I felt very fresh after the marathon and very little muscle soreness. There was no time for recovery runs as I was at sea all week and diving most days.
I made it out on Friday evening for a brisk 5k run. Then on Saturday I went to the Coolrunners 5k handicap time trial at Iron Cove. Very civilised. I ran faily comfortably in 19.15 and then 21mins on the return. Very pleasant coffee with the CR people afterwards.
Today ran the Airport Star. Very lethargic. Very warm day forecast is 33deg. Took the short option of 26.4k and glad I did. Not much left in the tank at the end.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Low Iron
I am a regular blood donor and was surprised this week when I was rejected for donation because of low haemoglobin. So I went to see the Doctor Chris who advised that this is not uncommon in marathon runners! Who new? Not me. Looks like the diet missed out on a few vital minerals...like iron...Dohhhh!
So Chris is testing me for other possible causes of low iron like cancer, but the most likely explanation is that I haven't eaten enough iron rich foods like red meat, combined with endurance running which tends to deplete the body of iron.
The bonus is after I increase my iron/haemoglobin levels back up again I should have a lot more energy.
So Chris is testing me for other possible causes of low iron like cancer, but the most likely explanation is that I haven't eaten enough iron rich foods like red meat, combined with endurance running which tends to deplete the body of iron.
The bonus is after I increase my iron/haemoglobin levels back up again I should have a lot more energy.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sydney Marathon - 21-09-08
Decided not to run with the 3hr pacers but run according to how I felt. Made it to 21.1k at 90mins and then 30k at 2.10. I was expecting to hit the wall, so I tried to hold back but as I passed the turnaround on the City West link I felt better and better. I kept passing people and no one was passing me. That was unusual and also motivating. As I passed over the Glebe Island bridge for the second time I remembered last year that the 3.15 group passed me here, and I suffered terribly to the finish line. I also remebered that at the Gold Coast 2 months ago when I came to a complete halt at 39k with dizziness and fatigue. But today I was feeling good. I actually started to feel better than in the first half. But I new I had at least 7k to go so I was determined to hold back.
Then I was into Hickson Road, a long desolate straight. One runner was a long way front of me. I decided to increase speed just enough to catch him before the bend. I did! So I came up to the Wharf theatre and overtook a couple more runners. Then coming around Dawes Point I ran past the seawall that I had rebuilt and remebered how hard it had been working there. Only two k' to go so I let it rip, and somehow managed to run the last two k sub 4 mins. Time 3.04.?? Two minute PB and an 8 minute course PB.
I had so much extra energy that I ran back to Hickson Rd to find Mike and pace him home. He was suffering but hung on to run 3.50 which was 19 minutes better than last year.
What was the difference?
-1) I force fed myself carbs (pasta, bannanas, bread, honey, rice) for three days before hand.
-2) I filled myself with V8 juice and gatorade.
-3) I had easy days before the race
-4) During the race I had a GU before the start and at every 10k (even though I wasn't hungry)
-5) I sucked Glycogen pills the whole race
-6) My training while missing afew days due to flu and work has been consitent over the last 7 months.
Then I was into Hickson Road, a long desolate straight. One runner was a long way front of me. I decided to increase speed just enough to catch him before the bend. I did! So I came up to the Wharf theatre and overtook a couple more runners. Then coming around Dawes Point I ran past the seawall that I had rebuilt and remebered how hard it had been working there. Only two k' to go so I let it rip, and somehow managed to run the last two k sub 4 mins. Time 3.04.?? Two minute PB and an 8 minute course PB.
I had so much extra energy that I ran back to Hickson Rd to find Mike and pace him home. He was suffering but hung on to run 3.50 which was 19 minutes better than last year.
What was the difference?
-1) I force fed myself carbs (pasta, bannanas, bread, honey, rice) for three days before hand.
-2) I filled myself with V8 juice and gatorade.
-3) I had easy days before the race
-4) During the race I had a GU before the start and at every 10k (even though I wasn't hungry)
-5) I sucked Glycogen pills the whole race
-6) My training while missing afew days due to flu and work has been consitent over the last 7 months.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sydney Marathon Eve - 20-9-08
Its the eve of the Marathon and I can't say that I am confident. I have concentrated on 5k runs in the last two weeks. No long run last Sunday. Instead I managed just one sprint around Centennial Park after which I was stuffed, then a slow jog/walk home. I put this fatigue down to the flu hangover and a big day at sea working on Saturday.
Overall I think I am as fit as I ever have been but the Sydney course is not easy with hills at the Domain, Alison Rd, Darling harbour and City West Link. If I can crack 3.10 I will be very happy, and I will be content with anything under 3.15.
Overall I think I am as fit as I ever have been but the Sydney course is not easy with hills at the Domain, Alison Rd, Darling harbour and City West Link. If I can crack 3.10 I will be very happy, and I will be content with anything under 3.15.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Flu
Best of Intentions to run in the Striders Sneek Peek 35k but the Flu took hold on Saturday night. Only ran a couple of 10k slow jogs through the week. On Sunday 7th ran the Willoughby winder which ended up being 32k with rain extensions. Felt pretty good.
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