Sunday - 30km

Out for a solo lap of the lake this morning. Felt very middle of the road - not horrible, but nothing special at all. As is always the case on Sunday, I try to keep the pace nice and comfortable the whole way - it is 30km after all. There were more than a few times in the first 10km where I had to really make an effort to slow the pace down (one of the consequences of running at a moderately hard pace every other day is that you get used to that same speed). Quite a nice morning for it, a great sunrise followed by an overcast morning (and rest of the day by the looks of things). Great temperature at about 14 degrees with not too much humidity. Saw Ben at the 2km mark (he was heading towards the beachfront), then funnily saw him again at the exact same spot (which was about 29.5km for me). We both ran long, but opposite directions. I assumed that he was running shorter given that he had just run a marathon and was not heading north. Anyway, much the same time as last week (slightly faster), finishing the 30km in 1:55:28 (3:51’s). Certainly don’t need to be running my long run any faster than that.

Saturday - Manly to Spit & return

My normal Saturday ritual, waking up feeling like death after a recovery day! Procrastinated more than usual this morning, only leaving home at 6:50am (despite waking up at 6:05am - I have no idea what I did for 45 minutes). I felt okay once I got going, so kept the pace firm but controlled the entire way. I keep saying to myself each Saturday that today is going to be the day that I finally run slower than the previous week. It hasn’t happened yet, and I was pretty sure today was going to the case. Especially with some of the timing I had this morning - I cross two roads there and two roads back. Because I leave early, I’ve never had to slow down and weave my way through the traffic. However, today I got caught out twice in the first kilometer, so not an ideal start. A few detours around small clusters of people (there weren’t as many out this morning, but my timing was off so when I did see people, they were all together), but a much more friendly vibe. I even had one guy (with his wife/partner) stop at the top of a set of stairs and wait for me to come past. He joked that he was enjoying watching me suffer up the stairs, so didn’t want to get in the way to give me an excuse to stop. What a legend! That’s the sort of friendly banter that’s generally missing out there today in a world otherwise filled with zombies walking with their headphones on/looking at their phones, or angry people who think they have right away at all times (or can’t tell the difference between left and right). Anyway, pushed the final kilometer, getting home 16 seconds quicker than last week in 86:32. The GPS was overly generous today, clocking in at 20.26km (4:16’s). I’d say that 4:18’s was more likely, but nevertheless I’m happy with that. It felt ‘comfortably hard/solid,’ just the way I like it. Great conditions, with a nice and cool headwind on the way out (more like a breeze) that killed the humidity.

Thursday - 15km

It’s been one of those weeks where everything has just ‘clicked.’ I woke up this morning feeling surprisingly decent for a Thursday (which is generally the worst day as it’s the last of six successive days of running). Went out and ran my normal North Head loop feeling reasonably strong (not as strong as Monday or Tuesday, but not horrible either). Actually, there were quite a few moments earlier one where I had to drop the intensity and pace a bit. Quite humid, but otherwise a stunning morning after the sun came out from behind the few clouds in the sky. Knowing I wasn’t running as fast as Tuesday, I thought I would be satisfied with a high-55 minute effort. Got back in 55:00 (3:40’s), my fastest ever for the North Head loop! Actually, it would have been a few seconds under 55 if the GPS hadn’t under-read, as it registered 15km about 10m past my standard finish line. So that was a massive surprise, especially considering it is Thursday, and the fact that it didn’t feel as if I was smashing myself either (not like yesterday where I pushed it harder than I should have). Looking forward to a nice sleep in tomorrow morning!

Wednesday - 15km

As predicted, I really felt it this morning. My level of perceived exertion was higher than usual, so I simply focused on getting through the run and finishing. Not surprising, however, given I’ve had four consecutive days of fantastic runs (PB’s), which is unusual in itself! Just the usual Wednesday morning Shelly-Fairlight loop, the highlight being seeing Justin back out there running - with a watch, which means it is official as it will be going on Strava! Exciting times ahead! Anyway, I got back in a much faster time than I had anticipated, finishing in my second quickest Shelly-Fairlight loop in 54:38 (3:38’s). I honestly thought I wouldn’t have even gone under 55 this morning, so that was a nice little bonus! A lot of activity going on outside Manly LSC including a JetSki, two ambulances and a helicopter. With the Bold & Beautiful having yet to complete there swim, my fingers are crossed that everyone and everything is okay!

Tuesday - 15km

Similar to yesterday, I was feeling good and strong again today. Tuesday can go either way I’ve found - if I ran fast on Monday, I usually suffer on Tuesday, and vice versa. So to feel strong today was a bonus. Cloudy and humid this morning, so not as perfect as the last few days. North Head this morning, which I actually think I enjoy more as there is no back tracking (apart from the first mile). Felt I could push today, but was sensible (most of the time). Overtook a cyclist running up to the stone arch, which is always a bonus (for me, not him)! Got back home in a 6 second PB, finishing in 55:06 (3:40’s). Happy with that, as although it was only 6 seconds faster than last Tuesday, it felt much easier and it was more humid this morning. Still loving it!

Monday - 15km

I don’t know why, but I felt great once I started running this morning. It’s not too dark getting up essentially an hour earlier, which is nice to know. Amazing conditions once again, made even better by the public holiday keeping the early crowds away. Monday means the Shelly-Fairlight loop. I had to keep holding the pace back as I was feeling strong and racy! Got back home in a new benchmark of 54:22 (20 seconds faster) in 3:36’s, which is great for a Monday morning! And, most importantly, I am still enjoying it!

Sunday - 30km

Up an hour earlier (unofficially) and out for a solo run around the lake. The conditions were perfect (12 degrees with a hint of chill in the air), much more pleasant than last Sunday’s 28 degrees with north westerly winds. My only complaint this morning was my GPS. It turned off just before the 5km mark, reset, then it was fine for the next two kilometers. After this it lost the plot, saying that I was running 7:00 min and min/km pace (which I am pretty sure was not the case). The good news was that I’ve been looking at the time when I start, and this morning kick-off was at 6:43am. So finishing outside Harris Farm at 8:38:30am gave me 1:55:30 for the 30km (3:51’s). Significantly faster than last week, which I already knew would happen based on the conditions alone. Even better was the fact that it felt completely comfortable and somewhat easy the whole way. Back at home now and I don’t feel sore or tired at all. As usual, a great start to the day, and now I’m looking forward to a massive breakfast and enjoying the long weekend!