To diminish any speculation or rumours I haven't died, retired from my illustriuous running career or anything else that may fit in between. I am now entering my last day of the small chunk of long service I have taken and must admit it is a sad day knowing that I have to return to work tomorrow.
It's been about 6 weeks since my last update and since that last update I have only run once which was the C2S. In fact I have only run 5 times since the GCM almost 2 months ago. I didn't plan to do this it just happened and looking back I am glad I took time to rest.
The training for the GCM didn't agree with me much and I had alot of niggling injuries that just wouldn't go away, physio wasn't working at all and something in the back of my mind just took over and I just didn't feel compelled to do anything.
I have just been relaxing spending time with my family and friends which has been great. I have enjoyed the rest and now it's time to begin some training now that the arctic climate has decided to leave us alone for another 9 mths.
Anyway I received the PCRG newsletter via email which stated that the 3k TT was on this morning. I very rarely get the opportunity to attend these and in fact this morning was my third TT since Mar 06.
I wasn't sure what my fitness would be like but the initial indictaion running from the Ship Inn was that my body felt great, bouncy, no niggles, brand new you could say. That was the feeling until about 1k into it when my body started heating up and my legs were already feeling heavy, not good signs.
The strides before the TT felt good and I made sure that I done some additional stretching aswell. The race began and I settled into a nice rhythm early probably slightly fast for my current fitness but what can you do, a runner never loses their competitive streak.
The first k was clocked at 3.25 and I was feeling ok, the turn around seemed to take forever and by the 1/2 way mark I was blowing fairly hard. I knew that it would be hard slog back but I was still keeping a relatively decent pace. I was 5.17 at 1500, and 7.12 at the 2k mark.
I didn't look at my watch besides at the the 1k markers and turaround as I was concerned in my time too much. I said to myself last night that I would be happy with 11.30 so when I crossed the line in 10.54 I was suprised, happy and...................... buggered! Which was highlighted by the fact that my last k was almost 20 secs slower than my first.
The run back was a struggle and my legs are drained even still. That took alot out of me, it was great to see Clairie out training again just a shame that Tesso is out of action but nonentheless was good to catch up with her aswell. Matt also ran a massive PB and it seems to be a month for him with a 1/2 M PB and today taking 20 secs off clocking 11.33, great effort.
Having just read Blairs blog I didn't realise he was at the 1 - 2k marker but I now know what he looks like and will endeavour to introduce myself next time I make it to PCRG or BRRC.
Anyway that's all for now, time to put the feet up and relax after that massive 3 k training session :-)
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Highs and Lows!
July - 81
YTD - 841.5
It's less than 2 weeks now till I begin one month of my long service leave. I am heading down to visit the old folks on the Central Coast NSW for about 10 days. It is only myself and the little fella heading down due to Cass's work commitments and at a guess she will probably enjoy seeing the back of us for a while anyway :-)
The remainder of my time off will just be spent relaxing at home, nothing planned.
Anyway while I am down in NSW I have planned to run the City 2 Surf however this is in doubt as my leg is pretty messed up. For this reason I haven't worried about accomodation and will figure something out if I do decide to run.
In the memantime I haven't really done much training with only about 4 runs since the GCM.
This week I had a what work called an interval session however it was hill repeats and it was quite tough. 2 Days prior I went and got a massge to try and ease the pain in my leg which seemed to work and during the Hill repeats my leg felt the best it has for a while. About 2 hours after the session however it felt really bad and got worse during the night.
I rested it up on Tuesday but on Wednesday we had the barracks X country race. I had to run this as the way the Army works is that if you haven't got a letter from a medical officer saying you can't do the activity then you are required to compete, unless of course it is really serious. I guess I could have got out of running but decided to give it a crack.
About 300 - 350 people showed up in the drizzling weather. The course was quite tough with a few big long hills with mud and water everywhere. I started up the front and didn't know how hard I was going to go due to the injury. When the gun went off I took of at a solid but comfortable pace the leg felt ok so I decided to go as hard as I could. I had been running this course alot prior to the GCM marathon so I knew I needed to keep some in reserve for the mid section.
I quickly established a position with one of my mates around 5th placed. He was in good form coming in the top 10 at the J2J half so I knew he was a contender. I also knew that I had no chance of winning as Matt Skate also works at the barracks and is the current Queensland 1/2 marathon champion and an awesome marathon runner. He finished in 2.35 at the GCM just 3 weeks prior.
Anyway on the way down to the first climb I just stayed at the pace I was running on the flats, meanwhile about 3 other people passed me almost sprinting down them. They got about 70m on me by the time the hill started but it didn't take long before I caught them again. In fact I caught most people and was sitting just behind 3 place.
The course was 7.8k and at the top of the biggest climb we still had over half the course to go. From this time onwards no-one passed me, I remained in 4th place but the others were still in sight behind me. Jeff Rudd was one of those, who was the winner of the J2J 1/2 finishing in a time of 77 minutes. He was quickly gaining on us but by the time he was right on my shoulder the last climb hit.
I was hurting by this stage but so the was the fella in 3rd place. I was saying to myself 5 place is great you can ease up and just take that, but then I thought bugger it, just over a km to go, 5 odd minutes of pain and you could get 3rd place. 1/2 way up the last climb I took off, the legs screamed but no reaction from the other 2. At the top I just wanted to ease up and have a breather but I pushed hard. There was a long downhill section and for the first time I just let myself go and sprinted downhill.
There was no way anyone would be able to pass me I was flying, almost out of control. Exiting the bush the last section was back on the road and paths to the finish. I was confident from this stage that I had the pace to keep the two at bay. I was also catching up to second place aswell but ran out of time and he got me by about 100m.
I ended up coming 3rd overall, about 20 -30 secs in front of 4 and 5th and was exhausted but very happy with my effort. It really made up for my disappointment at the GCM and shows that I am more suited to the shorter events, not that I ever doubted that anyway.
The best part about this race which gave me more of a confidence boost as I was only 1.40 down on the winner and actually beat Jeff Rudd who can kick my behind over the 1/2 Marathon distance.
The downside to it all though was after I finished my leg was very sore and has taken until today with no running to walk around and not feel any effects. It is a crazy injury nothing I have experienced before. I am in two minds to go for a run tomorrow or just cut it away which will put me in huge doubt for the C2S. Not much training now and with more time off it wouldn't be a pretty result.
Anyway I will decide probably during the night when I am watching the TdF. I hope Cadel can do it and not fall short again this year. He deserves it so much, and is the best rider or sure just a shame that he doesn't have a better team, but in saying that it does make it more thrilling to watch. Imagine the pressure he would be feeling.
YTD - 841.5
It's less than 2 weeks now till I begin one month of my long service leave. I am heading down to visit the old folks on the Central Coast NSW for about 10 days. It is only myself and the little fella heading down due to Cass's work commitments and at a guess she will probably enjoy seeing the back of us for a while anyway :-)
The remainder of my time off will just be spent relaxing at home, nothing planned.
Anyway while I am down in NSW I have planned to run the City 2 Surf however this is in doubt as my leg is pretty messed up. For this reason I haven't worried about accomodation and will figure something out if I do decide to run.
In the memantime I haven't really done much training with only about 4 runs since the GCM.
This week I had a what work called an interval session however it was hill repeats and it was quite tough. 2 Days prior I went and got a massge to try and ease the pain in my leg which seemed to work and during the Hill repeats my leg felt the best it has for a while. About 2 hours after the session however it felt really bad and got worse during the night.
I rested it up on Tuesday but on Wednesday we had the barracks X country race. I had to run this as the way the Army works is that if you haven't got a letter from a medical officer saying you can't do the activity then you are required to compete, unless of course it is really serious. I guess I could have got out of running but decided to give it a crack.
About 300 - 350 people showed up in the drizzling weather. The course was quite tough with a few big long hills with mud and water everywhere. I started up the front and didn't know how hard I was going to go due to the injury. When the gun went off I took of at a solid but comfortable pace the leg felt ok so I decided to go as hard as I could. I had been running this course alot prior to the GCM marathon so I knew I needed to keep some in reserve for the mid section.
I quickly established a position with one of my mates around 5th placed. He was in good form coming in the top 10 at the J2J half so I knew he was a contender. I also knew that I had no chance of winning as Matt Skate also works at the barracks and is the current Queensland 1/2 marathon champion and an awesome marathon runner. He finished in 2.35 at the GCM just 3 weeks prior.
Anyway on the way down to the first climb I just stayed at the pace I was running on the flats, meanwhile about 3 other people passed me almost sprinting down them. They got about 70m on me by the time the hill started but it didn't take long before I caught them again. In fact I caught most people and was sitting just behind 3 place.
The course was 7.8k and at the top of the biggest climb we still had over half the course to go. From this time onwards no-one passed me, I remained in 4th place but the others were still in sight behind me. Jeff Rudd was one of those, who was the winner of the J2J 1/2 finishing in a time of 77 minutes. He was quickly gaining on us but by the time he was right on my shoulder the last climb hit.
I was hurting by this stage but so the was the fella in 3rd place. I was saying to myself 5 place is great you can ease up and just take that, but then I thought bugger it, just over a km to go, 5 odd minutes of pain and you could get 3rd place. 1/2 way up the last climb I took off, the legs screamed but no reaction from the other 2. At the top I just wanted to ease up and have a breather but I pushed hard. There was a long downhill section and for the first time I just let myself go and sprinted downhill.
There was no way anyone would be able to pass me I was flying, almost out of control. Exiting the bush the last section was back on the road and paths to the finish. I was confident from this stage that I had the pace to keep the two at bay. I was also catching up to second place aswell but ran out of time and he got me by about 100m.
I ended up coming 3rd overall, about 20 -30 secs in front of 4 and 5th and was exhausted but very happy with my effort. It really made up for my disappointment at the GCM and shows that I am more suited to the shorter events, not that I ever doubted that anyway.
The best part about this race which gave me more of a confidence boost as I was only 1.40 down on the winner and actually beat Jeff Rudd who can kick my behind over the 1/2 Marathon distance.
The downside to it all though was after I finished my leg was very sore and has taken until today with no running to walk around and not feel any effects. It is a crazy injury nothing I have experienced before. I am in two minds to go for a run tomorrow or just cut it away which will put me in huge doubt for the C2S. Not much training now and with more time off it wouldn't be a pretty result.
Anyway I will decide probably during the night when I am watching the TdF. I hope Cadel can do it and not fall short again this year. He deserves it so much, and is the best rider or sure just a shame that he doesn't have a better team, but in saying that it does make it more thrilling to watch. Imagine the pressure he would be feeling.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
BRRC - 14k
July - 57k
YTD - 807.5
Wondered down to Brisbane Road Runners this morning. I was on baby sitting duty as Cass was working so before I arrived I stopped off at the Service Station and bought some goodies to keep Sam occupied whilst in the pram.
As usual I arrived right on time, only having enough time to get Sam in the pram and take my tracksuit off before the gun went off for the 14k.
After having the week off I felt pretty good and settled into a relatively nice pace considering I was running with the pram. I had no aims for today I just wanted to get out and have a run. I still have the nerve issue with my leg but it didn't really effect me during the run but it is giving me some grief post-run.
The course was 2 x 7k loops in which I finished them in 32.05 and 32.10 so my pacing was very consistent. It felt very easy considering I haven't run with the pram for a while and Sam has cracked the 15kg mark so it does get rather heavy after a while.
After the run I didn't do a cool down, but rather tried to keep Sam under control and not get hit by the many cyclists that frequent the area. I just read Blairs blog and found out he was there aswell, I didn't even realise! maybe I will be able meet him when I dont have a 2 year old terror to control after the run.
Anyway I finished the 14k in 64.15 (4.33/k), this distance felt alot better than doing the 2 - 3 hour runs that I have been in the past few months, I just hope I can get this leg issue sorted to give me a good chance of bettering my 2006 C2S time of 58 minute odd next month.
YTD - 807.5
Wondered down to Brisbane Road Runners this morning. I was on baby sitting duty as Cass was working so before I arrived I stopped off at the Service Station and bought some goodies to keep Sam occupied whilst in the pram.
As usual I arrived right on time, only having enough time to get Sam in the pram and take my tracksuit off before the gun went off for the 14k.
After having the week off I felt pretty good and settled into a relatively nice pace considering I was running with the pram. I had no aims for today I just wanted to get out and have a run. I still have the nerve issue with my leg but it didn't really effect me during the run but it is giving me some grief post-run.
The course was 2 x 7k loops in which I finished them in 32.05 and 32.10 so my pacing was very consistent. It felt very easy considering I haven't run with the pram for a while and Sam has cracked the 15kg mark so it does get rather heavy after a while.
After the run I didn't do a cool down, but rather tried to keep Sam under control and not get hit by the many cyclists that frequent the area. I just read Blairs blog and found out he was there aswell, I didn't even realise! maybe I will be able meet him when I dont have a 2 year old terror to control after the run.
Anyway I finished the 14k in 64.15 (4.33/k), this distance felt alot better than doing the 2 - 3 hour runs that I have been in the past few months, I just hope I can get this leg issue sorted to give me a good chance of bettering my 2006 C2S time of 58 minute odd next month.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Finally I feel better!
July - 43k
YTD - 793.5k
Today is the first day in very close to a week that I haven't felt nauseous which is a great relief. I went to work yesterday to see the Doc who finally gave me a prescription for some maxollan (sp??) an anti-nausea drug which helped alot. The Doc also gave me another 2 days off work, so I have been lazing around watching loads of TV.
The best thing about it is the fact I have the option to watch the Tour or just record it and watch it the next day. I have also been searching the Foxtel TV guide for any Athletics, Triathlon and any other sport I love watching and recording them on the IQ Box, so as you can tell life is tough.
Yesterday I wrote a letter to the organisers for the City 2 Surf to request a SH1 start. I didn't compete last year but competed in 06 in a time around 58 mins. I had to plead my case as to why I should be allowed to run in with the Red Bibs by proving that I can run below the 75 min cutoff. The only official time I have this year is Warwick or the Brisbane Half which I just remembered as I type this. Anyway my begging worked and I am now officially entered in the City 2 Surf for 08.
I am heading to Sydney on the 6 Aug to visit my parents and staying for about a week and a 1/2 before heading back to Brisbane. I am not sure if I am going to stay in Sydney the night or just drive down from the Central Coast on the morning. I will decide at a later stage, I am sure I will find a place to stay if I do decide to head down on the Saturday.
As for training, obviously I haven't been doing any, but I hope to do something on the weekend, maybe head to Brisbane Road Runners with the little bloke and push him around for a few kilometres Sunday morning.
YTD - 793.5k
Today is the first day in very close to a week that I haven't felt nauseous which is a great relief. I went to work yesterday to see the Doc who finally gave me a prescription for some maxollan (sp??) an anti-nausea drug which helped alot. The Doc also gave me another 2 days off work, so I have been lazing around watching loads of TV.
The best thing about it is the fact I have the option to watch the Tour or just record it and watch it the next day. I have also been searching the Foxtel TV guide for any Athletics, Triathlon and any other sport I love watching and recording them on the IQ Box, so as you can tell life is tough.
Yesterday I wrote a letter to the organisers for the City 2 Surf to request a SH1 start. I didn't compete last year but competed in 06 in a time around 58 mins. I had to plead my case as to why I should be allowed to run in with the Red Bibs by proving that I can run below the 75 min cutoff. The only official time I have this year is Warwick or the Brisbane Half which I just remembered as I type this. Anyway my begging worked and I am now officially entered in the City 2 Surf for 08.
I am heading to Sydney on the 6 Aug to visit my parents and staying for about a week and a 1/2 before heading back to Brisbane. I am not sure if I am going to stay in Sydney the night or just drive down from the Central Coast on the morning. I will decide at a later stage, I am sure I will find a place to stay if I do decide to head down on the Saturday.
As for training, obviously I haven't been doing any, but I hope to do something on the weekend, maybe head to Brisbane Road Runners with the little bloke and push him around for a few kilometres Sunday morning.
Monday, July 07, 2008
GCM 08
The lead up to this race was somewhat disjointed with some niggles, however there was no way I could have counted on catching a nasty viral bug on Thursday. I felt very ordinary and was sent home rom work to rest up. There was many trips to the loo and felt very nauseous but managed not to vomit.
I just read Steves blog @ http://superjacent.net and it seems that he has caught what I got less than a day before the race which is very unfortunate. Even more so when he has travelled interstate for the event, hopefully he gets over it quicker than what I have.
As much as possible I kept my fluid intake up and managed to accept food alot better about 24 h later. I was still feeling nauseous but the diarrhoea had disappeared which was good. I enjoyed a nice pasta meal on Friday night and was feeling alot better.
Saturday I began to feel worse again, the nausea was fairly bad during the day but I still had an apetite. By Saturday night I started to feel alot better again, I had another big pasta meal and was willing to give the race a go.
Race day arrived and I felt better than I had for the past three days. I lined up and the gun went off I mangaed to somehow score a spot in front of the 3.30 pacer which was lucky as I arrived at the park about 10 mins before the race started.
The first few km were very crowded but I managed to keep below 5 min pace, crossing the first 5 k in about 24.30 watch time. From there I was comfortably holding this pace however I began to feel quesey again, to the point where I couldn't get my mind away from it. I kept the fluids up and tried eating but it didn't help.
Coming across the bridge about the 26k mark I pretty much decided that I wasn't going to finish this run. At the time because I was feeling so ordinary it wasn't a hard decision but later on I felt very disappointed that this happened.
In hindsight I shouldn't have attempted the race, I really hadn't eaten that much over previous days and was probably dehydrated. If anything I could have downgraded my registration and just done the 1/2, at least I would have gotten a T-shirt ;-)
Today I still feel crappy, so I will probably go see the Doc again tomorrow when I return to work, usually if I am unlucky enough to become sick I am over it within 24 - 48 hrs. This one is lingering around, I am just grateful that I haven't been bed ridden.
To finish I dont have any future plans to try the marathon again. I didn't really enjoy the training for it and the race itself is just too far for my liking. I will stick with the 1/2 marathon distance and below with an ocassional race beyond this but I cant see myself particpating above 30k in the near future.
Congrats to those who took part yesterday and an extra round of applause if you achieved what you were aiming for.
Until next time!
I just read Steves blog @ http://superjacent.net and it seems that he has caught what I got less than a day before the race which is very unfortunate. Even more so when he has travelled interstate for the event, hopefully he gets over it quicker than what I have.
As much as possible I kept my fluid intake up and managed to accept food alot better about 24 h later. I was still feeling nauseous but the diarrhoea had disappeared which was good. I enjoyed a nice pasta meal on Friday night and was feeling alot better.
Saturday I began to feel worse again, the nausea was fairly bad during the day but I still had an apetite. By Saturday night I started to feel alot better again, I had another big pasta meal and was willing to give the race a go.
Race day arrived and I felt better than I had for the past three days. I lined up and the gun went off I mangaed to somehow score a spot in front of the 3.30 pacer which was lucky as I arrived at the park about 10 mins before the race started.
The first few km were very crowded but I managed to keep below 5 min pace, crossing the first 5 k in about 24.30 watch time. From there I was comfortably holding this pace however I began to feel quesey again, to the point where I couldn't get my mind away from it. I kept the fluids up and tried eating but it didn't help.
Coming across the bridge about the 26k mark I pretty much decided that I wasn't going to finish this run. At the time because I was feeling so ordinary it wasn't a hard decision but later on I felt very disappointed that this happened.
In hindsight I shouldn't have attempted the race, I really hadn't eaten that much over previous days and was probably dehydrated. If anything I could have downgraded my registration and just done the 1/2, at least I would have gotten a T-shirt ;-)
Today I still feel crappy, so I will probably go see the Doc again tomorrow when I return to work, usually if I am unlucky enough to become sick I am over it within 24 - 48 hrs. This one is lingering around, I am just grateful that I haven't been bed ridden.
To finish I dont have any future plans to try the marathon again. I didn't really enjoy the training for it and the race itself is just too far for my liking. I will stick with the 1/2 marathon distance and below with an ocassional race beyond this but I cant see myself particpating above 30k in the near future.
Congrats to those who took part yesterday and an extra round of applause if you achieved what you were aiming for.
Until next time!
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