18km and 3 Weeks To Go

I ran 18km this morning in 85.27 mins. It was a pretty good run out to past Vaulcluse and back - I felt good the whole way and kept hydrated with the camelbak. Took a couple of gels too. I'm looking forward to the Sydney Half Marathon in three weeks - I'm feeling well prepared, despite the achilles issue early which has come pretty good now - I'm still doing the stretches.

I'm certain I will go under my PB of around 96mins but it will be a hard slog to do under 90mins this time. No problem though; it's early days. There's always the Melbourne half in October.

Oh, and forgot to mention that I set a new PB in training for the 10km - 42.31 mins

SHM: One Month To Go

With about one month to go to the Sydney Half Marathon (May 17), I completed a 16km training run on Sunday, following the City2Surf route up to just past the top of Heartbreak Hill and then turned and ran back. My km splits were pretty good, hovering around 4.30min/km for much of the run but with so many hills, I slowed going up them. The first km I got stuck at lights waiting to cross the road.

My Achilles tendon issue has been a lot better since I have been doing the eccentric calf stretches my Physio (Sydney Physiotherapy) gave me and it didn't really play up during the run. Also, I had been getting some pinched nerves in the ankle as well but the stretches I think are help that too and all was fine on the run.

I took my 3L Camelbak for the run and drank around 2L water during the run so stayed hydrated. I was pretty pleased with the run overall and will stretch it out to 18km next week with some 6-10km runs during the week.

Training for the SHM

The first week of fourteen weeks training for the Sydney Half Marathon is upon us! This will be my first earnest attempt to run it in under 90 minutes. Today I ran 6 intervals of 1min with 45sec standing rest after a warm up jog. Felt pretty good.

Last night, I played hockey for the first time in probably ten months - I think my fitness was good but my skills were lacking somewhat! Two more preseason games next week so I'll hopefully improve and see how hockey fits in with running this year.

10km & 3km

To set a time to beat, I went out over the last two days to run a fast 3km and 10km. The 10km was in 30+ degree heat and though I was through 5km in sub-22mins, I ended the run in 44.42m - so still a long way to go to go sub-40mins.

My 3km run I managed 11.19 and I feel that I should be able to go sub-11 relatively soon. The last km got me as I only did it in 3.54 where as the first two kms were around 3.42 each.

19.52

Today at lunch time, I ran 5km in 19.52, finally going under 20mins! It was bloody hot today in Sydney too - around 32 degrees while I was running. So I've completed the first check point on my way to sub-90m half marathon by doing the sub-20m 5km. Next check point will be 10 km in sub-40mins. :)

2009: New 6km PB & King of the Mountain

It's a new year and while I've still got a sore Achilles, I've already smashed my 6km personal best by running 24.32 at lunch today. My previous best was 25.29. Basically, I just went out fast from the start to see how long I could go at sub 4.10 min/k pace but managed to run around 4 min/k for 4 of the six kms. I got through the 5km in 20.06 and so slowed up a little once I was sure I would go under 25 mins. So I still haven't run 5km in under 20mins but will go out next week to see if I can achieve that for the first time.

Given that these are training times, I'm certain in a race I can go well under 20mins. I feel like I have set a new benchmark for myself today.

Probably for the first time, I kept up running over Christmas and even finally competed in the Pauanui King of the Mountain run up Mt Pauanui and back to the surf club. My time was about 63 mins so next year I'll aim for sub-55.

So it's been a great start to my running year and I think I will be able to nail the sub-90 half marathon this year (and sub-60 City-to-Surf too).

It's been a long time

It's been a long time since I've written. I have continued to going running every week but I did not enter any races for one reason or another. My latest run yesterday was enjoyable but after a week off previously, not all that easy.

Despite having a tender achilles tendon and a slightly dodgy hamstring still, I have decided to (while attending to those problems of course...) start training in earnest to beat the 90 minute mark for the half marathon in the SHM in May 2009.

20km

I reached 20km in my training run on Sunday. Just under 5min/k. Pretty happy with that - in the rain too. Also, I finally beat Tim in a sprint during our Monday night fitness training. Yay!

I've had to pull out of this weekend's Sydney half marathon but hopefully I can get over to the Melbourne one next month and run around the MCG again!

6km record

Tim came in last week and claimed a new record time of our usual lunchtime 6km route. He set the bar at 25.40. I went out the next day to see if I match it and managed 25.29! Let the battle for the 6km sub 25mins begin... Reminiscent of Bannister & Landy - I'm Bannister of course.

Sydney Tower Run-Up (1504 stairs)

I just "ran" the Sydney Tower Run-Up. 1504 stairs from bottom to top - glad it was over in about 15 mins! I thought I'd be happy if I could just run the whole way - haha - no chance! Was walking by level 20 I reckon - with still 50+ to go! Not sure of time but was good fun.

Update: Official time was 13.27. So-so