Monday, December 10, 2012

C2K

Very short summary.
 
Withdrew at 185k with a severe lean to the right that meant I could not run a straight line. When I run into the ditch on the roadside and could not get up because my balance was gone the crew and I knew the race was over and that it would be unsafe to proceed.

Dead Tree @ 102k at Sunset Friday
 
Even if I got to Charlotte's Pass it was certain the RD would not have let me go up the mountain because I could not run/walk in a straight line. It indicates that by just running 16 marathons in the year and being injury free since April does not adequately prepare you for a 240k run. My crew did everything I expected and could have asked for. We did all that we could to solve the problem over the last 4 hours but nothing could correct the issue.
 
In the future I either train for ultra's and run marathons on the side or train for marathons, run them and retire from ultra running in all forms.

Was the failure through lack of specific training for the distance or is it that I have reached the stage where because of my age no amount of training will get me a finish in another ultra. Despite being disappointed at the withdrawal I think I will train differently in 2013 and give ultra's one last go before I conclude my failure to finish this and GNW it is age related.

Despite those thoughts I still ran 114 miles in 31 hours and ran past the 100 miles in just over 27 hours. So I should at least take those positives away from the withdrawal.
 
Those are my final thoughts for the year. I will have a short rest from serious training and with that no updates here. I will probably start some training in early January to prepare for the first marathon of the year later that month. I will not be marathon fit for that one but it will be the start of the preparation for Canberra in April.
 
All the best for Christmas and the New Year.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Cruisy Tuesday

The back is still an issue - and an issue on a slow lap of the Bay. That is now starting to worry me about what it will be like at C2K but there is nothing I can do about it at this late stage. Other than that I am fine.
 
At the moment just trying to get myself mentally positive for the run. Imagining the tough sections or the tough times I had last year and making a mind map to be tough and move through them this year better than last year.
 
Sue arrives tomorrow and we will do a shop with Martin and get that part all done so on Thursday it is just gathering the crew together and we are off just after the morning peak hour.
 
This is what my front room looks like at the moment:

Monday, December 03, 2012

Wet Monday

No run Sunday. Rest day. I feel very fatigued despite little running and rest.
 
Easy around the Bay in the coll wet weather. My back issues have started again. On some runs it does not happen on others it is a real issue that makes running difficult and uncomfortable. I do not even want to think about it.
 
Organising and packing have started. Well the supplies or most of them are on the floor. It will all be packed with Sue on Wednesday so that she knows where everthing is. It looksa lot and is a lot but a lot will come back. It ois all about choices be available. You don't want to crave a serving of salty russian caviar and it not be in the supplies.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

First Day of summer

I was out around the Bay just on sunrise. It was not too warm but very humid and there was a cooling light drizzle. Could not resist the photo opportunity. This reminds me of why I just never get bored with running the Bay. The couse might be the same but nature always changes what you see depending on the season and weather.

Even the seagull seems to stop whatever it was doing to watch the sunrise.



It was a wonderful way to start of the day.

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Easy Friday

Was it humid this morning around the Bay. Sydney is having some warm weather for the last day of Spring. It was steady with no issues and was nice to be out again and running for pleasure, meaning nothing I do now will add to the training for C2K.  It's nice to run and have no pressure on the distance or pace. Just plain simple running for the enjoyment of being able to do it.