Training Log Archive: fletch

First Harriers Race of the season for me. 3:30pm start meant it was nearly 30 degrees and fairly humid too. An undulating course along the Greenough River walk trail that I really enjoy when I'm fit, but more hilly than I would have chosen for a first hard effort.

A couple of likely looking types on the start line that I didn't know. Was really looking forward to this, but at the same time kinda knew I didn't have a hard 5km in me, let alone 7.

Wanted to start sensibly, knowing that I would be slowing down in the second half, it was just a matter of how much. Didn't help myself out by completely forgetting to take a watch. Managed to start at a pace that was a lower intensity (based on breathing at least) than my 10km when I am fit, but figured out by 1.5km in that it was still going to be too quick.

The two serious looking blokes from the start were both sitting on my shoulder and the first went past just before 2km. He gradually pulled away and had about 100m by the half way turnaround. I assume it got bigger in the second half. The second bloke came past too, but never got more than about 15m in front, and despite stretching the gap on the first hill on the return journey, he then started to fade really badly and I went past at 5km and pulled away.

Turns out the winner all but passed out at the finish line (for the second week in a row). He still wasn't coherent or capable of standing after 10 minutes, so they bundled him into a car and took him to the hospital for a check over.

Reckon I'm about 3-3.5 minutes down on where I was this time last year, or about 30 sec / km. Reckon I can get most of that back in 5-6 weeks if I train fairly consistently.

Calves bound to be sore tomorrow. Tight already after first hard run, in the x-talons too (with heel raises in). Achilles pretty good though, and could feel medial quad again, but only a little soreness in the muscle, not along the patella.

Forced myself to do a warm up and a cool down. May not have achieved much today other than making me more tired, but good to get back into the routine a bit. Nothing as silly as run-throughs - just a gentle 750m out, then return to the start line.

Similar loop to last week, but in reverse, and checked out a few random paths that didn't go anywhere, plus the reinstated playground near home.

Achilles was good, right medial quad was feeling it a bit, but at least it was a muscle fatigue feeling rather than a sharp pain on the edge of the patella.

So far so good.

Haven't quite turned this holiday into a training camp. Does 4 leisurely km in a bathtub canoe or a swim across the river and back while the kids paddled count as training? Nope. Didn't think so. Good fun nevertheless.

Little trundle along the river in Kalbarri. Should have used my puffer before I started. Otherwise felt pretty good.