13 August 2023

Short week this week. Was meant to be the 5 hour final big run but it didn't fit into the schedule, so that's now coming at me next week (eep). In fact there wasn't any long run this weekend. And missed one of the mid-week cruises. A variety of life matters got in the way and, to be frank, I didn't feel like putting the effort in to squeeze them in outside of that.

Thanks, Frank, now back to me.

My view is that your training, and the longevity of your interest in running, is going to be severely compromised if you start pushing yourself out onto the paths when you just don't want to go. Unless you're out seeking podiums (and I salute those of you who are), it's more important that you're getting out regularly, and for me that's meant giving myself to flexibility to not run when I need it. This weekend was one of those. Of course, while training that approach comes with consequences (refer to each previous blog post where I stress about hit getting prepared). But I'll take that any day over not loving doing this.

I did manage to hit both hard sessions this week at least. The first involved 50 mins of Zone X (still don’t really know - fast, but not painful fast), which I chose to do along the lovely Glebe foreshore. The second one was 6 x 2 min hill sprints, with 3 min recovery as you meander back down the hill. I couldn't face doing this on the ANZAC bridge (my previous 2 min hill sprint location of choice) during the morning rush - too many bikes, runners, prams, onlookers, hills, etc - so tried the run up Manning St in Rozelle, on the side of Callan Park, which I'd sussed out during the hill hunting last week. It was a little shy of the 2 min distance I needed, so added a bit of extra flat at the bottom before heading up the hill at the start. I wouldn't say it was fun, but it was satisfying. Love a hill sprint.

In other news this week, I started making sure I'm covered for the mandatory gear. For those new to this, this is the shopping list of things you just carry with you during the race, which are predominantly geared toward making sure you don't die during the race (or to prolong things long enough for someone, or a helicopter, to come save you). Think things like warm gear, bandages, a head torch, food and water etc. UTMB CCC has additional gear you'll require for particularly hot or cold conditions - apparently it can hit anywhere between -10C and 30C! Extra warm stuff for cold weather, and for the hot weather, glasses, extra water capacity and a legionnaires hat. The legionnaires hat hasn't been in Vogue since at least the year 3 playground, so unfortunately it was off to the store for me, and I now have this little beauty tucked away in my running vest. Can't wait to bust it out.

Till next week, Au Revoir, Ciao, and see ya later.