Last week I had 4 huge working days in Auckland during which time I only was able to get out for 1 run - a lovely 45 minute loop around the Domain - I met up with pbig (Peter), Caleb, Oldknees (Nick) & Brian for a run in the Dandenongs.
God I was tired but so glad that I agreed to meet them at the bottom of One Tree Hill - If I didn't then I would probably still be in bed! Starting up Lyrebird Track I ran at least 75% of it and hit the top feeling puffed but not totally buggered. Nick lead us (yelling from behind!) for the next hour over some great hills to Sherbrook. From here we took Ridge Track down to Micawbers then over to Grant's Picnic Ground. Peter and I wanted to to a loop here but Caleb and Nick were planning to head back so we decided to go with them an possibly to another Lyrebird/Steps repeat to finish.
Well I am glad that we did turn around. The rain was continuing and it became very cold very quickly. I was really struggling back along Lloyds Track and my hands were completely numb. I kept a good steady pace though and ran all the way through to the top of One Tree Hill despite both hamstrings/glutes seizing up in the cold and the pain in my hands. Down the steps very carefully as it was wet and slippery. Halfway down you could feel the temperature change and by the time we hit the bottom it was perfect running conditions again.
The last 400m run down hill absolutely killed me in my butt and I could not speed up like Peter and Caleb managed. I briefly contemplated the Lyrebird/Steps repeat but I was cold, wet and sore so I bailed!
A good tough 2.5 hours though
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Maroondah Dam - 3rd race, 3rd girl
A mixed day for me at Maroondah. The first hour and a bit was just terrible. My heart rate was way too high, I had to pull right back and I was walking some of the hills I ran last year. I was starting to think this early on that it was going to be a very long and ugly day out.
It was on the second steep grass hill that the first 50k runner passed me. It was just astounding to see him demolish the hill that we were all walking.
After the nice downhill run towards the start of Mt Monda hills I actually started to feel good. I had overtaken 2 female runners during this section so I knew I was in 3rd. Amazing how motivating that is so I set the goal of not being passed by anyone if possible. I ran a few of the t Monda hills pretty well and made it to Chilliman & OldKnees' banquet feast feeling great.....maybe it just takes me an hour and a half to warm up? Up Mt St Leonards and back down the other side and I was feeling fabulous!
I managed to maintain a good pace for the last hour and continued to overtake runners all the way down to the bridge at Donnelly's Weir - at least 10 guys. I caught up to the 2nd place girl here but she took off again along the viaduct looking really strong.
The final km I tried to speed up again and surprisingly the legs worked. Cruised down the path to the dam and almost sprinted along the dam wall passing another 3 runners. I turned down the final path and I felt like I was flying. I run the downhills pretty well and it was here about 200m from the end that I caught up with another runner. It wasn't supposed to be shoulder-to-shoulder sprint finish...but it was downhill, I was on a roll and somehow it just happened that we were pushing each other to the end. Shockingly he tripped with about 100m to go and had a really bad fall onto he knees and face. It didn't look pretty.
So about 15 minutes slower than last year (3:01) - and I would attribute that my woeful first 10kms and a bit of heat on the day - but a fantastic back half for me. I will take that any day rather than a great start but a blow up/struggle to the end. This year we also took the path over 2 huge grassy hills, rather than the road which we followed last year. There were more runnable sections on the road so I think at least 5 mins of my time is the extra walking on these hills.
In the end I was overtaken by 6 guys between Mt Monda and coming off Mt St Leonards , but I got five of them back in the last section, plus at least another 7 on the decent and last 2km. Very happy with that!
It was on the second steep grass hill that the first 50k runner passed me. It was just astounding to see him demolish the hill that we were all walking.
After the nice downhill run towards the start of Mt Monda hills I actually started to feel good. I had overtaken 2 female runners during this section so I knew I was in 3rd. Amazing how motivating that is so I set the goal of not being passed by anyone if possible. I ran a few of the t Monda hills pretty well and made it to Chilliman & OldKnees' banquet feast feeling great.....maybe it just takes me an hour and a half to warm up? Up Mt St Leonards and back down the other side and I was feeling fabulous!
I managed to maintain a good pace for the last hour and continued to overtake runners all the way down to the bridge at Donnelly's Weir - at least 10 guys. I caught up to the 2nd place girl here but she took off again along the viaduct looking really strong.
The final km I tried to speed up again and surprisingly the legs worked. Cruised down the path to the dam and almost sprinted along the dam wall passing another 3 runners. I turned down the final path and I felt like I was flying. I run the downhills pretty well and it was here about 200m from the end that I caught up with another runner. It wasn't supposed to be shoulder-to-shoulder sprint finish...but it was downhill, I was on a roll and somehow it just happened that we were pushing each other to the end. Shockingly he tripped with about 100m to go and had a really bad fall onto he knees and face. It didn't look pretty.
So about 15 minutes slower than last year (3:01) - and I would attribute that my woeful first 10kms and a bit of heat on the day - but a fantastic back half for me. I will take that any day rather than a great start but a blow up/struggle to the end. This year we also took the path over 2 huge grassy hills, rather than the road which we followed last year. There were more runnable sections on the road so I think at least 5 mins of my time is the extra walking on these hills.
In the end I was overtaken by 6 guys between Mt Monda and coming off Mt St Leonards , but I got five of them back in the last section, plus at least another 7 on the decent and last 2km. Very happy with that!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A good week before Maroondah
Nice solid runs this week, including a few with intervals and efforts.
I am really looking forward to Maroondah Dam on Sunday. I think I was in better shape to race it last year because it was after Six Foot. This year I have done plenty of long runs, but as I am reaching the end of my training for 6FT the legs are very heavy.
I am really looking forward to Maroondah Dam on Sunday. I think I was in better shape to race it last year because it was after Six Foot. This year I have done plenty of long runs, but as I am reaching the end of my training for 6FT the legs are very heavy.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Not much running again
Back from Hong Kong on Saturday evening and I only did one run the whole week.
Thursday am I made it to the treadmill at the gym for a 45 min run increasing the speed every 5 mins - 10.5 kmph, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 12 kmph.
On Saturday morning before our flight I posted to the Trail Running group that I was going to run in the Dandenongs at 8am. By doing this I knew then I would be committed to getting out of bed and running them hills!
Thankfully pbig met me at the base of 1000 steps and we headed off to the Channel 10 towers with a powerwalk up Lyrebird Track. I can't believe I actually ran that entire track a few months ago.
Great hard run which too us around 3:20. I then added some extra torture with another walk up Lyrebird Track and back down the steps again for nearly 4 hours on my feet.
Monday - rest
Tuesday - sore but easy 1/2 hour before early flight to Sydney
Wednesday - right quad very sore but did 3 laps of the Tan after work. Should have done 4.
Thursday - stuck at work, no chance to run at all
Friday - headache, no run again
What is going on?
Thursday am I made it to the treadmill at the gym for a 45 min run increasing the speed every 5 mins - 10.5 kmph, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 12 kmph.
On Saturday morning before our flight I posted to the Trail Running group that I was going to run in the Dandenongs at 8am. By doing this I knew then I would be committed to getting out of bed and running them hills!
Thankfully pbig met me at the base of 1000 steps and we headed off to the Channel 10 towers with a powerwalk up Lyrebird Track. I can't believe I actually ran that entire track a few months ago.
Great hard run which too us around 3:20. I then added some extra torture with another walk up Lyrebird Track and back down the steps again for nearly 4 hours on my feet.
Monday - rest
Tuesday - sore but easy 1/2 hour before early flight to Sydney
Wednesday - right quad very sore but did 3 laps of the Tan after work. Should have done 4.
Thursday - stuck at work, no chance to run at all
Friday - headache, no run again
What is going on?
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