Strave
I finally did it. I completed my first marathon on the weekend by running the length of the Lilydale to Warburton rail trail (plus a bit at the start). After months of training for the Melbourne Marathon only to be struck down with injury 4 weeks out, then more months training in preparation for this run, it's a great feeling to finally look in the mirror and see a marathon runner!
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Training Log Week Commencing 7th April
Thursday 10th April
Strava
After failing to get out yesterday due to horrendous weather and me just generally feeling a bit crap, I really had no other choice but to lace up, water proof up, and brave the rain.
Thankfully by the time I'd got changed and ready to set off the rain had eased to more of a heavy shower, which was acutally quite pleasant. It really kept me nice and cool inside my waterproof, in which I generally overheat.
Parts of the run were pretty treacherous underfoot though. Running on sodden wooden planks I could see myself face planting on each step.
But overall, given my lack of energy lately, the run felt surprisingly good. I felt like my legs were back to normal and they were turning over at a pretty good rate.
So I knocked off 5.8k (although I know it was longer but my Garmin didn't start until about 500m in) at 4:56/km.
Month to Date : 54.9km
Year to Date: 611.8km
Tuesday 8th April
Strava
Since deciding the big one is going to be Easter Saturday I've been left feeling pretty anxious and it's starting to have an effect on me. I'm getting tired and muscles are starting to ache, like my neck, which is really causing me some grief, especially yesterday.
What better way to release some pent up stress than getting out for a nice run at lunch. I hadn't run such a short distance in quite a while. 5k, I'm not even warmed up! But, that's what the next couple of weeks are all about. Just keeping the legs ticking away and looking after myself.
So it was an easy 5.2k @ 4:56/km.
Month to Date : 49.1km
Year to Date: 606km
Strava
After failing to get out yesterday due to horrendous weather and me just generally feeling a bit crap, I really had no other choice but to lace up, water proof up, and brave the rain.
Thankfully by the time I'd got changed and ready to set off the rain had eased to more of a heavy shower, which was acutally quite pleasant. It really kept me nice and cool inside my waterproof, in which I generally overheat.
Parts of the run were pretty treacherous underfoot though. Running on sodden wooden planks I could see myself face planting on each step.
But overall, given my lack of energy lately, the run felt surprisingly good. I felt like my legs were back to normal and they were turning over at a pretty good rate.
So I knocked off 5.8k (although I know it was longer but my Garmin didn't start until about 500m in) at 4:56/km.
Month to Date : 54.9km
Year to Date: 611.8km
Tuesday 8th April
Strava
Since deciding the big one is going to be Easter Saturday I've been left feeling pretty anxious and it's starting to have an effect on me. I'm getting tired and muscles are starting to ache, like my neck, which is really causing me some grief, especially yesterday.
What better way to release some pent up stress than getting out for a nice run at lunch. I hadn't run such a short distance in quite a while. 5k, I'm not even warmed up! But, that's what the next couple of weeks are all about. Just keeping the legs ticking away and looking after myself.
So it was an easy 5.2k @ 4:56/km.
Month to Date : 49.1km
Year to Date: 606km
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Training Log Week Commencing 31st March
Sunday 6th April
Strava
I had a second birthday to attend pretty early this morning in the city so today was to be an optional run when I got home.
The sun was shining and it must've been about 25 degrees when I got home from the party. Well, I wasn't about to let this opportunity slip, so I laced up and got cracking for a 7k recovery.
Did someone say recovery? Not today! I just felt great. Everything seemed to be working nicely and it barely felt like I was working hard. I cruised through the 7k in under 35 minutes, WAY too quick for it to be considered a recovery. But hey, the body does what the body wants.
7.1km @ 4:51/km
Month to Date : 43.9km
Year to Date: 600.8km
Strava
I had a second birthday to attend pretty early this morning in the city so today was to be an optional run when I got home.
The sun was shining and it must've been about 25 degrees when I got home from the party. Well, I wasn't about to let this opportunity slip, so I laced up and got cracking for a 7k recovery.
Did someone say recovery? Not today! I just felt great. Everything seemed to be working nicely and it barely felt like I was working hard. I cruised through the 7k in under 35 minutes, WAY too quick for it to be considered a recovery. But hey, the body does what the body wants.
7.1km @ 4:51/km
Month to Date : 43.9km
Year to Date: 600.8km
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Traning Log Week Commencing 24th March
Saturday 29th Mar
Strava
My last run of March was to be a big one. My first 30k run since September last year - which incidentally was the run where ITB issues started to flare up. I was a touch nervous not really knowing how my body was going to handle the distance. I'd done 27.5 a few weeks back and I was certainly hurting at the end of that one.
I decided on an out and back route from Yarra Glen to Healesville, usually a very picturesque road. Not this morning though as a grey mist settled in and didn't lift at all, which was quite disappointing as I was looking forward to the scenery to keep me company.
I set out nice and controlled and was pleasantly surprised to be consistently hitting my goal 5:13/km pace without really trying to control my pace. It seems that I have set a pretty good goal pace as it feels natural to run at this effort level. A few rolling hills kept things interesting. The half way mark came and went in Healesville and I was feeling pretty fresh, which isn't too much of a surprise at the 15k mark. Up the Mt Rael hill just outside of Healesville certainly hurt, but I knew it was only 3-4km then mostly a downhill run into the finish.
The halfie ticked by in about 1hr 50mins, not too bad, pretty standard. I still felt good and thought it was a good time to have a quick bite to eat. 25km rolled around in no time and I was still feeling remarkably good. Only 5k's to go so I upped the pace a bit and started doing a couple of sub 5 minute kilometres.
Clearly I had forgotten what 30km feels like though. I started to fade as soon as the 28k ticked by. Pushed too hard too early. Still, I didn't hit the wall, I simply started tiring. My pace was still consistent at around the 5:13 mark, but I was certainly counting down the k's to the finish.
The Yarra Glen hotel came into view and I pushed the last k to see what I had left. As it turns out, I had a fair bit left. My legs were sore for sure, but that's what happens after 30k. The walk to the bakery after however was not pleasant. My brain was saying walk, my legs had other ideas.
All in all, a very successful long run. Building confidence that I have the distance in me and that my goal times are pretty much spot on. Time for an easy week now!
I finished up with 30.1km at 5:11/km pace.
Strava
My last run of March was to be a big one. My first 30k run since September last year - which incidentally was the run where ITB issues started to flare up. I was a touch nervous not really knowing how my body was going to handle the distance. I'd done 27.5 a few weeks back and I was certainly hurting at the end of that one.
I decided on an out and back route from Yarra Glen to Healesville, usually a very picturesque road. Not this morning though as a grey mist settled in and didn't lift at all, which was quite disappointing as I was looking forward to the scenery to keep me company.
I set out nice and controlled and was pleasantly surprised to be consistently hitting my goal 5:13/km pace without really trying to control my pace. It seems that I have set a pretty good goal pace as it feels natural to run at this effort level. A few rolling hills kept things interesting. The half way mark came and went in Healesville and I was feeling pretty fresh, which isn't too much of a surprise at the 15k mark. Up the Mt Rael hill just outside of Healesville certainly hurt, but I knew it was only 3-4km then mostly a downhill run into the finish.
The halfie ticked by in about 1hr 50mins, not too bad, pretty standard. I still felt good and thought it was a good time to have a quick bite to eat. 25km rolled around in no time and I was still feeling remarkably good. Only 5k's to go so I upped the pace a bit and started doing a couple of sub 5 minute kilometres.
Clearly I had forgotten what 30km feels like though. I started to fade as soon as the 28k ticked by. Pushed too hard too early. Still, I didn't hit the wall, I simply started tiring. My pace was still consistent at around the 5:13 mark, but I was certainly counting down the k's to the finish.
The Yarra Glen hotel came into view and I pushed the last k to see what I had left. As it turns out, I had a fair bit left. My legs were sore for sure, but that's what happens after 30k. The walk to the bakery after however was not pleasant. My brain was saying walk, my legs had other ideas.
All in all, a very successful long run. Building confidence that I have the distance in me and that my goal times are pretty much spot on. Time for an easy week now!
I finished up with 30.1km at 5:11/km pace.
Month to Date: 222.3km
Year to Date: 557.2kmFriday, 21 March 2014
Anatomy of Training : Body Maintenance
While dissecting my training I have discussed why my previous marathon training plan was Doomed To Fail and also explored the reasons why particular training sessions are advised and why I have incorporated them into a new training regime. Next up I'm going to try and outline the importance of taking care of your body, in particular strength training, warm ups and self massge.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Traning Log Week Commencing 17th March
Sunday 23rd Mar
Strava
The day after the long run up the 'Nongs and I was really feeling it. I was sore. But I battled out of bed, got compressed up and headed out the door for a nice easy recovery run.
Two laps of my local loop just to keep on running. Nothing interesting happened. It was slow and it wasn't overly enjoyable. I never really enjoy my recovery runs. They're too slow and a bit boring. I'm thinking I might start listening to some music on this run just to keep my mind off things.
I ended up battling through 9km @ 5:26/km - although it felt much slower. I've just clocked over 500km for the year and up to 168km for March. The goal of 200k in March shouldn't be too hard for the last week since I have a 30k run planned for Saturday.
Strava
The day after the long run up the 'Nongs and I was really feeling it. I was sore. But I battled out of bed, got compressed up and headed out the door for a nice easy recovery run.
Two laps of my local loop just to keep on running. Nothing interesting happened. It was slow and it wasn't overly enjoyable. I never really enjoy my recovery runs. They're too slow and a bit boring. I'm thinking I might start listening to some music on this run just to keep my mind off things.
I ended up battling through 9km @ 5:26/km - although it felt much slower. I've just clocked over 500km for the year and up to 168km for March. The goal of 200k in March shouldn't be too hard for the last week since I have a 30k run planned for Saturday.
Month to Date: 168km
Year to Date: 502.9km
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Traning Log Week Commencing 10th March
Saturday 15th Mar
Strava
Last full day in Noosa, sun shining, what better time to get out and do a halfie?
I'd checked out the Noosa Half Ironman course and decided to do the run leg of that event as it passes right by where we're staying on Gympie Terrace.
In all honesty, it was a pretty boring run. Heading up to Hastings St, turn around, run back passed the resort, keep going for another 2.5k, turn around and repeat.
Certainly the least enjoyable run up here. Despite the sun shining and heaps of people out walking, running, cycling, I just couldn't get into the right head space. The sun was baking by 7:30 and I was really feeling it. I had the familiar feeling of heavy legs and then the lighten up around the 6-7k mark. The heaviness crept back in way too soon for my liking.
I was in the hurt locker from 16k onwards. Everything was hurting, and it was only a 21k run!
Thankfully I had the pool to jump straight into when finished which certainly makes things better.
I don't know what it was that made me struggle today. I'd say a combo of warmer than normal weather, lack of decent nutrition (who does look after themselves on holidays?), too much beer for the week and not really doing my strength work.
Back to Melbourne and back to reality tomorrow.
I finished with 21.7km @ 5:11/km. Not too bad but was hoping for quicker.
Thursday 13th Mar
Strava
Decided to head out to the Noosa National Park again today, but didn't hit the tracks as this was only to be a short run. Glad I didn't push myself today too. Started to really feel the affects of running in hot and humid conditions.
The runs I've done so far have all followed a similar pattern. They start out pretty quick but the return journey's I'm really battling. Today was no exception. Cruised into the National Park in good time again, turned around and headed back the same way and hit the proverbial brick wall at the 7.5k mark. I'm clearly going out too hard. Just getting carried away with the flat roads and my Garmin constantly beeping at well under 5 minute kilometres.
I was completely shot after 8k today. Pretty ordinary effort really. Breathing was tough, legs weren't working and I didn't have any water. I thought for sure there would be a water point somewhere along the run, but nope, nothing at all, not even at the entrance to the national park.
I'll be having an unofficial go at the official Noosa half marathon on Saturday. So I'll just be running the half marathon course. I'll have to start out much easier if I'm going to even survive 21k, let alone run it in a semi respectable time.
Today's stats were 8.2k @ 5:04/km.
Which gives me:
Strava
Last full day in Noosa, sun shining, what better time to get out and do a halfie?
I'd checked out the Noosa Half Ironman course and decided to do the run leg of that event as it passes right by where we're staying on Gympie Terrace.
In all honesty, it was a pretty boring run. Heading up to Hastings St, turn around, run back passed the resort, keep going for another 2.5k, turn around and repeat.
Certainly the least enjoyable run up here. Despite the sun shining and heaps of people out walking, running, cycling, I just couldn't get into the right head space. The sun was baking by 7:30 and I was really feeling it. I had the familiar feeling of heavy legs and then the lighten up around the 6-7k mark. The heaviness crept back in way too soon for my liking.
I was in the hurt locker from 16k onwards. Everything was hurting, and it was only a 21k run!
Thankfully I had the pool to jump straight into when finished which certainly makes things better.
I don't know what it was that made me struggle today. I'd say a combo of warmer than normal weather, lack of decent nutrition (who does look after themselves on holidays?), too much beer for the week and not really doing my strength work.
Back to Melbourne and back to reality tomorrow.
I finished with 21.7km @ 5:11/km. Not too bad but was hoping for quicker.
Month to Date: 117.7km
Year to Date: 452.6km
Thursday 13th Mar
Strava
Decided to head out to the Noosa National Park again today, but didn't hit the tracks as this was only to be a short run. Glad I didn't push myself today too. Started to really feel the affects of running in hot and humid conditions.
The runs I've done so far have all followed a similar pattern. They start out pretty quick but the return journey's I'm really battling. Today was no exception. Cruised into the National Park in good time again, turned around and headed back the same way and hit the proverbial brick wall at the 7.5k mark. I'm clearly going out too hard. Just getting carried away with the flat roads and my Garmin constantly beeping at well under 5 minute kilometres.
I was completely shot after 8k today. Pretty ordinary effort really. Breathing was tough, legs weren't working and I didn't have any water. I thought for sure there would be a water point somewhere along the run, but nope, nothing at all, not even at the entrance to the national park.
I'll be having an unofficial go at the official Noosa half marathon on Saturday. So I'll just be running the half marathon course. I'll have to start out much easier if I'm going to even survive 21k, let alone run it in a semi respectable time.
Today's stats were 8.2k @ 5:04/km.
Which gives me:
Month to Date: 96.0km
Year to Date: 430.9km
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