Long and soft

Happy to say I completed my week injury free and with the number of Ks I wanted to run. At the beginning of the week my ankles/achilles on both legs were sore and I hobbled along on my Tuesday run. Still it seems that the more I ran the better they got and I completed a relatively easy 32K long run today in just under 3hrs with my heart rate not climbing above 145BPM.

The weeks total mileage was 85kms, which is high for me, I usually do between 40 and 60K per week, so my confidence is building that I can have a decent race in Tokyo, a PB of under 3:20:00 that is.

Baby it's you

Music, like it or loathe it, is an amazing memory trigger. I was 16 when this song was popular, a skinny surf rat without a care in the world. Looking at this now I'm guessing that it was more the girl at the front, so to speak, that attracted me to this song.

Q and A

Thanks for your comments on last post you're all very kind and encouraging, not like the girl above. Anyway, I'll answer a few questions you raised. Tesso asked "So, how did you feel during the race? What were your splits?" I felt like I was running hard but only really felt in trouble on the uphills, there were three of about 200 meters. There weren't any 1k markers but I started with a group of sub forty people and just tried to keep with this group and not let the group behind catch me.

Ewen asked "Were you always on schedule, or did you have to kick down to get it?" I was ahead for the first 3K, on target at 5K and think I slowed on the 7th or 8th K and ran hard the last 1500m as I couldn't see the finishing stadium at that point and started to panic thinking I was going to miss out. With about 800m to go I came around a corner and saw the stadium right in front of me. It was a good feeling to see the clock at 39:40 something with less than a 100m to go.

Clairie asked "How long have you been running for?" About three and a half years. So by what Clairie said I should have a few more PBs in me.

Well I still have a desire to train and run faster and as far as quitting or cutting back racing plans I'll reassess the situation 10 years from now when I'm 52 I'll ask you all again then if you think I have a future in this game.

Breaking forty

I managed to slip under 40mins for the 10K today. My time 39:55. I'm pretty happy as it's a PB and that 40min mark is a bit of a milestone for distance runners one that has had my number for the last couple of years.

Although I'm pleased it is bitter sweet as I thought while I was running today that I won't be able to go much faster than this and I might be just about be at my peak, which was a little sad.

But on the way home I was thinking "sure I can do better" and I thought about several factors that would contribute to a faster time.

That's what's so great about this game, you can alway aim to do better and enjoy the struggle in the process.

Thanks for your continued support.

Fly away

Here is my song of the week. Randy Crawford's "One Day I'll Fly Away." I'd do just about anything to see her live like this. By the way, I've got a 10K this Sunday and hoping this will be the day I "fly away" too.

Building

Well I've managed to organise a good plan for building up mileage before the Tokyo marathon. It looks like I can get in enough Ks in the next 4 weeks to give me the confidence that I can finish reasonably strong and crack it for a PB.

Now if only my dodgy ankles hold up I'll be fine. I ran 90mins today and my ankles were a bit sore the right one that is usually no problem started to give me some grief but there were patches in the run where they both went numb and I could cruise.

I won't run injured but if I listened too closely to my aches and pains I probably wouldn't run at all.

Long Runs

How many KS should long runner run if long runner could run long? A lame attempt at a tongue twister but a genuine question. I'm a bit worried about my ability to handle the distance in Tokyo in 5 weeks time. Since my last marathon, the Gold Coast, I have run the following weekly Ks for the past 20 weeks.

20, 40, 36, 44, 44, 48, 59, 61, 37, 63, 67, 38, 73, 70, 57, 37, 48, 48, 36, 65, I have five more weeks to go and would like to know what sort of distances I should be doing per week in order to see me in the best shape to make an attempt on my marathon PB. I've PBed on my half marathon since the Gold Coast and should PB on my 10K time next week or come bloody close so my forms not bad but I would have been happier with a few more longer runs under my belt.

An update on the Natto situation I went to the supermarket today and the Natto was "SOLD OUT" there was a sign that said due to the TV program, that I told you about, it had become more popular and they were waiting on more stock. I was able to buy some but the more expensive one was the only one still in stock. "Hooo"

Food for thought

Got in another 10K late last night. Thursday is a busy with work and it being so cold I can't get up early enough to get my run in as I already have to leave my house at 6:00am to get to work on time. I finish at 9:00pm and try to run then but often I feel tried and don't have a good one. But last night was fine started to feel strong as the run went on, always a good sign.

As far as the Natto diet is concerned I share your doubts and too believe there are no short cuts with weight loss. Having said that, I really like the taste of natto anyway and it is bloody good for you so I'll try doing this morning and night and see what happens in two weeks. Stephen was right and after a little research I found that it is supposed to help you lose weight by firing up your metabolism. We will see.

Natto diet

After two days of no carbs I ate some rice for breakfast and lunch today and had a great 10K run in the early evening. Keeping my heart rate under 160BPM I did 10K in 47mins and ended the session with a sprint up my local version of heartbreak hill.

I also came across a way to lose weight that I thought I'd share. I can't say for sure if it works but it's simple and worth the two week try.

I saw this on an hour long Japanese TV special and it goes like this. You remain eating the same food, healthly of course, that you normally eat but just add a serving of natto in the morning with breakfast and one at night with dinner. The key is to mix the natto into a kind of gel by stirring it at least 50 times and then leave it to sit for 20 minutes before eating. That is it! And apparently if you do this, all things being equal, you will be 3 kgs lighter after a two week period.

You must be able to get natto now in Australia, The US and Europe so if your looking
to loss a few KGS It might be worth a go.

You may think "WOW WHAT A GREAT GUY" he is giving away this info even though he has a bet with Clairie to lose weight but contrary to popular believe I'm a kind and forbearing man.

40 min wall

Gees 2p wasn't kidding when he said I'd feel like crap. Frankly I'm shocked that after only 2 days without carbs my energy level for running was so low. Did the usual 10K Tuesday run at a semi slow pace and had hit the wall after 40 minutes. Struggled to finish off at the same pace and reckon if I'd have gone on much further I'd of crashed.

So a bit of balance is in order I'll use of all of your great advice and hopefully get rid off some weight and train half decently while I'm at it. Thanks as usual.

Low Carb

In a desperate attempt to shed a few kilos before my next 10K race in just over two weeks I've decided to go on a low carb diet from today. I say desperate because under normal circumstances I wouldn't consider it, love my beer, pasta, and bread, but I put on 4 kilos over the holidays and if I don't lose a bit of weight I may be throwing away my chances at a PB for my coming 10K, Marathon, and Half Marathon races.

I've never done one of these low carb diets so I'd appreciate any advice. My plan is to simply cut out and down the rice, and bread and pasta that is my staple thesedays.
I'll do this for two weeks and slowly bring back the carbs but in smaller portions until the weight is down or the 18th of Feb comes around, that's the Tokyo Marathon.

Song of the ...

Here's my new favorite singer song writer Josh Rouse.

New Year 10 K

Did a 10K race this morning and managed 40:51. Did the best I could today and not too worried that I didn't break 40:00 as it was horrible conditions, 4 degrees howling wind with snow and sleet. Also there are no K markers and us semi fast 10Ks had to dodge the half marathon runners on the same loop course so had no feel for pacing.

I've also put on 4 Kilos in the two weeks I was away with all you can eat buffets for breakfast, lunch and tea. Anyway got another chance
in two weeks and I'll my best then. Also I had a terrible nights sleep and found a pea under my mattress this morning. That's all for excuses!

I'll get back to training and try to lose a few Kilos.

I'm Back

I'm back and I missed reading all of your goings on and will be back posting as usual from tomorrow. The photo is of me and my sons enjoying our ski trip.
All the best for a the new year I hope we can strengthen our friendship and all run to our best ability.