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.