Training Log Archive: GM

RPM at Oatley Court with Heffer and MaryMac

Event: Great NOSH Footrace
 

Great NOSH race. An overcast day with some drizzle meant it wasn't unpleasant for running. Worst part was that the track was full of puddles and quite muddy in most parts, but I decided from the start that I wasn't going to tippy toe around the puddles but just plough straight through. I had a reasonable starting position near the front of the 75-90 minute section and ran well for the first 1.5km to the start of the narrow switchback path that climbs up through the bush. There was a bit of walking up here because of those in front but it only lasted about a minute and then we were off running again. I felt good for the first 3km or so but then started to feel a bit ordinary. A couple of people passed me through the overhanging rock outcrop section but not too many. I got into a good rhythm across Roseville Bridge and then down the hill past the first drinks station - didn't stop for a drink. A short steep little climb out of there and all of sudden I felt really tired, plus the track was just a series of muddy puddles at this stage. Once we got back onto the firmer track I picked up the pace a bit and went through the 8km mark just a fraction over 40 minutes and stupidly start thinking 'Ooh, not bad' and forgetting that the harder part was about to start. Then I hit the wall a bit through kilometres 9 and 10 which doesn't help as this is also the hardest bit of the track. Finally we got back onto the fire trails and I tried to concentrate on running well and not thinking too much about anything else. I even passed a couple of people leading into the 2nd drinks station. Again I didn't worry about a drink and chugged up the hill towards the bush. Some fast walking up the steeper track through this part and then we were onto the final 3.5km, a good chunk of which is a long straight fire trail which seems to gently climb most of the way. Some quick mental arithmetic and I realised that a PB was out the door, but I wanted to run well for the remainder and did that. The last km is on a narrow path through the thick Sydney bush and it is almost like a dark green tunnel that continually twists and turns - lots of fun and my favourite part of the course. MaryMac gave me a cheer as I finished, as well as some random woman next to her.

My time was 4:39 slower than last year but still a couple of minutes quicker than the previous year. Taking into account being sick the last 2 weeks and the track being officially rated as 'dead' it was an ok effort. Great organisation and helpers as always and I am definitely keen to run again next year.

Good warm up before the start - and it wasn't raining at the time which was a bonus.

Parkrun at Lake Ginninderra. A combination of the tail end of my cold and running the Great NOSH tomorrow made me decide to just take it easy. I lined up and realised that ALJ and Miss Jones were there so promptly forgot about the 'take it easy' idea and ran with them for the first 600m then thought better of it and slowed down. My time was very ordinary but I didn't push it. Interestingly it is my slowest Parkrun time so far but my best placed finish (6th). The rain held off while we were running, and the cloud cover meant that it wasn't too cold, but I still wore some running gloves.

Warm up from the peninsula car park to the start of Parkrun. Warm down with Miss Jones and ALJ as far as Belconnen Way then I turned around and ran back through JKP and over the bridge to the car.

Bike ride with Heffer out along Ginninderra Ck, past Kippax then out towards the Water Treatment Works - but not all the way to the bottom. Back through the golf course and then past the West MacGreggor suburban sprawl, and finally along Ginninderra Ck and home. Enjoyed the company, and it wasn't too cold.

RTW - still have the remnants of my cold so this might do for today. Hopefully back to 100% tomorrow.

Ride to work. Hopefully coming to the tailend of my cold.

WNT with Sanders and Devil from ANU entrance across to AJMT (although a bit of bulldozing near the bottom of the hill made it hard to find the start of the track, and then towards the end Devil lead us straight up to the road rather than traversing across to Pushbike Hill. Up to circumcision, and along the western side, then back down through CSIRO and ANU. Saw a very young possum on the way down from Black Mt - very cute.

Run from the ABShouse to John Curtin at ANU to meet MaryMac after work. I went via Aranda, Black Mt reserve and over the saddle then down through CSIRO and through the Uni.