Having just about shaken off my early Xmas present of a nasty cold, I was keen to hit the trails with the Mrs to test out a new route (especially since I was too sick to go on my planned Xmas Eve trail run and had to cancel). So to say I was disappointed in the morning when said Mrs was too tired (a result of my spluttering through the night) to hit the trails was an understatement – I was gutted! My heart and head was set on doing the trails. Yep sure I could have headed out and gone myself but when trying a new route I was a little apprehensive and also I’m not a huge fan of running solo on the trails for various reasons (snakes, spiders, falling over, knife wielding lunatics, an over active imagination, etc. etc.)
Unsure of what to do instead I suited and booted and decided just to get out there. I couldn’t face doing the usual bay run – it’s 7km of flat pathway, completely open to the elements and probably the furthest you could get from trail without running on a track or a treadmill… So I decided to try and seek out more a challenge and a change in scenery around the local area. From the second k in, it was torture! I wasn’t running particularly fast (average pace came out at 5:45/km) and it wasn’t ridiculously hot but I was obviously still feeling the impact of the cold (and a light stair session I did the day prior). I was struggling to find a rhythm I was happy was and to be honest I just really wanted to be out on the trails battling my way through spiders webs rather than dog leashes!
I had set out to do 10k and by 3k I was so over it. Instead of chucking in the towel though I focussed on what I’m training for, UTA50 in May. I reminded myself that there would be times where I was over it and struggling in the race and I forced myself to focus on embracing my distain for today’s run. I even forced myself to a take a route that leads to my house but veered off at the last minute to clock the remaining 2k of my run – seriously pushing the self-restraint and resolve there! The last 1.5k dragged by, every time I checked my watch I was only 100m closer to the 10k target.
But perseverance and determination paid off and I got through it. Fair enough it was only a 10k run and not a 30k training effort but sometimes those runs which we take for granted and chalk as being so “runnable” turn out to be the ones that bite us on the ass.
When trying to become a better ultra-runner you have to take all the lessons thrown at you and aim for an A+.
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This weekend we're on the Gold Coast visiting my father in law and on a stinking hot morning we got up early to drive him to work so we could take the car to Springbrook National Park and get some trail action in.
Having spent the last 4-5 weeks since Tarawera largely restocking my cookie jar, I'm starting to get back into the swing of things with my running. So I was super happy when the Mrs suggested we look up some local trails. Thinking it was all beaches on the GC had me resigned to road running (fuck running on the sand, I'm not that recovered yet!!) But I was very excited to find out there a whole heap of awesome trails within a half hour drive of where we'd be. We decided on the Purling Brook circuit with extension out to Little Nerang Creek via Warringa Pool. Plotting it on Movescount said it would sound 8.5k with c600m gain. So a pretty decent little jaunt for us to do together.
We did the loop counterclockwise so first checked out the Purling Brook Falls lookout. Looking down we realised it was quite a way down to the bottom and not knowing the area I wasn't 100% sure but figured it would be highly likely we'd end up at the bottom...
...and sure enough we started a pretty steady decent on the trails that took us down to the swing bridge in the above photo.
The trails are nice single track and very runnable though a touch trickier than they look. Lots of leaves covered the trail and under them were tree roots and stones that were perfect ankle rolling material. We both let out a number of yelps as we tweaked our ankles but luckily we run trails enough to have pretty resilient ankles.
The trail out to Warringa Pool is much of the same, a beautiful single tracks that winds its way down to the water. We had considered stopping at Warringa Pool for a swim but decided against and continued in to Little Nerang Creek along the Great Hinterland Walk. At the creek we took a breather before starting the climb back out to the start.
We were treated to an encounter with a decent sized Goanna coming along the track sandwiched between us and another group of walkers. Luckily the walkers told us to stand still and let it pass as apparently they can chase you if you freak them out and we've ran enough for now hey!
Soon you climb out back to another couple of waterfall lookouts and back to the car park.
This is a great loop and I hope to return and start at Apple Tree Park next time which is about 12.5k but quite a bit more elevation. For some great trail inspo for the Gold Coast check out http://www.juddadventures.com.au/trail-guides/#gold-coast Waking up for my run this morning it was already 21 degrees and having planned to attack some pace in a fartlek session I knew it was going to get messy out there as the sun came up fully. So for the first time ever I decided to run in a crop top / sports bra. Now full disclosure I'm around 62kg and 172cm so by no means do I consider myself as "fat" in any way. But I've always been reluctant to get my 1-pack out on a run... In fact I used to judge others who did. Thinking that we all had to look like an elite sprinter or athlete before we dared to bare. But that was before I started doing fartlek sessions in the bloody hot Australian sun!! And before I realised that being skinny and having a six pack does not make a runner and after having a body fat scan realising I'm pretty lean with no hidden skinny fat. So why not get my belly out if it'll stop me from overheating! So what did I learn... 1. You don't care if people are looking and judging you when you're smashing out 4:30m/ks and trying not to vomit 2. The littlest breeze on a clammy belly is immensely satisfying - it's like switching the air-con on! 3. People probably are not thinking what you think they're thinking and if they are being negative or perverse then they're the one with the problem not you with your nicely aired belly! Fuck them and their sweaty bellies! Most importantly though, don't judge others for what they choose to wear or what they look like when they're out for a run. No doubt they've judged themselves enough in life. For more body positivity inspiration check out Kelly Roberts and her #sportsbrasquad posts on Insta
Oomph it's been hot and humid in Sydney lately. Tonight was no exception, 27 degrees and 85% humidity at 6pm. I had planned to get out at lunch for a run but an emergency came up with a mate that required a shoulder some burgers and a glass of wine. I'm a good friend 😝 Knowing it would be harder to get motivated once I was home and near the fridge, I donned my running gear for the bus ride home and hit the bay run as soon as I was home. It was one of those runs that's just tough from the outset. I really had to push hard just to get under 5:30ks by half way round I thought my arms were going to fall off. Yes arms not legs! Strangely the legs were ok but the arms and upper body felt three times their weight. It was frustrating and irritating me as was the hot humid air I was sucking in. But sucking in and up I did and got the 8k loop from home done in a decent time. Catching my breath in the back yard sweet was pouring off of me like I'd just come out a sauna. Bonus is I'm pretty sure that glass of wine has been sweated put my system so there's definitely room for another one with dinner!!
The mind is powerful thing hey… Since TW50 almost three weeks ago I’ve deliberately been taking it easy with only a couple of 5k slow runs and focussing on easy bike commutes and yoga. On all of my runs though I’ve really been feeling the fatigue - to be expected after any 50k run and especially your first. The heavy legs weighed heavy on my spirits and made me question whether I’d possibly fallen a little out of love with running. Turns out it was just the fatigue messing with my head!
I went for my first solo run this morning and was able to push the pace again and it felt really good. And so the love affair with running continues....
Though I’m very conscious of continuing to take it easy for another few weeks – I’ve heard of 1 week recovery for every 10k raced?
Focussing instead on my form and physio to address my glute/hamstring/knee issues that made me cry at TW. But just goes to show that you need to listen to your body! If you find yourself hating on the running maybe you need to dial it back a bit for a week and allow your body (and mind) to recover. |
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