Yesterday I covered 30 kilometres around and over Canberra's northern hills. I say 'covered', instead of 'ran' because there was much walking involved. My time for the 30k was just under 3 hours 45 minutes, for a paint dryingly slow average pace of 7:27 per kilometre.
For the first 18k I had the company of Steve, CJ and John. Well, I caught them at the drink stops and used some extravagant downhill running to stay with CJ. As fate would have it, I eventually did a 'Tuggeranong Don', not on the rock-strewn descent of Trent's hill, but on the relatively smooth trail near the gun club. Embarrassingly, CJ was right behind to witness my dusty demise.
After the first lap, the others sprinted off towards the rollercoaster while I plodded up Mount Ainslie for the second time. In one way I'm glad I had to walk so much in the last hour because I'll be using that form of propulsion quite a bit at the Six Foot Track. 7:27/km (or 12 minute miles) is scary, because if I averaged that on March 10 I'd finish in 5 hours 35 minutes, a PB of 43 minutes. That is not going to happen. Six Foot will be difficult.
It was also difficult last Thursday night. Luckylegs was in town to race the 800 metres at the AIS track. At the time she ran, it was 35 degrees (95F). A gentle run in that temperature isn't easy, let alone running at maximum effort for 2 laps of the track. I'm still quite amazed that she ran a 15 second PB (4:16.54). For a 77-year-old lady to run at 5:21 per kilometre pace... Wow!
For the first 18k I had the company of Steve, CJ and John. Well, I caught them at the drink stops and used some extravagant downhill running to stay with CJ. As fate would have it, I eventually did a 'Tuggeranong Don', not on the rock-strewn descent of Trent's hill, but on the relatively smooth trail near the gun club. Embarrassingly, CJ was right behind to witness my dusty demise.
After the first lap, the others sprinted off towards the rollercoaster while I plodded up Mount Ainslie for the second time. In one way I'm glad I had to walk so much in the last hour because I'll be using that form of propulsion quite a bit at the Six Foot Track. 7:27/km (or 12 minute miles) is scary, because if I averaged that on March 10 I'd finish in 5 hours 35 minutes, a PB of 43 minutes. That is not going to happen. Six Foot will be difficult.
It was also difficult last Thursday night. Luckylegs was in town to race the 800 metres at the AIS track. At the time she ran, it was 35 degrees (95F). A gentle run in that temperature isn't easy, let alone running at maximum effort for 2 laps of the track. I'm still quite amazed that she ran a 15 second PB (4:16.54). For a 77-year-old lady to run at 5:21 per kilometre pace... Wow!
24 comments:
You are running too fast, Ewen. If you run slowly enough, you will always catch yourself before you fall. That happened to me today in the 21st km; my toe caught a clump of grass and before I knew it, I was still running.
Going for a tumble wuold be essential training for 6 Foot from what I hear. I hope nothing more than your pride was hurt.
Luckyleg's effort certainly was amazing.
Well Six Foot certainly has dodgy footing for a few unscheduled falls. Good training for it. Congrats on getting LL to run out of sight on a dark night.
Almost 4hrs on the legs is good training as far as I am concerned no matter how fast you propelled yourself.
It' good to get the tumbles out of the way now, hopefully they wont happen in the big event.
LL is certainly one of kind, very inspiring, I would be happy if I can walk 800m when Im that age.
I also did a lot of walking yesterday - it was hard.
I agree with the comments a about LL - truly an inspirig woman, and I only hope I can still be running like that when I am her age.
Did you do a cartwheel?
P is for Psychology.
Six foot will be a stroll in the park for an athlete of your experience and positive approach.
Sound like ideal preparation for the big one mate. 3:45 wasn't all that slow if you ask me.
A lovely post as always Ewen but I was alarmed to see you did a 'Tuggeranong Don'; I thought I owned the copyright on those things! And hasn't CJ seen enough stumbling, bumbling male runners of late without you too contributing to that myth?
But more importantly what a fabulous effort yet again by LL's. I've long run out of superlatives to describe her achievments. She's a legend, no doubt about it, and you're playing a special part in that legend too.
That sounds like a perfect Six Foot training run.
Seems like you've got some well thought out goals for the year Ewen. I like the diversity...everything from 1500m to a half marathon, with a trail ultra thrown in for good measure!
CJ's going to have to start running with a cap-cam, she could make a lot of $$ of Funniest Home Video. Actually you must've worried her, hitting the deck near a gun club!
Have to agree with everything the others have said about LL. She never ceases to amaze. You must be so proud of her :-)
Ok now we will be covers instead of runners when we walk and run. Just hope I can "cover" that distance when the time comes.
LL is so inspiring, it should be a great gift to watch her doing it!
Well Six Foot is in "Fall" after all ;-)
Nice work with the mix of run/walk - I reckon it is a winner for Six Foot training.
Next time you hit the deck running Ewen do what I do, blame someone.
As I'm dusting myself off I usually shout out. "God Dammit it Zola!"
By the way I almost fell over too hearing of LL's effort. It's really something else.
3 hr and 45 min moving is great Ewen - it's way more than I've done lately.
When I'm 77, I hope I can find a cooler place to run . . . that is hot so hot - good for her to PB.
I agree with Tesso - CJ needs to get a cam cap and share these experiences with the blogworld.
I have taken a few tumbles while running. Not fun. Quite embarrassing. Thanks for your recent advice and I would LOVE to do the Sydney marathon. My daughter would LOVE me for it. I don't want to even begin thinking about the travel costs though. . .
Thanks for the birthday wishes Ewen.
I haven't seen you do a "Tuggeranong
Don"! You might like to show me next time I'm in town!
For some reason your feed to my Blolines seems broken.
Anyway, congratulations on the excellent run. Sometimes quantity counts over quality. And great achievement by Luckylegs. You are right about that.
S is for Style.
This link to the new york times should work
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/style/index.html
Glad I wasn't the only one, run/walking yesterday, though I did signifacantly less kms.
Yeah i am glad i am not the only one walking the mountains in this heat!
When i have some time i will write an email as i have a few questions that i think you may be able to help with!
Cheers R2B
A great effort in anyones book Ewen, despite the tumble!
Sure it wasn't a stray ball thrown by one of our cricketers that took your legs out from under you!!?? Wouldn't surprise me...
MAR.
I have been taking comparing your weather with Brisbanes on the BOM site. The big difference is your high temperatures often come with low humidity (20-30%) rather than the 70+% we get here. The high humidity just gives you no evaporative cooling and makes it extra tough. (Not that training for a marathon in summer in Canberra is easy either).
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