GCM 2011 - Injury

This is a little out of order, but I best just deal with it now.

The injury is a minor tear in the hamstring. It happened on Wednesday 15th June about an hour into the medium run early in the start of taper. I can assess it all clinically the what, why, how, when, etc. The feeling was initial denial and optimism. Perhaps it was a cramp.

I have never resigned myself to the marathon being gone. Not without it being absolute. I guess it makes me an optimist, determined, not easily put off ... etc. I like that, and I like knowing that about myself. I find that when I succeed then this has been a factor.

I also get to find out what the marathon means to me. How important is it to achieve the goal? The goal was 3 hours right from the start. I never felt confident I was capable, I just went with an attitude of giving it a go and see what happens. A lot of my thoughts have gone into the training so I was performing at my best. It is selfish or perhaps there is a better word. Certainly this is something all about me. But the marathon has an end and I will need something next. Even if it is another marathon or Kurrawa. I love running. I love it when it's me, I love pacing, I love seeing other people run. The more I see people try the better it is. The more I try the better it is.

So back to the injury ... I will keep an attitude of "giving it a go" and see what happens and not giving up until it is absolute. I have sought the best advice I can and follow it. Whatever happens I have already got so much from the training, the people I have shared some moments with and some more discovery about myself and that I have the capabilities I didn't know before.

GCM 2011 - Chapter Three

Medium Runs on a Wednesday:

March 2nd 18K 1:33:27 (
18.5K 1:25:27 HR156
21K 1:38:40 HR 150
23K 1:55:05 HR 142
23K 1:51:14 HR 143
~13K 56:27 HR 138 (April 7 in Cairns during recovery week)
23K 1:49:52 HR 147
18K 1:28:21 HR 142
24K 1:53:40 HR 145
18K 1:28:57 HR 131
24K 1:50:41 HR 146
23K 1:54:49 HR 143
25K 1:57:56 HR 142
23K 1:50:30 HR 146
(rest week after Doomben half, ran Coot-tha, started to feel sore)
13K 59:13 HR 160 and just about to run down to 4:00 min/K before the sharp stab in the lower hamstring

It took 4 weeks for my heart rate to drop by about 10 bpm
24K in 1:50 is 4:35 min/K average (finished down to 4:10 min/K with slow starts)

These runs really add mileage and help speed. Almost like a long run.

I found myself having a quicker stop at the Uni so I could get some distance before everyone caught me up highgate hill. The trials of the slowest runner *sigh*

GCM 2011 - Chapter Two

I can't say exactly why I started this marathon program but I really got into it.

Lactate run was 6km in a 14km run at what I guess was as fast as I could go. 25:41 for 6k is 4:17. I didn't have a HR monitor at that time, but i did by the next run.

2 weeks later, 6km 25:03 (4:10) HR 159.
2 more week, 8km 34:48 (4:23) HR 160 - might have been a little long
2 more weeks, 8km 34:12 (4:17) HR 160
1 more weeks, 10k 42:36 (4:18) HR161
3 more weeks 11.4km 45:01 (3:57) HR 165

All but one was on my own.

Last lactate run was 5 weeks ago now. The only one in May. After the first 2 months, I was able to go up a gear. February and April, I was just hanging on to do all the sessions as well as I could. The real improvement is the increase in K's for each threshold. These are super hard to maintain pace for.

Tip: Do these with someone else if you can.

GCM 2011 - Chapter One

It's been awhile since I wrote something here. Thanks Guardio for looking after my blog, I'll pass on those $299 Rolex watches, but keep the comments coming.

The point of this is to record my experience in preparation for this marathon. 3 weeks out now, I'm ready, tapering, and have put so much into the preparation. I will look back on this one day, even just to check distances done, how I feel, weight and whatever stats. So much has happened and I can not remember all of it even now ... or why!

The hunt for the book was back in December last year. It might have started then, but I think all I wanted was to get a copy whilst in the US. I was finishing reading Born To Run. When we came home from the States, there were floods. I had a new job and something of a career change, new life patterns, weekends to fill, training can be a rock ... perhaps that was it. By February, I was running with Pete and Co and the program kicked in Feb 28th. I think all that was on my mind was the question of whether I would be up to running with these guys. Last time my body told me I wasn't up to it. The injuries of early 2010 saw me re-adjust plans to pacing 3:30's. Kurrawa was my first real race.

I started having made my way back to good distances from finishing the Goofy Challenge in January. I was getting back to 70k weeks. Pre run weight was 75.4kg and after run weight was 73.5kg. I have a photo that I took at the time for reference.

I have finished this training cycle at 71.5/69.4kg ... 4kg lighter. Finished the main part anyway, there is still a taper ahead.

.... this is going to take awhile to write, so i'll do it in parts.

I honestly do not know when I started this path and I do think part of it was curiousity. The first test was Day 2, lactate threshold and from there a committment grew.