Double Up

Yesterday was the first foray in to the double digits… 10.5km in 52 minutes, and all of it, it must be said, felt pretty good. This was fantastic/immense given the horrors that have happened to date; I must say that it was certainly well received to kick along with both of these bits and pieces.

The only issue really was the weather… I had to take this shot when I get home, which hopefully demonstrated the weather. AKA wet! And Yuck!

All this yuckness (both rain and pain) must surely result in donations for the run. Donate! 

New Gear Friday

Last night I went out and got some new gear... I mainly needed new Skins, as I thought that running three times a week for the next month in the same pair might have been a bit yuck...

I also thought I needed some new shorts, as I only have my old rugby shorts, which again are a bit old and rank...

Then I thought I needed a new shirt to run in, and I was surprised how nice the Nike dry fit shirt was, and it was only $30...

Then I saw the running jacket, and it was relatively cheap too and felt good so I decided to do that as well... 

So today I headed out in a completely new outfit! How FLASH!

It must be said that the outfit was the main reason I was able to get through all the kays, as I thought that you can't have all the gear and then stop running after 500 metres. Still, 7.8km in 38 minutes is okay but a LONG WAY off 21. How many weeks are left!?!?  

I took a photo straight after I finished

I thought it would be important to show just how much fun I was having after the 9.3km in 46.34... which was LOTS. 

I actually think the most attractive thing about this photo is the saliva that is dripping from my mouth. I managed to dig out the old Wahroonga Tiger's jersey too which was fun, it's always good to still be rocking clothing that is at least 15 years old. 

At least the kays are starting to build up. Won't get any easier, but at least it's getting. 

#redemption

After blowing up on Tuesday night and the terror associated I realised that pushing through the pain barrier today and punch out some serious kays was absolutely mandatory. By serious kays, I mean 8.5kms, in 42 minutes. So not very many slow kays, really. This run was not pleasant from the start, and was downright horrible for most of it, but it got done. I wished it was slightly longer given this pain, but at least that’s done. I also decided to get a selfie after this run and here it is… having to sit down for a little break after finishing. SO PRO.

The saving grace was that it was lovely to be running in the morning, albeit not as lovely as being on the bike, but you get the drift. I also realised that going anti-clockwise feels a lot harder than going clockwise at Centennial, so that reiterated my view that you should always go with the clock.

I’ve also updated the plan. I was going to try and ramp up the kays each week, but the goal will be at least two 10km runs then a shorter, faster, cooler one at least once a week. More kays, then a longer one a little while out. Will see how we go, will all be painful.

It’s also important to push for funds soon. Think a push next week would be the ticket. 

Pace...

One key indicator that you're not very fit is when you try & do a fast five kay but have time to stop and take a photo as you jog home slowly after blowing up at three kays...

Thursday... go slow to go far

With the PAIN from last week in mind, this first real kick along run only had one goal in mind - get the kays in to keep building. In what can only be described as a feel good story, this was a cheeky 8.2km in 40 minutes. Strava thought I did the first kay in two minutes which was very kind of it, but in reality that's five minute kays which is fine. 

 You can see how happy I was in the lift on the way back up home:

What you may also be able to spot in this shot is that I have on my skins, old rugby shorts, a grey t-shirt and white mesh cap. What you may also be able to spot from the photos from the last half marathon was skins, old rugby shorts, grey t-shirt and a white mesh cap. Perhaps new gear might be in order shortly, might be getting a bit rude.

It Can Be Done!

I found photos of the first and last half I did in 2012, in a time of 1.55.26. They prove two things:

1) This can be done. Was pretty arsey back then, still arsey now

2) Was a poser then, still a poser now!

 I also probably need to update the running gear, as it's exactly the same now as it was then, and even then it was out of date!!!