there and I wanted to keep moving so I seized my chance. I must have been doing at least 8km/hour (!!!), I don’t know how the hell they caught up with me!

It was a pretty uneventful run through the now uninhabited CP5a across the undulating stretch to the foot of the first hill back to CP6. I was flagging quite a bit and was getting left behind but I seemed to be doing enough toward the end of the stretch to get back to the guys in as much as when they started walking the hill, I just got there and started walking too. As we walked up it was clear that Michelle and Mark were hanging around and they made the (correct) decision toward the top to move on. Didn’t see either after that and I’m pretty sure that Rachel would have had her hands full for that 2nd place if Michelle had gone off earlier.

Glen got ahead of me and before I caught him up we were passed by another hound and a young bloke whose name I forget but marvelled at what he did yesterday (more of him later). I caught up with Glenn and we walked down the hill at the point that I can only refer to as the big dipper, then back up the other side. I was glad of the walking for such a spell and I think it did me good. We walked a bit further and Glen came up with, “I have to run, because if I don’t start now, I won’t ever again!” With that, we ran into CP6.

CP6 – CP7a
What a delight to reach CP6. I’d had this point in my mind since the start in as much as any hard stuff would be behind us now whatever the course had been. The aforementioned guy who’s name I have forgotten (let’s call him Runner ‘X’) was there too. He was just taking off, Glen and I were on the move at the same time when Glen went back to check something in a bag. I yelled back that I was heading on but I don’t think he heard me (sorry Glen). I felt a bit guilty but was already moving down the hill, just one of those things.

Down the hill and X man could barely move and stated that his quads were shot. Across the following straight and he told me that he’d never run further than 20km prior to Sunday! This guy had no water, not even a bottle. I checked my Garmin and we were just creeping up to 42.2km so I congratulated him on running his first marathon. His response was something along the lines of five hours + being pretty poor ... I advised him of the achievement. Anyway, I don’t think he heard me as he’d taken off ahead of me to run up the hill before running down past the powerlines. I walked the hill and over the brow to see him unable to run down and caught him again at CP7a. I grabbed a couple of GU’s and one for Mr. X and took off down the track to CP7 about 10km to go.

CP7a – CP7
This was the second most satisfactory section of the day for me. I caught up with Mr. X after about 200m (about the point where I’d turned my ankle about 400 years prior) and offered him the GU. He didn’t want it as he didn’t like one without a drink, I offered him a drink but he didn’t want one - so be it. We ran together for a while, walked the occasional short spell and ran again then at one point I dug in and I was on my own. I made it to the intersection before CP7 and walked down to the CP with Andrew and used the time to rest a bit. As I got there, who came down the track behind me but Mr. X, my surprise obviously showed (I was going to mention to the support that he was out there with no water) as he proclaimed he had found a ‘3rd’ wind!

CP7 to P – my most satisfactory section
Had a quick chat with Ian and the guys, watched Mr. X run off and took off myself shortly after. Talked to Andrew about time – I had 5:56 on the clock and decided at a push I could make 5:35. Thankfully, as I left, Glen was coming down the hill to the CP.

I’d escaped the hounds, had a little over 5km to go and had discovered some fortitude that I hadn’t had at this stage in the other two events I’d run and I felt good. I managed myself really well, had Mr. X in sight for most of the time but couldn’t make any ground on him. I was conscious of Glen behind me and I wasn’t going to let him get me now (I mean, I knew he was doing it tough, but my feeling good was relative, it was no picnic!!)

Another undulating stretch and a run down to that hill before the downhill that looks deceptively like the one just before the finish only to find you still have the best part of 3km left (I hate that hill). Anyway, as I went over the brow, I looked back and saw someone’s head just go out of sight as I started down. Glen! How the hell did he pull that back? Bugger this, I thought, he’s not getting me now. I stuck with it and ran most of the way down that interminably long straight (I know, but I was tired). I looked back and saw no one. Then, in the distance, coming around the corner, some other dude appeared and he was catching me. Turned out, he was as tired as I was, a hound I found out after asking him, “a hound, how far is it?” No more than 10 minutes at worst I told him.

From that point, I ran the rest of the way home bar for about 40 metres and came home in 6:31:32 on a day that took a few people by surprise. The run up to the pool is pretty special. I mean, you have to actually run it (people watching and all that) and there’s always someone looking for you. For me, it was my wife (Rhys, my son had already given up hope and was in the pool!), my crew, Andrew and his partner, Donna. In addition to these welcome sights, Michelle Healy was standing out there, leading the applause for anyone who was finishing, that was a nice moment. I told her that Glen was ok and not too far behind but had gone through a tough patch.

Epilogue (see the Streets of San Francisco reference at the top!)
I have to say that this was a ground breaking event for me. The last 16km or so showed me that the more I’m running distance, whether it’s the events or more often the 20+ and 30+ km training runs I’m doing, I’m getting somewhere. I was actually able to run purposefully during this period and during the last 10km make some time as opposed to surviving and just making it to the end. That thought occurred to me with each stride and I can’t really describe what that felt like. I’m sure that those of you who do manage to wade through this will relate to it. This has done wonders for my attitude toward the 50 mile event at GH in May.

Follow the signs

Well, I should have been tapering anyway so maybe it was best that things didn't go quite to plan today.

We were away overnight at Mapleton as it had been mine and Stacey's birthdays this week - stayed in a stunning B&B and ended up doing a 10km hike through the bush to see some waterfalls. Beautiful though they were, we went the wrong way and had to double back, otherwise it would have been a 5km hike - all good training I guess! Anyway, that was yesterday.

We went into town for lunch, ended up rushing back as I was to meet Andrew and run together. I ended up out on my own as something came up. The weather was pretty shitty and I cut it short and did about 7km.

I've only got about 170km in over the last month due mainly to the sprained ankle, but there have been some quality runs in there and a lot of time spent on my feet.

I should be ok for a good steady run next weekend, no records, I'm just trying to keep some form and perform an exercise in course management (as it's called in golf)

Another box ticked

Got the long one in I was hoping for this morning. I aimed for a slow 25km in 2½ hours and got 23km in 2:28 instead. Some sections were ankle deep in mud after the rain we've had around here in the last few weeks so I'm pretty pleased. Get tomorrow out of the way and kick my heels for a week until I get to Woodford.

Fingers crossed

I went for a 12km run tonight on the road. Turned out to be the most efficient run I've had since I don't know when in as much as I kept a constant pace right through. Sub 5:30 for each of the first six km and sub 5:00 for the second six having decided to pick it up a little at half way.

Maybe the lack of running because my ankle and all is having an unexpected positive effect and I'm keeping a little fresher. Who knows? Either way, I'm happy with how things are going under the circumstances.

A couple more runs before H&H, maybe a long one on Saturday and a short one to back it up on Sunday.

Just catching up ...

A bit behind what with the festive season imposing on us/being made redundant/starting a new job, etc.

Ankle’s pretty much mended, still a bit tender at times so I have to be careful. Haven’t had the frequency of runs I would have liked, but I have had some quality.

I got a good 21km in a few weeks ago, backed up by a 15km the day after. Then last Friday (28th), did a 31km with Andrew from Woodford to the Glasshouse lookout and back which went pretty well (a bit too much walking for him I think). Backed that up with 18km on New Year’s day (which was no mean feat after the heavy New Year’s eve, even if I say so myself!).

Anyway, probably two more decent runs (tonight and Saturday morning) then just a couple of 5-10km runs Sunday and Monday, then the rest of the week off before Hares & Hounds on the 13th.

What a revelation the Garmin is proving to be! It’s really helping with pacing and the amount of data it gathers is amazing. I’m only just scratching the surface too.

Got back to work yesterday, I’m the only person here. Unbelievably quiet but I’m pretty tired anyway after another late night last night … c’mon, it was my birthday. 42, the meaning of life, the universe and everything should all be clear to me now (Google it if you’re not sure what I mean).