Training Log Archive: thewayIn the 7 days ending Oct 30, 2016:
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Sunday Oct 30, 2016 #
8 AM
Walking race (Bright 4 Peaks) 2:06:06 [3]
Feathertop is such a beautiful track; one long steady climb, never steep with giant tree ferns, wild flowers, flowering eucalypts, lyrebirds and clear streams in deep gullies with views to mountains opening up as you climb. Until the cloud comes over and it gets a bit cold, a welcome relief after feeling the humidity on way up. Got to know Denise Pike who was a similar pace to me every day but always a bit ahead in the end.
I felt a bit dizzy, light-headed and hungry for much of today's - my lack of long training walk-runs. It became so so hard to keep moving in the last few k's although it was great to get such regular encouragement from the descending runners including Flan who won the women's race (her best day). It got windy up high so race stopped at the hut. There was a strange bit of orange taping near the finish which I (and others!) failed to interpret as the finish shute, oops. Warm hut was wonderful - ate, drank, put on tights then walked down with Denise, later with John and diana from Canberra, to find Flan had driven up to meet me at start of park but got hopelessly stuck with car near a ditch, such that a stranger offered to reverse the car for her. I had to laugh - Flan wins the race but can't drive a car backwards.
Overcome with deep fatigue that afternoon and lost ability to squat down - ow ow quads. Flute and ukulele duets that evening with Flan - lovely!
I could have made it with one water bottle only (cool and overcast) - there is good tank at hut.
I felt a bit dizzy, light-headed and hungry for much of today's - my lack of long training walk-runs. It became so so hard to keep moving in the last few k's although it was great to get such regular encouragement from the descending runners including Flan who won the women's race (her best day). It got windy up high so race stopped at the hut. There was a strange bit of orange taping near the finish which I (and others!) failed to interpret as the finish shute, oops. Warm hut was wonderful - ate, drank, put on tights then walked down with Denise, later with John and diana from Canberra, to find Flan had driven up to meet me at start of park but got hopelessly stuck with car near a ditch, such that a stranger offered to reverse the car for her. I had to laugh - Flan wins the race but can't drive a car backwards.
Overcome with deep fatigue that afternoon and lost ability to squat down - ow ow quads. Flute and ukulele duets that evening with Flan - lovely!
I could have made it with one water bottle only (cool and overcast) - there is good tank at hut.
Walking 2:00:00 [2]
Estimate of walk down. Sensibly didn't run.
Saturday Oct 29, 2016 #
8 AM
Running race (Bright 4 Peaks) 2:27:12 [4]
Mt Mystic - Day 1, Bright 4 Peaks
This is the day I missed last time but had been warned how the down hills could make the legs hurt for the next 4 days. A perfect sunny day drew a big crowd for this one, lots of friendly runners and chatting. Unlike the old days, all the runners start together at 8am (an hour after walkers). Pretty soon I settled into about 5th to last which happened each day. It's a very steep old firetrail up on soft soil with some loose rocks, not a problem on the uphill and nicer than hard baked ground. At the back of the pack there were a number of people stopping to take photos (good excuse for a rest). Some less steep single track then we were on top way sooner than I expected (35 mins). I hadn't checked the course profile oops.
Our route went along the edge of the paragliders' lauch pad carpet with fabulous views of the valley. There was a table with watermelon and other fruits (the only day where this was possible). Luxury! especially because I was getting too Hot. Down some FT where I ran straight past the turn off, noticed a cross and called another runner to come back. Probably less than 2 mins detour. No wonder I ignored the turn off because the next part was the most ridiculously steep and loose track I've ever seen in a race. Many people had hands on the ground, or had picked up branches to use to balance and were generally crawling down slower than a walk. I am very happy to say that I followed the only other runner down, passed tons of people, and had no trouble balancing and feeling confident. When he slipped I passed (heheee) and went even faster to the bottom. Never out of control and didn't feel like I was smashing my quads. Nice to enjoy one's strong suit :)
The next big uphill was pretty but too hot and all the fit people repassed me. Plenty more ups and downs and one very flat firetrail until the final super steep down hill where I passed people again. I was struggling by the end but not surprising considering how little preparation I had done. Fun and no injuries. DOMS but not too bad.
This is the day I missed last time but had been warned how the down hills could make the legs hurt for the next 4 days. A perfect sunny day drew a big crowd for this one, lots of friendly runners and chatting. Unlike the old days, all the runners start together at 8am (an hour after walkers). Pretty soon I settled into about 5th to last which happened each day. It's a very steep old firetrail up on soft soil with some loose rocks, not a problem on the uphill and nicer than hard baked ground. At the back of the pack there were a number of people stopping to take photos (good excuse for a rest). Some less steep single track then we were on top way sooner than I expected (35 mins). I hadn't checked the course profile oops.
Our route went along the edge of the paragliders' lauch pad carpet with fabulous views of the valley. There was a table with watermelon and other fruits (the only day where this was possible). Luxury! especially because I was getting too Hot. Down some FT where I ran straight past the turn off, noticed a cross and called another runner to come back. Probably less than 2 mins detour. No wonder I ignored the turn off because the next part was the most ridiculously steep and loose track I've ever seen in a race. Many people had hands on the ground, or had picked up branches to use to balance and were generally crawling down slower than a walk. I am very happy to say that I followed the only other runner down, passed tons of people, and had no trouble balancing and feeling confident. When he slipped I passed (heheee) and went even faster to the bottom. Never out of control and didn't feel like I was smashing my quads. Nice to enjoy one's strong suit :)
The next big uphill was pretty but too hot and all the fit people repassed me. Plenty more ups and downs and one very flat firetrail until the final super steep down hill where I passed people again. I was struggling by the end but not surprising considering how little preparation I had done. Fun and no injuries. DOMS but not too bad.
Tuesday Oct 25, 2016 #
10 AM
Strength Stability Suppleness (yoga class) 1:30:00 [1]
Felt SO tired today at yoga but still put in some good leg and core work and did 2 rounds of Salute to Sun. My body clock got mixed up last night and kept me well awake for hours. Must have confused my hormone cycle I think. Bother! Hope the YNidra helps.
Monday Oct 24, 2016 #
Note
Left calf issue - I've figured it out. Nothing to do with compensating for achilles. I remember that I sprained my left ankle jogging down to compost heap when I was really cold a few days ago. Classic symptoms of delayed muscle pain in peroneal muscles (now called Tibialis Posterior).
12 PM
Walking 28:20 [3]
2 x Blackie 14.05 and 14.15 for same route (BGFT gate, via NQ path to top). Ran the first minute and a half hardish each time and legs felt like they had recovered ok from tennent. Wore a pack of about 3.2kg - amazing how much I can feel the extra weight in my legs.
Walking 31:05 [2]
The warm up, the downs (via SQ) and the extra bits. Exchanged a "good one" with a woman who reached the top on her roadie absolutely blowing like a steam engine. Hope she got a pb.