Bribie Island 30k

Set off from 8th Ave Woorim on Bribie Island @ 5.30am. Cool first thing, mist covered the sports fields half-way over the island. Headed off down First Avenue & was surprised to see the Ian Fairweather park - the little patch of bush where the eccentric recluse set up his humpy & painted. Quite a distance from the coast & views. Headed down to the top of the Esplanade (near the RSL club)& was greeted by a beautiful clear morning, fine & calm. The Glasshouse Mountains crystal clear across the Pumicestone Passage.

Followed the pedestrian / bike path under the mainland bridge & headed up to Pacific Harbour. Ran around deserted streets to North Point, turning around in 1 hour 20. I was running pretty slowly & comfortably, this usually happens when I'm not in a group run. Even so I started to feel a blister on my little toe come up & had to pull over at 1.53 to apply a band-aid. My shoes were still damp from Friday's downpour at PCRG.

Found just enough water at different points along the route & was quite pleased not to feel too fatigued after completion of 2 hours 40 minutes - my longest run for 27 years...Difficult to judge the distance & pacing but felt a bit slower than 5 min ks, maybe 5.10s so possibly 30-31 ks.

Friday PCRG Had a decent hit-out in the rain that continued to get heavier as the session wore on. Ran 1k; 500m x 2 with an extra 1k (45sec SR between). Then one of Pat's extra extras - 1 min hard out & back. The day prior I ran an easy 10k.

Back feeling better, things looking up.

Blog & back out of action

Had my birthday late Feb. That's Cecile's signature b'day cake: quadruple layer, 500g choc cake - yum!

Our computer's been playing up so I haven't had the opportunity to update. Even now I feel it may crash so will try to make it brief.

Have spent this Easter taking it pretty easy - apart from the Good Friday 'Easter Egg' 10k, this year starting from the Botanic Gardens. Got there early to register - no one could tell me the course route. Had to wait for Steve "The Footman" to give a description thru' the megaphone at the start line. Ended up doing a lap of the Gdns before heading down the cycle path out to Park Rd before turning back.

Hit the 3k marker in 11.12, pretty much my hoped for 3.45 pace. But slowed after that - the next k must've been long according to my watch. Settled into an ok rhythm but the lungs just weren't up to the effort, legs seemed good. This was my first race since October & my first 10k race since last year's Easter run (Doomben was short). Pleased to catch a couple of folks who had been an annoying distance in front of me at the 9k mark. Nearly overtook Clare G at the finish but thought better of it.

Spent the rest of the day working in the garden & my back has been sore since then. Took Sat, Sun & Mon off. Looking to run tomorrow morning & if everything feels good will stretch it out for a long run (I have the day off work).

Last two Sundays have run 2hr 20 , around 29ks. Have felt pretty ordinary after these efforts, still contemplating this marathon training - whether it's worth it. I think I'm better suited over the shorter distances. Will make a decision soon, probably based on whether my back continues to give me trouble (let alone my knee, arthritic toe or knotted calf...)

Long run 27 ks in 2.02

Ran a bit quick today, started off with 4.40s & they got a bit quicker once Highgate Hill was out of the way. 9 of us today, felt at times like a fun run. Did the River loop in 88 mins then a half hour extra that headed out under the Story Bridge, up & over & back quick along Riverside probably doing 4.15s or a bit faster. Felt a bit wrecked for the rest of the day, hope to bounce back for Tuesday's 3k TT...

63ks for the week, 5 days running. Friday I did 6x 2 min efforts at the local park with 1 min JR. Tenz was happy with this - he ran the inside lane.