Week - 21.1k
Month - 91k
YTD - 844k
Firstly it was a shame that I missed catching up with people at the C2S, but it is just so damn busy it makes it that much harder to find people. In saying that I spent almost an hour looking for Cass at Bondi after the race before we caught the bus back the city. We when arrived there and went back to the car which was parked in a underground carpark Cass realised that she didn't have the car keys. We searched for them but no luck, to cut a long story short we had to catch a train back to Gosford, get our spare keys sent from Brisbane to my parents then catch a train back to Sydney a few days later to get our car. We finally got it on Tuesday and a $129 later is car parking fees.
Alright back to business, Noosa today, I have never done this race before but it seems to be very popular with some big names turning up. The weather was perfect and the organisation was excellent from what I experienced.
Lining up at the start I briefly saw Tesso and Clairie who seemed to be her jovial self :) I had lined up behind the 90 min pace group and decided to hang on as long as possible. I knew I was a little under done when it comes to anything over 15k so I wasn't expecting too much.
The gun went and we were off, I didn't start my watch until I went under the starting banner which would have been all of 10 secs at the most. From the onset I felt good and had to make up some distance on the pacer who must have got a clear path through the crowd. I eventually caught him and settled into a controlled pace.
Early on the group was crowded and at times felt to cramped but it began to thin out around the 5-7k mark. The course was flat apart from the occassional small bridge and I was thinking that it would make for a fast time if the right prep was done.
The 1/2 way mark came around pretty quickly and we passed the 10k mark in low 42's, I was feeling good still and wasn't struggling at all. By the 14k mark (59.12) I began feeling like I was in a race. The one thing I forgot was my Gu, I always take one for an event longer than 15k because I always seem to loose energy at the 17+ mark.
This event was no different, my legs began to fatigue, my cardio was still good but the legs didn't have much left. I slowed a bit and the pacer began to creep away but I reeled him back, I got a second wind. This lasted for all of 500m when the feeling of nothing came back.
The 18k mark hit and the pacer said we were running a little behind and sped up I did the same but knew I was struggling. I grabbed a drink in desperation that it would help me get to the end. Just over 2k to go, I was telling myself it's only 10 mins it's not far.
The 19k marker was in sight and then I heard the sound which broke me mentally more than anything, the pacers split alarm going off, we still had 75-100m to go. My spirit just shattered I had nothing, I still tried but the pace was well outside what was required. The last little bridge before the finish felt like Heart Break, the crowd was massive lining the streets and it would have been great to run strong through the finish but it wasn't to be.
I saw Cass, Sam and my Mum just before I crossed the line in my watch time of 91.19. Suprisingly I pulled up well, the legs were weary after the race but have recovered great throughout the day.
We hung around to watch the finishers of the 1/2, and first few palce getters of the 10k and 5k before heading off to shower and check out of the accommodation. It would have been good to hang around and catch up but we didn't organise a later check out.
Congrats to everyone who ran today, until next time......
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
C2S 2006
Week - 14k
Month - 62k
YTD - 815k
Arrived home last night after deciding to drive from Sydney to Brisbane in one day instead of two. It was a nice relief to wake up this morning knowing that I didn't have to drive another few hours today.
So what has been going on in the last week or so. The days leading up to the C2S were very casual only one run along the beach of Terrigal was done before the race. I dont know what possessed me in running 10k on sand but I did, and my legs complained about it that night and on Saturday.
Anyway we arrived in Sydney on Saturday afternoon after driving down from the Central Coast. After checking in to our hotel, Cass and I went for a walk around Darling harbour and the like for a few hours. After returning to the hotel we were a bit tired and remained there until the race the next day.
Waking up I was quite excited about running the C2S for the first time since 97. I had forgotten about how big this race actually is, the A1 starting area quite early in the morning contained more runners than the usual races I have been doing over the past few years.
After standing around for what felt like an eternity the crowd shifted forward and then the gun fired, I was cold and stiff and didn't feel like getting straight into it at all. I didn't start my watch until I passed the line and even at that stage it wasn't for a few more seconds that I could actually get some speed.
Everyone took off like gazelles and I tried not to get too caught up with everyone but knew that I was running way too fast. I had a guy take a face plant in front of me at high speed and slowed to help him up but he seemed ok. About 1k into the run it settled down a bit and some normal running took place.
I couldn't remember any of the course and the amount of hills suprised the hell out of me, even before heartbreak I was struggling up the hills which wasn't a good sign. I reached HB and put the head down and pumped the arms, the only thing was the legs didn't want to go, I was tired, the breathing was heavy and I was feeling hot.
The little guy in my head told me to stop and reassess the goals but I pushed on and tried to keep in contact with those around me. I reached the top and was exhausted, I ran until the drink station at the top and took a drink and walked for about ten metres and then set off. The clock at the top was just over 30 minutes so I was still on good time but I was hurting.
I wanted to break 60 mins, but thought, 61-62 mins was still a good effort. I continued and every hill I died on there was no steam left. I had to make the time up somewhere so I pushed a little harder on the downhill sections. By the 10km mark (41.28) I was starting to struggle even on the flat and was hanging out for the long downhill section into Bondi. I knew I could recover there a bit and battle on for the last km.
I passed the 12k sign and knew that I didn't have long to go before the end. I just needed to keep the legs turning over, however once I hit the flat just opposite the shops I had nothing left, I reckon I was running around 5 min/k pace and even that was hurting me. Reaching the big left hand turn for the run down to the finish I gritted my teeth and at times closed my eyes and dug deep I heard the announcer saying something about sub 60 and knew that I still had a chance. I passed a few people on the way down and crossed the line in 58.4x however I must have taken my time to get my time card so my official time was 58.52, my watch time was 58.27. I was also quite impressed about my position making it into the top 1000, #897
I was pretty happy about my time, I reached my goal but am bit disappointed as to how I ran it. I ran horrible and looking back I could have taken alot of time off that. Maybe next year!
Anyway, Noosa in two days and I haven't ran since the C2S. I am going for a jog today and leave tomorrow for the trip up there. Im not sure how I will go, I wish I had done some more training so I could have a shot at my PB but I dont think that will happen. I will just enjoy the weekend and see what comes from it.
Month - 62k
YTD - 815k
Arrived home last night after deciding to drive from Sydney to Brisbane in one day instead of two. It was a nice relief to wake up this morning knowing that I didn't have to drive another few hours today.
So what has been going on in the last week or so. The days leading up to the C2S were very casual only one run along the beach of Terrigal was done before the race. I dont know what possessed me in running 10k on sand but I did, and my legs complained about it that night and on Saturday.
Anyway we arrived in Sydney on Saturday afternoon after driving down from the Central Coast. After checking in to our hotel, Cass and I went for a walk around Darling harbour and the like for a few hours. After returning to the hotel we were a bit tired and remained there until the race the next day.
Waking up I was quite excited about running the C2S for the first time since 97. I had forgotten about how big this race actually is, the A1 starting area quite early in the morning contained more runners than the usual races I have been doing over the past few years.
After standing around for what felt like an eternity the crowd shifted forward and then the gun fired, I was cold and stiff and didn't feel like getting straight into it at all. I didn't start my watch until I passed the line and even at that stage it wasn't for a few more seconds that I could actually get some speed.
Everyone took off like gazelles and I tried not to get too caught up with everyone but knew that I was running way too fast. I had a guy take a face plant in front of me at high speed and slowed to help him up but he seemed ok. About 1k into the run it settled down a bit and some normal running took place.
I couldn't remember any of the course and the amount of hills suprised the hell out of me, even before heartbreak I was struggling up the hills which wasn't a good sign. I reached HB and put the head down and pumped the arms, the only thing was the legs didn't want to go, I was tired, the breathing was heavy and I was feeling hot.
The little guy in my head told me to stop and reassess the goals but I pushed on and tried to keep in contact with those around me. I reached the top and was exhausted, I ran until the drink station at the top and took a drink and walked for about ten metres and then set off. The clock at the top was just over 30 minutes so I was still on good time but I was hurting.
I wanted to break 60 mins, but thought, 61-62 mins was still a good effort. I continued and every hill I died on there was no steam left. I had to make the time up somewhere so I pushed a little harder on the downhill sections. By the 10km mark (41.28) I was starting to struggle even on the flat and was hanging out for the long downhill section into Bondi. I knew I could recover there a bit and battle on for the last km.
I passed the 12k sign and knew that I didn't have long to go before the end. I just needed to keep the legs turning over, however once I hit the flat just opposite the shops I had nothing left, I reckon I was running around 5 min/k pace and even that was hurting me. Reaching the big left hand turn for the run down to the finish I gritted my teeth and at times closed my eyes and dug deep I heard the announcer saying something about sub 60 and knew that I still had a chance. I passed a few people on the way down and crossed the line in 58.4x however I must have taken my time to get my time card so my official time was 58.52, my watch time was 58.27. I was also quite impressed about my position making it into the top 1000, #897
I was pretty happy about my time, I reached my goal but am bit disappointed as to how I ran it. I ran horrible and looking back I could have taken alot of time off that. Maybe next year!
Anyway, Noosa in two days and I haven't ran since the C2S. I am going for a jog today and leave tomorrow for the trip up there. Im not sure how I will go, I wish I had done some more training so I could have a shot at my PB but I dont think that will happen. I will just enjoy the weekend and see what comes from it.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
I'm Off!
Week - 14k
Month - 38k
YTD - 791k
not in the smelly way either, well I hope not :)
I am leaving today to travel to Sydney, so this will be my last opportunity to blog for a good week and a half. Sad day :( for the blogs that is not the holiday.
Just a quick update of the happening's of the past few days. After I posted on Sunday I headed out again and done a nice casual 7k run. It was the slowest I have run, I think ever for a training session which felt good. Not much else to say about it, total time was around 39 mins.
Monday morning I woke up all keen to attack the beep test, I was feeling fresh after the casual running the day before. However when we began I was told that the first run through would be only to level 9. Very disappointing, I thought my plan to drop out after the last person would not eventuate due to the low level. Oh how I was wrong, there were people dropping out at level 4, just to give you an indication of how far that is, the basic entry requirement for the Defence Force is 7.5 which totals around 1120m in over 6mins. I was shocked and I know it sounds harsh but these people should not be in the Defence Force. By level 8 or so I was the lone person running up and down the 20m course and by level 9 I was warm but certainly not struggling.
The next run through was with a partner, they would run down and back and then you would do the same. We started from where we left off at level 9 and continued to level 12. Only half the group even attempted to do this but those who did it actually made it to the end. Another 2 min rest and we were back into it, this time in groups of 3 where it was a relay, one person standing at one end and two at the other. At the end with two people, one person takes off and runs 20m to the person standing opposite tagging that person and then setting off with the beeps and so on. We again started where we left off at level 12 and continued to level 15.
Overall the session was run well if only the fitness of the workplace was at a standard where everyone would get a good workout from it.
Well, that's it, sorry about the rant but it does annoy me alot, it wouldn't concern me too much if something was being implemented to help the situation, however nothing is ever said and I am in no position to change things .
Now to the exciting stuff, I hope to see some of you at C2S, but they may be a hard task, if not I will read all about the efforts of everyone later. I may even catch up with some of you at Noosa, BRRC or even Glasshouse, how good is that? I dont ever get tired of thinking of the great events coming up, however I will probably be tired after them all though :)
Good luck to everyone.
Month - 38k
YTD - 791k
not in the smelly way either, well I hope not :)
I am leaving today to travel to Sydney, so this will be my last opportunity to blog for a good week and a half. Sad day :( for the blogs that is not the holiday.
Just a quick update of the happening's of the past few days. After I posted on Sunday I headed out again and done a nice casual 7k run. It was the slowest I have run, I think ever for a training session which felt good. Not much else to say about it, total time was around 39 mins.
Monday morning I woke up all keen to attack the beep test, I was feeling fresh after the casual running the day before. However when we began I was told that the first run through would be only to level 9. Very disappointing, I thought my plan to drop out after the last person would not eventuate due to the low level. Oh how I was wrong, there were people dropping out at level 4, just to give you an indication of how far that is, the basic entry requirement for the Defence Force is 7.5 which totals around 1120m in over 6mins. I was shocked and I know it sounds harsh but these people should not be in the Defence Force. By level 8 or so I was the lone person running up and down the 20m course and by level 9 I was warm but certainly not struggling.
The next run through was with a partner, they would run down and back and then you would do the same. We started from where we left off at level 9 and continued to level 12. Only half the group even attempted to do this but those who did it actually made it to the end. Another 2 min rest and we were back into it, this time in groups of 3 where it was a relay, one person standing at one end and two at the other. At the end with two people, one person takes off and runs 20m to the person standing opposite tagging that person and then setting off with the beeps and so on. We again started where we left off at level 12 and continued to level 15.
Overall the session was run well if only the fitness of the workplace was at a standard where everyone would get a good workout from it.
Well, that's it, sorry about the rant but it does annoy me alot, it wouldn't concern me too much if something was being implemented to help the situation, however nothing is ever said and I am in no position to change things .
Now to the exciting stuff, I hope to see some of you at C2S, but they may be a hard task, if not I will read all about the efforts of everyone later. I may even catch up with some of you at Noosa, BRRC or even Glasshouse, how good is that? I dont ever get tired of thinking of the great events coming up, however I will probably be tired after them all though :)
Good luck to everyone.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
What's on the Agenda
Week - 5k
Month - 29k
YTD - 782k
I thought I would take this opportunity to jot down my plans for the next few weeks. Over the past 6 weeks there has been many great events and the next month is no different.
Aug 13 - C2S, goal - Sub 60 mins
Aug 20 - Noosa Half Marathon - Fun event, happy with anything under 93 mins
Aug 27 - BRRC 14k club Champs - Sub 60 mins
Sep 03 - GH 30k - To finish, it will be another distance record if sucessful, I just hope I am not working that weekend, that would suck :(
A last minute cancellation of a day course I was doing yesterday allowed me to regain my weekend. Sweet! This not only meant that I could spend time with Cass's brother and partner who were down for the weekend, I could also go for a run early in the morning and still have the day to do stuff.
7am I set off for 10km around the neighbourhood, however not before I spent looking for my runners to later remember that I left them at work. This wasn't good, I had run in my previous shoes a few days before and got some shin aches, so I decided to give another pair of Asics I have a go. They are in good condition but I had found them too spongy and never really used them again.
Flirting with danger I took off easy being cautious but was pleasantly suprised to find they were ok. Once warm I increases the pace, the Ipod was playing and the weather was perfect, I relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the run. 10k in 46.05.
This morning I took the hounds out for a jog, one at a time around the 3k loop close to home. A combination of running and walking in fairly warm weather. Although I would have only ran about 4k I was sweating a bit and the dogs were buggered, which was the aim.
I may head out in 1/2 hour or so for another jog, not to sure how far but it will be easy, I cant afford to push it hard without my shoes and orthotics.
Tomorrow at work we have a beep test cct planned, this is pretty taxing on the legs so I will only run until the last person drops out. Going on the fitness of my workplace that shouldn't be too high :)
Month - 29k
YTD - 782k
I thought I would take this opportunity to jot down my plans for the next few weeks. Over the past 6 weeks there has been many great events and the next month is no different.
Aug 13 - C2S, goal - Sub 60 mins
Aug 20 - Noosa Half Marathon - Fun event, happy with anything under 93 mins
Aug 27 - BRRC 14k club Champs - Sub 60 mins
Sep 03 - GH 30k - To finish, it will be another distance record if sucessful, I just hope I am not working that weekend, that would suck :(
A last minute cancellation of a day course I was doing yesterday allowed me to regain my weekend. Sweet! This not only meant that I could spend time with Cass's brother and partner who were down for the weekend, I could also go for a run early in the morning and still have the day to do stuff.
7am I set off for 10km around the neighbourhood, however not before I spent looking for my runners to later remember that I left them at work. This wasn't good, I had run in my previous shoes a few days before and got some shin aches, so I decided to give another pair of Asics I have a go. They are in good condition but I had found them too spongy and never really used them again.
Flirting with danger I took off easy being cautious but was pleasantly suprised to find they were ok. Once warm I increases the pace, the Ipod was playing and the weather was perfect, I relaxed and enjoyed the remainder of the run. 10k in 46.05.
This morning I took the hounds out for a jog, one at a time around the 3k loop close to home. A combination of running and walking in fairly warm weather. Although I would have only ran about 4k I was sweating a bit and the dogs were buggered, which was the aim.
I may head out in 1/2 hour or so for another jog, not to sure how far but it will be easy, I cant afford to push it hard without my shoes and orthotics.
Tomorrow at work we have a beep test cct planned, this is pretty taxing on the legs so I will only run until the last person drops out. Going on the fitness of my workplace that shouldn't be too high :)
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Unmotivated :-(
Week - 14k
Month - 14k
YTD - 767k
Yesterday I was asked to condut a PT session at work for some members of the workplace. The aim was to get those who dont normally do much running to get some training in before the cross country race that is being held next week. A little late I know, but better late than never I guess, and if nothing else it gave me the opportunity to do some training during work hours which is always a bonus.
I was told to do some hill training, so I quickly decided on a track which basically used every hill on the barracks. The pace was slow going and full of whinging, it is quite disappointing to see people in the Army that struggle to run 5 min/k pace for more than 4k. Anyway we ran most of the way as a group but I allowed those to tackle the hills individually and meet up at a designated area for a standng recovery before continuing. Overall not a bad workout, I pushed relatively hard up the inclines so I got some benefit from the session. About 6k was the total distance in about 35-40 mins including breaks.
Today I had planned to get to the Run Inn for the mid week run group, I had pulled up extremely well after GH and was very happy about that. It wasn't until I got home that I had a motivation shift, a turn for the worst. I really didn't feel like doing anything so the trip to run group was off the program.
Around 1/2 an hour after I got home I reluctantly laced the shoes and headed out the door. I have a loop that runs very close to home which is 3k in total so I decided to remain on that. The reason was if I decided to pull the pin I wasn't too far from home, pretty slack I know.
The first lap was tough going and it took a bit to warm up, after that I settled in and felt ok. I still wasn't enjoying it but continued for another lap plus an out and back 2k track. A total of 8k was completed 39.10.
After I stopped I had a slight ache in the legs so I iced up, im sure it's nothing but will keep and eye on it. Hopefully next run I will have my mojo again.
Month - 14k
YTD - 767k
Yesterday I was asked to condut a PT session at work for some members of the workplace. The aim was to get those who dont normally do much running to get some training in before the cross country race that is being held next week. A little late I know, but better late than never I guess, and if nothing else it gave me the opportunity to do some training during work hours which is always a bonus.
I was told to do some hill training, so I quickly decided on a track which basically used every hill on the barracks. The pace was slow going and full of whinging, it is quite disappointing to see people in the Army that struggle to run 5 min/k pace for more than 4k. Anyway we ran most of the way as a group but I allowed those to tackle the hills individually and meet up at a designated area for a standng recovery before continuing. Overall not a bad workout, I pushed relatively hard up the inclines so I got some benefit from the session. About 6k was the total distance in about 35-40 mins including breaks.
Today I had planned to get to the Run Inn for the mid week run group, I had pulled up extremely well after GH and was very happy about that. It wasn't until I got home that I had a motivation shift, a turn for the worst. I really didn't feel like doing anything so the trip to run group was off the program.
Around 1/2 an hour after I got home I reluctantly laced the shoes and headed out the door. I have a loop that runs very close to home which is 3k in total so I decided to remain on that. The reason was if I decided to pull the pin I wasn't too far from home, pretty slack I know.
The first lap was tough going and it took a bit to warm up, after that I settled in and felt ok. I still wasn't enjoying it but continued for another lap plus an out and back 2k track. A total of 8k was completed 39.10.
After I stopped I had a slight ache in the legs so I iced up, im sure it's nothing but will keep and eye on it. Hopefully next run I will have my mojo again.
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