Taper? Sure…
Monday the 13th of March, 2023
10k Frustration
Far out. When you want to do something but can’t and the space and time between the want grows, frustration festers. Today I had visions of a big run…I decided last night to temper that and do a long run but nothing crazy. I set out this morning but knew that yesterday I felt very ordinary and woke much the same. From the get go, the body was not playing the game. The massive fatigue that overwhelmed me last week returned (to be honest it didn’t completely leave) and I struggled through 10k. Very, very frustrating.
I have put together a couple of very good months of training (at a guess averaging 130-140k a week since the start of the year) and I am in good shape. I should rely on this going into Noosa Ultra Trail in two weekends time. The mind wants a few extra big days though just to put the icing on the cake. It's difficult when I can’t do that currently and race day is fast approaching. I need to trust in the training I have done, try and enjoy the extra rest and get ready to throw down come Saturday week. I have always battled with mentally wanting to do more when the body doesn’t always agree. Some things never change.
I know I will come around, I just have to be patient. Again, something I am not good at.
Outside my running world the day was a little wild with epic storms, a power outage for like three hours at our town shop and our coffee scales getting thrown in a sink full of water! What the heck?! Otherwise the day was solid with my coaching Shalom X-Country after school in the rain and all being pretty chill. The ups and downs of life roll on and I will win the day, every day I possibly can.
Tuesday the 14th of March, 2023
15k Hummock + 30min Stepper
Felt a tad better today on the outing. The humidity is still through the roof but the energy was back a touch. Hopefully I am on the up and up. Tomorrow should tell. Otherwise, not a lot to report today, except my thoughts immediately upon waking.
For some reason I woke with focused thoughts that maybe I should be speaking up more about my beliefs and convictions (particularly at work). Previously, I have written about my dismay with the world today and peoples ethics, values, society in general and my struggling to find things positive. Often times I find myself holding my opinions in to avoid confrontation and the risk of being cancelled. I do speak up when I feel led to but maybe I should be doing it more? Where is the line between saying too much, not holding back, speaking your truth and picking your moment? Why do I care, should I care what those around me think of me based on my beliefs? In the end, they should stick by me if they are true friends even if our opinions differ right? Usually, my thoughts are not so focused in the early hours of the morning but today, for whatever reason, these grand pondering were on my mind. Some more insight will be required moving forward.
Otherwise, here’s to a rad arvo at the beach, sun shine and good vibes with the kids.
Wednesday the 15th of March, 2023
20k with the Skin n Bones boys
I think I may be back to somewhat normal? Interesting. This mornings run was pretty good and no massive dramas to report. Got 10k done with Josh then the rest of the run with the Skin n Bones boys. Always fun that is for sure!
The day was solid and fun at work. Coffee machine serviced, good people to hang with and always ripper. Other than those couple of occurrences, not a whole lot to report today. Just a good old regular run, chill, work and family kinda day. Oh, our friend Helen did shave her head for Leukaemia today though. It looks super good and very proud of her for pulling the trigger and doing something so positive for a bigger cause. Well done Helen, massive props to you and you are the win of the day!
Thursday the 16th of March, 2023
40k Mental sharpener
This morning I woke at 2:30am to get 40k in before the dentist (ugh). I would have liked to have done this run half a week to a week ago but I have been up and down health/energy wise so it hasn’t happened. Today was kinda the last chance though given Noosa Ultra Trail 100k is only a week and a bit away.
The run went well and I was stoked overall. Nutrition was good, body felt solid and I had good energy all day, even after getting absolutely smashed at work and it being super hot! I know I don’t need to do these kinds of things to myself to get physically fitter but my mental strength is certainly boosted by such an outing. Being mentally prepared for a race is perhaps even more important than being physically prepared. The mind will always give out before the body will. So, today was important and I feel good about the timing. Now though, time to try and get some extra sleep and taper!
The rest of the day was pretty solid. I was stoked to get a visit from Sean, the owner of Kai Coffee (our supplier), who saved the day and ripped in with me at the Laneway smashing out orders. Was such a good day and man I love making coffee and ripping in when its hectic busy! A top day all round and with burritos to come for dinner it can only get better! Boom!
Friday the 17th of March, 2023
10k easy, 20min Stepper
A good day. It is freaking warm though! Man, talk about a late summer! Was nice to do a shorter run this morning but the legs were still a little heavy from yesterday that’s for sure. Work was solid and the arvo good. A reasonably standard day to be honest and with a busy weekend ahead I aint too disappointed.
After a reasonable block since January, the body is a little tired. I am fit and I very keen to see what the body does with a bit of a taper and a 100k race. Its gonna be super rad and I will be ready to rock! Now, just time to focus the mind, rest and enjoy the week run into the race…..of which I have not done for a year so I am KEEN! It is always super exciting to strap on a number and let her rip! Saturday week will tell all and provide some good stories no doubt!
Saturday the 18th of March, 2023
2 (and a bit) hours on the trails
Anyone who says they are busy and don’t have kids is lying to you! Ha! That may be a sight exaggeration but man, I honestly believe I wasted SOO much time before I had kids! Today has been manic. I drove out to the trails early and ran a couple hours with Tim, Josh and Mitch. Super fun and also sad as it is likely Mitch’s last little jaunt with us before his move to Tassie. Sucks. Been so nice getting to know that guy and will miss him. We always have a heck of a time ranting, laughing, paying Mitch out and solving the big issues….I do treasure this weekly ritual with the boys.…its disappointing the band is breaking up but we do have new comer Josh to fill the gap!
After our run it was coffee and hangs. Then it was a little visit to the Bargara shop to trial a new employee before taking Corle back into town for the Baptist Church fun day. It was SO. BUSY! We left quickly then Corle went to hang with a friend (meanwhile Pria worked a few hours at the Bargara shop and then Tegs took her to town for a pool party). Then I was back to Bargara and groceries were done. A short stop off at home then back to town AGAIN to pick up Pria and Corle from their respected social gatherings. Man alive. Now we chill at home and try and relax for two seconds!
I do love being busy, I don’t deny that. Some days it would be nice to be a little less jam packed though! Here’s hoping tomorrow may be slightly more relaxed. For now though, I need to be tapering and after a TERRIBLE sleep last night get some good rest. Here’s to it!
Sunday the 19th of March, 2023
10k Coast Cruise
A good Sunday. A cruise along the coast with the boys to kick off the day and a morning at the beach for nippers. The arvo saw some yard work, beach time and us being invited to the launch of an art show. Fancy.
Although this week has been the start of my taper, I still ran 122km. Distance is all a matter of perspective. I feel kilometres slipping away from my yearly goal but also trust that I have a lot of running ahead of me. My foot is on the improve which is awesome and I am feeling ready to crush some big k’s after a week easy (and more tattoos) after Noosa Ultra Trail this weekend coming. I am both very excited and nervous about racing. It has been a minute and I am looking forward to the challenge of me against me. I think I am in about 12hour shape and would like to aim for top 10 but will be out there doing my own thing not too worried about others around me. If its hot and humid like it has been its gonna be carnage. I am well aware of that and will use my race and ultra experience in that regard. Patience will be the name of the game. Either way, I am very keen to go out, rip in and have a fun day in the process. Type A fun. Now though, try to let this body recover a bit and taper proper for race day Saturday!