10 weeks to go

Saturday was the CR5k at the bay. Did a k or so warm up with Kit and Captain Chunderbolt. I went off 21 minutes as I have for the last few months - I wasn't expecting any PBs, but I figured that I should be thereabouts. I was aiming to run 4:10s (ie 20:50 total) and see if I could drag in any extra in the last lap. As it was, I headed out too fast, doing 4:05s for the first 2ks, slowing in the 3rd and dropping to 4:30 in the 4th (really starting to struggle by then - the headwind didn't help, but that's no excuse). Got it back to 4:10 for the last k, but the damage had been done by then. Final result was 20:59.88. I guess I really should call that 21:00 :-)

It'd be interesting to know how it would have panned out if I'd gone that bit slower in the first 2 ks. Ah, well. Live and learn. Having said that, I'm more than satisfied with the result, because it means that I've maintained consistency over the last 4 months while I have been concentrating purely on endurance. Let's see what effect the next 4 weeks of stamina work has on next month's race...

As has fast become a tradition, the morning's exertions have become an excuse to stuff our faces afterwards at a local eatery. Honoured guest this month was Tesso, down from Brizzie. As always, the food was as good as the conversation (ie very).

Today's long run comprised 2 x a local 14k loop plus a bit to make up 29k. First time that I've used Gu on a run. That, combined with plenty to drink in the fuel belt, meant that I never got that starving feeling I normally get towards the end, so that's a good step forward. I'm aiming to get a variety of brands of gel and see if I have any preference or problems. The High-5 one that I used today was fine. I understand that PB are providing the sports drink for Canberra, so I'd better get some and make sure that it's OK. We normally use High-5 for that too.

10 weeks to go. Like I said to Kit yesterday, I try not to think about it, because every time I do, I get terrified :-) I mean, I know that I'll be OK, but I've never put this amount of effort and planning and time into anything in my life before (rather sad admission I know!). I think the thing that I fear most is that in spite of the effort, it (or I) will just turn out to be really ordinary :-(

Anyhow, that's enough navel gazing for now. Tomorrow's a rest day, Tues - tempo, Wed - 12k easy, Thur - Run club.

Total for week - 68k

sfG