.... follows 72 Lockdown #5 - will we get the XCR season finished?
The 2021 running season, after showing positive sighs early in the season came to a dead halt. It was my first time as an AV XCR runner and I did get to a few races, including Cruden Farm. Health issues have slowed me though as well as the lack of the weekly parkrun hitout.\
I have several upcoming events on the calendar - 10km at Melbourne marathon (looking very doubtful), Afterglow in Torquay in November and 8km at Hallora marathon in December. The signs are that Melbourne will open up with the increased vaccination rates so there is the chance that I'll get to run in two of them.
My goal right now is to slowly increase my fitness with longer runs and to increase my ave stride length in the process. My best 5 km time as I start this chapter is around 22:30 for the 5 km (4:30 pace). Inverloch parkrun has just opened up again and we celebrated the 7th birthday on September 11th. It is hoped that it will continue running.
Saturday September 11th
Inverloch parkrun - 7th birthday (my 301st parkrun)
Sat 11/9 am: 1.18 km, 5:18 fastest km - Ave stride 1.30 m
Sat 11/9 am: Inverloch parkrun - 22:42 - 4:31, 4:27, 4:36, 4:35, 4:29 - Ave stride 1.41 m
On Sunday morning I went out to Inverloch for my longer run, running to both ends of the Inverloch coast. I started at the parkrun stump and ran all the way to the Flat Rocks boat launch, then all the way along the beach to the Yacht Club, up the ramp and then to the end of the foreshore camp ground before returning to the stump. I was happy with the pace.
Sun 12/9 am: 12.85 km - 5:02 average pace - 4:49 fastest km - Ave stride 1.32 m
Monday September 13th to Sunday September 19th
I finished the weekend with a sore spot on the inside of my left knee and decided to rest it for a bit. I cycled on Monday morning and then walked 3km at dusck on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, after work, I had my second Covid vaccination.
I ran again in the cold on Wednesday morning. The knee felt ok, although the sore spot is still there. As such I didn't push it.
Wed 15/9 am: 6.68 km - 5:16 average pace - 5:06 fastest km - Ave stride 1.28 m
It was freezing on Thursday morning, down to ONE degree with frost everywhere. With the sun rising I set off on my 10 km route. My knee was feeling ok, as was the ankle. I ran the second half at under 5 minute pace.
Thu 16/9 am: 10.04 km - 5:01 average pace - 4:48 fastest km - Ave stride 1.34 m
Another day off on Friday, resting up before a big two weeks with the school holidays coming up. On Saturday morning I cycled early (18 km), ran and then walked 5 km with Emma.
Sat 18/9 am: 8.23 km - 4:57 average pace - 4:39 fastest km - Ave stride 1.34 m
Sun 19/9 am: 9.29 km - 5:12 average pace - 4:58 fastest km - Ave stride 1.30 m
Monday September 20th to Sunday September 26th
Winter is back for the start of the school holidays. On Monday morning I checked out the radar and saw a band of rain on the way. I took the punt that I could beat it and failed. The rain was so cold, straight in from the southern ocean. I headed home and cut the run short.
Mon 20/9 am: 4.56 km - 5:18 average pace - 4:54 fastest km - Ave stride 1.26 m
I just couldn't face either a run or a cycle in the cold and wet conditions on Tuesday. On Wednesday I ran at the Desal for the first time in ages. Right at the start of my run most of Victoria felt a 5.8 level earthquake and some follow up tremors. I felt nothing.
Wed 22/9 am: 10.36 km - 4:59 average pace - 4:38 fastest km - Ave stride 1.34 m
Thu 23/9 am: 7.02 km - 5:06 average pace - 4:49 x2 Fastest km - Ave stride 1.31 m
Fri 24/9 am: 6.21 km - 5:04 average pace - 4:50 fastest km - Ave stride 1.32 m
On Friday morning I drove to Tidal River on Wilsons Promontory to meet up with Emma and Brett and my grandson Jack. We all stayed overnight and my Saturday morning run was around Tidal River, with a push for 5 km in the middle. Throughout the day, after my run I also hiked for 16 km on various tracks around the Prom.
Sat 25/9 am: 8.03 km - 5:03 average pace - 4:37 fastest km - Ave stride 1.31 m
.... (not) parkrun time: 23:57
After all of the walking on Saturday my body actually felt quite good on Sunday morning. I started the day with an 18 km cycle and then headed out to the market at Inverloch. Then it was a run on the coast road and back along the beach. I put in seven straight sub 5 minute kilometres and was more than happy with the run.
Sun 26/9 am: 9.19 km - 4:56 average pace - 4:37 fastest km - Ave stride 1.38 m
Run New Zealand - Ross
Monday September 27th to Sunday October 3rd
It was a big weekend and I was feeling it on Monday morning. I probably shouldn't have run but went anyway, only running 5 km up Townsends Bluff and back from the Inverloch boat ramp. Later in the afternoon I rode out to Harmers Haven.
Mon 27/9 am: 5.02 km - 5:28 average pace - 5:07 fastest km - Ave stride 1.24 m
Tue 28/9 am: 10.45 km - 4:53 average pace - 4:35 fastest km - Ave stride 1.37 m
I had a rest day and then a slow run with a friend, Jo, on Thursday morning. I also had a massage on Wednesday afternoon. My body should be in good shape for the weekend.
Thu 30/9 am: 6.04 km - 6:17 average pace - 6:09 fastest km - Ave stride 1.10 m
Friday ended up being another rest day as I chose to drive over to the 'Burra and walk with Emma and jack instead. On Saturday morning I ran with the (not) parkrun crew and completed my #2-4-FIVE race for this weekend. I was right on the pace that I predicted for the race. My 2nd km was 3 seconds under and my 4th km was 6 seconds over.
Sat 2/10 am: 6.03 km - 5:35 average pace - 5:03 fastest km - Ave stride 1.21 m
Sat 2/10 am: 5.01 km - 4:30 average pace - 4:15, 4:26, 4:34, 4:36, 4:35 - Ave stride 1.43 m
Sat 2/10 am: 3.09 km - 5:41 average pace - 5:36 fastest km - Ave stride 1.19 m
Sun 3/10 am: 8.01 km - 5:22 average pace - 5:00 fastest km - Ave stride 1.26 m
Monday October 4th to Sunday October 10th
Hmmmm .... my 55th birthday and I am feeling every bit of it. The run on Saturday was good but now my left knee is hurting again on the inside when I run.
Mon 4/10 am: 6.64 km - 5:07 average pace - 5:00 x2 fastest km - Ave stride 1.29 m
Winter returned to Wonthaggi on Tuesday with rain, wind and cold air. I chose not to run in the rain and didnt get a ride in.
Wed 6/10 am: 10.02 km - 5:06 average pace - 4:48 fastest km - Ave stride 1.32 m
Thu 7/10 am: 8.22 km - 5:09 average pace - 4:58 fasest km - Ave stride 1.30 m
On Friday morning I just couldn't be bothered. It was a cold morning so I just lay in bed. I thought about a cycle but decided NO! On Saturday I got up and drove over to Koonwarra to run with the (not) parkrun crew. I ran the first three plus with Jason who pulled me along a bit.
Sat 9/10 am: 3.21 km - 5:29 average pace - 5:17 fastest km - Ave stride 1.21 m
Sat 9/10 am: 5.03 km - 4:56, 4:42, 4:34, 4:54, 4:38 - 23:45 - Ave stride 1.36 m
Sat 9/10 am: 3.13 km - 5:22 average pace - 5:15 fastest km - Ave stride 1.23 m
Sun 10/10 am: 7.23 km - 5:30 average pace - 5:23 x2 fastest km - Ave stride 1.25 m
