Training Log Archive: slow-twitch

Waikoha. Couldn't decide whether to wear the new Inov8s or the 2nd hand Jalas, so solved that problem by leaving both at home, so did the course in an old pair of sneakers with very little tread remaining. Think that cost me about... 8 minutes, wasn't it Bozzy? ;-) Maybe it was the reduced speed but the course seemed pretty easy, especially with one or two controls that were potentially the hardest ones placed to be a bit beacony. Have marked myself down for taking the track rather than direct route on the first long leg, as it seemed pretty clear from the split analysis that was the wrong way; and for 8 which I momentarily looked for one marshy re-entrant too soon. Flushed a skylark or 2 out of some of the longer grass (52).

A run with some Hawks from their club-rooms over to the gardens, around turtle lake and back. Shock horror, I think I might have been talked into joining up, I've never been a member of an actual running club before, just have to switch off the part of my brain pointing out that I don't yet know if I have any reason to be in Hamilton after the end of June.

Office, up the river past the rowing clubs etc (despite being upstream this bit seems mostly downhill which was a nice way to get started) then up to the water tower by about the most direct route possible (which was very definitely not downhill), a 3/4 lap of Rotoroa (today featuring a white-faced heron and a pied shag among the more usual suspects) (51), then back over the ridge (which hadn't shrunk at all) to drop through Frankton-ish and Seddon Park to get back to work. A nice run with some good hardy worky bits - except by the end I was suspecting I might be the latest victim of the traditional pre-nationals cold, courtesy of certain colleagues who won't take sick leave when they are sick.

Wanted to give it everything I had tonight, but by the time I got to the Eastside I had the feeling that I didn't have very much 'everything' to give. The big feast earlier in the day wasn't helping either. Still, I think I was under 5 minutes for each km (possibly right on 5 for the km of truth) which is probably a first for this summer, and while it wasn't completely comfortable, it was comfortable enough that I think with an emptier stomach another 10-20 seconds might have been on the radar.

10km next week... maybe...