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After finishing a woeful 2004 Six Foot
Track Marathon (296th, 5:33)
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Today has been another day for contemplating what next. Do I still want to try and run a sub-3:00 marathon? If so, what is a reasonable time frame for another attempt? Do I want to keep writing a regular blog about running? What of my other "bucket list" ambitions such as the
Pacific Crest Trail and the
Te Araroa Trail?
Also, it is now less than four weeks to the annual
Great North Walk 100s (GNW100s), for which I am the Race Director, and most of my time in the next month will be devoted to preparation for that race. I don't really want or need the pressure of keeping to a serious training program during this month when time will be frequently tight.
These are "First World Problems" of course, and I don't pretend otherwise. Over the weekend, another good running friend from Terrigal Trotters was struck down with an unexpected and serious illness. It looks like he will be OK, but it's a reminder to me to keep my issues in perspective.
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Finishing the 1979 Canberra Marathon
(2nd, 2:23)
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A tentative plan has evolved. For the next six weeks, I will still run most days (and average about 100km per week), but won't train to a specific plan or for a specific race. This will improve my fitness significantly, assuming I don't get injured, but will be without pressure. I will not post any updates to this blog. Apart from not having a "project" to write about, I will need the time for GNW100s preparation.
From the start of December, I will work to a training plan that prepares me for the
Six Foot Track Marathon (45km trail race) on 8 March 2014 and the
Canberra Marathon on 13 April 2014, with the goal of running a fast time in the latter. I will resume posting to this blog at that time.
See you then.
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It's been fun, maybe not for you due to all the injuries and illnesses. But does it help to know you helped motivate me to a PB Melbourne marathon which I decided only 3 months out, albeit only 23 seconds! But I read your posts and it kept me going whenever I was losing motivation. I know I'll do a sub 3hr marathon, it's only a matter of when the timing is right. You helped Dave. Cheers, James
ReplyDeleteYou looked strong every time I saw you, James, and must have maintained your pace right to the end. Always nice to get a PB. I think sub-3 is a bit closer for you than for me :) Congrats! Dave.
ReplyDeleteI will also miss your blog, Dave. As I mentioned, it was always there to greet me first thing in the morning before I headed out for an early run. It certainly helped get me through my training and challenges it brought, made me realise that there is always another race around the corner and to take the good with the bad. I also realised that each race is a story in itself and I certainly loved reading about yours. Dave - you'll be back before you know it! Sometimes it is hard to get on a roll (especially when the setbacks keep rolling in) but once you do, there will be no stopping you. Mel
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice feedback, Mel. When I saw that great photo of the three of you nearing the end of the marathon, I wished I was there to cheer you in. It must have been a great moment when you all finished together. You, especially, did well, considering the bug you caught a month before the race. It was a very professional and gutsy performance to come out and run so well, and I'm sure you'll run faster with a better lead in. Writing the blog was good for me, and there's a couple of stories still untold, so I suspect it will be back in December, hopefully accompanied by some better running form :) . Dave.
ReplyDeleteDave, Thank you so much for sharing your journey and I'm pleased you haven't given up on the goal. Your blog is both an inspiration and informative with nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout for those of us with far less experience and running pedigree. Even as I read you blog after the Marathon still sore from my own disappointing effort at GOW100 on the weekend it reminded me to move on quickly and refocus. Hope the next 6 weeks goes well for you and you stay injury free. See you at the GNW. Steve
ReplyDeleteI think the "lows" make the "highs" that much better, Steve. Hopefully we're both going to do better next time (and have happier things to write about). GOW proved too tough for me a couple of years ago, but I really like that course and hope to run it again. See you soon. Dave.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for your future goals Dave and I hope I will soon record a sub 3 time for you in the results. I have enjoyed reading your blog. Yondi
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Bionda. I'll be trying hard to get a marathon time starting with "2" into your Results Newsletter :)
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