Sunday - 30km

I was only saying yesterday that I am a week overdue for an easier week. I’ve been working off roughly a four week cycle, with the plan to take an extra day off every fifth week. So that means an extra rest day tomorrow. And it seems timely, as I really struggled this morning, and my performance has dropped off slightly since Thursday. All the signs that I used to ignore! So the plan today was to simply get through the 30km. The first 10km or so I was quite stubborn in trying to maintain my normal intensity, but I finally succumbed to the pace just after this. Cruised through the next 20km at a somewhat easier effort. Around the lake and home in 2:03 (4:06’s). I hate taking an extra rest day, but I know that my body needs it, plus I know I’ll bounce back better for it.

Saturday - Parkrun

I had managed to luck into some good competition for each of the last three Saturday’s, so it was only a matter of time before I was going to have to run a solo Parkrun from the front. Today was that day. Like always, I just ran on feel. Surprisingly, there was a guy in Red Bull singlet who hung in my shadow. So at the start of the three kilometer mark, I backed it off to make him take the lead. He didn’t, so I retook the lead. Again, just after the Harbord Rd hill he was still there, so I did the same. He kind of reluctantly took the lead, but the pace slowed right down. So it was up to me again to push, and I just grounded through until the end. After the bridge, he told me to go for it as he was done. So got across the line for the win, the first this year - but a slower time of 16:35 (3:19’s). The effort was definitely there, so I’ll put the slower time down to the weather and the fact that it was really a solo effort. Enjoyed a nice run back along the coast with Darren for about 17km all up.

Thursday - 15km

After five consecutive days of better than usual runs, today was simply a matter of survival. Motivation was low, but knowing that tomorrow is a rest day was what got me out the door in the end. Up to North Head on an absolutely stunning morning, although quite hot once I got going with the amount of sunshine. Nothing spectacular today, but then again nothing horrible either - finishing in just shy of 56 minutes (3:44’s). Time for a swim now!

Wednesday - 15km

Today felt tougher than the past few runs, with the level of perceived effort feeling harder than usual. Conditions were overcast, warm and slightly humid, with a mild to moderate southerly wind. Nothing horrible, but far from ‘world record conditions.’ As usual, I simply just went out there and pushed through it. Out along the Shelly-Fairlight Loop this morning, quite a few people out and about, but nothing compared to Monday. Saw Tom and Macca at Manly LSC post-B&B swim. Surprisingly got home in 54:38 (3:38’s) in what felt high-55’s, low 56’s. So very happy with that. One more run until a much anticipated rest day on a Friday.

Tuesday - 15km

Up to North Head this morning on a warm and windy day. A moderate southeasterly made the first half up to Fairfax Loop harder than usual, but as always, the incentive was to come home with a tailwind (and downhill). Felt pretty good, getting back home in 55:35 (3:42’s), quite a solid time given the conditions. No signs of Barry today, I think he’ll need at least a few days to fully recover!

Monday - 15km

I had some company on this warm and steamy morning in the form of Barry. I met Barry while heading south just before Queenscliff SLSC, about 1.5km into my run. Barry is a dog whose owner didn’t bother with a leash, so Barry being Barry decided to come for a run with me. And not just a brief cameo appearance, good old Barry was in for the long haul! Out to Shelly Beach, then to Fairlight, back to Shelly Beach before heading back to the lagoon at Queenscliff - where his ‘lovely’ (sarcasm) owner went ballistic at the both of us! I laughed it off and suggested to Barry’s owner that he should perhaps invest in a leash given Barry’s endurance capabilities. Now back to me (of course), I felt quite good, but definitely sore from yesterday’s run (probably more so than normal for a Monday, but then again yesterday was significantly faster than usual). It was chaos out there this morning, people everywhere trying to make the most of a stunning morning and the last day of the long weekend. Running through the B&B as actually impossible today, having to slow down for a brief walk. I was thinking I was on for around a 56 minute effort today, so was quite happy and surprised to see 54:18 (3:37’s) at the end! Really happy with that, and I’d like to give credit to my new training buddy! Time for a swim now!

Sunday - 30km

Powered on last night’s arepas (I tried Venezuelan cuisine for the first time) and an extra hour’s sleep (the only good thing to come out of the end of daylight savings), today’s run was good. I didn’t feel amazing by any stretch (in fact, I felt that I was having to work slightly harder than usual) as I made my way around the lake on a solo run. Got back to Harris Farm in just under 1:56:00 (3:52’s), much faster than I had planned and the fastest I have run that this year! Oh well, I’m not complaining. A solid start to the day. Time for a swim (I’m surprised that I’m still doing this at this time of year)!