COMRADES MARATHON 2008 WEEK 21: The body needs recovery

"There is no man living
who isn’t capable of doing more
than he thinks he can do”
Henry Ford

This has been a tough week, with extreme tiredness the main issue
The early week started of well with better running times but as the week progressed, the long hours at work took its toll and the 3.30am starts just caught up with the body
On friday I like to do my long run but after getting to bed at 11pm, I couldn't wake up to go running at 2am. So instead I slept in and saturday and sunday I have decided to rest and recuperate.
The aim now is to start getting back to putting in an evening training session too With only 140 days to go, time is ticking by quickly. It translates to less than 20 training weeks...

Training for week Mon 21 Jan - Sun 27 Jan
Mon 21 Jan	8km
Tues 22 Jan	20km
Wed 23 Jan	15km
Thurs 24 Jan	50' cycle, weights
Fri 25 Jan	Rest
Sat 26 Jan	Rest
Sun 27 Jan	Rest
Weekly mileage	43 km

"The key to being successful is not to
make the same mistake too often"

COMRADES MARATHON 2008 WEEK 20: Pushing through the barriers

"It is easier to go down a hill than up,
but the view is best from the top”
Arnold Bennett

This was my first 100km week since November, and my first long run too.
the early part of the week went well but the runs started to get progressively slower.
Then on friday it was back to running 30km+. I had forgotten how hard it is on the feet! Although the extremely slow pace meant I had more time on my feet than I would've liked.
The saturday recovery run and sunday middle distance run felt okay although the body is tired from getting used to the high distances again.
Next week's goal is to increase the long run...

Training for week Mon 14 Jan - Sun 20 Jan
Mon 14 Jan	8km
Tues 15 Jan	20km
Wed 16 Jan	15km
Thurs 17 Jan	45' cycle
Fri 18 Jan	32km
Sat 19 Jan	12km
Sun 20 Jan	20km
Weekly mileage	107 km

"Running is a lot like life.
Only 10 percent of it is exciting.
90 percent is slog and drudge"
English runner Dave Belford

COMRADES MARATHON 2008 WEEK 19: Overcoming obstacles

"Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune
but great minds rise above them”
Washington Irving

The early part of the week was simply trying to put in the miles and get back to a consistent training pattern.
Unfortunately after doing 18km on tuesday I pushed too hard with my hamstring strengthening and aggravated my leg. Friday saw it stiffen up so I had to adjust my routine when I wanted to increase it.
Still I managed 80km for the week which was solid if not spectacular. The consistency of a couple of weeks training is paying off, the big runs just need to give me the endurance I will need to build. Lets hope for a bigger week next week...

Training for week Mon 7 Jan - Sun 13 Jan
Mon 7 Jan	8km
Tues 8 Jan	18km
Wed 9 Jan	14km
Thurs 10 Jan	40' cycle
Fri 11 Jan	8km
Sat 12 Jan	12km
Sun 13 Jan	20km
Weekly mileage	80 km

"It’s not whether you get knocked down…
it’s whether you get up"
Justin Herald

COMRADES MARATHON 2008 WEEK 18: Starting over again

"Never let anyone tell you it can't be done
when you know in your heart it can”

This week it has been back to consistent training.
The leg is starting to get better and the limiting factor has been in the lack of fitness and not the injury.
With my rehab exercises taking up a decent portion of time I have neglected my abs and have put on a fair amount of extra weight around the mid section. Now I have to get rid of that again.
Sunday saw me trying to run longer than an hour, something I haven't done in a while. The combination of poor conditioning, and strong Brisbane heat and humidity absolutely drained me. When I got home all I felt like was an ice bath. It certainly doesn't make training easy.

Training for week Mon 31 Dec - Sun 6 Jan
Mon 31 Dec	12km
Tues 1 Jan	12km
Wed 2 Jan	12km
Thurs 27 Dec	30' cycle
Fri 28 Dec	10km
Sat 29 Dec	12km
Sun 30 Dec	20km
Weekly mileage	78 km

"Our greatest glory is not never failing,
but rising every time we fall"
Confucius