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.