Training Log Archive: candyman

Event: Flyer’s Midnight Madness Marathon and Relay
 

Was pretty disappointed to only make it around 5 laps, especially as I was still feeling pretty good right up to the top of the hill on the 5th lap. In the end I think my legs just found the steep up and down hill sections too tough and as soon as I started running downhill on the 5th lap they said "no more".

Still a solid hit out and decent long run for the weekend. Was happy to hold faster than 5min/km pace for the first 24 km as it was my aim to do this for as long as possible.

More detailed race report:

1st lap - 30:43

Plan was to run comfortably, this was made difficult by the fairly steep climb over the first 2km of the loop. The course was basically split in to 3 sections with a steep ascent, followed by a steep descent then an undulating section on twisty (and rocky) singletrack. Was running in a nice pack right up to the top of the hill but then dropped all the others very quickly as soon as the downhill started, I wasn't pushing the pace but suspect the others were nervous about running downhill on trails in the dark.

After a fairly steep descent it was on to the undulating singletrack which I was really enjoying until I misstepped on one of the bends and went over on my troublesome left ankle. I was pretty devastated and thought the race would be over before it started. I limped on and gradually the pain decreased so I thought I would keep moving and see how it went.

2nd lap - 31:14

Ankle felt okay by the time I started the 2nd lap and I ran fairly comfortably up the hill, I was a little more cautious on the singletrack this time but what really slowed me down was a visit from the gingerbread man. About a minute for the pitstop in the bushes on the singletrack section and I was felling a lot more comfortable.

3rd lap - 30:21

The first lap where I didn't have some sort of issue so unsurprisingly my fastest of the race. Was feeling comfortable but ominously I did start to feel my quads aching a bit on the downhill section.

4th lap - 31:06

Still felt well in control and was starting to feel confident of making the full distance. Had started lapping quite a few runners and was enjoying the whole experience.

5th lap - 36:26

How quickly things can change! I started the 5th lap on a high knowing that if I made it through this lap well and out on to the 6th I would make it through to the finish. I kept a reasonable turnover up the hill and although slower than the other laps was feeling okay. As soon as I started the downhill section however I knew the race was over. My quads had had enough and I was reduced to a stumbling jog on the downhill and a bit of a shuffle on the singletrack.

I was pretty disappointed not to make the full distance but think it is a fair reflection of my current fitness, up until now my longest run had been ~25 km last weekend. Hope that they put the race on again next year as I would be keen to come back and see if I can't beat the course on a second attempt.

C • interesting race. 4

HFW. Back to the old route, with a head torch, thought I better run at least once with it before racing tomorrow night. Felt good!

HFW. Just trying to take it easy, resting up for the weekend.

Run home from Calwell. Had a massage at lunch today so just took it fairly easy this evening. Much darker than I remember it being last time.

HFW. Bizarelly stumbled across a lady lying motionless on the ground in the dark next to the concrete path I was running along through the middle of Wanniassa. Checked to see if she was okay and she was actually fine, almost disappointed that I didn't get to save the day...

Early start as had to get to Acton in time for Kelly to pick me up on her way to Hackett for the Cockies run. Felt okay but not amazing, not surprising after starting before 6. Lollipop Hill, Mt Wanniassa, Isaacs Ridge, Davidsons Trig, Red Hill, Parliament House and finished near Acton Ferry terminal.

Was picked up by Kel and drove to Hackett then ran with the Cockies, pushing Jessica, for the first couple of kms of the run then back to the car. Played with Jessica for an hour or so until Kelly was finished and then headed for breakie in Dickson.