Lady Carrington Drive

This was the route for my 20k test yesterday. It is a 10k fire trail in the Royal National Park south of Sydney. A great place to run in the summer as it is shady and cool. It is an 'undulating' run with some testing hills both out and back. I was actually looking forward to getting there as I had spent some time training here 12 months ago and remembered it being a good run.

Early goals were:
Finish in 2 hours
Attack the up hills ie, don't slow to a shuffle but run with power to the top.

I was going great, on track, ran the first 10 in 1hour 2 mins. Next 5, still strong and timing was good, I was even planning to up my speed for the last 5. But I lost momentum and focus at around the 15k mark when I couldn't find my water bottle that I had left against a tree on the way out. For about 500m I was looking back at every tree. Once found and some consumed I found it difficult to get going again. There was some walking :( Another challenge for the morning was the constant need to blow my nose as the sinus hasn't improved.

Reassessing my goals, talking to myself all the time, now they were:
To finish
Continue to attack hills
Not to trip up as I get tired on the uneven surface and
I didn't get out of bed at 6am on a Saturday morning to walk!

Mark came back and pushed me for the last 1.5ks so it was a strong finish. Final time was 2h12min. Lady Carrington you got me this time, but I'll be back!

Positives from yesterdays run:
I feel ok today, actually ready to go out for a beach run this arvo.
I did attack the up hills strongly
And I didn't need a bush stop! yey.

39 954 - Gris (objectif 4h15)

I printed my race entry confirmation today. Interestingly back in September I was feeling very confident of smashing my Canberra time. Seemed simple in theory even though I hadn't run much for many months.

Gris = Grey. I'll be wearing a Grey Bib for the race, starting with others who, when they registered, thought they would achieve a finish time of 4 hours and 15 minutes. When you work through this, that still seems almost reasonable, just need to average 6 minutes per km.

Easy, I say to myself. But really, still possible with 86 days to go? I'll let you know after my 20k on the weekend. (Mark, needs to be sub 2 hours!)

Maybe 39 954 will be my lucky number.

Help - Avoiding public toilets in Paris

Ok, so now its time to be completely honest.

I have a problem. (Just 1 I hear you say??!!)

Running makes me need to go to the toilet, and I am not talking about number 1's. Apparently it is quite common for runners, however I am yet to find a solution.

This became an issue when training for the last marathon and I put it down to the energy gels I was using. I have had more than one bush stop in training but can't seem to stop my body needing to expel, anywhere between 5-15ks. I even took imodium on race day in Canberra but when I saw the public toilet sign at 16k, I knew I was headed straight there.

It's not the gels, it is still happening. Problem is, I don't think that Paris toilets are going to be as user friendly as Canberra (ie clean). Also, I was reminded on the weekend that I would probably need to carry a coin to even get into one.

The answer - not need a toilet when I run.

One suggestion I am still to try is a shot of coffee in the morning before I run, as I am not a coffee drinker, this will apparently get 'everything' moving.

Any other ideas?? Please??

For the Record

Last week I ran approx 52k's - not bad. Stuck to the plan.... Well pretty much ;)

Wed 8k (followed by a nice 1.8 in the evening with Ash)
Thurs run swim run
Friday in Brisbane 9.5k around Manly
Saturday the Tamborine Mountain one didn't happen, the morning after a wedding, who was I kidding??!!
Made up for it on Sunday though with a 14k in sweltering Brisbane heat. Fi kept me inspired as I knew she was running the 1/2 mara in similar heat in Hobart at the same time - Congrats Fi, you did it!

I have hit a new hurdle though, can't really call it a cold or flu, just very blocked head, sneezing and coughing not very pleasant green stuff. I have felt ok though, so, after 2 days off, plan to test myself with a run in the morning.

Here is this week's plan:
Wednesday 10k - Bondi to Work via Centennial Park.
Thursday - lunch 8k
Friday Lunch - lazy 6k
Saturday morning, meeting marathon mentor Mark at the Nationaal Park for a nice cool 20k along a fire trail. Good way to avoid the sun at this time of year.

The Party is Over

HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

The festive season has come and gone - a time for family, cheer, food, friends, presies, sun, bbq's, reading, cards, nephew's nintendo DSi, chocolate. Hmmm where is running on that list?

Actually I was pretty good and didn't abandon my training altogether. 2 x 8ks around the cliffs, blow holes and beaches of Kiama, one of them with my brother Warren, and brother in law Mike in tow. (or towing me??)

But back in Sydney and on 3 Jan the party is over.

I know I am having some minor surgery on my claw finger on 29th Jan (less than ideal with 10 weeks until race day) so between now and surgery I plan to train 6 days a week. Really push my legs so that the week i need off will be a useful recovery week. That is the plan.

So far so good.
Sunday night - 11.5 ks
Monday lunch - 6ks
Tuesday am - 3k light jog

Proposed
Wednesday am - 10k
Thursday lunch - run 3k / swim 1k / run 3k
Friday am - 6k
Saturday am - Long - >15kms. Am going to be in unknown territory on Tambourine Mountain in QLD so will need to plan my route.
Sunday - REST

Will let you know how I go. Anyone feel like joining me for a run??