What Drives you?

I went for a adhoc run last night which is and always has been my training practice. Very rarely is there a training plan days ahead but nonetheless I get out there and do something a few times a week.

During my run last night I was confronted with a thing that I do and have done for a number of years now. I have never really spoken about this to many, if anybody that I can recall in recent times, but for some reason I chose to write about it now.

Without going too deep and without venturing into the dark and disturbing mind of Shane, my wife Cass was diagnosed with a secondary cancer called Non Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2011 after she dealt with breast cancer a few years earlier. To this day she is still undergoing treatment, procedures, and constant monitoring on a weekly basis. 2011, though was the most intensive and difficult for us as a family, but also for me on a personal level, it was certainly the hardest year to cope with.

I had a year of battles in my head, constant anxiety that I kept to myself and dealt with it internally. Probably not the best approach, but I didn't want this to affect Cass's quality of life given that she was undergoing chemo and radiation and didn't need the additional burden.

There came a time when I had a few things on at work and the added pressure pushed me to a point that was unable to cope effectively. This prompted me to see a psychologist, who advised me to start doing what I enjoyed and that was running. I think 2011 was the year that my training and dedication to the sport fell off it's rails which is understandable and it has never really returned to what it was pre 2011, I am not complaining though and I am fine with this.

Once I began to train again I found myself doing this rather strange thing in my head. Personally it helps me otherwise I guess I wouldn't do it but when you say it aloud or write it down it does sound weird.

During some sessions, not all, I find myself setting goals in my head. This is not strange in itself as I assume many do the same however, the twist to what I do is that if I achieve the goal then the outcome will be that Cass will be cured and not go through what she has to everyday. Not a being a religious man I am not sure who I am speaking to or who is going to action this request if I do achieve the challenge I set for myself, but I still make the deal with anyone or anything that is listening ;-)

At times I will have internal arguments during my run as I tend to make a goal when I am fresh and feeling good that results in a pretty difficult task. By half way I have the shits because it's hard and I want nothing more than to give up, but I generally battle on and run angry. If I don't achieve the goal then that is ok, it doesn't mean that something sinister is going to occur. The benefit to all of this is that I make the rules and they are somewhat biased to benefit me :-)

This has prompted me to find out what others do to motivate themselves when they are training. I think it is more pertinent when you train by yourself, but I'm sure people set mini goals in a group environment as well.

Brief 2014 recap

My first post of 2015 which marks the 10th year this blog has been active for. I must say that it has been neglected over the past few years but it has never been forgotten about. It is always interesting to read what I done over the years, although sometimes demoralising when the results that were once quite easy to achieve are almost impossible now.

Anyway a quick recap on what went on in 2014, beyond May (my last post).

My focus was to just improve my 5k times and I must say I did that to an extent. I managed 3 x sub 19 min runs at various parkruns being 18.38, 18.44 and 18.45. I also entered the 5k race at the Great Barrier Reef marathon festival in Nov 14 which was a disappointing event to say the least.  I was running pretty well and was aiming at breaking 18 mins.

I put it down to the poor administration of the race that lead to many faults resulting in me having no confidence that my result I recorded is correct. I managed a time of around 17.53 but the GPS recorded short and the event stuffed the times up showing that I ran 16.xx on the website. Anyway although I managed 5th overall I am not sure I will count the sub 18.

Fortnight of Fun

Apr - 83k
YTD - 347k

The weather is cooling down in Townsville, although slowly it is going in the right direction. Over the past fortnight I have managed a few longer sessions and also some sessions broken up amongst the day.

I am still finding it difficult mainly due to work and what I have been doing around the house to squeeze in some long sessions. I can not manage beyond 50 mins at the moment.

Anyway I will have to sort something out otherwise my progression is going to stagnate which it is at the moment.

I am more consistent but my times haven't improved. I am able to achieve similar results anytime I run but there is not an improvement and I can't see one on the horizon if I continue with this training regime.

Parkrun last week was the day after ANZAC Day which wasn't a particularly good run. Managed 20.16 but I think the day before, being a Defence member the early morning at work and activities that go with this day took it's toll. The last 2k I lost 50 secs compared to my normal 1k splits.

Today I completed a Triathlon at work with distances of  500m swim / 13km cycle / 3km run. I came out of the water in last, managed to catch one on the cycle and caught another 2 in the run only missing out on catching the last (first) person by about 50m. Total time was just a tad over 50 mins.

That's all for now.

Happy Training

Mid Month Ramble

Month - 41k
YTD - 305k

I have picked my training up a little over the past fortnight in order to improve my 5k times but more importantly the feeling I am experiencing during the run.

I have found that I am running out of legs so to speak around the 3.5k mark of a 5k race. The last 1500m is a struggle and although I am maintaining my average pace it sure is difficult to do so. I need to gain some more time in my legs which I have stated a few time already this year and haven't done so.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed that I have another person running at Parkrun in my age group who has lowered their times considerably since starting. They have only had around 5 runs which their first run being just under 22 mins. Last week this person achieved a 20.13 which has prompted me to get my act together and lower my times. I am loving the fact that there is a person nipping at my heals, it's healthy having competition especially when that person is also in your age group.

Despite this healthy competition I haven't raced against this person for a few weeks due to attending another Parkrun and due to the cancellation of last weeks event due to Cyclone Ita. I have 2 months left in the 30 - 34 age group and therefore I need to lower the course record of this age group to make it that much more difficult to anyone who is trying to take it from me. 19.50 is pretty soft and now that this new person on the scene is 23 seconds from this mark makes me a little nervous.

Anyway enough of that one highlight since my last post was achieving 19.16 at the other faster Parkrun in Townsville. Managed almost 2 mins in front of second place. This is my second run there and the second time I managed a sub 20 and a first placing. There is no way I will achieve a age group record there though as I believe it is sub 18 which is waaaay beyond me nowadays.

Well that's about all for now.

Until next time

Happy Training.

March 14 Update

Jeez time flies, it's been 4 weeks since I last posted.

I will keep this brief as I haven't gone through my data on my watch to determine how much training I have done.

Parkrun - Due to work commitments the 1st one of March I missed. I was on call and unfortunately I was required to go in to work over that time.

08 Mar - 20:16 - 1st place
15 Mar - Went to a different Parkrun in Townsville and managed 19.39. 1st place. A lot easier course although I had to rely on another person for the first 2km to tell me where to go. Should be able to lower that time in the future.
22 Mar - I have been doing some walks with a weight vest and decided to give Parkrun a go with it.
I lessened the weight in the vest as I have been walking the hills around Townsville with 15kg but that is far to heavy to run with. I reduced this to 8kg and managed 23.03 and 7th place.

This week is the 1 year anniversary of Riverway Parkrun. I hope to run a good time however the course had to change due to the increase in numbers. Hopefully I understand where the course goes because it looks confusing on the small maps provided. Should be good!
The weather in Townsville at the moment is pretty poor, so if the run is not cancelled it may be pretty wet and maybe not conducive to a good time. We will see I guess.

Anyway I will leave it at that.

Happy Training