Run the Ridge

A solid effort last night in the Run the Ridge race. A tick over 33 minutes on a hilly course that was all off road.

Dave Thomas won the race in 30:30 and was never challenged. A group of us stuck together for about 5km fighting for 2nd spot before we lost a couple. Then there were 4. About 2km to go we split and it was every man for himself. I dropped back to 4th before making my way back to the shoulder of Matt Guy in 3rd. The race finished uphill and I was in no mood for an uphill sprint so I knew that I had to drop him before we got there. About a km to go I surged a little and got a gap which was enough to drop Matty. It wasnt however, enough to catch Pat Smith in 2nd. Both Pat and mat are 17 years old and running VERY well. With Mark Jackson taking 5th spot, it meant that Kim Gillard coached the first 5 placegetters. Theres more on Kim below!!!!

Ex Commonwealth Games 10k rep, Peter Brett, finished in 7th spot. Is that a scalp???? I'll take it but they guy is a gun and a good bloke as well.

Struggled thru 90 minutes this morning and was glad when it was over. It did however end another week of 100kms plus. Bring on Cadbury.

I arrived home from work this week to find the latest copy of Run For Your life in the letterbox. I mentioned in a previous post that Kim seems to get his photo in every edition so the first thing I did was turn to the "Race Reports" section. Guess what? On page 90, Adelaide City to Bay there he is. Off to the left, blue singlet, number 6.

Given that it is a small photo I thought that was acceptable, that is until I turned the page to Burnie Ten. Sitting mid pack, resplendent in his red and green Reeboks, seemingly smiling, is the man himself. Ryan Gregson looks as though he is struggling, and Kimbo is loving every minute of it. He did say the joy was short lived though!!! If only I could keep up with him then I might get my mug in a magazine!!!

What a week!!

111kms for the week and not a bad day to be found. Thursday I ran 10 x 400m w/ 200 recovery (60s) and felt a little tired but given I had run 90 minutes the night before I wasnt too fussed. I made sure I felt relaxed and got the session done as opposed to flogging myself for no benefit.The week was as follows:

Mon: 70min
Tues: 4 x 1600m (5min) w/ 2:30 rec
Wed: 90 min
Thurs: 10 x 400 (75s) w/ 200 rec (60s)
Fri: 40min
Sat: 10/20 (10min hard, 5min rec, 20minutes hard) over a hilly course
Sun: 2 hours

I would normally do the 400s on Tuesday and the 5min reps on Thursday but switched it this week. As a result the 400s were a little slower than previous times but like I said I wasnt too concerned about it. It is a session I would prefer to do with "fresh" legs but not this week. Last time I ran the 400s I averaged 69s.

If this sort of training can continue through to the New Year then Cadbury Half could be an interesting little experience. I have never raced a half before so it will all be new to me.

Speaking of Cadbury, I had an email from the race organisers this week offering me free entry. Obviously I took up the offer!!! I rang them to accept and they said they had a solid field booked in. They have a Kenyan running, Paul Martinico is coming over from Melbourne with a PB of 70:19, Kim Gillard is a possible starter, and another training partner, Mark Jackson is also entered. Jacko has PB's of 69 and 2:24 for the Marathon. Should be a good day out.

The race doubles as the Tas Half Marathon Champs as well.

An easy 70 minutes tomorrow to stat what hopefully will be another solid week. Saturday night I will be running "Run the Ridge". Its a 10k race thru a Winery just outside of Launceston starting at 5pm. Hopefully it wont be too windy like it normally is here that time of day!! Wait and see.

Just a short one

Another solid week entered into the diary. Had a bad day on Thursday and skipped a session of 1km reps in favour of an easy 35 minutes instead. Felt very tired and knew about 5 minutes into the warm up that trying to complete a session was only going to do more harm than good.

Cruised thru 2hrs and 10 min this morning. Well cruised thru the first 2hrs anyway!!! The last 10 minutes was a struggle and it didnt help that it was all uphill. I had a look at my reflection in a shop window and I swear I saw Cliffy Young. It wasnt pretty but the job is done and its yet another box ticked.

A short post because I cant think of anything else to write!!!!!

3 weeks 300kms

Things are back on track. 304kms in the last 3 weeks and things are back to normal training wise. Wednesday long run is back to 90 minutes and Sunday 2 hours.

The main aim now is Cadbury Half Marathon on January 4 and hopefully there will be no more interruptions to my training. Cadbury is also the State Half Champs and no medal means bad day at the office.

Ran for 2 hours this morning with the guys. Most of them only did 60 - 80 minutes but Jacko (Mark Jackson, 2:24 marathon man) and I ran for the full 2. We kept the terrain nice and flat for the first hour as most of the boys are coming back from some sort of injury or illness, but Jacko and I headed for the hills in the last hour. We left each other at about 1:45 and headed in our different directions for home. I went straight ahead and up yet another hill and Jacko went left and downhill!!! All I could hear as he disappeared into the bush was "woo hoo, downhill, yeah!!". Talk about rubbing it in, mongrel. As a result I have suspended his mateship. Makes it hard to run uphill when you are laughing!

I have been experimenting with Gels during my last 2 Sunday runs. Never tried them before whilst running and I must say that downing a gel at the 60 minute mark of a 2hr run seems to be a good thing. Doesnt make the hills any flatter but does seem to make them more bearable.