This week I took the training on the road. Being away for work or play is no excuse to stop training. I did have to make some adjustments to the schedule to fit it all in but I made it happen. I had a few false starts but in the end it was a great week of running and pushing the limits.
Here are the highlights of my 3 city running tour.
Monday – 20/07/15
False start. Early flight to Sydney for work meant that I couldn’t squeeze in my scheduled morning run. I did pack my gear with the intent of going after work. After a long day at the corporate, Happy Hour at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel with mates was just too good to resist.
Sunrise over the Opera House
Tuesday – 21/07/15
This was meant to be a rest day but since I did not run yesterday I did my “easy 30”. I got up early and ran across the Harbour Bridge and watched the sunrise over the Sydney Opera House. Not my fastest effort but I really loved running against the backdrop of one of the most amazing and iconic views in Australia.
Wednesday – 22/07/15
I got back to Hobart quite late Tuesday night and hit snooze way too many times to run in the morning. I had a really long and crappy day at coal face. I brought my gear to work and intended to run on the bike track for today’s scheduled 2min fast/1min slow x 5 interval session. Got changed and realised that it was so late I couldn’t leave my gear at work and get back to it in time to get home. Another False Start! Anyhow, I got home and went out for my run ignoring the couch’s beckoning wail. The run was HARD! This was the hardest on the program so far. I think I was exhausted from the travel and long day. I tried hard but had to drop 15 seconds off one of my “fast” intervals because I couldn’t breathe. I got out there, tried my best and that is what matters.
Friday – 24/7/15
Thursday was a rest day and I stuck to schedule. It was a good thing because we travelled to Melbourne for an extended weekend with friends. Like a good little marathoner in training I packed my running gear. Or
New Kicks
at least I thought I did. I had grand plans of running the Tan Track in Melbourne CBD for my “Easy 45” on Friday but the suitcase gremlins had other ideas. I woke early ready to bolt only to realise in horror that I forgot my sports bra! This is one of those times I wish I were flat chested. My E-cups cannot run free. Normal bras just don’t stop the jubblies from jiggling and going commando would risk black-eyes and other painful injuries. Yet another false start!
It was going to take alot more than forgetting my tata-tamers to stop me from running today. After all, I was in the shopping mecca of Melbourne and I now had a genuine excuse to hit the Nike Outlet! I got my bra, some singlets and a new pair of kicks. With the shopping done we headed to the seaside suburb of Cheltenham to stay with friends for the rest of the weekend. I finally did my run, albeit 8 hours later than anticipated. I did a little over 8km with a few kms along the beach. It was beautiful running in sunshine for a change! One thing I wanted to call out is how friendly runners are in general. Every runner I passed had a smile and a hello. Even some random old man walking along the beach cheered me on with a “Good on you! You’re doing great!”. People are so nice and all of those nods, smiles and cheers go a long way to boost the confidence.
Saturday – 25/7/15
Kingston Bay Trail
Today was meant to be a Parkrun day. Melbourne’s Parkrun is at Albert Park and that was a bit too far away….oh well I’ll get to one eventually. Tomorrow is a transit day so I decided to change up the schedule and do my long run today. This was the longest run of the program so far – 16km. I decided to run along the Kingston Bay Trail overlooking beautiful Beaumaris Bay to Mordialloc Pier after my big breakfast had settled. When I got to the Pier I wasn’t quite halfway so I kept running along Napean Hwy to the end of Attenborough Park. As I often do, I did a bit extra so I nearly did 17km. I averaged 5’45” per km which I’m pleased with considering I didn’t push too hard and it was a reasonable distance. I loved the gorgeous beach scenery and I felt great throughout. I think that having a good breakfast made a difference. I usually run on an empty stomach…naughty I know. I wish we had a nice stretch of coastal track here in Tassie. I’m sure we do. I’ll just have to find it.
Moody Mordialloc Pier
Sunday – 26/7/15
Today was my re-scheduled Parkrun aka 5km day. I got up early and did a 5km in the cold howling wind. Crazy as it may sound it felt good to get up and run even after the big effort of the day before. My pace was a bit slower than usual but I didn’t care it was just good to get out there.
Reflections on week 3
No matter where I am or how busy I get I want to stay on track with my program. No excuses! I was really tested this week with my false starts but I’m proud to say I overcame them and feel the better for it. This is the beauty of running – I can do it anytime and anywhere (provided I remember my bra!) Week by week I’m getting stronger, faster and closer to that finish. Bring on week 4!
