Well how does the body pull up after running 210km? It's been 2 weeks now and other than a very sore butt muscle from driving to Canberra and back yesterday for 9hrs it's feeling pretty good.
The first week after the race however was a different story.
I remember after the race being sick for the rest of the day. I did manage to eat a chicken burger that night for dinner but that was it. I had some visualization of having this massive feed and downing the beers to celebrate but nooooooo it was a 3hrs nap then just in some sort of zombie land for the next couple of days.
The next morning we started to make our way back home stopping at Maccas for breakfast. I did feel hungry so orded all this food and did manage to get though it but was me done pretty much for the day.
Now I have no idea how much weight I lost running for 24hrs but I know I did look pretty awful and not being able to eat was kinda stressing me out.
I think it was Friday food tasted normal to me again. That's 5 days of not really eating.
So after 5 days of being in some other unknown world I start to return to the land of the living.
The next day which was a Sat I had my first run in a week with the trotters. The run was Kincumber mtn. Well I start off ok but by 2km my hip flexors reduced me to a shuffle but hey not that I was bothered as it was good to be able to run. The next day being a Sunday I head off to Bobbin Head to do the Sydney trail running race. 12km. To my surprise I'm only about 1min slower than last month but last month I suffered with my asthma so that was a pretty slow run anyhow.
Then all last week I just got back into a few 11km runs a 22km run a trotters 10km race which I managed to come 6th on the hilly time trial then today I head off at 5:30am and meet up with other like minded souls for a 47.5km turned into 50km bush run.
So I'm pretty happy with my recovery I did drive to Canberra and back yesterday after the 10k yesterday and like I said my glute is pretty damn sore right now.
So hear I sit drinking a beer and listening to Gun's n Roses relaxing :-)
About Me
- bear
- PB'S Six foot track - 4:09 March 08 3000m 9:50 - October 09 5000m 17:25 10k 36:03 - may 2009 1/2 marathon 79:56 marathon 2:54:56
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Coburg 24hr
Finally got that magic 210km that I tried to get last year.
This race has been my main focus for the last 4 months. I came with a goal of
reaching 210km and nothing less. Anything over would be a bonus.
The race started at 10am Sat which meant we wouldn’t be finished until 10am Sun. Holy heck that’s a long time to be running around a 400m athletic track.
Now the first thing most people say when I tell them is “oh how boring” But when you actually do these events there is nothing boring about them. Yes you are running in circles but you are never never alone. With so many people cheering you on from people you know to total strangers. I can’t explain in words how good these events are. It’s also very challenging physically and mentally. I mean there is no finish line. You are running to see how far you can go in a given time
The race started at 10am Sat which meant we wouldn’t be finished until 10am Sun. Holy heck that’s a long time to be running around a 400m athletic track.
Now the first thing most people say when I tell them is “oh how boring” But when you actually do these events there is nothing boring about them. Yes you are running in circles but you are never never alone. With so many people cheering you on from people you know to total strangers. I can’t explain in words how good these events are. It’s also very challenging physically and mentally. I mean there is no finish line. You are running to see how far you can go in a given time
So at 10am we are off and running. My plan was to run very
very comfortable from the start and noticed I was running about 2:00-2:05 each
lap. I also decided to walk one lap every 30min but after about 3hrs I found it
easier on the body to just jog slowly each 30min
The hour splits that I could find were
1hr – 27 laps, 10.8km 8th place
2hrs – 54 laps, 21.6km, 7th place
4hrs - 111 laps, 44.4km 5th place
5hrs – 139 laps, 55.6km, 4th place
6hrs – 166 laps, 66.8km, 4th place
7hrs – 192 laps, 76.8km, 4th place
8hrs – 217 laps, 86.8km, 3rd place
12hrs – no info but got told I did 124km
14hrs – 353 laps, 141.2km, 3rd place
15hrs – 373 laps, 149.2km, 3rd place
16hrs – 388 laps, 155.2km, 3rd place
17hrs – 408 laps, 163.2km, 3rd place
18hrs – 425 laps, 170km, 4th place
19hrs – 438 laps, 175.2km, 4th place
20hrs – 457 laps, 182.8km, 4th place
21hrs – 479 laps, 191.6km, 4th place
22hrs – 500 laps, 200km, 4h place
23hrs – 514 laps, 205.6km, 4th place
24hrs – 527 laps, 210.836km, 4th place
I started to feel the
effects of fatigue, pain etc etc about 15hrs in.2hrs – 54 laps, 21.6km, 7th place
4hrs - 111 laps, 44.4km 5th place
5hrs – 139 laps, 55.6km, 4th place
6hrs – 166 laps, 66.8km, 4th place
7hrs – 192 laps, 76.8km, 4th place
8hrs – 217 laps, 86.8km, 3rd place
12hrs – no info but got told I did 124km
14hrs – 353 laps, 141.2km, 3rd place
15hrs – 373 laps, 149.2km, 3rd place
16hrs – 388 laps, 155.2km, 3rd place
17hrs – 408 laps, 163.2km, 3rd place
18hrs – 425 laps, 170km, 4th place
19hrs – 438 laps, 175.2km, 4th place
20hrs – 457 laps, 182.8km, 4th place
21hrs – 479 laps, 191.6km, 4th place
22hrs – 500 laps, 200km, 4h place
23hrs – 514 laps, 205.6km, 4th place
24hrs – 527 laps, 210.836km, 4th place
At 12hrs I had a change of shoes. 14hrs in and I had trouble
eating and at about 17hrs I sat down and had a 5min sleep. It was also around
17hrs I had my first vomit and really struggled for the next 3hrs. At 20hrs I
decided to run 9 laps then walk 1 lap and noticed I was feeling good again. I
had another 5min to rest my eyes at 20hrs in and had 2hrs to reach my goal of
210km. That last 2hrs all I could manage was run 1lap walk 1lap. The last 30min
was pretty much walking. 7laps to get 210km I had to pull off the track and
spend about 5-6min just vomiting. No way was I going to fall short got back up
got back on the track and walked the rest of the way. With 2 laps to my goal
and 12min to do it in I knew I had it. Once I finally got my laps completed I
had 3min left on the clock. Managed another 36m then just collapsed on the
ground and waited for the hooter to sound.
Totally spent from all energy I lied on the ground and felt amazing in what I had just done
Later I found out I done 2 more laps than my goal so that last 836m was my bonus :-)
Totally spent from all energy I lied on the ground and felt amazing in what I had just done
Later I found out I done 2 more laps than my goal so that last 836m was my bonus :-)
Monday, March 04, 2013
81km....Quite a big training run :-)
With 6 weeks until Coburg I wanted to get one more extra long run done somewhere. Finding the right time to do it was hard though. I would've liked to have done it in about 2 weeks time but it didn't fit into my calander and this weekend was the only chance I had.
So 81km from Bensville on the Central Coast to Mt Hutton near Newcastle to visit my mum through lots of rain and lots of wind!
The plan was to go out at about what I plan to do at Coburg. The difference with this run is the hills. I had hills at the start then slight rises until the last 7km when the hills started again.
I think I went too fast for the first 30km but after that I think I found the pace that I think I'll try to stick to. I also stopped and walked every hour for 2-4min each time.
The first feeling of fatigue came about 60km in and by the time I finished my legs were aching and aching and aching. I felt I could've kept on going but did I want to? NO! I also ran in my New Balance which are a very minimal shoe without any support. So with the shoes and the hills I was pretty happy with how it all went.
Every hour I walked and ate solid food mainly being museli bars etc but also had gels and hammer perpetuem which was the first time I've tried it. I think I'll be using that in the race as it digested quite well.
Again thank you Sonia for being my taxi for the trip home the next day :-)
Ok my splits are....and see if you can guess where I walked and where there was a big hill (not hard to work out)
6:01
5:46
5:54
5:59
5:42
6:14
6:09
5:44
6:11
5:57
6:34
5:32
5:39
5:54
5:53
6:05
5:45
6:01
6:05
5:45
7:10
5:39
5:38
5:56
5:48
5:49
5:47
5:52
6:01
5:52
6:01
5:52
7:51
6:04
5:52
6:02
6:30
6:13
6:20
6:26
6:08
7:23
6:32
6:11
5:59
6:22
6:06
5:55
5:56
6:20
6:06
8:00
6:40
6:25
6:21
5:59
6:24
6:27
5:54
6:29
7:45
6:42
6:08
5:40
5:51
6:10
6:09
6:17
6:24
7:11
8:24
6:25
6:12
6:27
6:22
6:38
8:07
7:11
6:10
6:16
6:18
6:43
6:30
Then I collapsed on the floor!!!
So 81km from Bensville on the Central Coast to Mt Hutton near Newcastle to visit my mum through lots of rain and lots of wind!
The plan was to go out at about what I plan to do at Coburg. The difference with this run is the hills. I had hills at the start then slight rises until the last 7km when the hills started again.
I think I went too fast for the first 30km but after that I think I found the pace that I think I'll try to stick to. I also stopped and walked every hour for 2-4min each time.
The first feeling of fatigue came about 60km in and by the time I finished my legs were aching and aching and aching. I felt I could've kept on going but did I want to? NO! I also ran in my New Balance which are a very minimal shoe without any support. So with the shoes and the hills I was pretty happy with how it all went.
Every hour I walked and ate solid food mainly being museli bars etc but also had gels and hammer perpetuem which was the first time I've tried it. I think I'll be using that in the race as it digested quite well.
Again thank you Sonia for being my taxi for the trip home the next day :-)
Ok my splits are....and see if you can guess where I walked and where there was a big hill (not hard to work out)
6:01
5:46
5:54
5:59
5:42
6:14
6:09
5:44
6:11
5:57
6:34
5:32
5:39
5:54
5:53
6:05
5:45
6:01
6:05
5:45
7:10
5:39
5:38
5:56
5:48
5:49
5:47
5:52
6:01
5:52
6:01
5:52
7:51
6:04
5:52
6:02
6:30
6:13
6:20
6:26
6:08
7:23
6:32
6:11
5:59
6:22
6:06
5:55
5:56
6:20
6:06
8:00
6:40
6:25
6:21
5:59
6:24
6:27
5:54
6:29
7:45
6:42
6:08
5:40
5:51
6:10
6:09
6:17
6:24
7:11
8:24
6:25
6:12
6:27
6:22
6:38
8:07
7:11
6:10
6:16
6:18
6:43
6:30
Then I collapsed on the floor!!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Stromlo 12hr (well 8hrs45min)
I went into this race with a couple of plans. One of those plans was to do a PB of 131km which I made a few days before the race.
The other plan which I had decided on when I entered was to use this race as a long training run. I thought if I was leading and there were a couple of hours to go I would push on to hold the lead to the end.
If I was 1 or 2 km behind the winner with a few hrs to go I would try to catch them.
If I was coming 4th or 5th or was a long way behind I would just run on feel making sure I don't wreck my body too much.
Well at 93km or 8hrs45min I decided to pull out. I was coming 4th and about 2km behind 3rd.
My race started off good. Yes I went too fast for the first 10km (44min I think) but since this wasn't a goal race but more of a training run I thought I may as well go out hard and see what happens
10k in about 44min, 1/2 marathon in 1hr37min, Marathon in about 3hrs25min I think and still feeling quite fresh.
The first bit of fatigue occured around 45km and my km splits were now about 5:05-5:15. I got to 50km and stomach problems just started. I stopped to go to the toilet and have a quick shower to freshen up. That worked a treat and I was back feeling good until 60km when I again did the toilet and shower thing. Feeling a bit human again until 70km and I once again toilet and showered. I must've been the cleanest runner out there! Each break costing me about 10min. I wasn't too worried but decided thats enough showering I've got to keep going! 70km-80km was pretty hard and I was now running 5:45-6:00 pace. 80km I came alive! Well until 87km. I ran each 1km lap between 5:19 and 5:45 witha 5:10 thrown in there somewhere then between 87km and 91km I was again slowing down. Not too sure what happened but betwwen 92km and 93km my toes said no more. I was forced to walk a lap because the pain in the toes wouldn't let me run.
After sitting down for 10min I knew that was it for me. If it was a goal race I would've started slower and would not have stopped at 93km but sitting there shivering my ass off all I was thinking was the damage I would risk if I decided to continue.
Big thank you to Sonia (2nd in the 6hr) and my Girls for all coming out to help me and Mum to make the trip down and of course to Dad for the lend of his Camper and car
So all in all I'm happy to have done a nice good hard long run. I just wouldn't do that in training on my own so this race was perfect for it.
I'm rapt that 2 days later my body feels pretty good and got an easy 5km in today.
I'm excited about Coburg even more now and know with it being still 8weeks away I'll be in peak shape! Well that's what I'm telling myelf :-)
The other plan which I had decided on when I entered was to use this race as a long training run. I thought if I was leading and there were a couple of hours to go I would push on to hold the lead to the end.
If I was 1 or 2 km behind the winner with a few hrs to go I would try to catch them.
If I was coming 4th or 5th or was a long way behind I would just run on feel making sure I don't wreck my body too much.
Well at 93km or 8hrs45min I decided to pull out. I was coming 4th and about 2km behind 3rd.
My race started off good. Yes I went too fast for the first 10km (44min I think) but since this wasn't a goal race but more of a training run I thought I may as well go out hard and see what happens
10k in about 44min, 1/2 marathon in 1hr37min, Marathon in about 3hrs25min I think and still feeling quite fresh.
The first bit of fatigue occured around 45km and my km splits were now about 5:05-5:15. I got to 50km and stomach problems just started. I stopped to go to the toilet and have a quick shower to freshen up. That worked a treat and I was back feeling good until 60km when I again did the toilet and shower thing. Feeling a bit human again until 70km and I once again toilet and showered. I must've been the cleanest runner out there! Each break costing me about 10min. I wasn't too worried but decided thats enough showering I've got to keep going! 70km-80km was pretty hard and I was now running 5:45-6:00 pace. 80km I came alive! Well until 87km. I ran each 1km lap between 5:19 and 5:45 witha 5:10 thrown in there somewhere then between 87km and 91km I was again slowing down. Not too sure what happened but betwwen 92km and 93km my toes said no more. I was forced to walk a lap because the pain in the toes wouldn't let me run.
After sitting down for 10min I knew that was it for me. If it was a goal race I would've started slower and would not have stopped at 93km but sitting there shivering my ass off all I was thinking was the damage I would risk if I decided to continue.
Big thank you to Sonia (2nd in the 6hr) and my Girls for all coming out to help me and Mum to make the trip down and of course to Dad for the lend of his Camper and car
So all in all I'm happy to have done a nice good hard long run. I just wouldn't do that in training on my own so this race was perfect for it.
I'm rapt that 2 days later my body feels pretty good and got an easy 5km in today.
I'm excited about Coburg even more now and know with it being still 8weeks away I'll be in peak shape! Well that's what I'm telling myelf :-)
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Taper time
It's been a steady road back and after about 8 weeks back running I'm pretty happy with the way my running is panning out. My speed isn't there by any means but I feel my endurance is.
This weekend I'm going to have a go at my 3rd 12hr. This one is in Canberra at the Stromlo running festival. I feel I'm in ok shape for this and to be honest I'd really like to do a PB. To do that I need to run at least 130.052km. Not sure if it will happen as anything can happen in 12hrs of running but I'll give it a go. Really though it's pretty much a training run for Coburg 24hr in April.
Training in the last 8 weeks has been steady.
Back in the end of December I got a 24km run in around Sydney which almost killed me. Then a few days later on New yrs day I ran the black stump 30 something km's on a really hot day and even though I finished in an ok time I was pretty smashed for the next day or so. Then on 6th Jan I ran the Trotters around the bay 37km feeling much better running that comfortable in 2hrs53min and was the 2nd runner finished. The only problem there was a blood blister and a corn in my foot.
A week after that I raced the Manly Dam race. 10.2km of very tough trails and after getting the corn cut out of my foot I had a pain free race. Only lack of speed was my problem there.
The week after that on the 20th Jan I ran with the Trotters again and this time it was a memorial run for Muzza. 21km on the infamous Wambie Woppers run. Body felt great in that and I got another 9km in after to round it off to 30km
On Aussie day I entered in a team event for Knapsack 6hr then backed it up by running Woodford to Glenbrook the next day. With all this I could feel where I have been injured but each week of running seems to have improved it.
Then a week later on the 3rd of Feb I ran Megalong Mega on the 6ft track. About 36km of very hilly running. That was my worst run since I've been back. Right near the end I bonked! No energy left and had to sit on a rock for 15min and borrow some food of some very kind fellow runners. They took pity on me! Once I got food in me I could finish the final 2.5km to the finish.
Then last week I raced the Manly Dam race again going about 1min30sec faster and had no pain at all.
So there we are.... 4 days away from a 12hr and I've done the best I can to be in the shape I am in that time. When you think it wasn't all that long ago I couldn't do any running at all I'm pretty happy with how I've gone.
This week will just be easy 10km every day until Fri when I will just run 6km.
This weekend I'm going to have a go at my 3rd 12hr. This one is in Canberra at the Stromlo running festival. I feel I'm in ok shape for this and to be honest I'd really like to do a PB. To do that I need to run at least 130.052km. Not sure if it will happen as anything can happen in 12hrs of running but I'll give it a go. Really though it's pretty much a training run for Coburg 24hr in April.
Training in the last 8 weeks has been steady.
Back in the end of December I got a 24km run in around Sydney which almost killed me. Then a few days later on New yrs day I ran the black stump 30 something km's on a really hot day and even though I finished in an ok time I was pretty smashed for the next day or so. Then on 6th Jan I ran the Trotters around the bay 37km feeling much better running that comfortable in 2hrs53min and was the 2nd runner finished. The only problem there was a blood blister and a corn in my foot.
A week after that I raced the Manly Dam race. 10.2km of very tough trails and after getting the corn cut out of my foot I had a pain free race. Only lack of speed was my problem there.
The week after that on the 20th Jan I ran with the Trotters again and this time it was a memorial run for Muzza. 21km on the infamous Wambie Woppers run. Body felt great in that and I got another 9km in after to round it off to 30km
On Aussie day I entered in a team event for Knapsack 6hr then backed it up by running Woodford to Glenbrook the next day. With all this I could feel where I have been injured but each week of running seems to have improved it.
Then a week later on the 3rd of Feb I ran Megalong Mega on the 6ft track. About 36km of very hilly running. That was my worst run since I've been back. Right near the end I bonked! No energy left and had to sit on a rock for 15min and borrow some food of some very kind fellow runners. They took pity on me! Once I got food in me I could finish the final 2.5km to the finish.
Then last week I raced the Manly Dam race again going about 1min30sec faster and had no pain at all.
So there we are.... 4 days away from a 12hr and I've done the best I can to be in the shape I am in that time. When you think it wasn't all that long ago I couldn't do any running at all I'm pretty happy with how I've gone.
This week will just be easy 10km every day until Fri when I will just run 6km.
Monday, January 28, 2013
From ouch to slow running!
It's been a while since I've bothered with this thing and that's because I've been to hell and back with my running. One thing about this sport as you get older is your mind just thinks your body can do what it has always done but your body dosen't always agree with your mind.
For me it started back in May last yr when just as I was thinking I was back to my best my hamstring decided it needed a rest. My mind on the other hand had some races planned and I wasn't going to let my hamstring overrule my stubbon mind. The mind is quite a powerful thing!
So I completed a few mega long races and went well in one but shit in others. So after having a shit second attempt at a 24hr race and only being able to run 6min km pace in training because the hamstring hurt so much if I went any faster I decided to have a rest from running. 8 weeks I thought and I'd be back out there ready to go again.....well 8 weeks came and I still couldn't run. Ok I thought 10weeks....10 weeks and I'll be back out there.....10 weeks came and I still couldn't run....ok 12 weeks...it has to be good to run in 12 weeks after all 12 weeks is 3months and in 3months I've got to be healed. Well when your 40 I guess things don't quite repair as quick as they did when you are 30. 12 weeks went and I'm still in pain....arrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!. Ok off I go and see my physio mate Stan and together we slowly get on top of this thing.
Just before Christmas and finally I'm doing some slow running. By new yrs I'm getting some long runs in and in Jan I'm entering some races again. Not fast races but just to be out there running with a number on my singlet felt outstanding!
I still have the injury and have to keep up my physio exercises but each week I've improved.
Let's hope 2013 will be a yr will be my ultra yr!
For me it started back in May last yr when just as I was thinking I was back to my best my hamstring decided it needed a rest. My mind on the other hand had some races planned and I wasn't going to let my hamstring overrule my stubbon mind. The mind is quite a powerful thing!
So I completed a few mega long races and went well in one but shit in others. So after having a shit second attempt at a 24hr race and only being able to run 6min km pace in training because the hamstring hurt so much if I went any faster I decided to have a rest from running. 8 weeks I thought and I'd be back out there ready to go again.....well 8 weeks came and I still couldn't run. Ok I thought 10weeks....10 weeks and I'll be back out there.....10 weeks came and I still couldn't run....ok 12 weeks...it has to be good to run in 12 weeks after all 12 weeks is 3months and in 3months I've got to be healed. Well when your 40 I guess things don't quite repair as quick as they did when you are 30. 12 weeks went and I'm still in pain....arrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!. Ok off I go and see my physio mate Stan and together we slowly get on top of this thing.
Just before Christmas and finally I'm doing some slow running. By new yrs I'm getting some long runs in and in Jan I'm entering some races again. Not fast races but just to be out there running with a number on my singlet felt outstanding!
I still have the injury and have to keep up my physio exercises but each week I've improved.
Let's hope 2013 will be a yr will be my ultra yr!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Caboolture 24hr
Well I did it. I finished running/walking around a dirt 500m track for 24hrs. These kinds of events are pretty crazy but also very social in a competitive kind of way.
I decided to enter this event after bombing out of the Sydney 24hr 5weeks earlier. This time I planned to run slower from the start then just make sure I feel comfortable running on feel rather than on time.
A 48hr event had started 24hrs earlier so those guys and girls were only 1/2 way done as I got started!
8am we get started and around and around we go. In my corner for the first 12hrs I had Denise there helping me out with all my needs doing an amazing job. More amazing was she was racing the 12hr at 8pm so that meant she was really doing a 24hr event as well. First 12hrs she was helping me while watching all these fresh people turn into a blizering mess.
I also went into this witha hamstring injury that has held me back for the last 3 months and I decided once I finish this I'll take a few month off to let it heal.
I was running really well just cruzing along for the first 13hrs. I went through 100km in 10hrs27min and felt amazing!
14hrs in and I'd covered 125km so was really starting to sloooowww down.
15hrs in and I'd done 129km. Thats 4km in 1hr! Hows that for turtle pace!
17hrs13min 138.5km covered. WOW! 9.5km in 2hrs13min Rocking!
18hrs11min 141km. Bloody hell I needed a sleep! I borrow a blanket and I sleep until just after the 20hr mark. In this time I was also freezing.
20hrs15min I cross the line in 141.5km and attempt some kind of pathetic shuffle
21hrs and 147.5km
22hrs 152km
23hrs 158km
The last hr I just tried to keep moving. I managed to run a bit walk a bit then rest a bit then run a bit then walk a bit then rest abit then somehow I found some strength to run about 5 laps in a row.
24hrs and I'd covered 163.217km.
The thing with a race like this is it takes so much more effort than a 100mile trail race. In fact I believe any trail runner or any ultra road runner that just sticks to distance races have only experienced one side to ultra running. If they really want to test themselves out then they should have a go at something really tough. This will test their mental toughness at the limits.
In all this time Denise was out there in her own world of pain battling out the 12hr event!
I must say a massive thank you to Mark & Sara who not only gave us a place to stay while we were up there but they also sacrificed taking their tent so we could fit in the car
I will definitely be back for another 24hr. Most likely Coburg but we will see
I decided to enter this event after bombing out of the Sydney 24hr 5weeks earlier. This time I planned to run slower from the start then just make sure I feel comfortable running on feel rather than on time.
A 48hr event had started 24hrs earlier so those guys and girls were only 1/2 way done as I got started!
8am we get started and around and around we go. In my corner for the first 12hrs I had Denise there helping me out with all my needs doing an amazing job. More amazing was she was racing the 12hr at 8pm so that meant she was really doing a 24hr event as well. First 12hrs she was helping me while watching all these fresh people turn into a blizering mess.
I also went into this witha hamstring injury that has held me back for the last 3 months and I decided once I finish this I'll take a few month off to let it heal.
I was running really well just cruzing along for the first 13hrs. I went through 100km in 10hrs27min and felt amazing!
14hrs in and I'd covered 125km so was really starting to sloooowww down.
15hrs in and I'd done 129km. Thats 4km in 1hr! Hows that for turtle pace!
17hrs13min 138.5km covered. WOW! 9.5km in 2hrs13min Rocking!
18hrs11min 141km. Bloody hell I needed a sleep! I borrow a blanket and I sleep until just after the 20hr mark. In this time I was also freezing.
20hrs15min I cross the line in 141.5km and attempt some kind of pathetic shuffle
21hrs and 147.5km
22hrs 152km
23hrs 158km
The last hr I just tried to keep moving. I managed to run a bit walk a bit then rest a bit then run a bit then walk a bit then rest abit then somehow I found some strength to run about 5 laps in a row.
24hrs and I'd covered 163.217km.
The thing with a race like this is it takes so much more effort than a 100mile trail race. In fact I believe any trail runner or any ultra road runner that just sticks to distance races have only experienced one side to ultra running. If they really want to test themselves out then they should have a go at something really tough. This will test their mental toughness at the limits.
In all this time Denise was out there in her own world of pain battling out the 12hr event!
I must say a massive thank you to Mark & Sara who not only gave us a place to stay while we were up there but they also sacrificed taking their tent so we could fit in the car
I will definitely be back for another 24hr. Most likely Coburg but we will see
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sri Chinmoy 24hr turned 12hr.....GRRRRRRR!!!!!
Thats the way the cookie crumbles. Sometimes thing work out and other times they slap you in the face. For me this race slapped me in the face real hard!
I've learnt with races like this you need to treat them with respect and with each race comes a new learning experience.
I thought I was running well but now I think about it the more I realise how disrespectful I was with this race.
2 things that went wrong
1 - I need to work on my nutrition side of things. I can get away with 100mile trail races and 12hr races on what I do but this is a whole new ball game
2 - I need to start off slower! I should've stuck to my race plan, included regular walk breaks where I eat and STUCK TO IT!
Anyway this was my first attempt at this thing so its a great learning curve.
Quick summary of how my race went
We leave home at around 6am and get to the track a bit after 7am. We set up tent and relax until 10am.
First thing I notice is how quick some of these runners start off! One guy was running about 4:30/km pace I reckon! I just settled into a nice rhythm but was still way too fast at about 5:15/km pace.
The morning was going quite quick and before I know it the 6hr race was on it's way.
I really didn't feel like I needed to slow down as I felt so comfortable for most of the time I was out there.
I moved my way up from 6th position at the start to 1st position and kept that until I stopped.
At 7hrs20min I'd covered 80km and decided to slow the pace a bit
The first sign of fatigue came about 10hrs in but I still felt great.
It was about this time Mick, Jess, Jono, Charlie and some others came by to watch on thier way home from Nowra. That was a nice surprise. It must've looked funny us runners going so slow around an athletic track after racing the state x-country champs!
Anyway 11hrs40min I started to feel sick and had trouble eating. All of a sudden One minute I'm feeling in control and the next I'm feeling in trouble
15min later I have a toilet break and start to see everything spinning. I stumble out of the toilet and my hamstring that was handling everything so well decided to get really sore. All of a sudden I'm thinking "how am I going to get through another 12hrs of this?"
I ran back to the tent have a seat and within 5min all my legs seized up. Another 5min and I decided to pull the pin
I ended up with 120.8km in 11hrs55min
Anyway 11hrs
I've learnt with races like this you need to treat them with respect and with each race comes a new learning experience.
I thought I was running well but now I think about it the more I realise how disrespectful I was with this race.
2 things that went wrong
1 - I need to work on my nutrition side of things. I can get away with 100mile trail races and 12hr races on what I do but this is a whole new ball game
2 - I need to start off slower! I should've stuck to my race plan, included regular walk breaks where I eat and STUCK TO IT!
Anyway this was my first attempt at this thing so its a great learning curve.
Quick summary of how my race went
We leave home at around 6am and get to the track a bit after 7am. We set up tent and relax until 10am.
First thing I notice is how quick some of these runners start off! One guy was running about 4:30/km pace I reckon! I just settled into a nice rhythm but was still way too fast at about 5:15/km pace.
The morning was going quite quick and before I know it the 6hr race was on it's way.
I really didn't feel like I needed to slow down as I felt so comfortable for most of the time I was out there.
I moved my way up from 6th position at the start to 1st position and kept that until I stopped.
At 7hrs20min I'd covered 80km and decided to slow the pace a bit
The first sign of fatigue came about 10hrs in but I still felt great.
It was about this time Mick, Jess, Jono, Charlie and some others came by to watch on thier way home from Nowra. That was a nice surprise. It must've looked funny us runners going so slow around an athletic track after racing the state x-country champs!
Anyway 11hrs40min I started to feel sick and had trouble eating. All of a sudden One minute I'm feeling in control and the next I'm feeling in trouble
15min later I have a toilet break and start to see everything spinning. I stumble out of the toilet and my hamstring that was handling everything so well decided to get really sore. All of a sudden I'm thinking "how am I going to get through another 12hrs of this?"
I ran back to the tent have a seat and within 5min all my legs seized up. Another 5min and I decided to pull the pin
I ended up with 120.8km in 11hrs55min
Anyway 11hrs
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Trotters - Gerry's run
Easy 11k run with Levi, leg was good at our pace but could still feel it this time more laterally which we started off mega slow and just picked the pace up as we got going. Still easy the whole way through though. Finished in around 56min (5:09 pace)
After trotters went to gym and did some glute strength work and used the steamroom. Leg felt much better after that.
Just about to head off to Sth West Rocks for an easy run in the marathon tomorrow
After trotters went to gym and did some glute strength work and used the steamroom. Leg felt much better after that.
Just about to head off to Sth West Rocks for an easy run in the marathon tomorrow
Friday, June 08, 2012
Thurs and Fri
Thurs I felt pretty good. Still a long way off but had a pretty good run. Ran 24.2k in 2hrs5min (5:10km) Did a few sub 5min and leg held up good
Fri was different. Went for 15k and from the start I could really feel my hips. The 15k was slow from start to finish. Bit annoyed. 1hr21min
Goes to show we can have a good day and a bad day. Hoping tomorrow is a good day!
Fri was different. Went for 15k and from the start I could really feel my hips. The 15k was slow from start to finish. Bit annoyed. 1hr21min
Goes to show we can have a good day and a bad day. Hoping tomorrow is a good day!
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Day off work = A run, swim, run, Body balance
Put on the rain jacket some long tights and headed out the door for another slow run. 13k this morning at around 5:22 pace. Did a couple of 5min k's but the hammy didn't like that so I settled down.
A few hrs later it was I was in the pool for a 2k swim then off for another run. This time easy 11k around 5:20 pace then I did a body balance class. Just being careful with the hamstring work
Thats me done for the day. Now I've got a blocked nose from the swimming
A few hrs later it was I was in the pool for a 2k swim then off for another run. This time easy 11k around 5:20 pace then I did a body balance class. Just being careful with the hamstring work
Thats me done for the day. Now I've got a blocked nose from the swimming
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Tues and another nice slow run
Got up and for the first time in 5 weeks my hamstring felt good! Off I drive to the gym thinking ïs this the turning point? Could it have healed through the night? Could I be back to normal running? some speed work maybe?
Well I get to the gym get out of my car and the feeling was back. Ohhh well slow running again.
I decided I want to do a cycle class to do some heart rate stuff but the stretching of the leg with the pedal was bringng on the hamstring pain. So I still finish the cycle class but will give them a miss for the time being.
After cycle I went for a run from the gym to Adcock park and did 6k on that running a nice slow pace getting use to the feeling of running slow on a track. I guess I did the first 4k about 5:25 pace then thought I'd slow even more to see what 6min k pace feels like on the track. Did 2k best I could do was 5:48 then slowed again thinking this has to be 6min or over and it's 5:53. I then made my way bak to the gym to do a bit of strength work and steamroom
23.3k done in 2hr3min (5:18 pace)
Well I get to the gym get out of my car and the feeling was back. Ohhh well slow running again.
I decided I want to do a cycle class to do some heart rate stuff but the stretching of the leg with the pedal was bringng on the hamstring pain. So I still finish the cycle class but will give them a miss for the time being.
After cycle I went for a run from the gym to Adcock park and did 6k on that running a nice slow pace getting use to the feeling of running slow on a track. I guess I did the first 4k about 5:25 pace then thought I'd slow even more to see what 6min k pace feels like on the track. Did 2k best I could do was 5:48 then slowed again thinking this has to be 6min or over and it's 5:53. I then made my way bak to the gym to do a bit of strength work and steamroom
23.3k done in 2hr3min (5:18 pace)
Monday, June 04, 2012
Sun and Mon 42.6 and a 5
I tell you what..this hamstring thing thats not letting me run my normal pace and forcing me to slow down is a bit of a blessing! If I was wanting to do a race like a marathon or shorter then I'd be a bit pissed but since what I'm really training for is total endurance and 6min km pace is considered fast I'm now really enjoying running long at a slow pace and still finishing quite fresh.
Yesterday (sunday) I got up and ran around the bay plus some extra and in the end it was 42.6km in 3hrs49min (5:22 pace) I was running slower at the start and somewhere there I ran into Greg Brown so I ran with him from PT Claire to the Rip bridge. I was happy how I felt in the legs since it was only the day earlier I ran 53km
Today (mon) I went to the gym to do some strength work and use the steamroom but also ran another slow run. This time only 5km. Calves were tight but other than that I felt ok. Hamstring was good but I wasn't striding out at all. I think my fastest pace was about 5:27 so pretty cruisy
Yesterday (sunday) I got up and ran around the bay plus some extra and in the end it was 42.6km in 3hrs49min (5:22 pace) I was running slower at the start and somewhere there I ran into Greg Brown so I ran with him from PT Claire to the Rip bridge. I was happy how I felt in the legs since it was only the day earlier I ran 53km
Today (mon) I went to the gym to do some strength work and use the steamroom but also ran another slow run. This time only 5km. Calves were tight but other than that I felt ok. Hamstring was good but I wasn't striding out at all. I think my fastest pace was about 5:27 so pretty cruisy
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Nice long 53km
Started off at trotters but went off and did my own run to Norah Head and back. Again just like the rest of my runs this week I kept it at an easy pace. Pretty much held onto 5:30 pace most of the way. Hamstring was really good running. I could feel it and the hip felt tight but as far as running went it was good. It got pretty sore when I finished and spent quite a bit of time putting the ice pack on it.
All in all I was happpy with todays effort
All in all I was happpy with todays effort
Friday, June 01, 2012
Thurs and Fri
Thurs
Off on a slow 21.8k. Really taking my time and making sure I don't put any stress on that hamstring. It was feeling good running slow and every now and then I caught myself speeding up to my normal easy pace and had to force myself to slow down. Ran it in about 2hrs. Pace was about 5:40km. Good news my hamstring didn't get any worse all day but I tell you what......my feet were so tired by the end of the day. I guess being on my feet from 7:30am when I started running to when I finshed work at 9pm is good endurance training!
Fri
Today I just went for another easy run without putting any pain on that hammy. 12k in about 1hr2min 5:16km pace. Still slightly slower than my easy runs.
Later had a massage that I'm glad to say was much less painful than the one last week!.
Tomorrow I'm planning a 50k-60k run at about 6min/km pace. That should put me in a good frame of mind for the 24hr and I guess it will give me an idea how my legs will feel after running nice and slow for that long. I'm hoping they will feel pretty good.
Off on a slow 21.8k. Really taking my time and making sure I don't put any stress on that hamstring. It was feeling good running slow and every now and then I caught myself speeding up to my normal easy pace and had to force myself to slow down. Ran it in about 2hrs. Pace was about 5:40km. Good news my hamstring didn't get any worse all day but I tell you what......my feet were so tired by the end of the day. I guess being on my feet from 7:30am when I started running to when I finshed work at 9pm is good endurance training!
Fri
Today I just went for another easy run without putting any pain on that hammy. 12k in about 1hr2min 5:16km pace. Still slightly slower than my easy runs.
Later had a massage that I'm glad to say was much less painful than the one last week!.
Tomorrow I'm planning a 50k-60k run at about 6min/km pace. That should put me in a good frame of mind for the 24hr and I guess it will give me an idea how my legs will feel after running nice and slow for that long. I'm hoping they will feel pretty good.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wed already!
I woke up this morning and again I can feel that bloody hammy/glute. It's not too bad but annoying more than anything. Decided to just do 2x10k runs both on the treadmill at about my pace I plan on going at the start in the 24hr race in a few weeks time. First run was at 6am and done in 59min. One of the slowest 10k I think I've done
Second 10k was done at 5pm and again really slow. In fact I kinda went off into my own little world! 57min for that one
I've really felt like taking some time off to let it heal but I've entered the Macleay river marathon in just over 1 weeks time and 2 weeks later I've got the 24hr.
My plan was to run a good marathon but not race it and do about 3hrs then taper for 2wks then get some big km's in the 24hr.
Plan now is to train to just keep the legs kicking over without putting any strain on the hammy and who knows...it might heal if I just run slow. Then to run the marathon with Denise which should be just slightly faster or about my 24hr pace in about 4hrs.
Then I still plan on doing some big km's in the 24hr as my hamstring doesn't seem to be affected by running slow and not striding out.
After the 24hr my next major race will be GNW100m so I can afford to have 8-12wks rest if need be. I'm not too bothered about that as last yr I was off with a pinched nerve causing sciatica from July to mid Sept and still had a good GNW race
Second 10k was done at 5pm and again really slow. In fact I kinda went off into my own little world! 57min for that one
I've really felt like taking some time off to let it heal but I've entered the Macleay river marathon in just over 1 weeks time and 2 weeks later I've got the 24hr.
My plan was to run a good marathon but not race it and do about 3hrs then taper for 2wks then get some big km's in the 24hr.
Plan now is to train to just keep the legs kicking over without putting any strain on the hammy and who knows...it might heal if I just run slow. Then to run the marathon with Denise which should be just slightly faster or about my 24hr pace in about 4hrs.
Then I still plan on doing some big km's in the 24hr as my hamstring doesn't seem to be affected by running slow and not striding out.
After the 24hr my next major race will be GNW100m so I can afford to have 8-12wks rest if need be. I'm not too bothered about that as last yr I was off with a pinched nerve causing sciatica from July to mid Sept and still had a good GNW race
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tues
Just ran easy 10.5k from Terrigal to Wamberal and back. Was going to try some intervals of 3min hard 1min easy but hammy/glute just doesn't like it. Not too bothered about it. Instead just ran a nice pace on the borderline of feeling good and feeling average. 50.45 or about 4:47k pace.
After made my way to the gym for some glute strength work.
After made my way to the gym for some glute strength work.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Almost healed after a PAINFUL massage!
One week on and I'm starting to feel like my nerve pain in my left hamstring is comming good.
Since I ran last Wed I took a couple of days off and on Friday I went and got a massage. Bloody hell! Trigger points loaded in my glute medius and minimus. 30min of one of the most painful massages I've ever had and I walked out of there feeling like my hip and hamstring had freed up. Still having pain but has got a lot better over the last couple of days.
Sat I ran trotters 10k staying with Denise and doing a nice easy 51min. That was a PB for her.
Sun (today)I went to the gym and did a cycle class then ran 10k on the tradmill in 49min. Leg was good. Could feel it but much better. Also been feeling better as the day's gone on
Since I ran last Wed I took a couple of days off and on Friday I went and got a massage. Bloody hell! Trigger points loaded in my glute medius and minimus. 30min of one of the most painful massages I've ever had and I walked out of there feeling like my hip and hamstring had freed up. Still having pain but has got a lot better over the last couple of days.
Sat I ran trotters 10k staying with Denise and doing a nice easy 51min. That was a PB for her.
Sun (today)I went to the gym and did a cycle class then ran 10k on the tradmill in 49min. Leg was good. Could feel it but much better. Also been feeling better as the day's gone on
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Post TNF
Wednesday has come and that's 4 days since the big event. Legs starting to come back to normal but still getting nerve pain in that left hamstring. Something I've had on and off for the last 10yrs so I'm kinda use to it now. More annoying than anything. Could be weeks or could be months but it will go away. Then once it's gone I'll give it 9-12 months and it will come back again.
Anyway I decided to have a run and all felt ok. Just got on the t'mill at the gym and got 10km done in 52min. Steamroom after that then home to do some self massage. Happy to say leg was ok running but could feel it after but nothing too bad.
A couple of more days off running now then Trotters 10k on Sat. It's their time trial but I ain't racing
Anyway I decided to have a run and all felt ok. Just got on the t'mill at the gym and got 10km done in 52min. Steamroom after that then home to do some self massage. Happy to say leg was ok running but could feel it after but nothing too bad.
A couple of more days off running now then Trotters 10k on Sat. It's their time trial but I ain't racing
Sunday, May 20, 2012
TNF100 2012
Another 100km race ticked off. Some races go to plan other races you need to change your plan as the race develops.
All was going great in the training for this until 2 weeks ago when I develped some nerve pain in my left hammy. I was fine running but it did slow me down. I just stopped all the speed work.
In the week leading into this I just did 4x10km runs on the Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri.
The morning of the race I got up at about 4am. Breakfast was toast, coffee, powerade and a V and at 6:55am the gun goes off and off we go!
The course pretty much goes like this
Hilly road, trails/steps, road, steps, climbing rocks, trails, steep steps, trails, first checkpoint, firetrails, ladders, technical downhill trails, fire trails with lots of climbing hills, steep descends, checkpoint 2, uphill firetrails, uphill steep steep (yes steep) technical trails, technical rocks, steep technical downhill, crossing rivers, up and down fire trails, checkpoint 3, fire trails, Nellies Glenn (a crazy climb of about 2km of steps straight up!) technical trails/steps road, checkpoint 4, road, grass, road, ovals, steps, steps, steps, steps, steps, dodging asian tourists down the giant stairway (over 800 steps) boardwalks, fire trails, steep downhill fire trails, uphill fire trails, downhill fire trails then 7km climb straight up on fire trails, checkpoint 5, uphill road (2km?) downhill road, technical single trails in the dark with a mixture of trails, steps, a few more steps, a couple of more steps, the some more, up one last more of a steep set of stairs, on the property of the Fairmont resort.....FINISH!
For me I was running a great race feeling strong and fit until going up Nellies Glen when I noticed my left knee getting quite sore. Once up the top it came good.
Down Kedumba hill still feeling strong then as soon as the 7km hill started the pain in the knee was too intence to keep running. I got to the last checkpoint and got Denise to spray some cold spray on it and that seemed to settle it. Last 11km and I'm feeling great again. Saw the sign 5km to go and starting to think I'll get a sub 12hr in. 4km to go and still cruising along, 3km to go and my watch says 11hrs35min, still on track then about 1min later I trip, go flying mid air land on my quad/ITB first on a wooden step then my shoulder then I slide down the set of stairs feeling my legs pounding each step. I yell out F**K!!!!! Get up took 1 step and nearly fell over again. Tried to run but after about 300m I was forced into a walk. I get to the 2km to go sign and my watch now says 11hrs47min. All I could do was let about 6 other runners pass me and walk into the finish.
I finished in 32nd place in 12hrs16min32sec (1000 runners started about 600 finished. About 400 people DNF'd!)
Denise was once again there to make sure I kept going, didn't sook, kick my butt into gear, buy me coke, have everything at my ready. Pretty much the best crew one could ask for!
Time to let the wounds heal
All was going great in the training for this until 2 weeks ago when I develped some nerve pain in my left hammy. I was fine running but it did slow me down. I just stopped all the speed work.
In the week leading into this I just did 4x10km runs on the Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri.
The morning of the race I got up at about 4am. Breakfast was toast, coffee, powerade and a V and at 6:55am the gun goes off and off we go!
The course pretty much goes like this
Hilly road, trails/steps, road, steps, climbing rocks, trails, steep steps, trails, first checkpoint, firetrails, ladders, technical downhill trails, fire trails with lots of climbing hills, steep descends, checkpoint 2, uphill firetrails, uphill steep steep (yes steep) technical trails, technical rocks, steep technical downhill, crossing rivers, up and down fire trails, checkpoint 3, fire trails, Nellies Glenn (a crazy climb of about 2km of steps straight up!) technical trails/steps road, checkpoint 4, road, grass, road, ovals, steps, steps, steps, steps, steps, dodging asian tourists down the giant stairway (over 800 steps) boardwalks, fire trails, steep downhill fire trails, uphill fire trails, downhill fire trails then 7km climb straight up on fire trails, checkpoint 5, uphill road (2km?) downhill road, technical single trails in the dark with a mixture of trails, steps, a few more steps, a couple of more steps, the some more, up one last more of a steep set of stairs, on the property of the Fairmont resort.....FINISH!
For me I was running a great race feeling strong and fit until going up Nellies Glen when I noticed my left knee getting quite sore. Once up the top it came good.
Down Kedumba hill still feeling strong then as soon as the 7km hill started the pain in the knee was too intence to keep running. I got to the last checkpoint and got Denise to spray some cold spray on it and that seemed to settle it. Last 11km and I'm feeling great again. Saw the sign 5km to go and starting to think I'll get a sub 12hr in. 4km to go and still cruising along, 3km to go and my watch says 11hrs35min, still on track then about 1min later I trip, go flying mid air land on my quad/ITB first on a wooden step then my shoulder then I slide down the set of stairs feeling my legs pounding each step. I yell out F**K!!!!! Get up took 1 step and nearly fell over again. Tried to run but after about 300m I was forced into a walk. I get to the 2km to go sign and my watch now says 11hrs47min. All I could do was let about 6 other runners pass me and walk into the finish.
I finished in 32nd place in 12hrs16min32sec (1000 runners started about 600 finished. About 400 people DNF'd!)
Denise was once again there to make sure I kept going, didn't sook, kick my butt into gear, buy me coke, have everything at my ready. Pretty much the best crew one could ask for!
Time to let the wounds heal
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