Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

Event: SA Long Championships
 

SA Long Championships at Twigham. Another warm day. An easier course physically than the long day at Easter (mainly because there were more 'around' options in the SE corner than there were then). Felt like I'd started well and then fallen away from halfway, but in fact the splits suggest the reverse was true - the gap to Simon blew out beyond 3 minutes by 7 and then stayed around the 3-4 minute range until 17. Caught Lachlan on the way to 14, and started having problems with my concentration at that stage with minor wobbles on 15, 16 and 20. Lachlan was fast on the downhills but seemed to be struggling up them, and I thought (correctly) that I'd be able to drop him on the climb through 20. I then proceeded to hand the hard-earned gap back on the dubiously-positioned 22. Probably about a par result given how well Simon is running now. Couldn't see myself getting much under 86-87. Simon did 82, Lachlan 97, Reuben over 100.

This race will do me good; it felt tougher than it should have for the length (felt more like a 110-minuter than a 90-minuter), which may be because it's the first proper long race I've done since Dubbo, or because of first-warm-race-of-spring syndrome. The hip was noticeable on occasions but doesn't seem to be an impediment, which means it's probably much the same as the injury I had last August/September.

It's an enjoyable area to run, but I though the course could have made more of the area's potential for route choice, particularly in the SE corner where the longer legs all had obvious flat options.

Of course, the biggest endurance test of the day came after the finish: the drive home, all 940km of it, including an unbroken 400km stretch between Waikerie and Sea Lake. (I know this isn't how you're supposed to do it, but I was feeling good and wanted to get as much distance behind me as possible while I was still feeling good, knowing that the last couple of hours would be a struggle). All went reasonably well with the only negative being the lack of any open eating places on an early Sunday evening in any of Murrayville, Cowangie, Underbool, Walpeup, Patchewollock or Speed (eventually found a fish and chips shop still functioning in Sea Lake). Made it home around 11.45.

C • Speed sounds like the right place to stop for a trip like that. 3

Event: SA Sprint Championships
 

SA Sprint Championships at Twigham. Started off pretty well once I got a feel for the peculiarites of the map. A lot of scrambling in and out of erosion gullies, and I went quite lactic in the second half, presumably from too many sprints up the sides of the gullies. Also made a careless 20-second error on 11. Ended up 3rd, just being squeezed out by Lachlan on the finish split (both well behind Simon). A warm day but that didn't make a lot of difference in a short race.

The map was a blown-up version of the 1:15000/5m, which was a pity (although I can understand why extra fieldwork wasn't done for a relatively small event). The erosion area was quite interesting anyway but would have been more interesting with the extra detail possible on a 1:5000/2m (or 2.5m) - plus a smaller contour interval would have allowed the steep banks (which are a significant obstacle in places) to be shown more accurately.

Session at Richmond before heading off to SA. Started very slowly but picked up well later on. Hip a bit improved on yesterday and in any case wasn't a problem when swimming.

The church on the corner 50 metres down from my place burnt down last night. Obviously the fire brigade sirens weren't especially loud because I slept through the whole drama.

C • if it burnt down 2

Starting to ease back a bit on the distance now. Not as weak as I can be fronting up on Thursday morning after a double race on Wednesday, but hip was again a nuisance - didn't appreciate being slept on, although it's better running than walking (and meets the first definition of a minor injury, one that feels better as a run goes on). Hopefully a couple of easier days will make a difference.

Would have hoped for something a good deal better. The conditions weren't as good as last time (quite windy) and I spent more time on my own, but would still have wanted to at least better the last time, given that I'm supposed to be peaking. A reasonable first half but fell away in the second. Was about 40-50 metres off Bruce most of the way after he jumped me at the start, but never got closer (and he wasn't having a great day either).

Km splits: 3.29, 3.37 (uphill), 3.30, 3.31.

Going to/from the Tan. It is International Talk Like A Pirate Day and three suitably-dressed people had got into the spirit of the occasion, standing by the side of the Yarra with two improvised rafts flying the skull and crossbones.

My hip still isn't especially comfortable sitting or walking but seems to be OK once warmed up, and didn't really impede me on the run. Will need watching but seems similar to the problem I had last August-September.

First time for a while I've attempted to do the Tan/street-O combination and it doesn't get any easier. Made a substantial error on the way to my intended first control - turned in one street too early - but turned it into an alternative route choice which worked out OK. Moving reasonably but never had any real pace, or power on the hills (not that there were too many - Mont Albert is flatter than I remembered).

It stayed dry for the run, but a squall went through towards the end and there was lightning out towards the west at the finish.

News of the day is that some Mildura irrigators are considering suing over the lack of water. I'm not quite sure who they're going to sue over not being given water that doesn't exist - perhaps they could follow the lead of Billy Connolly in 'The Man Who Sued God' and, in the absence of a sueable God, sue His earthly representatives instead. (In the unlikely event that this case ever sees the inside of a courtroom, there's a fair chance that I or one of my colleagues will end up as a witness, which isn't a hugely appealing prospect). No doubt there will be some pertinent signs on the way through Mildura going to the SA Champs, to join the 'No Toxic Dump' ones. (I noticed that there was a horse running around at Ararat last week called 'Toxic Free Mallee'. Not sure how that got through when 'Johnny Say Sorry' was rejected by the powers that be, but there you go).

C • The logic 1

A bit disappointing after a promising start on a lovely morning (a bit earlier than usual for this session) - not really flowing in the faster sections. Fastest loop 9.14. A hint of left hip soreness, although nothing of any significance.

A strong cold southwesterly made for some uncomfortable moments getting in and out of the pool at Fitzroy, but a nice session once in.

MFR Monday night run from Jasmine's through Royal and Princes Park and Melbourne Uni. Reasonably comfortable at an easy pace. Took in the less-than-daunting slope that Melbourne Uni Athletics Club use for their hill intervals, then went past the stadium at Princes Park which is probably about to be sold brick by brick to pay for Chris Judd. (I suggested to the West Coast supporter at work that a suitable trade might be Mark Bolton and a fifth-round draft pick; strangely he didn't seem impressed). Finished off with some twisting in and out of the buildings at Melbourne Uni, including going through what must be the world's only heritage-listed car park. (It was Australia's first underground car park, and the ceiling arches do have a certain elegance about them).