Well, I haven't run for a while, and so haven't been updating this in a while either. The reason why? Because I wanted to rest after the Marathon; and then unforunatly, a problem reared it's ugly head. My left hip has become an actual problem, hockey and running are not combining well at the moment to keep it happy!
So, what does that mean for this? A few more days recovery. I will hopefully start getting out again for some shorter runs tommorow, or possibly even tonight.
I am going to take my time with this, for the simple reason that, there is still over 8 months left in the year, and still 1800 km to go. Which, on both counts is long; and with that in mind, I have decided to try and do something smart (for a change) and actually make sure I don't push it too far.
This all coming from a person who decided to run 3000km in a year, so expecting me to do something smart would seem unlikely....
CP
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
100 Days
Well, today marks 100 days of my year of running. To celebrate, I headed down south, to Lake Heron. Why you ask? For a high country marathon of course! The 42.80 km course takes runners up into the foothills of the Arrowsmith Mountain ranges, where they are treated to superb views and get to be punished in a 11.2km uphill, in which 900 metres are climbed.
How was it? Long. It made me critically aware of how little actual preperation I gave to this run- I mean sure I tapered, but playing hockey yesterday probably was not my best decision, given the run today! I learned alot about marathon nutrition etc, I was using GU lollies (like... leppins but in lolly form), they were great, except when I got tired, chewing them became a little bit too much to handle! The uphill was pretty great, amazing views, and I didnt feel too average as I ran up. I was figuring the uphill was going to be the hard part; it was the first 11 km of the run, and I figured it would be the most difficult. I was wrong largely, the downhill was what turned out to kill me! The last 5 km were excrutiating, and seemingly never ending. I think that would be attributed to a lack of experience and proper preperation, but I was certainly hurting then!
The run itself was amazing. I really can not emphasise how great the views were. It was well organised, and brilliantly, at the end, there was a steak sandwich waiting for you! I couldn't stomach finishing mine, but I made a good attempt. Plus, I managed to win a spot prize, choosing the mystery bag (of course, it's so mysterious!), which netted me a bottle of wine, some oil and various other swag. All in all a great day out!
I finished 5th, with a time of 4 hours, 11 minutes.
So, now I am sitting down at home, once I finish writing this, I will hit the shower (finally) and then off to bed I think!
Tommorow I might reflect on the past 100 days, since I wont be out for a run I think!
CP
How was it? Long. It made me critically aware of how little actual preperation I gave to this run- I mean sure I tapered, but playing hockey yesterday probably was not my best decision, given the run today! I learned alot about marathon nutrition etc, I was using GU lollies (like... leppins but in lolly form), they were great, except when I got tired, chewing them became a little bit too much to handle! The uphill was pretty great, amazing views, and I didnt feel too average as I ran up. I was figuring the uphill was going to be the hard part; it was the first 11 km of the run, and I figured it would be the most difficult. I was wrong largely, the downhill was what turned out to kill me! The last 5 km were excrutiating, and seemingly never ending. I think that would be attributed to a lack of experience and proper preperation, but I was certainly hurting then!
The run itself was amazing. I really can not emphasise how great the views were. It was well organised, and brilliantly, at the end, there was a steak sandwich waiting for you! I couldn't stomach finishing mine, but I made a good attempt. Plus, I managed to win a spot prize, choosing the mystery bag (of course, it's so mysterious!), which netted me a bottle of wine, some oil and various other swag. All in all a great day out!
I finished 5th, with a time of 4 hours, 11 minutes.
So, now I am sitting down at home, once I finish writing this, I will hit the shower (finally) and then off to bed I think!
Tommorow I might reflect on the past 100 days, since I wont be out for a run I think!
CP
Sunday, April 3, 2011
One weekend run
Well, hockey on a Saturday meant that I have tended to not run on a Saturday, and just done one run per weekend. Which has worked out well last week, where I still managed to do a good 75 odd km. This week however might be a bit different, I wont run Thursday or Friday I don't think, in preperation for the exciting things happening on the 10th!
Todays run was a simple Upriver Run, just cruising along the flat. I was feeling a bit average really, just tired and slow really! Worked out to being 12.44km, in 53 minutes. So, despite me feeling tired and slow, it still was not that bad a run really. There were plenty of people out walking, I passed the Opawa Farmers Market, which was absolutely pumping with people!
Plan for the week... well getting some more runs in obviously! I have been thinking seriously about doing some duathlons beginning in May, so I would obviously need to start spending some time on my bike! With Pioneer pool and Gym opening, I might stop by their spin class, they have 3 early morning classes per week, so I might look at doing that, 3 times a week should be pretty feasible before work! I might do just one this week, as a sort of tester before getting into it properly next week.
I don't know really, it is a goal if nothing else!
CP
Todays run was a simple Upriver Run, just cruising along the flat. I was feeling a bit average really, just tired and slow really! Worked out to being 12.44km, in 53 minutes. So, despite me feeling tired and slow, it still was not that bad a run really. There were plenty of people out walking, I passed the Opawa Farmers Market, which was absolutely pumping with people!
Plan for the week... well getting some more runs in obviously! I have been thinking seriously about doing some duathlons beginning in May, so I would obviously need to start spending some time on my bike! With Pioneer pool and Gym opening, I might stop by their spin class, they have 3 early morning classes per week, so I might look at doing that, 3 times a week should be pretty feasible before work! I might do just one this week, as a sort of tester before getting into it properly next week.
I don't know really, it is a goal if nothing else!
CP
Friday, April 1, 2011
April First
Well, I survived april 1st without anyone pulling any april fool's tricks on me, so thats all good!
I went again in search of a track up the hills to run, turns out the Harry Ell is open, so I headed up from Princess Margaret Hospital, following some back roads and tracks, which meet Dyers Pass Road around the church close to the Takahe. From there, I kept following Dyers Pass rd, then onto the Harry Ell right up to the sign of the kiwi. On the way down, I followed the old Dyers track back down; then hooked back onto the Harry Ell, then ran right down Dyers Pass rd to the roundabout where it meets Colombo st and Centaurus rd, then followed Centaurus back around to Princess Margaret Hospital. Worked out to being a good 15.26km, done in 1 hour, 8 mins. So not too slow, which is good. The run is now going to be known as the "Bottom to Top", and given the track closures, I think I will have to head up it another few times this year!
Not sure where I will head next to find another track with a hill to run up; I think I may have to go as far a field as Hallswell, or even to the other side of the Port Hills- I probably couldn't do a year of running in Christchurch without going up Mt Herbert at some point!
But, right now, it is time to eat some chips, drink some juice and relax.
CP
I went again in search of a track up the hills to run, turns out the Harry Ell is open, so I headed up from Princess Margaret Hospital, following some back roads and tracks, which meet Dyers Pass Road around the church close to the Takahe. From there, I kept following Dyers Pass rd, then onto the Harry Ell right up to the sign of the kiwi. On the way down, I followed the old Dyers track back down; then hooked back onto the Harry Ell, then ran right down Dyers Pass rd to the roundabout where it meets Colombo st and Centaurus rd, then followed Centaurus back around to Princess Margaret Hospital. Worked out to being a good 15.26km, done in 1 hour, 8 mins. So not too slow, which is good. The run is now going to be known as the "Bottom to Top", and given the track closures, I think I will have to head up it another few times this year!
Not sure where I will head next to find another track with a hill to run up; I think I may have to go as far a field as Hallswell, or even to the other side of the Port Hills- I probably couldn't do a year of running in Christchurch without going up Mt Herbert at some point!
But, right now, it is time to eat some chips, drink some juice and relax.
CP
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