Sunday, February 26, 2006

Straight ahead; one direction

A great dance (and running) track by Tube & Berger featuring Chrissie Hynde which basically described my run this morning.

Session - long run

Time / weather - 6.50am / 18*c, very pleasant
Distance - 21km
Time taken - 1hr 49.56min
Av pace - 5.13min/km
AHR - 151; MHR - 166

You would think after having 2 rest days from running that my legs would be raring to go this morning but not so; I think they had been lulled into a false sense of security of thinking they were on holidays. The rest of me, however, was pretty accommodating this morning - getting out of bed with no internal arguments at 5am, having a pre-run meal of banana and honey on toast plus the essential caffeine hit; and then heading out the door just before 7am. Shame the legs didn't want to run - it took at least 2km to convince them that we were running 20km this morning. Sheesh - I don't know - sometimes my body just doesn't like being told what to do.

Again I focused on my music rather than the run and before I realised it I was heading home having run 21km. Where did the time go? I know I ran down to Lake Ginninderra and around it before heading back but that's about it. I can't remember if I saw anyone or if I even said 'good morning' - I ran on automatic pilot this morning.

The run was followed by breakfast at Babars in Woden - had ricotta hotcakes with banana and syrup and a cappuccino. Makes running worthwhile!

Total distance for the week: approx 44km (it was an easy week and I took that literally!)

Next week:
Moving into Cycle 4 and the focus will be on anaerobic threshold (sounds painful) and race preparation (is she for real - are we really that close? Eek!)
Each week for the next 3 weeks will include:
* 1 long run
* 1 medium long run
* 2 x speed sessions
* 1 x strides
It is the hardest 3 weeks of the program

Late edit: Forgot to mention I tried a new GU flavour today - Espresso Love. Now I can have a coffee on the run, sort of. For GU it tasted ok. ihatetoast wondered whether I would sleep after my caffeine consumption - as long as I don't have a coffee after about 7pm I sleep like a baby. I'm an Ironman remember!

**************************************
Looking back - Road to IM 2004
42 days to go


Session - Long cycle - out to Murrumbateman and Gundaroo

Time - 5am / Overcast and muggy
Distance - 192.3km
Duration - 8hr 24.12min
Av spd - 22.8kph

Today's cycle was a lot better than one I did 2 weeks ago. The weather wasn't too bad; a lot cooler than yesterday (max 27*c) and there was cloud cover. A brisk westerly was blowing later on which made for easy cycling back to Gold Creek. I still find it immensely uncomfortable sitting on the bike for that long so had several very brief stops - to eat and drink as well.

I rode to the end of Murrumbateman Rd, turned onto Sutton rd and then rode past Gundaroo before turning and heading back to Nanima Rd. I then rode 11km along Nanima Rd before turning back to the turnoff at Murrumbateman Rd, before riding the entire length of Nanima Rd, on my way back to Gold Creek and food and coffee!

9 comments:

Ewen said...

8hrs 24mins of cycling! CJ, you're doing a great job discouraging people from attempting an ironman.

Good 21k run. Was it that cool at 6.50am?

CJ said...

It was lovely at 6.50am. Actually it was pretty mild the entire time I was running...I think...but then I can't remember!

The only reason it took me over 8hrs was because I'm soooo slow on a bike. Besides if I can do an IM, anyone can!

Wobbly man said...

Great sounding breaky CJ - nothing quite as good as a big breaky after a long run! Seems like a great time too - at least to a plodder like me anyway!

Tesso said...

Your brekky reminds me of a really cool Jack Johnson song called 'Banana Pancakes' :-)

2P said...

Up at 5am and out the door at the crack of 6.50am... lol you take longer than me to get going!

Great run and great time CJ.

Hilda said...

This marathon training sounds like such an easy thing for you after that IM!!
You just can't imagine my face when I saw 8hr 24 min...
incredible!!

Very funny way to talk about your legs this morning!

Rae said...

Great run!! I love when it's over so soon that I can't remember where the time went. The pancakes sound delish!!

I've tried espr love before, it was ok....Cola Buzz is my fave Gu flavor when I do them, but I prefer the Clif Bloks MUCH more than gu.

Katie said...

It is a bit daunting to think it is only 41 days to go until the big day. I had those thoughts... god am I going to be able to do this?? Someone said to me " think of the race as the reward for all your hard work" I liked that.... cahnges it from something to worry about to something to look forward to :-) Although I question what sane person rewards themself with a 42km run :-)

I am surprised at how well I am coping with the distance... like you this is the most effort I have put into an event- better pay off thats for sure!!!

"I will survive" will have to your theme song for the nect 3 weeks! It is getting exciting... I keep thinking if you take the taper out its only 3 and a bit tough weeks to go... BRING IT ON!!!

RunDave said...

I certainly had a pert run on Sunday, check out the blog. I think I might have had brekkie at Babars with some relatives last year. Managed to get myself lost in Woden Plaza shortly afterwards too!