Well my health is finally on the up and I’ve managed to run more kms this week than on any other week of my marathon training program. I’ve still got the vestiges of a cough, the occasional sore throat and blocked ears but my energy is back and I ran 56.4km.
Corporate life has been busy and is going to get even more challenging in the weeks ahead. Always does in the lead up to Christmas with a final frenzied flurry of activity. I felt better at work this week because my running was back on track. It is great when things are in balance – lets hope I can maintain it and keep the demon viruses away!
Here is how the week went:
Monday 2/11/15
Today I misread my program. Instead of doing an easy 50 I did an easy 60…Oops! Anyhow, I couldn’t get my lazy bum out of bed in the morning so I ran it on the treadmill after work. I think the weather was a bit ordinary and I was just being precious which is why I did the treadmill. I watched a documentary on one of my favourite movies of all time – Back to the Future – while I busted out an easy 10.5km. Still hate the treadmill but at least it keeps my pace consistent.
Wednesday 4/11/15
Repeat day. This is the day I try and test my limits and push my pace. Today I did 4x2km with 90sec rest in between. I did it out on the road and had to contend with some slight hills. I still wasn’t at my best today but gave it a nudge. I averaged 5’19” per km with my fastest at 4’59”. It was hard work but I enjoyed getting it done.
I saw the physio again today for a check-in. I’ve made some excellent progress with my hip strength and flexibility. The exercises I’m doing are working and he has prescribed a few more.
Today was also a big day because I got a bit of an extreme makeover! I went from red to blonde. I call it my midlife crisis. Hopefully the blonde will make me go faster.
My Crazy Pacing
Friday 6/11/5
Easy 60 day or Easy 62 in my case. I ran my town circuit to the Tasman Bridge and back. It was such a serene and peaceful day. Another one of those days where you think to yourself “life is good”! I loved the colour of the early morning light on the still water of the harbour. I wish I took a photo but I was too busy enjoying the moment to stop. There is nothing like the serenity of running early in the morning. I does wonders to set you up for the day. I ended up running nearly 11km – I could have kept going. While my time was OK 5’46” on a longer run makes this the best road run I’ve had recently. It was so good not to feel pain and not to mention being able to breathe.
Saturday 7/11/15
Tempo Run today. I did a 5km run around the ‘hood. It was a great run and I absolutely enjoyed myself out there. I really need to work on this style of run. My pace wasn’t even – my pace increased as the run went on. I think there is another name for this run but I can’t think of it. It used to be a fixture on an old training program I had. Well I may have failed at my attempted at a tempo run but killed it for that other type of run…
Tonight was fun catching up with friends from Sydney. We had a great Thai Meal out and celebrated with beer and wine. Yum…hope I don’t pay for it tomorrow.
Sunday 8/11/15
Long run day today – 22km. I was a bit tired from a bit of a big night yesterday so I slept in and got a late start with my run. I didn’t pull up too bad which was a huge relief! I fuelled up with coffee and an Elvis Sandwich along with plenty of water for hydration. I slathered (or in my case sprayed) the sunscreen on and I was off at around 10:30.
The first few uphill kms were a bit hard but I quickly got my groove as I warmed up into the run. Today was a perfect day for running – sunshine and a bit of breeze. It was magic out there and I had quite a few kms where I completely zoned out in the rhythm of my run. Those are the best runs – the seemingly effortless once where you are at peace with your body and just go.
I ran through Hobart and then along the bike track to Glenorchy and back. There were a few shady characters on the track. One person of note looked like a homeless dude on the pushbike with all of his belongings in a plastic bag. He gave me the staredown as he passed me taking swigs out of his stubby…classy!
I felt good during the whole run and stopped for water and half an energy bar at the 15km mark at Cornelian Bay. The final 4 km were a bit of a struggle but I kept the momentum. I ended up running about just over 6 minute kms. I certainly took the run easy so I’m happy with that. I also felt heaps better than last week after the long run. No nap afterwards but made sure I had plenty of food, water and coconut water. It made all the difference!
I’d like the run the Point to Pinnacle next week a bit faster….we shall see!
