Getting Back on Track.

Okay.  Well this week I managed to get back to my base mileage of around 140km.  Quality is pretty slack but that will improve with time and at the correct time.  I had intended to hold last week's mileage to consolidate but decided to rely on my base and the 10 percent rule to edge up to 140km or so.   Now I will mainly just add miles onto my two long runs, especially Sunday.  Today's long run (DEC 25) tells me that I will dip under 3:40 for the "Australia Day Convicts and Wenches Marathon" as a training run on January 26.  This run will be fun as...😊

I tried out a physio this week.  I have had a few bad experiences with physios, so have been a bit wary.   Anyway, I saw Tim West at North West Physiotherapy (a pun?).  His main interest is basket ball.  He is pretty tall person, so has to jack the massage table up a far way.  I even bumped my head on the ceiling when I was sitting up after he had finished mobilising my sore back..  Anyway, he is now my go-to guy for  my Comrades  Marathon preparation. 

My sore back is improving and I feel like I am on a razors edge with the bloody thing.  It can feel okay when I get a bit fired up, but it can bite me when I cool down.  I am not used to being so conservative (or should I say risk averse)?  Anyway,  I feel as I am back on track.

This week the Queensland Masters had their yearly awards.  Great to see Peter Reeves win the middle distance award.  I was greatly pleased to see quiet achiever, Col McLeod, win the long-distance award.  I have so much respect for Col.  He has been a major influence for my running.   Great athlete and top bloke.

ZINIKELE: Going Toe to Toe with Oneself.

There isn't much to report this week.  I did have a massage.  I have had about four in twenty years of running.  It shouldn't be so hard to find a massage therapist who gets runners.  Anyway, it was more of girlie relaxation massage than a remedial runner's massage.  I would definitely recommend her to, say, my wife, but to other runners looking to get those niggles sorted, I'd have to say look elsewhere.  I am going to try the physio in that complex next week.  I would much prefer a muscle-skeletal therapist but I haven't a clue as to where to find a keeper.  I really need someone to take care of my back and other niggles if I am to get to Comrades.

This week's training has been okay.  I have increased my mileage from 118km to 126km.  The other thing is I have joined Strava .  It's a whole new world.  Here I am thinking I am the one of the few out there on the trails.  They're everywhere these runners.

It is great, but the segments can be a bit of trap.  I found myself thinking of having a real crack at some segments, then I had to chastise myself with a solid bit of internal monologue about staying on track and getting my priorities right.  I think it was internal self talk!??? 😄.

I have been watching a far bit of Comrades on my smart TV .  The human spirit is amazing and  "The Spirit of Comrades"  certainly shines in Comrades (and just about any race running race I guess it depends on your particular obsession or interest).   The motif for 2017 is ZINIKELE "It takes all of you." And I intend to give as much as I reasonably can give in training.  In the race I guess me and my central governor will be going toe to toe.  I love that aspect of running.

First week done.  I have been checking out a few trails with long climbs and working out some sessions that will, hopefully, help prepare me for Comrades.  So more hills.  I will however ease off  the hills after a while and revert to my old routine.  I will do more hills than I would usually do for a marathon though as I am not seeking a fast time just a qualifier.   I'll keep my expectations in line with my fitness and conditioning.  My back is still really bothersome.  I was having a hang on my inversion table tonight and I heard (and felt) a very loud crack from my thoracic region.  It didn't really hurt but I am worried about how it will be tomorrow.  My wife heard it from the kitchen which is about five metres away.  My back is still a bother.  From past experience it could take while.   I suppose all I can do is do what I can (within reason) .  Anyway, I have had a good week in all logging up 118 km, albeit slow.  

My son, Jonathan, ran a 3:10 - 50k at the http://www.goldcoast50.com/ .  It was just a solid training run for him n but good enough to take first place.  Darryl Hill was second and (in his first 50km race) and ultra-runner Francesco Ciancio came 3rd.  Of course, Jonny rolled me again.  I have run one 50km.  It was a last hit out for Canberra in 1993.  The course was 1.2km loop out at USQ in Toowoomba. I didn't taper and ended up with 185 km for the week.  Anyway, I ran 3:16 at the age of 39.    

John Shaw ran a pretty good time considering the conditions.  He broke Ron Schwebel's  Australian M60 record of 3:52:11 by 12 minutes.  So 3:40 is the new record.  He had a bit of coverage on national television and the main gist was how he got off the couch and into life (and therefore most people can do so) .  Great story from both the competitive and health aspect.  The thing I didn't like was Channel Seven  showed John finishing, and he didn't look as smooth as when he is fresh and moving like a youngster.  The world record M60 is 3:2951 set by Erwin Remmele in 1991.  That time is within his reach. 

The other thing of note, for me, was David Sweeney winning the 5000m; 8000m Cross; 10000m; 21:1k (and a few teams medals I think) at the world Masters in Perth.  Bling.  John Shaw also won the M60 World Marathon Championship. 

So next week I am going to just consolidate with less emphasis on hills. 

Ronnie.

Comrades Journey: First steps.

I regard Comrades as the pinnacle of long-distance running.  I first read about Comrades in the British running magazine "Marathon (and distance) Runner."  I read with disbelief the exploits of Bruce Fordyce. I recall many years ago sitting in front of my computer and trying to see how a fellow Ashgrove Ranger,  Don Wallace, was going.  The link kept dropping out but the gods were kind for a brief minute or so because I did get to see Don run in to claim a seventh place and a Gold.  I actually had tears in my eyes I was so inspired.  Of course, these days there is an abundance of youtube videos that show the greatness of this event and the character of the entrants and competitors.. The thought of running Comrades has always been in the back of my mind.  But it is a scary thought.  So much to lose so much to gain.  A classic risk vs reward situation. The chance of finishing in tact gets lesser as the years roll on.  Since June this year I have been struggling with a back injury that has plagued me since 2010..  It restricts my ability to run fast (and at times slowly).  So what to do?  I decided (after much anguished and tormented consideration of the pros and cons; and dire outcomes and possible rewards) to sign up for Comrades. My entry has been accepted.   All I have to do is run a qualifier.  A five hour marathon gets an entrant in the Comrades start field..  I would like to start in the "C" or even the "B" start group.  A 3:20 for the "B" and "C" sub 3:40 for the "C".  This may not seem too difficult for those who know my marathon times but please take into account my injury and that I am in remission with my prostate cancer.  I still have Prostate Specific Antigens (PSA) in my system when it should be undetectable.  Anyway,  my goal and the journey to the start line will be the main emphasis of my blogspot.  I'll try to just post my training with the occasional or hopefully weekly update.  To be honest (not PC), I am not a big fan of talking about oneself endlessly.   Indeed, in my gym I have a poster reminding me that doing is more important than talking oneself up.

So I am old school and a fair bit out of my comfort zone with this blogspot.  Having said that, I don't have problem with simply sharing ones achievements and letting others decide kudos.