I don't know whether you've noticed, but I've been a bit quiet on the blog front lately.
Part of it is that I've been a bit short on time. But mainly, I've been telling myself I don't have anything interesting to say. But this isn't true. After all, I'm preparing for my first 100k trail ultramarathon in eight weeks time.
Which is why I'm a bit short on time. But mainly, it's the reason why I've been quiet. I'm scared.
Showing posts with label run like crazy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label run like crazy. Show all posts
Off road and out of the comfort zone
So I plotted out this 24k trail run around Mt Coot-tha Forest reserve a few weeks ago. I'm not going to lie. The very thought of it frightened the crap out of me.
Yesterday though, I packed up my Camelbak (otherwise known as my running handbag) and did it.
Yesterday though, I packed up my Camelbak (otherwise known as my running handbag) and did it.
I hardly know you, and this is Crazy. But here's my number. Call me maybe?
A few blog posts ago I alluded to seeking some help with preparing for my next major goal for 2014, the 100k Glasshouse Mountains trail run.
When I was down in Melbourne conquering Mt Baw Baw I took the opportunity to pick the brains of Tristan "T-Bone" Miller, the man behind Run Like Crazy. This guy ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks, all around the world, including a couple of ultramarathons and some offroad events.
He's a cut (or two, actually probably three) above me in terms of speed but with the advent of his new Run Club, I figured he might be in the business of handing out some advice.
When I was down in Melbourne conquering Mt Baw Baw I took the opportunity to pick the brains of Tristan "T-Bone" Miller, the man behind Run Like Crazy. This guy ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks, all around the world, including a couple of ultramarathons and some offroad events.
He's a cut (or two, actually probably three) above me in terms of speed but with the advent of his new Run Club, I figured he might be in the business of handing out some advice.
These shoes aren't made for walking
My planned training for this morning was a walk.
I know. Walking is a cop out. As I write this, I am having a tough time using 'athletic powerhouse' and 'walk' in the same blog post, let alone sentence.
These days though, with my options limited through injury, I'll take walking above nothing. It at leasts gets me moving; gets the blood flowing. And I can always test myself out by punctuating my stroll with some short bursts of running.
The RunLikeCrazy (Half) Marathon
After more than twelve months of following Tristan "T-Bone" Miller's Run Like Crazy adventure, the day was finally here.
Especially since I'd dropped back to the half marathon, I felt very little pressure, and could enjoy the day. I was looking forward to meeting Tristan, and to supporting Speedy Reidy to finish her first Marathon.
On reflection, my relaxed and cheerful readiness to run seemed a fitting way to approach being part of Tristan's remarkable achievement of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks, right across the world.
Especially since I'd dropped back to the half marathon, I felt very little pressure, and could enjoy the day. I was looking forward to meeting Tristan, and to supporting Speedy Reidy to finish her first Marathon.
On reflection, my relaxed and cheerful readiness to run seemed a fitting way to approach being part of Tristan's remarkable achievement of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks, right across the world.
Crazy last run
Yesterday afternoon I tried the Wonder Woman costume Speedy Reidy and I are wearing for the Run Like Crazy Marathon and after party at Honey Bar.
I tried both versions, the complete costume for the after party first. KKB kindly pointed out that I need to wear red briefs over my tights to get the required coverage. Damn cheap tights!
I then put on the version for the half marathon, including the red cape, and realised:
I tried both versions, the complete costume for the after party first. KKB kindly pointed out that I need to wear red briefs over my tights to get the required coverage. Damn cheap tights!
I then put on the version for the half marathon, including the red cape, and realised:
- I hadn't done a practice run in it
- I had meant to do a short run this afternoon, but then got distracted by a glass of red wine.
Half and/or Half Arsed
I've done it. I've relegated myself to the half at the Run Like Crazy Half Marathon.
It wasn't an easy decision. I'm not the kind of person or athlete that takes the easy way out. But, given I'm also not the kind of person or athlete that can just punch out a marathon, I know it's the right thing to do. It's simple. I haven't done the training I need.
Had I fronted up for the marathon, it would have been a half arsed effort at best. But copping out into the half marathon feels half arsed too.
It wasn't an easy decision. I'm not the kind of person or athlete that takes the easy way out. But, given I'm also not the kind of person or athlete that can just punch out a marathon, I know it's the right thing to do. It's simple. I haven't done the training I need.
Had I fronted up for the marathon, it would have been a half arsed effort at best. But copping out into the half marathon feels half arsed too.
Worst run ever
This Saturday's run was hard. It hurt when I started. It hurt when I finished. I don't remember much of it that didn't hurt along the way.
It wasn't the longest run I'd ever done. I ran a route I'd run many times before, so I hadn't misjudged the terrain. I had my trusty Garmin 310XT, so I didn't overestimate the distance. It was hot on Saturday, which of course didn't help.
I was ever hopeful after last weekend's run with Speedy Reidy, but the same bliss was not to be.
It wasn't the longest run I'd ever done. I ran a route I'd run many times before, so I hadn't misjudged the terrain. I had my trusty Garmin 310XT, so I didn't overestimate the distance. It was hot on Saturday, which of course didn't help.
I was ever hopeful after last weekend's run with Speedy Reidy, but the same bliss was not to be.
Two hours of insanity
Those of you who live in Brisbane know it was raining on Sunday morning. Not lightly, either.
I'd arranged to meet Speedy Reidy at the Powerhouse at 7.30 to accompany her on the last 15ks of her 35k long run. When my phone went off just after 5am I went downstairs to check it, correctly thinking it would be Speedy Reidy. I incorrectly predicted the contents of the message - 'Am running. See you at the powerhouse, AP.'
I went back up and announced to KKB, "this is going to be two hours of insanity".
I'd arranged to meet Speedy Reidy at the Powerhouse at 7.30 to accompany her on the last 15ks of her 35k long run. When my phone went off just after 5am I went downstairs to check it, correctly thinking it would be Speedy Reidy. I incorrectly predicted the contents of the message - 'Am running. See you at the powerhouse, AP.'
I went back up and announced to KKB, "this is going to be two hours of insanity".
...with a little help from my friends
Since my last blog post I've:
- taken supplements
- had a birthday, and received a post card and present from Speedy Reidy
- got a public hurry up from Tyno Myte via my Facebook page
- entered Challenge Cairns
- had the first of what's bound to be many pep talks for Challenge Cairns, from Coach Andy
- commenced a course of anti-biotics
- taken supplements
Running Like Crazy
Happy birthday to my new online buddy, T-Bone, who will run like crazy for all of 2010.
I discovered T-Bone on one HD's Thursday Night Live, when I tuned in to watch an interview with Craig Alexander. There was T-Bone, being interviewed about his dream to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks. His adventure will see him attempt to complete marathons in all of the continents, including some of the "must do" events like Boston and New York.
I started following his blog and recently discovered he'd decided to run the last of his marathons at home in Melbourne on New Year's Eve next year. He put the call in for 100 runners to join him and before I knew it, I was emailing him telling him what an honour it would be to run his last of these marathons with him... practically begging him for a spot!
Call it a moment of weakness, call it the comradarie of running, call it crazy, if you will. But whatever you call it, I'm officially in.
I discovered T-Bone on one HD's Thursday Night Live, when I tuned in to watch an interview with Craig Alexander. There was T-Bone, being interviewed about his dream to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks. His adventure will see him attempt to complete marathons in all of the continents, including some of the "must do" events like Boston and New York.
I started following his blog and recently discovered he'd decided to run the last of his marathons at home in Melbourne on New Year's Eve next year. He put the call in for 100 runners to join him and before I knew it, I was emailing him telling him what an honour it would be to run his last of these marathons with him... practically begging him for a spot!
Call it a moment of weakness, call it the comradarie of running, call it crazy, if you will. But whatever you call it, I'm officially in.
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