So, I have been seeing both Simon and Luke blogging about their fitness exploits and have now decided that I should join them - nobody on facebook cares how far I run, but maybe... just maybe there is someone out there who does want to know and this will be the place to come:-)
I guess I could start from when I arrived in Australia last September... but I don't even want to think about that, let alone subject anyone to read that much about my running and cycling! Instead I will very briefly say... my longest cycle in Aus is 80km - nice cycle, but concentrating on running now so won't be doing that again for a while!
Running - I have run a couple of half marathons since I have been here - one in January in 1:55:56 and then one in March in 1:53:41. I now have the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon in two weeks and ideally I'd like to break 1:50, but not sure if that is possible... I have also signed up to the Sydney Marathon on September 16th this year, so that will be my first (and hopefully not my last) marathon.
Since January I have run 610km to date, which is a mere 98km off what I managed in the whole of 2011! This seems promising, but I still love food and beer so it has not all led to quicker times and no belly, although I think I have improved on both fronts!
My major runs to tell you about have been my first proper bush run on 14th April - which was 35km in 4:45 - very slow going, but a really interesting change from road running and after September my next challenge may be more bush running.
I've also ran a few longish runs on the road, although this morning was the first time I have got to 30km on the road - in about 2:43 (5:26 per km) which I hope sets me up well for the half marathon on Sunday 20th May.
I thought I would give you some details of this morning's run... The first 21.1km took me 1:55 which I was really pleased with - I went for averaging about 11km per hour and I hope I can push it on race day to sub 1:50 although that might be hard! I used some Gu Roctanes for the first time properly and I think they helped, although they are hard to get down so I chose to stop and take on water at the same - not sure how I would do it in a race situation.
Anyway, this week's running has led me to do 65km (7 commutes of 5km each) and this morning's run. All very exciting - I will hopefully have a quieter week next week in preparation for the half. Anyway, if any of you have got this far I am impressed, and if you want to hear more I will do my best to write again once I have completed the half marathon in what I hope to be a new PB!
