2 loops : 1.57.48 !!

Another cool, clear and still morning around the Bay. Still on the relentless base building training.

After a good nights sleep I was refreshed but dreading the expected pain and angony of another hard 2 loops. Ran the first in 59.26 and thought a sub 2 hour run was not going to be possible. Halfway around the second loop I had made up a minute and decided to just guts it out. Second loop in 58.21 for the best time yet.

I think something shorter tomorrow before another double loop in Friday.

Back in Sydney and 2 loops

Arrived back in Sydney late last night to much colder weather than I left a short while before at the Gold Coast airport.

Despite absolutely trashing myself running while away I decided to do my usual 2 loops and see where I was at compared to when I ran it previously. The last time it was run was on 27 March just as the Canberra marathon taper was starting and was a second or two under 2 hours. I expected with the trashed legs I would be slower.

First lap in 59.09 which was promising. I was pushing the second lap but felt I was labouring and thought a 65 lap was likely. Got back in 59.56 for a 1.59.05 and almost a minute faster than my previous best.

A surprising result and that gives me great confidence for being able to hold a good pace in the next 2 marathons. I feel as I am in a better position compared to this time last year and may improve some more with some more solid base building with some more high weekly k's.

Lazy 26k in the Byron Bay Hills

I thought I might resume daily posts but short.

It was a glorious morning in the hills above Byron Bay and I thought I would just cruise for a couple of hours along tracks I have not covered before. Decided the more hills the better and finished up with 26k in just over 5.30 pace.

Post marathon recovery week

A week since the Brisbane Marathon and it seems much longer.

I was back in Sydney for 3 days before flying to the Gold Coast and then driving the hour down to the hills above Byron Bay. On Thursday the morning was just perfect and so I had a little 14k cruise and felt wonderful. 

Each morning has been glorious and so I have run and have managed about 22/25k at a solid pace. Not what I would normally do in the week following a marathon but I just could not resist the perfect weather and the change of scenery to rolling hills in lush green forests. 

All up just under 100k for the week.

The afternoons have been taken up with some farm work - clearing off some unwanted growth, picking macadamia nuts and looking after the goats. All that contributes to a very early and restful sleep. Not sure I am looking forward to returning on the last plane out of the Gold Coast airport on Monday.

Brisbane Marathon : 3.27.33

The week after 3.16.13 in Canberra.

A very comfortable run with 1.43/1.44 splits. It did get tough from 33k or so to 39k but managed to just stay relaxed and steady and got through it. The weather was overcast and cool and so that made the run just that much easier.

No injuries going in and none after.

Next major event the North Face 100k in the Blue Mountains on the 17 May. 5 weeks and plenty of time to get in some more high k weeks - partly for that event but longer term for Gold Coast in July.

I am off to Byron Bay mid week for 6 days on the farm. I plan to start the long runs again while away. Again back to some more Lydiard base building with 4.45/5/00 per k being the slowest pace and the shorter runs up at MP.

Weeks report : 06.04.08

A week to go and about this time next week I hope to be past 30k and pushing on for a strong finish. At the moment I have no idea about about a race plan and the time I will aim for. I believe I am as fit as I was last year so I will just give the race plan some thought.

It was a taper week where the k's dropped back to 93 for the week

I mostly ran a single loop with 2 days off. As should be the case the time of each loop should have been getting quicker as the affects of the taper started to have an affect. In fact that was the case :

Friday : 56.26
Saturday : 56.05
Sunday : 55.31 @ 4.17 pace

Also on Saturday afternoon I ran 8k cross country and a hilly course at 4.07 pace.

Next weeks the k's will come down to about 60 or less with no run over 10k but some shorter stuff to further sharpen the speed end of the preparation.

Wednesday 02.4.08

This week is the first of the two week taper. The distances run are a half to two thirds of last week but the speed is being increased during the week. Next week even shorter distances with a few rest or very easy days but on the one or two hard days the speed will be maximum.

Today enjoyed an early morning run around the Bay with Professor. It was still very dark and cool as we meet outside the rowers. It was to be one fast lap with the Proff leading and me trying to hang on for as long as possible.

Surprised at a 27.54 lap. I can't recall the last time if at all I was under 28. Thanks Proff thoroughly enjoyed the run, company and chat.