Woodford to Glenbrook

Had a good week last week. Logged a few km's, and capped the week off with a good attempt at W2G.

Tuesday I managed to make it to the BMMC run in the morning and felt good. Overall time was a little slower than usual, so I guess we've managed to find out who is holding the pace back...Sleep Train!

Backed it up on Wednesday with an enjoyable long run from Lawson to Glenbrook. Discovered some previously undiscovered (by me) trails at the back of Lawson. Linked up a few trails (combined with a quick run over a padlocked gate, past a few goats and around a few sheds) as we wound our way down to Woodford. Made the decision at this stage (after 1.5 hrs) that I was feeling ok and would give The Oaks a go. Mentally, a hard track to run with the similar bends and hills and the failed expectations of reaching the heli-pad on atleast 4 separate occasions. Got in a rest and plowed on for what I had anticipated would be an easy downhill run. The legs had other ideas. Made it to the gate, over 4hrs later, chalking up about 41km.

Next run was Sat morning with Sleep Train, getting a slow ~16km.
Sunday was W2G. Knowing what to expect I expected nothing. I made a point of not looking at the time until the Heli-pad as I wanted to be unexpectedly suprised at my time. Needless to say, I didn't have to look at my time, and was pleased at getting there in close to 56min. Ran the second half of the first 12km with Terry, as he decided I would be a good pacer for the time he wanted to run. Gold Coast Marathon this weekend. He and his Garmin managed to keep me updated with my pace along the way, informing me of my expected time if I kept this pace up. I think when he joined me I was running 4:36/km, which would get me home under 2hrs which was my goal.
Shortly after the heli-pad the speed picked up and I was running 4min/km feeling very good. Terry dropped back to keep his pace. I knew I'd see him again, so it wasn't farewell.

Legs got tired and I felt like I had hit the wall. Nonetheless with about 3-4km to go Terry came up past me and urged me on, picking my pace up 500m at a time. I would never have thought I could have pushed through the pain and heavy legs had I not been pushed. The advice to shorten my stride and concentrate on increasing leg speed really helped. The finish line approached and a couple of runners were passed.
Got to the end in 1:52:52. Well under my goal of 2hrs, and just shy of my ultimate goal of 1:50 (I have back-up goals if my real goals are not met, it's a little trick I like to play on myself). A respectable effort for a first attempt, and the first real race where I have focussed on technique throughout the run. Thanks to Terry. I've heard he may make the switch over to BMMC from SMC very soon.

Just over 90km for the week.
Nothing on the bike or in the pool. Not sure when I will find the time to get in the km's this week.