Training Log Archive: jennycas

Not quite as squelchy as I'd hoped, but soggy enough. Certainly glad that the rain had finished by the time of the event - the turnout was about as good as last week. Trotted around in fairly straightforward fashion although knew as I chose the northern route to the last control that it was a suboptimal choice. I'd suggested that route to the course planners, though, so I felt obliged to take it. Think my running speed is a couple min slower than it used to be over a course like this but at least I'm getting in plenty of sprint practice before next weekend.

Course 1 - Splits

It was approximately 32 degrees throughout our entire house when we went to bed, and about 30 upon getting up, but still didn't seem as bad for sleeping as the night before. Pool was lovely, if a bit over-populated.

After the rain stopped (we received the best part of 2 inches today) I taped my ankles and went for a run around (possibly Bridget's) course from the sprint series race a couple of years ago. The last thing George said as I headed out the door was "you do know it's going to be really wet and muddy up there?" I was careful where I put my feet but this didn't stop me sliding out on a clayey tennis court corner. Landed mainly on my shin, which has swollen a bit, but didn't even break the skin because of my supertights.

To the redwoods with B&S, F&T to see Simon's campfire. Then I went up and over the hill on the south side - which actually gave me a better view of the extent of the (not very extensive) burn, and also a chance to sample the blackberries. There should still be some left in a couple of weeks' time when I finally get around to going up Long Gully with my bike and a lunchbox.

Actually had some bounce in my legs this morning although the bounce had all gone by the time I got to the bottom of Randells. Maybe I should have eaten something before setting out? Got to the top in just under 34, so coming down was about 31. I did try to maintain tempo without hammering my legs, but don't have much tempo to maintain.

Hawthorndene run with F&T, Biddy, Troy, listening to them discussing their bushfire evacuation plans. The Minno Creek part was downhill but there was plenty of up elsewhere, which legs managed okay. Stomach's been hurting for a couple of days, though.

Our ancient airconditoner, which never really succeeded in directing cold air into the bedroom until about 5am anyway, gave up the ghost last night and so it was, as on many previous nights, a matter of waiting until I broke out in a sweat before the ceiling fan could have some cooling effect...

Therefore I was rather surprised that this run actually felt okay. With B&S, John, Andrew, Liv down Hahndorf Hill, under the freeway, towards the Onkaparinga river turning right on to Taminga Grove just before the river, under the freeway again, across Cox Creek, up the hill to Mylor CP, through the conservation park and down into Mylor for a drink, up Aldgate Valley and Nation Ridge Rds and finishing off with the Heysen trail. A pleasant morning for a scenic run. (Doubt I'll enjoy a 10km race in terrain as much next Sunday.)

I urgently need to do some terrain running, and figured that Kuitpo would be closed, so dug out the sprintervals that Tyson (I think) set for us on Shepherds Hill about 3 years ago.

Couldn't manage to get above a jog, though, or lift my legs over anything, and hamstring in particular was a bit grumpy (after last night, although it was okay running then). Also I took a long time every time I had to cross the (dry) creek channel which is about 2 feet deep and my knees don't like climbing in and out of it. Stretched between each 'interval', stopped a couple of times to drink from the tap and when I got home realised that it was already 35 degrees. Also realised that even Shepherds Hill Recreation Park is technically closed today although there was no sign up.

1.1km 9:19 (uphill)
1.2km 9:00 (downhill)
1.4km 12:25 (uphill)
1.0km 9:03 (downhill)

To/from the park. I was absolutely buggered when I got home, but the dog said he wanted a walk. I told him it was hot out, but would he listen...?