Training Log Archive: Indiana Jones

Short warm up then a few strides on the starting straight.

Split marathon. Good head to head race from the gun and nice to get the win. Sheltered in a group with a few of the HM guys early on as it was windy and exposed, pace was jumping about from very easy to well under PB pace but there wasn’t much I could do. The two Kenyan guys doing the marathon put in a few surges to try and drop me early on but mainly on the downhills and it was fine for me. Had to take the lead a few times on some windy parts to keep us moving but always held back a bit.

The long climb at 25km I could tell they were struggling and at 30km I decided to put in more effort to open a gap. Didn’t realise there was a section along the beach in sand then a steep climb back up to the road so this helped me get away. At the turning point at 36km I had about 30s so kept ticking over and by the end it was 4-5min. There were a few tough short hills and cobbles in the last 4km but my legs felt ok. No major issues at any point, took on 200g of carb and energy was fine. The water stations were paper cups so pretty useless but it was just about ok. Could have pushed more earlier but had no idea how good those guys were so was happy to be patient. Was really fun to run with no focus on time and race it all the way.

Easy on the gravel tracks and strides just after halfway. The first rain in the four weeks of being here and absolutely pouring down. Legs feeling ok once going.

Moderate run out and back along the coast road. Happy to be moving a bit faster to stretch everything out, got all the usual pre race tight spots and was looser by the end. Ankles good but just the muscles always go so stiff on a taper week. Felt like much less effort than usual.

Easy run mostly on the gravel tracks with hill sprints in the second half. No issues from the hamstring cramp from last night or right foot, left foot a bit stiff this time starting out but then fine. All the race week niggles coming and going. Felt a bit stiff overall but better later in the run and the hills felt absolutely fine too.

Easy on the gravel track doing some out and backs on the smooth bit to save climbing more and going on rougher paths. Strides towards the end. Everything feeling pretty good, legs better than yesterday and first run in a while not to notice the ankle really. Strides were decent too.

Short easy run out and back a few times on the gravel path around the small island in Trogir. Probably the only flat off road running here on the 1.3km out and back section. Legs felt fine starting out and ankle was good again, felt a weird cramp twinge in my hamstring at about 2km in but disappeared after that. The muscle felt tender after that but hopefully nothing more.

Similar route to yesterday with strides just after halfway. Legs and body felt more sluggish and stiff first thing but loosened off well on the run, the usual race week feelings. Still noticing the ankle but improving throughout and fine on the smooth stuff. Strides felt good.

Easy out and back on the trails, doing the flattest smoothest part twice out and back to avoid the rocky bits. Legs a little tired after yesterday but feeling ok. Some stiffness in both feet starting off then improving, right one still the worse one for now.