Here we are. The entry form for the marathon is filled in and almost ready to be sent off.
I had a truly great 36.5k long run on Saturday morning, paced myself well and felt good including towards the end.
I wore the skins and put them on again for a few hours afterwards. They seemed to work quite well. After the HM it took a couple of days to get rid of the soreness, but with the skins I was ok on Saturday evening. Admitted, not quite the same intensity, but if it works why not.
Next question is, should I wear the skins for the marathon as well?
This morning I did a 3x 1600m interval, trying to do the mile in 7 mins. 6:48, 7:11 and 7:10 was the result. Not quite what I had in mind, but very close.
The trial for next week has fallen out so I'll need to find something else to keep my mind occupied. More meditation maybe? Or I could take the bike and ride over the course. That would be an excellent idea!
20 June 2006
15 June 2006
New Beginnings
I just couldn't get up this morning and even an excited Bernese Mountain Dog pup (aka Madi) licking my face couldn't convince me to get up. So, there went the early morning 6k tempo run I was due to do today.
So I tried a new approach and packed a bag with gear to go for a run after a conference at Chambers - and I did.
A full trot around Kings Park, couple of ks to warm up, then 6k tempo at a good 4:30 average and a fast 4k back. Excellent.
Better even that the shower actually worked.
I am growing somewhat apprehensive about the Marathon. I have been reading too much about other people's times etc and am not sure what to expect especially as far as the time is concerned.
I suppose I should focus more on running a good race, with the head so I pace myself properly.
Saturday will be crunch time with the last long run of 32k on the menu.
I know it's rather late in the overall training regime with only two weeks of taper. But that'll have to do.
Going back to the running from the office, it just takes a bit of organising and an hour (or so) - time which I frequently just squander anyway. I might as well make something of it.
So I tried a new approach and packed a bag with gear to go for a run after a conference at Chambers - and I did.
A full trot around Kings Park, couple of ks to warm up, then 6k tempo at a good 4:30 average and a fast 4k back. Excellent.
Better even that the shower actually worked.
I am growing somewhat apprehensive about the Marathon. I have been reading too much about other people's times etc and am not sure what to expect especially as far as the time is concerned.
I suppose I should focus more on running a good race, with the head so I pace myself properly.
Saturday will be crunch time with the last long run of 32k on the menu.
I know it's rather late in the overall training regime with only two weeks of taper. But that'll have to do.
Going back to the running from the office, it just takes a bit of organising and an hour (or so) - time which I frequently just squander anyway. I might as well make something of it.
13 June 2006
Exposure
Er, here we go.
Having read plenty of blogs, it's my turn now, without being too self-conscious about it.
If I want to reach goals, I have to be willing to set them out in front of me.
Sunday's Half Marathon was a good experience even though I have been hurting since, although I expect to be fine tomorrow.
This morning's interval session was not too punishing after all and loosened me up, but I know I definitely have to do more speedwork to avoid having to spend too much time on any distance I want to tackle.
Going back to Sunday - after last year's HM at 1:45 I was looking at bettering that time and was hoping to do 1:40. I figured I'd do the first three ks at 5:00 and then increase speed to about 4:40 to end up with an average of 4:44 to get to 1:40 spot-on.
Anyway, best laid plans and so on.
Despite knowing about the hype and not pushing, I got entangled in the maelstrom at the start and did the first k at 4:22 - I don't think I've ever run that fast in my life! Then I tried to get slower, but just couldn't manage.
Anyway, I hovered around the 4:35 mark till about k15 when I started suffering - predictable, eh?! So the last 6 ks were agony and the pace dropped to 5:00 for a couple of ks. I managed to pick myself up for the last two and ended up with 1:37:xx (can't remember the seconds and they have not been posted yet - but who cares). I was stoked!
By the same token I was really annoyed with myself for having gone out way too fast. Ah and yes, I had my GU+ in my fuelbelt, but the raspberry one tasted like crap and the orange was ok but was too gooey and I couldn't suck any out of the bottle. So no wonder I hit the wall.
Nevertheless, the experience was good in the sense that I can now plan much better for the Marathon in 2.5 weeks.
What's the saying: first third you run with your head, the second with your heart and the third with your guts.
I'll have to remember the head bit!
So the plan is to do the Marathon in 3:30:00 - sorry, I'll take back.
Again, in order of priorities:
Then the next race will be the City to Surf (27/8 I think), then the Perth Half (sometime in September) and then the Veni, Vidi, Vomi Rottnest Marathon on 21/10.
Despite the memories of puking last year, I am looking forward to this one as after all, the kids are going to come along!
So, tonight, I might stay up to watch the match Switzerland v France and tomorrow morning I might go for a swim at 6am.
Then to Court for the callover and after that, well, we'll see.
Having read plenty of blogs, it's my turn now, without being too self-conscious about it.
If I want to reach goals, I have to be willing to set them out in front of me.
Sunday's Half Marathon was a good experience even though I have been hurting since, although I expect to be fine tomorrow.
This morning's interval session was not too punishing after all and loosened me up, but I know I definitely have to do more speedwork to avoid having to spend too much time on any distance I want to tackle.
Going back to Sunday - after last year's HM at 1:45 I was looking at bettering that time and was hoping to do 1:40. I figured I'd do the first three ks at 5:00 and then increase speed to about 4:40 to end up with an average of 4:44 to get to 1:40 spot-on.
Anyway, best laid plans and so on.
Despite knowing about the hype and not pushing, I got entangled in the maelstrom at the start and did the first k at 4:22 - I don't think I've ever run that fast in my life! Then I tried to get slower, but just couldn't manage.
Anyway, I hovered around the 4:35 mark till about k15 when I started suffering - predictable, eh?! So the last 6 ks were agony and the pace dropped to 5:00 for a couple of ks. I managed to pick myself up for the last two and ended up with 1:37:xx (can't remember the seconds and they have not been posted yet - but who cares). I was stoked!
By the same token I was really annoyed with myself for having gone out way too fast. Ah and yes, I had my GU+ in my fuelbelt, but the raspberry one tasted like crap and the orange was ok but was too gooey and I couldn't suck any out of the bottle. So no wonder I hit the wall.
Nevertheless, the experience was good in the sense that I can now plan much better for the Marathon in 2.5 weeks.
What's the saying: first third you run with your head, the second with your heart and the third with your guts.
I'll have to remember the head bit!
So the plan is to do the Marathon in 3:30:00 - sorry, I'll take back.
Again, in order of priorities:
- Get to the start;
- Start;
- Finish;
- Finish sub 4h;
- Finish sub 3:45;
- Finish sub 3:30.
Then the next race will be the City to Surf (27/8 I think), then the Perth Half (sometime in September) and then the Veni, Vidi, Vomi Rottnest Marathon on 21/10.
Despite the memories of puking last year, I am looking forward to this one as after all, the kids are going to come along!
So, tonight, I might stay up to watch the match Switzerland v France and tomorrow morning I might go for a swim at 6am.
Then to Court for the callover and after that, well, we'll see.
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