Well it’s been a while since my last training update, so here’s the latest. Since the Outer Limits Two Bays Trail run on Maggie Island, my training partner and I have kept up our regular training routine and on the 19 Jun 16, took part in the Inaugural Outer Limits Adventure Ross River Rush trail run. The run was conducted around the Townsville Rockwheelers mountain bike track and was the first time it was made accessible to public runners. It was a good track to run and made even more interesting by the storm Sam conjured up early Sunday morning. The track was muddy and wet in places and luckily we got through most of the run without it raining. I did the 18k and Geraldine did the 7.5k (and actually came first in her age division, way to go babe). Presentations were done as quickly as possible so everyone could get out of the cold and wet (yes it was actually cold that day). Another great day and a well-organized event hosted by Outer Limits Adventure.
A couple of days later and we were in the car, off to Sydney for a quick family visit. Sydney turned on some lovely weather while we were there; we got to experience their coldest day in 20 years, yeah! We didn’t run that day, but got in a couple of 10k runs around the Maroubra/Coogee beach area. Beautiful scenery, but hard running in the cold weather.
A few weeks ago after my visit to Ronald McDonald House and meeting up with Brad Hastewell, I started to rethink my choice of distance for the running festival. Brad mentioned he signed up for the full marathon and that he’d only run a half marathon previously. I was pretty much in the same boat; I’d only run 21k as a training run (to see if I could manage the distance) and the Two Bays Trail run on Magnetic Island. What sealed the deal for me was the Ross River Rush trail run. I felt pretty good during and after the run, so I thought what the heck, give the full marathon a go.
So, home from Sydney and I thought I’d better get in a long slow run to see how I go. I mapped out a 30km track from Rossiter Park to Ross dam, as it turns out following the bike path it’s an even 15km from the pontoon at Rossiter Park to the Ross Dam sign. All was going well, had water, gels and a couple of bananas to eat on the way. I got to the turnaround point with no problems, and then I started to focus on the 18k, then onto 21k. Made the half in less than 2 hours (happy with that), so onto 25k. That’s when my dodgy left knee started to play up a bit, so rather than pushing it and risking injury, I decided to walk the last 5k. The plan was to come in under 3 hours, but with my walk I came in at 3:18:28. Still happy with the run, it’s my longest yet and a good learning experience.
Only five weeks to go until the big race, so don’t forget if you’d like to help out Ronald MacDonald House Townsville, head over to The Townsville Bulletin Chosen Ones 2016 Everyday Hero Bod Pod page and make a donation. Such an amazing charity and well worth our support.
Until next time,
Cheers Paul.
