Month - 60 k
YTD - 746.5 k
It's been nearly 2 months since I have updated this blog. Although I have been pretty slack with this my training has been progressing nicely. I have no injuries and am feeling relatively fit.
I will be travelling down to Mudgeeraba to compete in the Kokoda Challenge. A 96k walk through the Gold Coast hinterland finishing up at Nerang. I have been focusing on this with a bit of hill work and walking, but also concentrating on my running which can only help.
Our team of 4 is aiming at finishing in under 20 hrs, however due to leading different lifestyles and working different jobs we haven't had too many sessions as a complete group. Hopefully this Saturday everyone can make it for our last hit out where we will doing a night walk for a few hours. Around 30 km is on the cards.
As part of my training I decided to enter the GCM. I hadn't done any long runs just 2 x 1.5 h ones leading into the race. I thought doing this race would be ideal in seeing how my body react to fatigue and see if I could back up the following days to continue to prepare for the Kokoda event.
I didn't enter to race the marathon and thought that if I could stay with the 4 hr pace group that would be an ideal training session. My last attempt at a marathon didn't work out as planned due to a virus hitting me a few days before when I was actually racing for a time, so I have never done an official marathon before.
I set off aiming to run 5.41 pace for 4 hrs. To cut a long day out in the office short I managed to achieve my goal, running between 26 - 27.30 for each 5 k split until the last 5 k. I started to get some cramps, not sure why maybe the unfamiliar scenario I put my body in was the reason. I believe I kept the electrolytes up very well. I actually carried food, water, gels and powerade on my person during the whole race and also took on Edura and water at the the drink stations.
Due to the cramps my pace per k slowed alot as I had to walk on occasions. I never stopped however and the last 7.2 k was done in 45 mins so around 6.30 pace. I am a little disappointed that this happened as I would have probably broken 3.50 on debut with no training Per Se. I am happy that I did finish under my goal I had set out and as a bonus actually ran 3.55.09.
I pulled up a little sore on Monday, however as part of my job I have to do PT. The session on the morning was more running. I could have done something different as everyone knew I had just run the marathon but I decided to loosen the pegs up and do the short track session. 6 x 400 m intervals. I managed 1.20 - 1.25 per 400 m. My theory didn't work and I seized up as soon as I cooled down. The rest of this week has been light with 2 games of tennis for an hour or two.
I feel great now and I am looking forward to next weekend where I will be roaming the hills of the SE Qld area.
