A Slow Journey to Faster Times

Quick update.....

Week after Raheny (Feb 1st - Feb 7th)

Was hoping for a good solid week ahead of my holidays, but it never materialised due to a niggle in my left achilles. Exact same spot I had trouble with in 2013, so terrified of a repeat I backed off doing very few miles with anything I did at very easy pace. I figure a week off is better than nine. After seeking advice from a few more knowledgeable than myself, it was pleasing that they agreed.

(Feb 8th - Feb 14th)

Spent the guts of two days travelling, before arriving in Perth where it was 40+C. Not ideal running weather, but I tested the water with a couple of short watchless runs on the first two evenings. With no complaints from the Achilles, I got up for a 7am run on my final day there. Even at that hour I struggled to keep the HR below 140bpm at 8:24min/mile pace. Not something I'm going to complain about

An overnight flight to Melbourne meant another night without sleep. I arrived at my hotel at 7:55am unable to check into the room until the afternoon. I contemplated giving the nearby Albert Park parkrun a bash, but they start at 8am over here, meaning I'd have never made it. Probably just as well as it's likely I'd have collapsed with exhaustion having gone 30 hours without sleep :P.
Stayed up until the early hours to watch the rugby, meaning a planned dawn run didn't happen until 11am. Not a good idea! 8:24min/mile again, but this time 143bpm average :eek:

(Feb 15th)

Finally hauled my arse out of bed early enough for a run of some quality. Not quite ready for a 5-4-3-2-1 MP session, so I went for a 3-2-1 instead. 1m w/u (3-2-1 MP with 1m easy in between) 1m c/d. Out at 6:40am for this and got it completed coming up to 7:50 (still almost 20C). Happy enough with the results, but it's laughable delusional optimistic to think this could be my MP in Boston considering the effort it took. I'l reassess closer to the race. Easy running until the weekend. Might give a Sydney parkrun a go on Saturday if I feel up to it.

1m w/u: 7:33

3@MP: 6:27, 6:26, 6:27
1m easy: 8:07
2m@MP: 6:27, 6:28
1m easy: 8:26
1m@MP: 6:28

1m c/d: 8:15

Tuesday 16th February - 90 minutes Easy
90 minutes @ 120bpm

Ran south from the city for 8 miles, before turning around and heading back to St. Kilda where I'm staying. Cooler than it has been today and extremely windy, especially along the coast where I was running. Wind against on the way out and behind for the last two. Got a nice photo of the Melbourne skyline on the way back (attached). Flying again tomorrow, so will probably take a rest day. Don't know how TbL fits in 52m weeks with that lifestyle, never mind 91! :O

Update.....

Another poor week of training here. My accommodation in Sydney has woeful air conditioning which has badly affected my sleep. Hasn't affected my holiday much, but means I've struggled to get up early enough for a run as I've been so knackered. Did get out for an hour at 7am this morning, but couldn't do anything other than an easy run as it was incredibly hot & sticky even at that hour. Had great intentions of making my Australian parkrun debut last Saturday, but that never happened either. I've enjoyed my time here otherwise though. Few sightseeing photos attached (including a Japanese woman with an unconventional way of transporting her child)

Onto Dubai tonight (14.5 hour flight :O ) for water parks and horse racing (not sure what running I'll fit in there either) then home on Friday. Might make an appearance at St Anne's on Saturday if I can wake up in time :P

On board WiFi here.
Don't know myself!

Firedance wrote: »

speak for yourself!!

never mind the running P, look at that beach #seriousenvy

enjoy Dubai!

Thanks!
The busy one is Bondi. The other one is where they film the soap 'Home & Away'. A place called Palm Beach about 25m north of Sydney. Beautiful spot.

Chivito550 wrote: »

Did you go for a run around 'The Tan' when you were in Melbourne?

I'm not familiar with 'The Tan'. Mustn't have stayed there long enough to be educated on that one. What and whereabouts is it? 'The G' is about the extent of my Melbourne local slang.

Thursday 25th February - 60 minutes Easy
60 minutes @ 146bpm

Two hours later getting out today due to a lie in, after an exhausting but hugely enjoyable day spent at the Atlantis Palm Aquaventure park yesterday. Found it impossible to keep the HR down in the conditions. Headed out towards the Burj Khalifa and back. Last night of the holidays tonight. Heading to Meydan for the racing carnival, which I'm really looking forward to .

Sunday 28th February - 20m (with 12m @ MP)

Joined the DNS crew in the PP this morning for this one. Two mile solo warm up, a further five with the whole crew (FBOT01, Ferris B & Murph_D), before myself and M kicked on for the 12 MP miles. Target was 6:45 for those. One mile cool down to finish before a summary with the gang over a coffee. Very happy with that, especially considering the rolling course. I was drunk towards the end, but hung onto M's coat tails to come in just about on target.

7m w/u: 8:14p/m average

12m @ MP: 6:46 p/m average

1m c/d: 8:11

Monday 29th February - Rest

No excuse not to run on what's going to be a rare day off in the coming weeks. I could say I was being sensible, but the truth is it was probably just plain lazy!

Tuesday 1st March - 60 minutes Easy
60 minutes @ 131bpm

Ran home from work. The body is still feeling pretty lethargic. Probably due to the tough weekend and the last of the jet lag. I won't worry too much about it.

Wednesday 2nd March - 70 minutes Easy
70 minutes @ 124bpm

Was awakened by the howling wind hammering against the window before my alarm went off this morning. Really icy, biting breeze when I got into it. By the time I had finished though, it had developed into a beautiful morning.