....and CJ won!
Plan - run the ACT Veteran's half marathon at a fairly fast training pace (ie 5min/km pace)
Time - 1hr 45.08min
Distance - half marathon
Weather - perfect running weather - blue skies, no wind, not too cold nor too warm -perfect!
Calories - 1,176
AHR - 159bpm; MHR - 174bpm
I decided to use the Virtual Partner (or Imaginary Friend as NottsLad refers to it - I prefer Garmin Girl myself) option in this half marathon to ensure I stayed on pace and didn't do something really stupid, like go out too fast, or forget that its supposed to be a training run and race it; the possibilities were endless, going on my previous form. As I have Sydney marathon in 2 weeks time I really wanted to be careful. So I set the distance (half marathon) and desired pace (5 min/km) and once the starter's gun went off, it was on for me and Garmin Girl.
It was a little unnerving when everyone took off and I plodded along (well it felt like it initially, sticking to my 5min/km pace) but I kept reminding myself that I will probably pass some of these fast starters further along in the race. I kept looking at my watch frequently to start with to check where Garmin Girl was, and to make sure I was just ahead of her. All was going well until the first drink station when I stopped to grab a drink. Garmin Girl snuck past me when I was preoccupied - very sneaky. However, I soon caught her up and then I changed my tactics slightly - I made sure I stayed about 50-60m ahead to give me a buffer when I came to drink stations.
In the meantime I ran along enjoying the run, being mostly by myself. I was beginning to think that most runners in this group (this half marathon has 3 starts to cater for slow, medium and fast runners) were fast runners and had obviously got confused and started in the wrong group. Eventually I started passing some stragglers and then could just see a group of runners ahead of me, so I was keeping in touch. I was still feeling good though feeling twinges in my R glute, which has been causing me some grief lately (I am having a massage Thursday afternoon and I'm so looking forward to it).
Mr B would pass me every now and then on his bike, or would be lazing on the grass as I ran past to provide encouragement- all right for some! There are some hills in the middle to latter stages of the run and it was here I passed more runners. Feeling good, still ahead of Garmin Girl, on days like this I feel I could run forever. Up the last hill (Hospital or University Hill, depending on who you talk to) which is a bit of a killer - passed Rainforestrun (aka Liezl), though I didn't know this at the time! After this last hill, its pretty much flat to the finish and, yes, I decided to step on the pace a little in the last couple of kms - couldn't see how that would hurt me now, I was almost finished. Its strange passing people who look absolutely stuffed when I felt so good - it didn't seem right somehow!
Finished in 1hr 45.05 and feeling very chuffed that I stuck to my plan and didn't have a blood rush to the brain and do something really stupid - my usual tactic, I have to admit! And I beat Garmin Girl!!! After the run a woman came over to talk to me and introduce herself - this was Rainforestrun, one-time training partner of Minersrun. So we had a little chat - she was lovely and very friendly. Maybe we might bump into each other at the Canberra Times fun run next month - I think she's doing it. Geoff did an amazing time, as did Gary - well done guys. Maria won her age group, as did Susan, and Margaret also did a great time. I came 5th in my age group.
Sunday afternoon, 3.40pm
Second run for the day
Plan - my training program had me doing a 2hr 30min long run. Well I had run 1hr 45min in the morning, so I still had 45min left to run.
Distance - 7.92km
Time - 44.54min
Average pace - 5.40min/km (slightly slower than the morning's effort!)
Calories - 439
AHR - 143bpm; MHR - 179bpm
In between the morning run and this run I had bought a new pair of Asics GT 2100s - the narrow version, 2A, so decided to break them in. As with last week's second run for the day, I ran better than I thought I would. Once my legs realised they had to run again (after some initial complaining) I soon settled into a rhythm and thoroughly enjoyed the run. Shoes were comfortable. Promised myself a Tim Tim after the run, which I had later that night :)
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6 comments:
And oh boy, you deserved that tim tam! Well done on a great run - you looked so comfortable at the end too! I remembered the nickname used on Australian Idol and it suits you so perfectly - "Pocket Rocket" - that's you to a "t" so from now on cj is the little Pocket Rocket!!
Sounds like you had a great day. I'm intrigued by the split run idea that you and miners have been experimenting with. Looking forward to meeting you at Sydney. BTW how many Tim Tams is a marathon worth???
TA
I think you deserved more than one Tim Tam CJ. What a fantastic day and 2 great runs!!! You are going to blitz Sydney in 2 weeks; I'm really looking forward to watching you do it!!
J
I think my Imaginary Friend will be a bit embarassed if I tell him that your Garmin Girl can push you along at that pace... in training!
Well done!
I wonder if I should get an Imaginary Friend for my Imaginary Friend to help him along?
top run CJ...i haven't used the virtual runner mode yet but both your's & minersrun's stories have inspired me to try it later this week...i'm also a big fan of reward running but not tim tams!
CJ, congratulations on your victory over Garmin Girl! I must remember to make Forerunner Man run real slow in the Blackmore's Half.
That's a good photo of you finishing the IM. I think we need a marathon that finishes in the dark.
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