Hinchinbrook Island interlude

Managed to interrupt my running schedule via some R & R on both Magnetic & Hinchinbrook Islands off the north Queensland coast. I had a couple of shortish runs along Horseshoe Beach & environs on Maggie but was too stuffed after lugging a pack around on our 6 day bushwalk to run on HI.

Flew back from Townsville on the Monday arvo & fronted up for the September 3k TT the next morning getting underway at 6am. Wasn't sure how I'd go but didn't feel too bad - lungs were pretty good (must've been all those ascents & descents with my 25kg pack). Stayed in touch with the leaders going thru' the half in 5.02. Back in 5.15 dropping off a bit in form but not wanting to thrash myself either - B2B this Sunday.

Backed up the next day with the Wednesday morning crew doing the river loop (18.4 ks). Felt ok & had wanted to put in a few surges to get the heart-rate up but found the pace was good enough. Turned into a nice tempo run averaging 4.30s (1.22.51). Sore the next day (stiff muscles) so didn't run, raining also so an easy decision.

2 steps forward...

Not a lot to report this past month - no competitive running. Went thru' a good phase of recovery, slowly building up my running. No real issues with my knee until a couple of long 2 hour runs (24ks). Also backing up on the Wednesday for an hour to 75 min run after a Tues speed session finally got to me. Took last weekend off including 2 days either side. Tenz & I ran 13ks round the UQ loop yesterday. My right knee/ ITB just has a marginal discomfort to it - don't feel like my running gait is as smooth & relaxed as it should be. (The left leg feels fine & wants extra work...).

Pushed myself at this month's 3kTT & finished in 10.22 (5.10 half-way). Was surprised, had hoped to go under 10.15 but really haven't been doing any of the fast stuff.

Running weather has been tough this last month. Early morning starts have been consistently around the 5 degree mark. Looking forward to Magnetic & Hinchinbrook Islands, heading up Friday week so will miss the Noosa half marathon. Hopefully will have my feet up in front of the tele on the 24th to watch the Olympic marathon.

Gold Coast Half & Marathon 2008

Thwarted by injury, I was determined to go & support my running buddies, take some photos & get a general sense of the day. Arrived a bit late & had to run towards the start (exact position had moved from last year). Heard the starter's gun & started my stop-watch. Saw the speedy HM elites haring down the main straight, eventually the running traffic got so thick that folks were spilling over both sides of the road. I had to dash from the centre to the side to get out of harm's way.

Moved up to watch the marathon start. They had a slight incline at the start, & headed the opposite direction - south, a 13k run to the turn-around (one I'd done as a training run). Once they were away it was just us spectators - time for coffee. Managed to get into a cafe & was the 2nd order but the queue as I walked out stretched to the door.

Decided to head up the road a km or so for a good vantage spot for the HM photos. Thought the bridge over a canal/ creek at 20k looked good. So too did Plu, who was already in place. Introduced myself before taking up a spot - probably getting in the way of Plu (sorry). Nice quiet spot, was able to call out a few words of encouragement but Troopy was unable to catch eventual winner Michael Shelly. Stayed around until the numbers started to get pretty thick (1.40-45 pace).

Headed back past the start & saw the marathon leaders coming past, the 2 Africans followed by the eventual winner Ietami from Japan. Went up to the Broadwater bridge, good photo possie with high-rise buildings in the background. After a while I realised i needed to high-tail it back to the finish to see the winners come in.

Quite inspirational to see how everyone did. A much bigger crowd on the sidelines as well gave good support. Names & nicknames on runner's bibs was a good idea, was able to call out but the font wasn't big enough - usually my shout was as they ran parallel or past me.

Photos here: GC HM & M 2008

GCM eve

Ironic that I'm on the up & up but not entered for this year's marathon. Still, have had a poor preparation these last 7 weeks - easing off to 2 runs a week & low ks. My marathon training diary tells a checkered tale, inconsistency being the theme. 895 kms over the 20 weeks: a high of 79 ks for one week; low of 15ks.

Attended PCRG twice this week. Tuesday's attendance was huge - 135, we started in 3 waves. Warm-up run felt like I was in a fun-run - dawdling mid-pack. This morning there were 25 of us. Pat got roped into a live interview with Terry Hansen (radio) before we left. High-tech, the 2 of them sharing an ear piece from an Ipod. Terry had a dig about the low turn-out, come-on - folks are resting up...An easy session of 30sec efforts under the Story Bridge. I continued surges on the way back to the Ship Inn, felt good.

Will front up on Sunday at the Gold Coast with Camera (& brolly) & 2 watches - will track how folks are going for the HM & M. Good luck all.

3k TT

Felt inspired to go along to the last time trial before the GCM...there but for the grace of God go I...122 other PCRGers also rocked up on a particularly chilly morning.

I ran a 'pace' run, just holding myself back but trying to run consistently. Felt good cruising along. Towards the end I caught up to Gerard & gave him a bit of encouragement, counted off the time for him etc. finishing in 10.45.

Recovery the next day & everything seems ok, will run again tomorrow.

25k long run

Surprised myself on Sunday by running for two hours. Dropped T off after 75 mins (he was dragging the chain after a torrid ball chasing session the night before). Felt light & unencumbered so ran another 'Yeronga loop' without pushing too hard. Ran in my new shoes (Asics 2130s) that I've used a couple of times on shorter distances - no issues.

This followed on from an easy 10k on Thursday after having a week off.

Storm clouds looming

Woe

is me.

Campaign in tatters

as injury toll mounts.

2nd opinion confirms worst fears.

Enforced week break induces eating binge.

Frustration leads to anger leads to resignation.

Poetic license stipulates this sentence to comprise eight.