I'm similar to Joe Garland (and Flo for that matter), in that I won't feel bereft if I never do a long training run again — once the marathon is over. The 30k on Saturday went well. It was one of those calm sunny mornings that Canberra prides itself on this time of the year. Hot-air balloons were floating high over the lake.
We were out for a bit over three and a half hours, but the running time was 3:06. Coming back through the Wetlands near the end of the run, the foot-bridge over the river was blocked for repairs. We ran down to a railway bridge and sheepishly made our way across, then bush-bashed through an old dump before climbing a few fences and rejoining the path. All good fun! Bronwyn's Garmin map below shows our anti-clockwise trip around the lake and the detour near the end. The run went so well that I'm planning a similar distance on Saturday. It's most likely that I'll aim for the Christchurch Marathon on 6 June.
The YouTube video below shows part of the warm-up run for the Speedygeese Monday session at Parliament House. Yesterday we ran 'relay sprints' on the soft grass in front of the house. 30 minutes in teams of 3 — it was challenging and fun!
We were out for a bit over three and a half hours, but the running time was 3:06. Coming back through the Wetlands near the end of the run, the foot-bridge over the river was blocked for repairs. We ran down to a railway bridge and sheepishly made our way across, then bush-bashed through an old dump before climbing a few fences and rejoining the path. All good fun! Bronwyn's Garmin map below shows our anti-clockwise trip around the lake and the detour near the end. The run went so well that I'm planning a similar distance on Saturday. It's most likely that I'll aim for the Christchurch Marathon on 6 June.
The YouTube video below shows part of the warm-up run for the Speedygeese Monday session at Parliament House. Yesterday we ran 'relay sprints' on the soft grass in front of the house. 30 minutes in teams of 3 — it was challenging and fun!
Follow the yellow bitumen road (and a railway bridge)
22 comments:
the darker yellow bits are where I kept running at pitstops!
Good to hear that fall in love with long runs again. Christchurch sounds good, but don't you think Gold Coast is more predictable in terms of conditions?
The long run must be part of any middle to long distance runner's training schedule if they want to perform to their best. So no escaping it Ewen, even if you are not preparing for a marathon.
Yay! Ewen is marathon bound! Congrats on the decision. I had to laugh at the marathon pimping remarks in the previous post's comments. Better someone else than me. But seriously, you never know what you're suited for at which time of life till you test it out.
Love the video and am so jealous of the group, they look like a well-humored bunch.
That route map looks very fun. It's great to have a body of water like that near by to run around.
I like the run movies and nice toseewhere you run(it is not Holland ;-).
You go for the marathon and you can run fast.
On 6 Juni i run the Leeuwarden marathon and than i think about your marathon..
Like your blog Ewen.
Rinus.
www.rinusrunning.nl
Hey Ewen! You are getting good at the video clips -- AND the long runs. Well done! [M]
Allrounder, that's right. You did well to keep running. I was happy to enjoy the rest at pitstops!
Sling, Gold Coast can be warm - esp for 3:30 and slower runners. Christchurch starts at 9am (I think), which is better for my body-clock, and it's sure to be cool.
Robert Song, I agree. But I don't think the LONG long run is needed (3 to 4 hours) if one is not marathoning. I don't mind long runs of up to 2 hours.
Flo, thanks. It's good to have a change of event from time to time - keeps running fresh and exciting. I think you need to pimp your 3:20 friends to do short races ;)
RJR, yes, we're lucky. It's a beautiful run. We also have miles and miles of trails... and no snow!
Rinus, it's not Holland ;) We have mountains everywhere, but no sand dunes or snow. I'll be thinking of you on 6 June :)
M, thanks. I think there's room for improvement in both!
Ewen, don't over do those 3 1/2 long runs, if your race is in june your be bored senseless of them by then.
Maybe alternate them with say a 2 hour run every other week.
Awesome job Ewen! That run sounds like an adventure which I think is the best part of long distance running.
I do agree with Rick's Running- you don't need to be covering those distances every week for a June marathon! Make sure to listen to your body and you'll be fine.
On the other hand I would be very bereft if had to go long runs.
I love the video and music. I am also jealous of your running group. Hope your training continues to go well.
100 mins is the absolute max i will ever do again!
thats still okay,after that im no a happy camper
So good that you're recovering quickly from the long runs. I love that video - great fun.
Seems to me you may be taking the marathon seriously in June. All this training might make a faster Six Foot for you as well.
I want to do your long run around a lake! Good job on the run.
Hi Ewen
It sounds like you really did enjoy that 30k run. I have to admit that for me it is so much more enjoyable to train for a marathon doing reasonable pace than to have to do the speedwork for the 10000 and 5000 distance. Speed just hurts and I suppose for me that will never change..Hope your not terribly disappointed with the 10,000 as you know the heat made a difference. Yes, we all have that sort of perfect race that will translate to a new PR, but the body and the conditions themselves make that a dicey equation at best.
Best of luck and thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit. I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be good to both of us.
I think the two in the back were sandbagging.
Ewen, great effort man. I am familiar with most of that run (from a few long course tri's in Canberra over the years). It is very pretty, you are lucky to have somewhere so nice to get into the groove. How have you pulled up? Cheers, PB
Does that course have any water views?
No water views Stephen. But on hot days the runners behind Ewen do get wet!
Thanks Rick. I'll plan to do the 3 1/2 hour ones every second week. I have a long run planned for tomorrow, but only because I can't run long next weekend.
Jen, you're right - those unforseen adventures are good fun. I'm trying to listen to my body - my hearing isn't as good as it used to be ;)
Jason, you probably need long runs training for a 70.3 mile race. Have fun!
iJuls, thanks. It's a good group.
Jojo, that means your next half marathon must be under 100 minutes ;)
Strewth, it would have been a funnier video if I hadn't dubbed music over your comments.
Superflake, marathons need to be taken seriously - they're seriously long! No 6' for me this year - maybe next.
Ali, you'd enjoy it. Maybe one day you'll get down here.
Bill, I didn't do all that much speedwork for the 5/10k - I should do more. Being in perfect condition on the perfect day, and running the perfect race is what we dream of.
Joe, they must have got lost in the bush ;) Actually, Joel would be the fastest 400/800 runner in the group - about 2:05 for the 8.
Paul, yes I never take for granted our great places to run. I pulled up pretty well. Legs OK, just some tiredness this week.
Stephen, does the Tokyo Marathon have views of snow? ;)
Scott, luckily I'm the slowest runner in the group, so only my shadow gets drenched in sweat.
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