Countdown has Begun

Week 1: Monday January 26, 2015  - Twelve Weeks to Boston (62km)
Mixed up the dates of program commencement so this week has been a bit disorganised and no structure or purpose to the runs that I did. All that will change next week ;-).

On Monday January, 26 I did the Knapsack 6hr lap race. Originally I had intended to run at my pace for 3 hours and then walk for the next 3 hours to see how many laps I could do. Ended up run/walking with my Coastrek team at chopped up pace that was very frustrating. As my foot get more and more painful I pulled the pin at at 3hrs and 45 having covered 25km. A very disappointing morning and it felt like a wasted effort that risked further injury without delivering much training benefit towards my goal. 

Photo by: Australian Mountain Running

I've had the flu for most of the week so no running again till Friday January 30th. I joined a new Friday run club whose members are training for Canberra marathon. I ran a solid 11km to Long Reef and loved the cooler temperature on a glorious sunny morning. 

Photo by: BEXI Friday Run Club

On Sunday February 1 I did the Megalong Mega aiming to run at it at the pace needed for my 7hr pacing duty in 6 weeks time.   I woke up at 2.30 am eager to get going. It has been exactly three years since I have been on this section of the Six Foot Track. My last training run here in 2012 convinced me that something was not right, as my body was just not reacting normally to exercise. So know that treatment has stabilised and all is back to as normal as can be, will I be able to wipe away the painful memory of that time and again revel in moving with confidence and ease through this magnificent landscape.  The drive up to the mountains took about 2hrs15min and I arrived just in time to start with the 6am group. Beautiful cool conditions at the start. We made the first of many style crossings just as the sky was turning pink over the escapement behind us.

Breathtaking, I had forgotten much of the trail and terrain but I did remember the sound of the bellbirds as we  moved along the single file track.  My planned 7hr pacing speed went out the window as I just kept up with the group. Got to Cox's river in 65minutes. It was at mid-thigh level and beautifully refreshing. 

The sections up MiniMini saddle and  Pluviometer caused me to reflect on all the previous time I have been through here. How much I've learnt since the first training run on this trail and I realised that whatever the pace it felt amazing to be back and once again to be challenging myself.  Made the top of Pluviometer in 2hr50 total and 2hrs 45 to return. 

Mucked up hydration and nutrition resulting in nausea and head spins towards the end. Ran out of water about 5kms from the end and a painful stabbing pain in the lower lateral right shin. 

Definitely did not follow the 10% rule of running as the 5hrs35 moving time for 36km was by far the longest I've run since the marathon last June.  But pulled up remarkably well the next morning. No significant Achilles or other foot pain.  Foot exercises must be working, will keep it up.