After an all too brief five days in the blazing Queensland sun, I'm back in cool quiet Canberra. To tell you the truth, the sun lacked the intensity of the one now burning over the desert in Arizona — in fact the weather was as perfect as can be — and especially perfect on race-day.
In the end, I didn't run the fast half marathon I was hoping for. A late rush to regain some fitness resulted in a worrying injury gatecrashing the party. It wasn't the left shin — that was rather docile. It was a tight right hamstring. When we visited the expo, I transferred my entry to the 10k race, such was my concern about the leg surviving 21 kilometres of hard running.
After all that, the 10k went surprisingly well, although the tight right leg refused to lay low. My chip time was 45:44 — 37 seconds slower than last year — but the race felt quite different. Aside from the bothersome hamstring, the legs were good throughout. Strained breathing and a high heart-rate during the second half indicated some lost fitness. I was a minute slower on the return journey from Surfers Paradise — running the first 5k in 22:22 at an average heart-rate of 152, with the second 5k a fading 23:22 at 155.
Thinking about it now, two days later, I can see some good racing happening in the months ahead — perhaps in the City to Surf, or the Melbourne Half Marathon. I do feel rejuvenated after my holiday, and can't wait to resume training. There's something about catching up with old friends and witnessing some inspirational racing that's good for the soul.
In the end, I didn't run the fast half marathon I was hoping for. A late rush to regain some fitness resulted in a worrying injury gatecrashing the party. It wasn't the left shin — that was rather docile. It was a tight right hamstring. When we visited the expo, I transferred my entry to the 10k race, such was my concern about the leg surviving 21 kilometres of hard running.
After all that, the 10k went surprisingly well, although the tight right leg refused to lay low. My chip time was 45:44 — 37 seconds slower than last year — but the race felt quite different. Aside from the bothersome hamstring, the legs were good throughout. Strained breathing and a high heart-rate during the second half indicated some lost fitness. I was a minute slower on the return journey from Surfers Paradise — running the first 5k in 22:22 at an average heart-rate of 152, with the second 5k a fading 23:22 at 155.
Thinking about it now, two days later, I can see some good racing happening in the months ahead — perhaps in the City to Surf, or the Melbourne Half Marathon. I do feel rejuvenated after my holiday, and can't wait to resume training. There's something about catching up with old friends and witnessing some inspirational racing that's good for the soul.
Dinner with Plu outside the Jolly Chinaman in Main Beach
View north of the marathon and 10k course from the 22nd floor
19 comments:
Sorry to hear about the hamstring but it sounds like you did well regardless. Positive splits are a staple in most of my races.
Some sun and warm weather sounds pefect right about now. Better luck managing those injuries for the months ahead.
Bummer to get 2 injuries so close together, but glad you made it through, what are your targets for the rest of the year!
The weather was FAB! My soft as brother was complaining about the cold morning, I kept telling him how perfect it was for fast running, then he ran a better than 4 minute PB and was forced to admit I was right.
Well done on your GC 10km Ewen. Good job!
I didn't see you on the sidelines of the GC marathon while I was running it but that could have just been because I was in a world of hurt at the most populated parts of the course! Thanks for your before, during and after encouragement. I seriously appreciate it. I was happy with my 3.12.
So, the Melbourne 1/2 marathon is next for you hey? It's a good one - go for it! I'll probably be there doing the marathon.
Not a bad 10 km, take that any day as a bad result. A couple of beers will fix the hammie problem, we'll invite Liz to help celebrate. Get over the injury while the weather is cold, then get back into the training.
Pity about the hamstring Ewen. Look forward to you blazing past me at C2S.
I really enjoyed catching up on a number of times on the weekend.
Plu
Sorry to hear about the hamstring problem, but that was a great 10 K in the circumstances. It also sounds like you had a great, though brief, holiday. Queensland sounds most enticing.
it still sounds like a pretty good time i reckon
See you at C2S or Melbourne. You're not following me around are you? :-)
Well done - sounds like a great weekend and not long enough! Take care of those injuries so they don't return.
Aw sorry to hear about the injuries. But well done on the race though, sounds like you did amazing!
Great job on the race and respecting your legs enough to change the race distance. Smart man, you.
Very excited on your behalf for you raring to go with more races ahead. I'll live vicariously through you since all I want to do for the next 2 months is sit on my ass. I always come in first in my AG for that.
Must be good to be able to jet around the country and enter all sorts of races. I've heard the domestic airfares have come and are coming down a lot recently.
Perfect base there in Canberra too. A paradise for the master runner. Why don't you approach the government for a grant to promote Canberra as "the place to live"?
Seriously, it might be worth a try and any extra money left over could be used to come to Japan on a "fact finding" "Compare and contrast" racing trip.
Start typing up the proposal.
22nd floor? I was all good until I read that then I started to have a panic attack for you.
Marvellous 10k that! Sensational view from the 22nd floor too! Plus you caught up with the illustrious incredible identity that is Plu. sound like a pretty awesome weekend to me. Way to go.
Hope the hammy comes good, and some excellent running is ahead.
I think you made the right call by transfering to 10k. Yeap, the weather was fabolous and so conducive for running.
Hi Ewen
A great result nonetheless!
You have been pushing your body so hard and I give you a lot of credit for going with the 10k and posting a very respectable time.
I agree that you are primed to have some great races later on this year. I think maybe you are still recovering from those high mileage weeks, but it will help you in the future.
Truly best of luck Ewen and take care of yourself.
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