Training Log Archive: markg

First long run since the Skoki Lodge 27km epic in September. Still easing back into training, I ran south-west from the in-laws place through Drayton and then west, aiming to climb Mt Peel. 'Mt' Peel is a pimple on the outskirts of Toowoomba, it's pussy head sticking out barely 100m above the surrounding countryside.

Felt decent today. After getting all puffed at the outset and marveling at out how unfit I was, I got some rythm, my breathing settled down and plodded the rest pretty happily. I didn't make it to the top of Mt Peel, partly due to running out of time and partly because I didn't find a track to the top.

The lowlight of the run was getting the gross Toowoomba mud, which is on par with the gross Calgary mud when it comes to clumping to the bottom of your shoes, all over my shiny new Asics.

The highlight was mistaking a discarded fan belt lying in the grass for a snake and attempting one of those classic leaps to avoid it only it was really poor leap. If it had been a snake I reckon it would have got me.

A spin on the exercise bike at a local gym to help my legs unwind and get some blood flowing through my knees. Legs felt absolutely rotten for the first 10min, like they have zero conditioning for bike riding, which they basically don't. The ride had the desired effect though.

Followed the cycling with 10min on the ergo to loosen up my back and shoulders.

Another AM run but later again this morning as Ewan managed to sleep until 5:30am. The sun is finally shining through in Toowoomba so it was a lovely morning but already starting to get too hot for lily white semi-Canadians. The 73% humidity after the storm last night may not be helping there.

Okay run on a uninspiring route that follows West St south and then drops down to follow West Creek Park back north. I'm feeling very unfit at the moment and when this began to feel like a long run at 25min I was sure that am indeed unfit. It was a real struggle in the last 5min; the one significant hill near the end was a killer.

Knee hurt a little around 20mins so I stopped for a strategic stretch and it was fine after the rest. Lower left calf also tightened up somewhat. This one of my weak links and so it's not unexpected that it suffers during a comeback run while wearing the Free's.

C • Skoki Knees 3

C • too warm 3

Another easy run, this one early in the morning after getting up at 5am with Ewan who, being jet-lagged, decided it was morning then. Knee felt good again, to my surprise.

Two runs in two days; something unusual for the last few months and a nice way to celebrate being closer to family support (we're living with my in-laws at the moment).