Monday June 24th to Sunday June 30th
I had a sleep in (until 6:30 am) with the darker morning being back in the Northern Territory (sunrise was before 6 am in the East Kimberley). I was on the road early and arrived in Katherine just after 9 am, running along the river there. After the run I headed to Nitmiluk Gorge and walked up to the lookout, then it was on to Mataranka after lunch and some food shopping.
Mon 24/6 am: 9.29 km - 4:49 average pace - 4:32 fastest km (Katherine)
Mon 24/6 pm: 5.05 km - 5:05 average pace - 4:39 fastest km (Bitter Springs)
Tue 25/6 am: 8.67 km - 4:44 average pace - 4:14 fastest km (Mataranka)
Wed 26/6 am: 13.03 km - 4:43 average pace - 4:06 fastest km (Mataranka)
Wednesday was a big day of driving with over 400 km to travel to Banka Banka station. I was going to have a short run there on thursday morning but the right ankle was stiff so decided to give it a rest for the day. Another big day of driving on Thursday to get near the Queensland border and well on the way to Mount isa.
Thu 27/6 - REST DAY (after 12 days straight running)
Thursday was a big driving day getting all the way from Banka Banka station to Camooweal, almost 500 km. I was up early for a short run on friday morning, before the two hour drive to Mount Isa.
Fri 28/6 am: 5.80 km - 4:47 average pace - 4:09 fastest km
Saturday morning is parkrun morning and this week I ran at Mount isa parkrun. I ran 2 km to the start (from my tent) and then did a little more for the warm up. I started the parkrun ok - not super fast - and soon found myself out in front by quite a distance. My second kilometre was slower than the first so I didn't push real hard for the rest of the run. After a bit of a chat i jogged beck the 2km to my tent.
Sat 29/6 am: 3.03 km - 4:53 average pace - 4:37 fastest km
Sat 29/6 - Mount Isa parkrun - 19:51 (1st) - 3:52, 3:57, 4:00, 3:53, 4:00
Sat 29/6 am: 2.16 km - 4:52 average pace - 4:51 fastest km
Sat 29/6 pm: 5.40 km - 4:58 average pace - 4:51 fastest km
Sun 30/6 am: 10.35 km - 5:00 average pace - 4:49 fastest km
Sunday was a big driving day - from Mt Isa to Hughenden - over 500 km.
Monday 1st July to Sunday 7th July
I was up early to start the new week and new month with an interval run in Hughenden. Two weeks after the half the body feels good. I can still feel the right hamstring at times and the right ankle is terribly stiff in the mornings but I have decided that now is the time to get some speed going. (My fastest parkrun for the year is a dismal 18:43).
Mon 1/7 am: 8.16 km - 4:47 average pace - 4:28 fastest km
.... 200 intervals (ave pace): 4:10, 3:30, 3:30, 3:20, 3:20, 3:35
Monday was another big drive - it should be the last big driving day as I will be taking my time down the east coast now. I drove to Townsville and then further onto the northern beaches, running at Saunders beach and then continuing to Toomulla beach to camp. The right ankle hurts a bit after a long day driving, the way it is perched between the accelerator and floor doesn't help. Iy'll settle down now with only light driving for the rest of the week.
Mon 1/7 pm: 4.21 km - 5:01 average pace - 4:50 fastest km (Saunders Beach - barefoot)
Tue 2/7 am: 8.24 km - 5:00 average pace - 4:46 fastest km (Toomulla)
... adhoc intervals (lanes - ave pace): 3:28, 3:23, 3:27, 3:21, 3:21
Thu 4/7 am: 10.52 km - 5:02 average pace - 4:39 fastest km (Balgan Beach)
Fri 5/7 - rest day (after 7 days running)
On Friday I drove from the northern beaches and set up camp in Townsville, in a caravan park near North Shore. So Saturday morning it was off to another new parkrun and my first "N" parkrun - at North Shore, Townsville. On Friday night I saw a video from Rob De Castella saying that a (marathon) runner needed to be bold early in the race to post a good time. It ocurred to me that I have been very conservative early on recently so this time I went out hard, really pushing it. It helped that another run went with me and was right on my tail most of the way (I dropped him off in the fourth). It was a fast start and then I slowed a touch but then held low 3:40s pace for the rest of the run. Deeks was right - to run fast you need to go early and trust your fitness and heart.
Sat 6/7 am: 3.08 km - 4:50 average pace - 4:31 fastest km
Sat 6/7 - North Shore parkrun - 18:33 (1st) - 3:36, 3:43, 3:43, 3:44, 3:46
Sat 6/7 am: 2.49 km - 4:48 average pace - 4:45 fastest km
Sun 7/7 am: 13.33 km - 4:50 average pace - 4:35 fastest km
Monday July 8th to Sunday July 14th
With the plan of running parkrun freedom runs as I travel down the east coast I just went for a very short day-starter from the van park in Townsville on Monday morning, the first of a few for the day.
Mon 8/7 am: 4.08 km - 5:03 average pace - 4:49 fastest km
Mon 8/7 am: 5.06 km - 4:34 average pace - 4:06 fastest km (Aplins Weir freedom)
Mon 8/7 pm: 4.65 km - 4:58 average pace - 4:48 fastest km (almost Plantation freedom)
Monday was spent driving to Bowen. On Tuesday morning I started the day with a circuit of the 9-hole golf course and then, after breakfast and packing up, ran the Bowen parkrun course as a freedom run.
Tue 9/7 am: 5.63 km - 4:48 average pace - 4:27 fastest km - 200m intervals
.... intervals (ave pace): 3:45, 3:55, 3:35, 3:20
Tue 9/7 am: 5.16 km - 4:42 average pace - 4:18 fastest km (Bowen parkrun freedom)
Tue 9/7 pm: 1.88 km - 5:00 average pace
Tue 9/7 pm: 5.01 km - 4:32 average pace - 4:04 fastest km (Airlie Bch parkrun freedom)
I drove into Mackay, after packing up camp in a state forest, on Wednesday morning and found the Botanical Gardens. I had a warm up run around there - checking out the parkrun course (another unmarked course) and then had a parkrun freedom run.
Wed 10/7 am: 4.37 km - 5:03 average pace - 4:54 fastest km
Wed 10/7 am: 5.02 km - 4:28 average pace - 3:56 fastest km (Mackay parkrun freedom)
Finding the actual parkrun courses for some of these Queensland parkruns is very difficult at times. On Thursday i hit Rockhampton and headed to the Botanical Gardens to run on their parkrun course.
Thu 11/7 am: 2.55 km - 5:21 average pace - 5:04 fastest km
Thu 11/7 am: 1.12 km - 5:12 average pace
Thu am: 5.01 km - 4:34 average pace - 4:24 fastest km (Rockhampton parkrun freedom)
In the past FOUR days I have run 49.5 km and completed FIVE parkrun freedom runs plus running most of one at Ayr.
Friday was a rest day
Saturday morning was my "Y" parkrun in Yeppoon. It was a cold 7 degree morning and I didn't even raise a sweat on the warm up along the beach path. The first 2.2 km is up a reasonable hill and then you turn and run back down. Another runner ran ahead at the start and I was pushing it so I let him go. Then he started slowing and I spent the second kilometre reeling him in. I passed him before the top of the hill and then put my foot down on the return. My FOURTH kilometre was a 3:32!
Sat 13/7 am: 3.07 km - 4:55 average pace - 4:33 fastest km
Sat 13/7 am: Yepoon parkrun (1st) - 18:35 - 3:40, 3:52, 3:36, 3:32, 3:38
Sat 13/7 am: 1.35 km - 5:07 average pace
Sat 13/7 pm: 5.01 km - 4:42 average pace - 4:23 fastest km (Tannam Sands freedom)
On Sunday I started in Gladstone, drove to Rockhampton, getting there after lunch and then continued on to Bargara beach. After running there I drove even further south, free-camping at Burrum Heads. It was dark when I got there.
Sun 14/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:44 ave pace - 4:17 fastest km (Gladstone parkrun freedom)
Sun 14/7 pm: 5.04 km - 4:57 ave pace - 4:46 fastest km (Bundaberg parkrun freedom)
Sun 14/7 pm: 5.01 km - 4:57 ave pace - 4:49 fastest km (Bargara parkrun freedom)
Mpnday July 15th to Sunday July 21st
On Monday I drove into Hervey Bay and the Urangan jetty is at the parkrun start so I ran a warm up on it. It was once over a kilometre long. I then drove to Noosa, via Maryborough - running their parkrun course and having lunch in the park. I really pushed the last kilometre at hervey Bay and it felt real good. I didn't feel that I was at top pace at all.
Mon 15/7 am: 1.70 km - 4:57 average pace
Mon 15/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:34 ave pace - 3:47 fastest km (Hervey Bay parkrun freedom)
Mon 15/7 pm: 5.17 km - 4:39 ave pace - 3:52 fastest km (Maryborough parkrun freedom)
Tue 16/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:44 ave pace - 4:13 fastest km (Noosa parkrun freedom)
Tue 16/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:33 ave pace - 3:58 fastest km (Brightwater parkrun freedom)
Tue 16/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:46 ave pace - 3:54 fastest km (Mudjumba parkrun freedom)
I started heading south on Wednesday morning and picked up two parkrun courses on the Sunshine Coast along the way.
Wed 17/7 am: 5.02 km - 4:32 ave pace - 3:49 fastest km (Kawana parkrun freedom)
Wed 17/7 am: 5.00 km - 4:51 ave pace - 4:41 fastest km (Golden Beach freedom)
I had a rest day at the bottom of the Sunshine coast on Thursday and then travelled into Brisbane on Friday morning, checking out Zillmere (so I know where to go) and having a run down the road at the Chernside parkrun course.
Fri 19/7 am: 5.01 - 4:45 ave pace - 4:07 fastest km (Chermside parkrun freedom)
On Saturday morning all was set for the Z parkrun - at Zillmere. It was an 11 km drive in and I got there ok. The course is looping 3 ovals and looks confusing so my warm up run was checking it out. It was really well marked (with temporary signs - so a freedom would be hard) though. I set off fast in the parkrun but soon had a big lead and it was hard to keep up real speed with nobody pushing me. It was also a 100% grass course, a true cross country course, and it was a dewy morning so grip was an issue. It was still a good time though and another age group record.
Sat 20/7 am: 2.55 km - 4:57 average pace - 4:46 fastest km
Sat 20/7 - Zillmere parkrun (1st) - 18:52 - 3:32, 3:48, 3:49, 3:47, 3:47
In the past 6 weeks I have taken the number ONE token at Kununurra (twice), Mount Isa, North Shore, Yeppoon and Zillmere.
Sat 20/7 am: 5.02 km - 4:50 ave pace - 4:34 fastest km (Kelvin Grove freedom parkrun)
On Sunday I met up with Rachel Tattersall at Lota and we ran two of her local parkrun courses together before lunch.
Sun 21/7 pm: 5.02 km - 4:41 ave pace - 4:38 fastest km (Lota parkrun freedom)
Sun 21/7 pm: 5.02 km - 4:41 ave pace - 4:34 fastest km (Wynnum parkrun freedom)
Mon 22/7 am: 4.79 km - 4:59 average pace - 4:48 fastest km
Mon 22/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:39 ave pace - 3:48 fastest km (Kirra parkrun freedom)
.... 2x 400m intervals (max pace): 3:26, 3:26
plus I then crossed the border and ran a parkrun freedom run in Kingscliff (see the next blog)
Sun 7/7 am: 13.33 km - 4:50 average pace - 4:35 fastest km
Monday July 8th to Sunday July 14th
With the plan of running parkrun freedom runs as I travel down the east coast I just went for a very short day-starter from the van park in Townsville on Monday morning, the first of a few for the day.
Mon 8/7 am: 4.08 km - 5:03 average pace - 4:49 fastest km
Mon 8/7 am: 5.06 km - 4:34 average pace - 4:06 fastest km (Aplins Weir freedom)
Mon 8/7 pm: 4.65 km - 4:58 average pace - 4:48 fastest km (almost Plantation freedom)
Monday was spent driving to Bowen. On Tuesday morning I started the day with a circuit of the 9-hole golf course and then, after breakfast and packing up, ran the Bowen parkrun course as a freedom run.
Tue 9/7 am: 5.63 km - 4:48 average pace - 4:27 fastest km - 200m intervals
.... intervals (ave pace): 3:45, 3:55, 3:35, 3:20
Tue 9/7 am: 5.16 km - 4:42 average pace - 4:18 fastest km (Bowen parkrun freedom)
Tue 9/7 pm: 1.88 km - 5:00 average pace
Tue 9/7 pm: 5.01 km - 4:32 average pace - 4:04 fastest km (Airlie Bch parkrun freedom)
I drove into Mackay, after packing up camp in a state forest, on Wednesday morning and found the Botanical Gardens. I had a warm up run around there - checking out the parkrun course (another unmarked course) and then had a parkrun freedom run.
Wed 10/7 am: 4.37 km - 5:03 average pace - 4:54 fastest km
Wed 10/7 am: 5.02 km - 4:28 average pace - 3:56 fastest km (Mackay parkrun freedom)
Finding the actual parkrun courses for some of these Queensland parkruns is very difficult at times. On Thursday i hit Rockhampton and headed to the Botanical Gardens to run on their parkrun course.
Thu 11/7 am: 2.55 km - 5:21 average pace - 5:04 fastest km
Thu 11/7 am: 1.12 km - 5:12 average pace
Thu am: 5.01 km - 4:34 average pace - 4:24 fastest km (Rockhampton parkrun freedom)
In the past FOUR days I have run 49.5 km and completed FIVE parkrun freedom runs plus running most of one at Ayr.
Friday was a rest day
Saturday morning was my "Y" parkrun in Yeppoon. It was a cold 7 degree morning and I didn't even raise a sweat on the warm up along the beach path. The first 2.2 km is up a reasonable hill and then you turn and run back down. Another runner ran ahead at the start and I was pushing it so I let him go. Then he started slowing and I spent the second kilometre reeling him in. I passed him before the top of the hill and then put my foot down on the return. My FOURTH kilometre was a 3:32!
Sat 13/7 am: 3.07 km - 4:55 average pace - 4:33 fastest km
Sat 13/7 am: Yepoon parkrun (1st) - 18:35 - 3:40, 3:52, 3:36, 3:32, 3:38
Sat 13/7 am: 1.35 km - 5:07 average pace
Sat 13/7 pm: 5.01 km - 4:42 average pace - 4:23 fastest km (Tannam Sands freedom)
On Sunday I started in Gladstone, drove to Rockhampton, getting there after lunch and then continued on to Bargara beach. After running there I drove even further south, free-camping at Burrum Heads. It was dark when I got there.
Sun 14/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:44 ave pace - 4:17 fastest km (Gladstone parkrun freedom)
Sun 14/7 pm: 5.04 km - 4:57 ave pace - 4:46 fastest km (Bundaberg parkrun freedom)
Sun 14/7 pm: 5.01 km - 4:57 ave pace - 4:49 fastest km (Bargara parkrun freedom)
Mpnday July 15th to Sunday July 21st
On Monday I drove into Hervey Bay and the Urangan jetty is at the parkrun start so I ran a warm up on it. It was once over a kilometre long. I then drove to Noosa, via Maryborough - running their parkrun course and having lunch in the park. I really pushed the last kilometre at hervey Bay and it felt real good. I didn't feel that I was at top pace at all.
Mon 15/7 am: 1.70 km - 4:57 average pace
Mon 15/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:34 ave pace - 3:47 fastest km (Hervey Bay parkrun freedom)
Mon 15/7 pm: 5.17 km - 4:39 ave pace - 3:52 fastest km (Maryborough parkrun freedom)
Tue 16/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:44 ave pace - 4:13 fastest km (Noosa parkrun freedom)
Tue 16/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:33 ave pace - 3:58 fastest km (Brightwater parkrun freedom)
Tue 16/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:46 ave pace - 3:54 fastest km (Mudjumba parkrun freedom)
I started heading south on Wednesday morning and picked up two parkrun courses on the Sunshine Coast along the way.
Wed 17/7 am: 5.02 km - 4:32 ave pace - 3:49 fastest km (Kawana parkrun freedom)
Wed 17/7 am: 5.00 km - 4:51 ave pace - 4:41 fastest km (Golden Beach freedom)
I had a rest day at the bottom of the Sunshine coast on Thursday and then travelled into Brisbane on Friday morning, checking out Zillmere (so I know where to go) and having a run down the road at the Chernside parkrun course.
Fri 19/7 am: 5.01 - 4:45 ave pace - 4:07 fastest km (Chermside parkrun freedom)
On Saturday morning all was set for the Z parkrun - at Zillmere. It was an 11 km drive in and I got there ok. The course is looping 3 ovals and looks confusing so my warm up run was checking it out. It was really well marked (with temporary signs - so a freedom would be hard) though. I set off fast in the parkrun but soon had a big lead and it was hard to keep up real speed with nobody pushing me. It was also a 100% grass course, a true cross country course, and it was a dewy morning so grip was an issue. It was still a good time though and another age group record.
Sat 20/7 am: 2.55 km - 4:57 average pace - 4:46 fastest km
Sat 20/7 - Zillmere parkrun (1st) - 18:52 - 3:32, 3:48, 3:49, 3:47, 3:47
In the past 6 weeks I have taken the number ONE token at Kununurra (twice), Mount Isa, North Shore, Yeppoon and Zillmere.
Sat 20/7 am: 5.02 km - 4:50 ave pace - 4:34 fastest km (Kelvin Grove freedom parkrun)
On Sunday I met up with Rachel Tattersall at Lota and we ran two of her local parkrun courses together before lunch.
Sun 21/7 pm: 5.02 km - 4:41 ave pace - 4:38 fastest km (Lota parkrun freedom)
Sun 21/7 pm: 5.02 km - 4:41 ave pace - 4:34 fastest km (Wynnum parkrun freedom)
Mon 22/7 am: 5.01 km - 4:39 ave pace - 3:48 fastest km (Kirra parkrun freedom)
.... 2x 400m intervals (max pace): 3:26, 3:26
plus I then crossed the border and ran a parkrun freedom run in Kingscliff (see the next blog)
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