Monday, March 26, 2012

Recovery week

Basically just ran easy last week to ensure I was over the virus. On Mon/Tues & Wed just ran 10k very easy. On Thurs, I got out with the HuRTs squad for a hill session on Argyle to Observatory Hill (550m from top to bottom). I didn't want to smash myself, so stayed in the middle of the group and ran 7 reps steady. Another easy 10k Friday. I rested Saturday.
On Sunday got out for a long run in the arvo running 27k in just under 2 hours at 4.25 km/m pace. Today I got out with C Berger for an easy 9k in 4.20 pace.
Congrats to Enda on a fantastic performance down in Melbourne in the Ironman (9.33). Very impressive marathon off the bike in 3.05!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The pin has been pulled...

Yep, made a call on the weekend to pull the pin on Rotterdam. It wasn't the easiest decision but after chatting to some of my running mates (sorry Tom, didn't consult you as I knew exactly what you'd say to me :), it was pretty clear that I would not achieve my goal of a fast marathon with 3 weeks of haphazard training.
So I will focus on getting better and target Gold Coast in July. I'm not a huge fan of the Gold Coast as it's a very boring marathon but as Uncle Dave put it 'it's flat, fast, you can put your drinks out, no jet lag etc..'
Got back on the road today, felt like going long but decided to go for an easy 50 min. Really want to make sure I'm over the virus before pushing it...so will run easy for the next few days.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sixfoot washout

Well I got out on Thursday 8th March for a 6k tempo with a average pace of 3.32 km/m. I felt ok and was happy to get back to some faster running. On Friday, I went to the Doc for my blood results and he indicated that I was getting over a virus.
With the sixfoot cancelled, we still ventured up to the Blue Mountains to hang around with Timmy, Tucks & Tom. We even brought the children along.
On Saturday we hit the course from Megalong Rd and ran to the the Deviation (about 28k), actually felt pretty good on the run. There was a mix up about where Tom's Dad would pick us up from, well we ended up walking 1hr 30 mins...just to add a few more kms. We ended up having a great weekend with the kids loving staying up late and generally running riot throughout the homestead. Since Sat, I've decided to rest up until the virus clears up...!! With a month left to Rotterdam, I am considering pulling the pin...will see how I go in the next few days but I need to get back running soon!
To checking out the pics from the sixfoot, best going to Tom and Timmy's blog

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Turning a corner

I've been struggling since I got back from my shark trip. The chest infection seem to hang around for a little longer than expected.
I ventured out to North Head on Saturday and pulled the plug after 5k, I was struggling with my breathing and just felt terrible. Took a few days off and tried again yesterday (5 by 1k off 90 secs). I struggled again and couldn't even hit 3.30 pace. Went back to the doc this morning and my chest has more or less cleared up. He reckons I will be fine i a day or two, it just takes a few days to get over these things. As a precaution I did a number of blood tests and will have the results on Friday morning. Given I always have a low white blood count he will focus on any significant variations from my last test in Jan.
I decided to get out for a run at lunch, ran over to Balls head and back (about 55 mins) and felt surprisingly good. The hills were a lot easier...bumped into Tucks on the way out. It will be touch and go if he makes the start line.