Wednesday - 15km

Still feeling great, so I'm making the most of it (surely this can't last forever - although I won't be complaining if it does)! It was the Shelly-Fairlight loop this morning, and I in all honesty pushed it slightly more today - although I ensured that every time I could hear my breathing become laboured I'd back it off. 15km in 3:41's! I'm actually not that far off tempo pace (that is, my super fit tempo pace, so given my current condition it probably is tempo pace). I don't know what it is at the moment? The only changes I've made is that I have stopped doing specific speedwork and sessions, I've increased my intake of vegetables (I already ate heaps previously, but I'm eating even more now - and less meat), and I've gone back on doing weights again after an 11 year lay-off. It's probably a combination off all three, but the most important thing is that I am enjoying running again! And despite what the recent trend may look like, I'm not trying to race myself and run PB's each morning (the fact that it is happening at the moment is more or less unintentional).

Tuesday - 15km

I actually felt good this morning, which was a nice change (not that I had been feeling terrible on the other days, more like I was ready to get out of bed as soon as my alarm went off). Tuesday means the North Head loop (tougher and hillier than the Shelly-Fairlight loop). I had to actually hold back quite a few more times than usual today, as I caught myself trying to push the pace too much a few times. Tried to keep the pace solid - not easy but not strenuous; essentially that pace where if you were to run any faster, then you would stop enjoying it and stop taking in the surroundings. But I was really on that borderline today. Got the 15km out in 55:59, averaging 3:44's. I really shouldn't be going at this pace, but sometimes when you feel good you can push it a bit more.

Monday - 15km

The usual Monday morning solo Shelly-Fairlight loop. Felt pretty ordinary upon waking up, so once again the plan was to simply run on feel - just get the 15km out. But once again, once I got going I felt better. A slight issue with my GPS at the 8km mark when it decided to stop and reset (not the distance, but the actual watch restarted), so I lost about 400-500m (so being my OCD self, I ran the extra 400-500m at the end). This happened yesterday as well, so I hope this isn't a new trend (my power meter didn't work either, so something's going on there). Nevertheless, I felt strong, and as always, I had moments where I had to consciously back the pace off. 15km (really, it was 15.4-15.5km) in 3:45's. Don't know how long I can keep running at this pace - but the good thing is that it is definitely not intentional. Stunning morning, and warm!!!

Sunday - 28km

I was on pacing duties today for Erika for her 28km tempo run in the lead up to the Berlin marathon in three weeks time. I picked up Scott on the way to Rozelle where there was quite a decent group including Hoey, Darren, Fats, Jeet, Warren, and a few girls who I didn't know. The plan was to run four anticlockwise laps of the Bay Run (7km each) in 4:10's. Great company, but to be honest - four laps was boring as hell after the first lap! I had to visualise where I would be on my normal local long run to make it more bearable. The pace was also slightly awkward - because I've been running mostly 3:50-ish for the past week and a bit, the 4:10's felt strange. Slower, but I would have been more comfortable running perhaps ten seconds per kilometer faster. Nevertheless, we all got through it - finishing slightly faster in 4:08's. The traffic coming home was slightly worse than usual with everyone out for Father's Day - thank god I don't have to drive again today!

Saturday - Manly to Spit & return

I decided to forgo Striders up at North Head and went for the same as last Saturday. It definitely felt tougher this week, as I was able to attack the more technical sections today since I got the rust out of legs last Saturday. Another cracking morning out there, couldn't really ask for better conditions. The GPS under-read this week (or over-read last week), getting in 20.07km (compared to last week's 20.19km, despite running the exact same route). Nevertheless, it was 90 seconds quicker today - so that may explain why it felt harder today. Still, when I felt the intensity begin to creep up too much, I made a concerted effort to keep it under control. Might still hold off jumping in the water post-run, I believe that the temperature is still pretty cold.

Thursday - 15km

I could have easily have hit the snooze button this morning and slept in. I was pretty tired this morning (as expected), but reluctantly got up telling myself that I can sleep in tomorrow. The plan once again was to simply run on feel, which was going to be slower and easier than the past few days. I even convinced myself to avoid North Head and stick along the beachfront to keep it flat. But similarly to yesterday, as soon as I started running I felt fine! So I decided to run North Head, keeping the pace controlled and within my comfort zone at all times. I pushed the final few kilometers, but again, not all out by any means. 15km in 3:47's! Wasn't really expecting that, but I'll take it. Another stunning morning out there, although a little breezy at times (especially up at North Head). Last day of winter, so I can't complain! Hopefully not too long until I can start jumping into the ocean once again post-run.

Wednesday - 15km

Felt a bit more tired this morning, so the intention was to hold back the intensity a bit. I felt fine once I got out, and probably ran at what felt like a similar intensity as yesterday. Saw Ben just as I started - he was just over 2.5km ahead of me. I thought he might be running the same loop (the Shelly-Fairlight loop), so thought I might have some fun and see if I could make up the ground over the 15km of running. Saw him again at Manly LSC (I was on my way to Shelly, he was off to Fairlight), so it was down to just under 2km. Then again between Fairlight pool and the turnaround - so now about 1km. Then lastly on the way back from Shelly - this time it was down to about 300-400m. I caught him just after Manly LSC, and he decided to push the pace with me up to Queenscliff bridge. I pushed the pace a bit more here, with Benny just hanging in there. I turned around just after Bridge before the final 800m back home along the beachfront. The company, albeit short and not much talking, was nice! Final two kilometers were quite quick, 3:32 and 3:31. All up, 15km in 3:47's. Again, the pace felt solid but definitely controlled the entire way. Every time I consciously felt myself trying to run faster, I would back it off. Another cracking morning out there once again - only one more day of winter!