One more long run to go

Well, I managed to complete over 33km. I avoided Lower Road in Roberts Creek because the hills to get back to the highway were really difficult. Not so much at the time but they wore me out so that finishing my long runs was difficult. So, without the huge hills, I fared much better. I wasn't completely spent this time. Although, the rest of the day was a wash.

Next week is a recovery week with 15 km and then I do 36 the weekend of the Royal Victoria Half. And I did my last hill repeats workout last week. Now I start on fartleks. Not sure how that will go.

And my iphone won't last more than 3 1/2 hours. Since the marathon will take me almost 5 hours, I'm going to have to come up with a solution.

30 KM

I did 30 KM yesterday. I started out about 2:30 and got home about 6:20. That includes stopping at Starbucks on the way home for a well deserved latte.

It was a tough one. I think it was tougher mentally than physically. My calves are slightly stiff this morning but that's it. It was about kilometer 18 that 30 km seemed undoable. Thoughts of cutting out this part of the planned route or did I have enough change for the bus kept creeping in my mind. And it was really tough to keep up thoughts of good form. I think the hills make it tough. I have been going down Lower Road and Beach Avenue for the first part of my run which only means a very long and steep hill to get out. Funny how after doing those big hills, the hills on the highway don't seem so steep now. And I was absolutely dreading running up Pratt Road at the very end but even that seemed almost flat most of the way. Its all perspective I guess.

Then my iphone quit at about 3 hours and 29 minutes. How am I going to do a 5 hour marathon if my iphone only lasts 3 1/2 hours? I'm going to have to work on that one. GPS worked fine the whole way though.

Then Ron, Dale's brother, phoned last night and was talking to me about running. He was on the cross country team in high school and was giving me advice and commending me for being so tough mentally. As I said earlier, I didn't feel so mentally tough but I did finish so I guess I am.

Only 2 more really long runs until I taper. That's something to look forward to. Next week 33 km and then I'll do rest week of 15 km before I do my longest run in Victoria. I'll be doing the half marathon, but I've mapped out a route of 14 km to run before the race starts. I'll have to be out at 7:00 am to get it in before the race time of 9:00 am. Won't that be fun! I'll be worn out before the race even starts :) I'm not expecting a PR.

40 days left!!

Hills

I did 6 hill repeats on Gibsons Way last night. The first couple of hills I thought they would be my last but it got better the more I did. It takes me so long to warm up! I think hills are tougher mentally than physically. My Achilles is still bothering me so I made an appointment with physio. I go next Tuesday. Hopefully they will give me some exercises that help. I've iced it the last two nights and I think it feels better even with just that.

44 days and counting

Wow, time is sure flying. I did a 15 k run this past weekend and was glad for the break. It is getting harder to venture out when faced with over 3 hours of running, walk breaks or not.

I'm back at circuit training and that feels good. My body is starting to get tired, though. Tonight's easy run was anything but. It takes me longer and longer to warm up to where I feel like I'm not struggling. I do a lot of hills and maybe that's not a good idea. I've got hill repeats tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll have what it takes. I need to do 6.

My achilles is acting up again. I cut my easy run short tonight because I was in constant pain. Nothing I can't live with but I just don't want to make it worse. I'll call physio in the morning but it will probably be weeks before I can get in. I think I'll go back to icing it.

I'm really stressed out right now with all the things I'm behind in. Work is super busy and when I'm not going to circuit training, I'm working 9 hour days but that could easily be 10 (if I had the time and didn't have to run. I should go in on the weekends but they are booked up too.
How long until Athens?

Long Time Away

Man, have I been busy. I've recovered from my illness but I"m still playing catch up. My running is fine but I want to get back to circuit training. I think that will help.

Less than 2 months away. I've run almost 24k. Today I'm attempting 27k. It gets harder and harder to find a decent route. I'm going to try eating a power bar on my run today and see how that works. I've updated my iphone so I'm hoping that helps with the GPS. It is cloudy and cool today which is good for a long run.

I'm a little panicky about getting the long runs in. My times are good, especially considering my recent illness. I just need to get in the distance. I think I'll concentrate on the core training after the marathon. There are so many things going on these days that are stressing me out. I'm glad I have my running back because it helps.

I want to congratulate Wendy on a great run. She did a half marathon in Reykjavik, Iceland and got a PR. I can't wait to hear all about it.

According to the calendar on my blog, it is 55 days to the marathon. Where does the time go?