Training Log Archive: BA

Run around Aranda and Black mtn. Was really nice, felt a bit tired still but not too bad.

Rode to and from work

Rode to and from work

Run at lunch with Susie. Felt ok at start but tired quickly. Nice to get out at lunch though!

Super slow jog around Aranda this morning.

Mountain bike ride with Emily around Bruce ridge. It was great! Really fun and just like old times :)

Ran around Aranda hill. Was thinking I might run a bit longer but was feeling pretty tired running.

Ran with Al this morning - I was very slow and sore! Sort of nice to get back running though after a few days off.

Rode to work (bus home). Slightly less sore today.

Rode to work and back - very slowly!! Felt very weary and sore.

Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon. Well, I made it!! Pretty happy all round, and I think it was fun! I was really hoping to break 4 hours and managed to just scrape in. I was really unsure about how I would go and just started out trying very hard not to push it too much. I took Scotty's advice to run the first 10km steady, to not build up lactic (Deek had said during the olympic commentary that if you're tired at 10km, you're stuffed!). The first 10km was pretty flat and on lots of bike path, and I just ran at a nice steady pace (I think I did about 5 min/km, and I felt fine at 10k). Then it was off onto some fun undulating fire trails, with a couple of big hills, and a nice downhill run to the halfway mark. I tried not to go too hard downhill (I had to have learnt something from that deep space half mara last year when I went way too hard on the down!). I possibly pushed it a bit too much coming into the halfway mark, but I was just so excited to reach halfway still feeling good, and I was looking forward to seeing my cheer squad (thanks jase and zoe and abby and shannon and grant!). I did about 1:51 for the first half which I was happy with. I knew the next bit would be tough as it was hilly and I'd be getting tired, so just tried to focus on running steady. It was pretty hard work running in pomegalarna as the climb was on single track with lots of little dips and twists. My hip flexors were starting to really hurt.... once over the hill at about 30km, it was a downhill stretch to the 32 km mark. I knew once I got there, it would be flat all the way back. But that last 10km was a killer! I was starting to feel a bit light-headed, and there was 1-2km on a flat, straight, dirt road that was a bit glarey, and I was struggling! I knew I had to start thinking lots of positive things to keep going, and thank goodness for le tour as I borrowed from jens (shut up legs) and paul sherwen (dug into that suitcase of courage), plus a bit of toddler parenting (told myself sternly in a parent-voice that i HAD to keep going, I really needed to keep going!). Oh it was so hard, and then there kept being all these stiles to cross! It felt like hundreds, but I think there was about 6 or so. Each one took all my strength not only to get over, but to start running again once I'd made it over. Anyhoo, by this stage I was doing a lot of looking at my watch to count down the km, and I knew I'd really have to keep pushing to break 4 hours. I've never been so happy to see the finish line! The most painful thing was definitely my hip flexors, they were just cramping.

For further reference, I had small amount of muesli and a banana for breakfast about 1 1/4 hours before the start and it was perfect. I had 3 gels, could probably have done with another at 10km to go but I didn't think of it and was a bit over them. I was thirstier than I thought I'd be, and just had sips of water at most drink stations. I think I paced it well, I know I slowed a lot at the end but I don't think it was because I started too hard, I think it was just a very long way!!

I reckon I might do another one again one day.....

C • Fantastic effort BA 16

Easy jog around Aranda. Felt pretty sluggish but I usually do before a race so that's ok!

Last interval session before the marathon - 8 x 30" (30" jog) on the ovals with Al. Felt pretty good, and session seemed so short!

Rode to and from work

Starting to feel a bit nervous about the weekend!

Rode to and from work

Tapering session - 6x 1' (1' jog) 4 x 30" (30" standing) at lunch on bike path near ANU. Quite fun, felt pretty good.

Run up black mtn and the roller coaster. Probably the most hilly run I've done for a couple of weeks. Felt fine and no real injury niggles. Ran pretty slow though!

Easy jog around aranda.

Last run on holidays - 6 x 3' (1' jog) at Byron bay before heading off on long drive home. Felt strong and really enjoyed it.

Ran at Ballina while Jase and the girls were playing at the beach. It was very flat but I just felt a bit tired after yesterday and I guess not having great sleep in the tent. Was so lovely and warm though!

Intervals at Byron Bay - 2 x 6' (1' float), 4 x 1' (1' jog), 4 x 30" (1' standing). Felt good and enjoyed trying to run hard. Injuries seemed ok today!

Easy jog along Noosa River /Gympie terrace. Was so nice, I love going out for an early morning run. Especially in this nice weather! Felt pretty weary today running though.

Lovely long run through Noosa National Park. Happily my hamstrings didn't hurt at all, neither did hip flexor, although ankle a bit achey for some reason. Really nice run though and felt pretty good.

C • Has to be... 2

Did 20 min tempo session in middle of run. Tempo part was up Noosa Hill in the national park, so first half was all up hill and second half all down hill. Felt really good and tried to push it as much as possible on the downhill. Loved it. Ankle a bit sore on the warm up but seemed ok after that. Also first run when finally felt like my cold was completely gone.

Ran through Noosa national park. Another beautiful morning, another lovely run. Glute exercises and stretches seem to be helping as hip flexor much better today.