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Thursday, April 28, 2005

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We'll see how this goes. Ran home from West Beach last night for an 8k tempo run. Did a pretty good time but it was hard work. I just entered the Greenbelt half marathon for sunday. I'll start out at 1:30 pace then push it harder if I feel better. That's 4:15 min/km and my 5k splits should be 21:15, 42:30, 1:03:45 and 1:25:00.

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"No, try not. Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Running keeps me regular

Warning: Do not read if you are offended by bodily functions!

Hadn't run for four days not including the walk on the weekend until last night when I ran home the 8Km from West Beach. I know I had been feeling a bit "bound up" over that time, so it was no surprise that as I was about half way home, I suddenly needed to go quite badly. I made it home and made a b-line for the loo. What a relief!

Anyway, legs felt a bit heavy still from the walk, but the blisters and other soreness were OK, so I think I might make it to the start of the Greenbelt Half Marathon on the weekend. I've put on a few kilos and I haven't been logging huge miles lately, so I think I might aim for 1:30 and reassess as I'm running.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

Southern Charity Challenge

Yesterday Mrs RunDave and I walked 61km in the southern charity challenge, an event to raise money for oxfam. The course started at Goolwa, followed a bike track all the way to the bluff at Encounter Bay, over the bluff and around Petrel Cove, inland to Back Valley, and around a 23km loop to Mt Robinson and back to Back Valley hall. We started at 9am and finished 10 hours 15 minutes later. We somehow finished first, although there were only five other teams doing the 61km event and I'm not sure how many of those teams actually finished.

Other teams or individuals chose to do 15, 21 or 35 km events, with a total of around 180 people taking part. At the start, all of those running the 15 and half marathon, and one couple who were aiming to run the 61km took off into the distance, while we kept pace with most of the other walkers. At 15 and 21 km we walked past many walkers who had just finished who showed great surprise that we were continuing on to 60km at that pace.

The day was really warming up, and as we reached the 35km checkpoint, we found out that the couple who were running the 60 had to pull out due to the heat. With 25km to go we were feeling very good, but that changed as our feet started to get sore from walking over the rough roads on the 23km loop around Back Valley. A couple of Neurofens and the realisation that we were near the finish helped us to get through the last 12 or so km. We walked the last 3km along bitumen to the finish in 24 minutes! So happy were we to be just about to finish.

I must say how proud I am of Mrs RunDave to not only finish this event, but also how she powered through it oblivious to the pain in her legs and feet. Being more accustomed to running long distances, I found walking 61km very tough, and my legs were extremely sore at the end (plus a few blisters in odd places). I can't wait to do some more long distance events with her - maybe with some running next time!

Finally, thanks to the organiser of the event, Brad Butler. He does a great job putting this event together largely by himself. The run/walk has a fairly casual feel to it but it is extremely well organised. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to participate in this type of event, and I reckon it would be even better with a larger field. I think it will be on April 8 next year (to coincide with the full moon).

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Dog Tag

After reading about the death of a runner in the USA who wasn't identified for 18 hours, I decided to "steal" an idea suggested on coolrunning. I bought a dog tag from Aussie Disposals and had it engraved with all my emergency details. It cost me about $25. A small price to pay to know that if - heaven forbid - I am involved in an accident, the ambos will know who I am, who to contact and what medical precautions to take.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

First Post

Such an anticlimax. Didn't run today, so nothing to report there. Just preparing for the 60K walk this weekend with Mrs RunDave.