Training Log Archive: theway

Some lovely paddling out at Casuarina sands. The water was deliciously warm. we mainly paddled in the rapids but I did spend a bit of time working on my freestyle swimming (A was a good teacher) so I'm logging it. I wasn't as bad as I thought I would be (never learnt as a kid, only breast stroke which I rock).

It was a beautiful warm evening and I'd avoided the sun all day so needed air and exercise. Took a long loop and ended up at the finish of CBR100. Heard the strange mechanical squeal of large bats in oak trees on way there. At least that's what flew out of the tree after the noise.

Left bike and walked up concrete Mt Ainslie track, so light from clouds that didn't need headtorch. Absolutely beautiful evening... for me, but for the 50k walkers finishing in over 14 hours it was painful. I met a few of these struggling ppl on way up and walked down with them chatting and encouraging for a while. Then turned back up to catch the next one. There was a woman walking in only socks, she'd been thru 2 pairs of shoes but her toes were a disaster so after attention from a podiatrist and a husband she finished in socks. I eventually got to top then continued along CCT on the dirt tracks, then returned the same way.

I am glad I didn't do a last minute-ish team with a few friends. One forgets that rough ground, hills, darkness and being away from houses are all challenges for the average person. It was certainly a lesson that even to walk 50k it's worth doing some serious training. I wouldn't mind doing it next year. Especially after...

...after I saw a light above me on the hill, but it was bobbing up and down unlike all the others. It must be a runner! Therefore it must be a 100k runner. After observing all the pain and defeat I was looking forward to meeting with some success and positivity. I was not disappointed; Pam Muston and pacer appeared out of the darkness, I cheered her, found out that she was leading female, congratulated her most heartily and ended up running alongside for the last k to the finish. She told me that the woman who was leading earlier didn't eat for 75k, then crashed I guess. She said the heat was very tough and The Wall on back of Mt Majura an unwelcome surprise. Haha I know that wall! She's a canny and experienced racer, well done Pam. Oh and she's turning 56 on monday! A very positive end to a lovely night of exercise.

to blackie upper gate. Home via oconnor shops.

I wanted to run all the way from home but it was a very hot night so decided to ride to bottom of hill. Hiked up to the top, down to circum, half a clockwise lap with Ric then decided I was very thirsty so went up diagonal st back to top. Had a good drink and a bit of a bath at the bubbler then jogged down to circum junction where I was surprised to find the group still waiting. Soon lost them in the jog back to my bike.

Feels like I'm comfortable and back in the swing of running again. I don't even notice the achilles anymore, so I can build back up to a satisfying level of fitness. As long as I can get fit enough to get up Mt tennent I'll be happy.

Decided to accept a bottle for a carpark shower tonight. Felt great pouring water all over myself. But when Ric offered me his used towel I felt that was a step too far, even though he was offering before using it on his feet (as he kindly pointed out). Instead I smeared myself drier with my running top. Ewww it probably wasn't nice to be near us in the restaurant!

Rode from home to top of hill near purdie st via bike tracks in 14:30, down other side, back up to top and home. Very hot but wore full sun combat gear with only calves showing. Still managed to get one wave although one of my closest friends rode past without recognition hehe. Good thing to do straight from home when there's not much time and I've missed the early window for getting to blacki.

17 to blackie, 13:30 back home.

Left bike near upper gate. Walked up SEQ to top step in 13:25 feeling well heated. Followed CBR100 signs down to circum (via a little loop I used for short hills once), turned left at circum and did my run drills with a bit more commitment than the last few months. Jogged easy around circum to avoid collapsing in the heat. Jogged and walked back down to bike.

At least I survived the heat a bit better than my last run and the achilles continues to not even mention it's presence. Have had a lot more back ache and stiffness lately due to so little running and hill walking. It felt great to do a session that I know will help.

The running parts. Hard because of the heat.

Yoga commute. Long way home.

I think I discovered an abdominal hernia last night. Didn't even need Dr google for this diagnosis (but might ask the neighbours for confirmation). Still did yoga class, was good.

Riding in to ukulele sesh.