Falls Creek Days 5 and 6

On the morning of day 5, back was feeling right but okay to run on, so I did the Tower run from our house to a water tower along dirt trails. Great run, 13.3 in 62 minutes or thereabouts. 

Then, throughout the day, Trevor and Lesley held interviews to discuss training schedules, goals and what we can do to improve. Unfortunately for JB, that meant double runs on Monday Wednesdays, but for me, more kilometres, longer easy runs and Friday running.

Both of them were really keen and I got pretty motivated to start this regime. Here's a photo of what was written.

Following day, I was planning on doing a session, but the warm up made known that the back was still way too sore, worse than the previous day, so unfortunately had to pull the pin. 

I'll rest up for a few days before getting back into it. Looking forward to seeing what this year brings. 

Falls Creek Day 3 and 4

Skipped the run yesterday morning and went for another ride instead. Same one as the day before, but not as chilly. 

The arvo was a talk about running which was pretty interesting although a lack of seats made for lots of standing. Rolled loads last night and I started to feel a lot better, decided to get out for the afternoon run and it went well. Did 7km in 30:40 and felt the altitude a bit. 

Great to be running though. This morning was the 6 x 1km session, but I did an easy run instead as I didn't want to push too hard coming back. 

I did 12.8km in an hour, while watching everyone train. Great to see all the elites like Ben St Lawrence and Collis Birmingham looking like they weren't even trying. 

Need to get more photos.

Falls Creek day 1 and 2

Drove up with Will, Heather and Trev yesterday for the Falls creek training camp. Heather and Stacey kindly had a look at my back to see what the problem was, hoping for an easy fix. But unfortunately, they predicted nerve damage along the sciatic nerve in my lower back so it's a potential long haul back, but who knows. I could be back tomorrow if it goes as quickly as it came on. No one really knows what caused it.

I'm pretty devastated, it has come at pretty much the worst time ever and it's rough seeing everyone else train while I'm stuck inside. I shouldn't complain though, it'll seem pathetic if something works out this week. 

They all did the long run today. I went for a cycle with Trev and Heather but I could even feel it a bit then. Nice ride though. Went up to the Aquaduct where the sessions will happen. Across a dam at altitude and lots of off road. 

Star Wars

Training Wednesday night was an attempt to get us ready for Falls, so we did the same session that is likely to be on the cards next Thursday. 8 x 400m with 200m jog recovery. Times weren't great but hung onto Will for most of the way. 

Back has been sore all week but haven't really thought about it. After training it really stiffened up and was quite painful. Dale gave me some exercises and told me to get on the foam roller. It has eased a lot, but not going to run as o don't want to risk it.

If it's bad at Falls, I'll get the painkillers in and hopefully I'll be right.

Star Wars was amazing. 

A bit slack from me

Sunday depicted the remenants of the heat wave, being really hot in the morning before raining heavily on the afternoon. I waited for the cool change as Ferny was cancelled because of fire risk in the dandenongs.

Met Dad 6km in and ran with him for the remaining 14. Just over 20 in 1:30:40.

Monday night was 800, 600, 400, 4 x 200 and 4 x 100. Felt awful after the warm up but the session ended up being okay. Stuck with Will for most of it, the recoveries of the 100s saw me drop back but glad I managed the hard part. 12.8km all up. 

Times went 2:26, 1:51, 1:11, 32, 31, 31, 32 and I didn't time the 100s. Only the 2s and 1s were on the track while the longer reps were on the outside loop. 

Yesterday got down to the beach with JB to go for a jog. Just over 40 minutes plus some strides. Was still really feeling the previous day's efforts. 

Star Wars tonight so hopefully that lives up to expectations. We'll see how training goes tonight.

Fuuaaaarr

Massage yesterday which was characteristically more than painful once again. 

The heat wave has continued, 38 today apparently. The morning proved to be little opposition to the heat, so sweating profusely on the warm up. The watch started playing up and wouldn't give split times, so I have no idea what the reps were. Only know the full time for the session which was 23:48. 

Looking forward to falls. Have come down pretty stuffy this arvo, but I reckon it's the heat and wind inciting the hay fever rather than a cold. Here are some pictures from this morning. 

Christmas Special

Really warm once again. Wasn't feeling it during the strides, but managed to pull through. Session was 10 x 200m, with 200m jog recovery. Stayed with Will and somehow the leaders up until the 7th one, where their recovery pace was too much for me. 11.2km all up. 

Watch was playing up, but other than the first one which was 30s, the rest lurked at around 31 or 32 for the remainder. 

Had our squads Christmas party afterwards, as well as a Kris Kringle. I came away with a mini golf set and some bright shoelaces that I might get onto the flats. 

Today was forecast to be 33, so down to the beach with Sam and JB for an easy 40 minutes. Covered 8.4km once again plus some strides.