Friday, September 21, 2007

Training Run

Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 5 kilometers

Comments: And that's all she wrote. A final run before the madness begins. Only half-an-hour and I felt perky enough to barrel up some of the hills at a decent pace but kept the effort below the sweat-or-labored-breathing level. So I feel pretty good about this weekend. I've got strength in my legs and no injuries to speak of. Anxiety and excitement levels are peaking but that's to be expected, no?

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Training Run

Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 5 kilometers

Comments: A very easy run across the suburbs of Sydney. Fewer hills that on the coast route although less visually spectacular, that's for sure. A bright clear day. A bit chilly but that made it about perfect for a morning run. One thing that has become clear having access to decent weather data - my temperature estimates for the past few months have been woefully warm. It was damn cold in Lima this winter. A nice enjoyable run, altogether. I'm hoping things continue without any complications over these last few days.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Marathon Training Summary: Week 17

Time: 105 minutes
Distance: 18 kilometers

Comments: I knew this week was going to be a mess and it sure as heck lived up to my concerns. I cranked out a nice run in the sweltering horror of Arizona early but things went to hell in a handbasket after that. First off, I lost a full day to crossing the International Date Line not to mention the 19-plus hour travel time. Jet lag then ensued and, as happened last time, my sinuses finally rebelled and delivered a nice big infection. So I spent the first few days stumbling around in a daze, unable to talk cause my voice disappeared trying to get on a decent sleep schedule. Heading out for a training run really didn't seem that wise a move. All that said, I pretty much saw it coming and I deliberately set my travel to Sydney more than a week prior to the race in order to have time to recover. I have been feeling better and the run today wasn't too bad. With luck, I'll be good to go in seven days. This week is just a bunch of half-hour runs when I can squeeze them in to stay sharp for the effort. The plus side here is the view when I run can be its own inspiration. Training-wise, though, I think I am as ready as I will be at this point. My last long run felt good strength-wise but not so hot on the respiratory side. That said, the sinus infection has eased off quite a bit (the cough is still hanging around though) and I think I'll be good on that score come raceday. So now it's just nerves and jitters to contend with.

Training Run

Time: 60 minutes
Distance: 10 kilometers

Comments: My first run since landing in Australia. While the weather here has been freaking gorgeous, the metabolism has been less than ready for any stress at all. Thus I've been chomping at the bit in between bouts of feeling like crap. But I strapped the shoes on and got out the door this morning at long last. There is still a decent amount of crap rattling around my sinuses and that was not pleasant and, in case you were unaware, Sydney boasts a surplus of hills. I got down to the coast pretty easily and then followed the running track for the bulk of the run. The water here is a gorgeous blue - quite the contrast from the murky grey of Lima. Biggest obstacle? Remembering to stay to the left and not the right. I feel pretty good overall. The strength is clearly there but I gotta eat right this week to ensure the tank is full for the final effort.