This week marks the start of month 2 of my marathon training. Month 1 flew by and if this week is anything to go by month 2 will go even faster. After the euphoria of hitting a PB at the Budget 5km and getting my training schedule for this month, I am now entered in another 3 Fun Runs this year. I’ve entered the Ross Half Marathon, the Burnie 10 and the Point to Pinnacle. They’ll all play a part in my training for Cadbury and Chicago next year.
This week went past in a snowy blur. The corporate life was good this week. I seemed to be on top of things for a change!
Here is how week 5 of training went down.
Monday 3/8/15
Magical Snow at UTAS Ovals
Today I woke to a winter wonderland! The Hobart ‘Blizzard’ of 2015 had struck overnight and left a thin veil of snow on the ground. There were still flurries outside and I rushed out to go for my ‘Easy 40 min’ run. Normally cold and wet would be something I’d want to avoid but the novelty of snow was just too enticing. When I got out the snow stopped. I was a bit disappointed but I kept on running my usual Sandy Bay Loop. It was remarkably mild out there considering the snow. There were only a few other people out on the roads walking dogs but sadly no runners (was I the only mad one?). On my final 2km I got my wish, it started snowing! It was absolute magic watching the large snowflakes fall down as I ran. I felt like a kid with a huge smile on my face and I just wanted keep going but alas the reality of the corporate life meant I had to stop. I ended up doing 7km in total.
My Sandy Bay back yard covered in snow
Wednesday 5/8/15
Today was interval/speed day. I felt tired and a bit stressed out today. I didn’t sleep well and is was COLD out there. No magic snow just normal tarmac. I did 4 x 1km with 90secs rest in between. I was meant to do them at 10km pace but I ended up doing them a bit faster. It is amazing what a little rest can do for you. Anyhow I know I need to watch my pace a bit better but I think I actually just wanted to get it over with today.
Friday 7/8/15
Friday was an “Easy 55” day. I had the Friday happy face on today during my run. Fridays are awesome. Anyone who works 9-5 in a corporate cheesemine will say the same. I ran my city loop and it almost felt like I had a pacer. This super fast guy overtook me on Pillinger Dr and I caught up with him again further along in the run. I’m sure he lapped me but I didn’t care. It was fun to try and catch him.
Today was the day I discovered the awesomeness of Spotify Pace Stations on the Nike+ App. Basically you select the pace you want to run at and the type of music you want to listen to and the app will automagically do you a playlist. I selected 80s classic rock (because I’m old and I like that kind of stuff) and it pumped out some great jams I haven’t heard…well…. since the 80s. Although I’m not sure that “One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer” was an entirely appropriate song choice for 5:45AM. It did get me in the mood for Friday and got me to 10km!
Saturday 8/8/15
Parkrun attendance failure again today. I’ll get there one day I promise! I did a 5km loop of Hobart in the morning before getting into my day of domestic duties. It was about 10 secs off my average pace and way off my race pace. In my defense, it was cold and icy. I ran cautiously because I don’t want to get injured this early in the piece. All in all it was a good run in the frosty sunshine.
Sunday 9/8/15
The TRR were having a run at the Pipeline today so I thought I’d go along to change things up for my long
The way trail shoes should look!
run. The Pipeline Track is Hobart’s premier running trail and provides a welcome change from cityscapes and tarmac. I caught up with Danny, a TRR member, at the start and we ran together. The track was muddy and challenging at places because of the icy snow in the shady spots. I well and truly broke my trail shoes in! I usually wear them to walk to work and it was great to see them look as trail runners should – covered in mud.
While I didn’t do my best time it was really great having some company on the run. Danny shared his wealth of running experience was very patient with my slow pace. It never fails to amaze me how welcoming and supportive the running community is. We caught up with some other runners on the way back including Peter G who sang – how he managed to do that and still run is beyond me. The views on the trail are spectacular and I look forward to running more of it in the warmer months. I did 16km with an average pace of around 6 min per km.
The TRR put on breakfast after the run and it was great to chat to fellow runners by the fire while enjoying some of Jay Flashgordon’s baked goodness. What a great way to start a Sunday morning and end week 5 of maratraining.
Muddy legs = great trail run
