Training Log Archive: candyman

Have the keys to our new house!

Its going to be a busy week...

C • long run 3

Event: Flyer’s Midnight Madness Marathon and Relay
 

Was pretty disappointed to only make it around 5 laps, especially as I was still feeling pretty good right up to the top of the hill on the 5th lap. In the end I think my legs just found the steep up and down hill sections too tough and as soon as I started running downhill on the 5th lap they said "no more".

Still a solid hit out and decent long run for the weekend. Was happy to hold faster than 5min/km pace for the first 24 km as it was my aim to do this for as long as possible.

More detailed race report:

1st lap - 30:43

Plan was to run comfortably, this was made difficult by the fairly steep climb over the first 2km of the loop. The course was basically split in to 3 sections with a steep ascent, followed by a steep descent then an undulating section on twisty (and rocky) singletrack. Was running in a nice pack right up to the top of the hill but then dropped all the others very quickly as soon as the downhill started, I wasn't pushing the pace but suspect the others were nervous about running downhill on trails in the dark.

After a fairly steep descent it was on to the undulating singletrack which I was really enjoying until I misstepped on one of the bends and went over on my troublesome left ankle. I was pretty devastated and thought the race would be over before it started. I limped on and gradually the pain decreased so I thought I would keep moving and see how it went.

2nd lap - 31:14

Ankle felt okay by the time I started the 2nd lap and I ran fairly comfortably up the hill, I was a little more cautious on the singletrack this time but what really slowed me down was a visit from the gingerbread man. About a minute for the pitstop in the bushes on the singletrack section and I was felling a lot more comfortable.

3rd lap - 30:21

The first lap where I didn't have some sort of issue so unsurprisingly my fastest of the race. Was feeling comfortable but ominously I did start to feel my quads aching a bit on the downhill section.

4th lap - 31:06

Still felt well in control and was starting to feel confident of making the full distance. Had started lapping quite a few runners and was enjoying the whole experience.

5th lap - 36:26

How quickly things can change! I started the 5th lap on a high knowing that if I made it through this lap well and out on to the 6th I would make it through to the finish. I kept a reasonable turnover up the hill and although slower than the other laps was feeling okay. As soon as I started the downhill section however I knew the race was over. My quads had had enough and I was reduced to a stumbling jog on the downhill and a bit of a shuffle on the singletrack.

I was pretty disappointed not to make the full distance but think it is a fair reflection of my current fitness, up until now my longest run had been ~25 km last weekend. Hope that they put the race on again next year as I would be keen to come back and see if I can't beat the course on a second attempt.

C • interesting race. 4

HFW. Back to the old route, with a head torch, thought I better run at least once with it before racing tomorrow night. Felt good!

HFW. Just trying to take it easy, resting up for the weekend.

Run home from Calwell. Had a massage at lunch today so just took it fairly easy this evening. Much darker than I remember it being last time.