Am I getting old?

So I was all ready to launch into the next phase of base training and first I twisted my back and also ended up with some weird muscle spasm in my right leg. That put an end to running on Monday and Tuesday.
And my favourite knee started to play up on Wednesday as well, but by that stage I had enough.

Since then I have been back into it although at bit sluggis at times. At least the Mount Street intervals did not go as well as the week before.

At least today I managed a good 28k long run. Got a bit tough on the last 4ks, but otherwise I managed a nice pace at below 70% at all times.
Tomorrow it's off to the south for a few days - I'm sure I'll find a few nice places to run (if I'm up to it between the bottles of wines...)

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First proper long run

It was indeed a rest week, as I'm now busting to get properly back into it again. That is what periodisation is all about. Another four weeks of base training and then intensity.
This week I managed to split up the runs easily over three days with a 25k long run yesterday. My better half crewed me on the bike, which is always very nice as it gives us some "us" time (away from the nagging kids....). We were very tempted to sit down at Choux in Swanbourne for a coffee and a nice little pastry but we were "good" and just got croissants for breakfast after.
Fortunately I had a trial vacated this week which means that the Xmas lead up will be much easier and I'll be able to take the time for training without too much rushing and I won't have to think about work constantly when on the runs.
Knee is still holding up marvelously, even after 25k. Worst thing were a couple of blisters, but that's the Brooks Trance, they are just not a perfect fit over distances 20k+. I'll have to remember that.

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Week four - still going strong

Apart from the occasional niggle the knee is holding up very nicely. I actually applied to join a knee study at UWA to track the long-term development of arthritis in the knee after a meniscectomy. Although I fitted all criteria, they would not take me as I had the same op 20 years ago - bummer - would have been interesting to see how it all develops - especially with a free MRI etc thrown in every 2 years.
Well, I'm happy as it is and I'll soon enough notice if it goes downhill again.
Because of the trip to Adelaide with son #1 on the weekend, I did the long run on Wednesday morning. Then on Sunday a 60 minute run around the Torrens, very enjoyable, albeit feeling a bit sluggish. Nevertheless, at an average pace of 5:13 the heart rate was just under 60%. Not bad at all.
Total ks this week: just over 53.
On Friday I did 6 reps of Mount Street and finally managed to break that 1:30 barrier. The fact that it was lunchtime and the temperature in the high 20's made that just that little more impressive.
This week is a "rest" week, so I'll take it easy, but overall the training is working out just as planned.

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Week 3 - Shins splints? What shin splints?

A solid week with a tempo run on Monday, 13ks overdistance on Wednesday, gym on Tuesday and Wednesday, hills on Friday (nearly broke that elusive 1:30 mark at Mount Street, yeah!) and: ouch, what is that on Friday? Shin splints? Oh, no!
Anyway, despite having to be on my feet all day examining, with plenty of ice in the evening, a couple Voltaren and a good wrap overnight, it had all disappeared on Saturday morning.
I was not game to do the long run then though, so rest and today I went out for 100 mins, expecting that I might have to stop and waddle home.
No such thing, did the entire 100 mins at 5:17 at 66% HR, including Reabold Hill. That was very good. So I'm very happy, especially since otherwise the week quite crappy in various respects.
Next week is hopefully better with work not being as demanding.
Friday it's off to Adelaide for the weekend for #1's UMAT interview, so let's see what that city has to offer runwise.

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