no try. just do.

I needed a long run, so yesterday I drove over to Princes Park for a few laps. Haven't done that for a while.

So five laps...three anticlockwise and two clockwise is 15.9km and took 101min. That's less than 20min per lap because I paused for water, laces and fiddling with iphone to time the laps and to skip running inappropriate music.

It was a beautiful sunny winter morning, with a bit of a cold wind but only along one side of the park.

The first km or so is my warm up and is always a struggle to get my rhythm and get the breathing happening. After that it felt really good. A few twinges at times in my right knee and around my right ankle, but just due to use not strain. And I had enough energy to sprint the last 500m or so, although that doesnt seem to be reflected in the times.

The splits were:
18:27
19:21
20:39
2:48 (fiddling with iphone)
19:18
20:45
Total 1:41:20

During the run my thoughts were all over the place due to being so busy at work, and other stuff happening over the past few weeks. It felt good to physically exert myself to balance the whirling in my head.

Another long run tomorrow - I have the day off work!

hmm....something different?

Oops again. Have been busy with changes at work (plus my birthday was in May). I have kept up the running, but the blogging suffered.

Slacked off a bit in May - averaged only two runs each week. But then on 5th June I ran a PB. 10km in 59:15 - at Flemington. It was an Athletics Vic event - quite serious...I wasn't quite last. It was a good run, three laps being around the carpark, lake and up the hill. A bit too serious for me but I'm glad I did it. Not everyday you get to run at Flemington!

Since then I have managed three runs per week, plus my cross training exercises twice a week. I need to keep this up because I've entered the Half-Marathon on 17 July - just three weeks away now. The photo is my race number.

My problem is that I just have one running speed; I have been more concerned about distance and finishing than speed. I have been thinking about seeing a personal trainer, but instead tonight I tried something a bit different.

My normal weeknight run is 5km which I finish in 31 to 33 min. Tonight I divided it into thirds - the first being warm up (slight incline, but mainly flat, crossing a few roads including traffic lights). The flat middle third I tried to run fast, and the final third (small hills) at normal speed. Finished in 32min which was pleasing because I had to wait at the lights. I can feel the extra effort in my legs - not aching but can feel I have used them - feels good.

I have had a few twinges in knees and ankles but nothing serious.

Next long run on Saturday, and another long run on Monday - I have a day off work - so looking forward to it!