Ups and downs…
Monday the 3rd of April, 2023
20km Hummock
Running is a fickle mistress. I tapered, raced, had a week easy and my heel was almost better. Today I got back to business and starting my ten week build to Laverado in Italy. After my run this morning my heel was back where it was, super sore. So so frustrating. In saying that, I have spent the last four to five months navigating it and still running so continue I will. I just thought I was out of the woods….but not yet.
The plan for the next ten weeks is simple. Run 200k plus a week with three ‘hill’ sessions a week (plus the stepper twice a week) mainly focusing on running down hill hard to get my quads beat up and ready for the 5800m of climbing and descending through the Italian Alps. Provided I can stay healthy, this will be my quest over the coming months. Grinding and preparing for the adventure ahead. It is going to be exciting and exhausting at the same time.
This week is also Easter week. The shops should be busy, Bargara in particular and its time to knuckle down for the public holidays. Its always a fun time but its gonna be hectic. I am keen as a bean to crush some brews and enjoy the ride.
Otherwise, today has been pretty chill. Up super early to run, dropped the girls at mum and dads house, onto work then home to rest for a bit before spending time with the family and cooking dinner this afternoon. It has turned into a beautiful day so the beach it will be I think. Always fun and always soul filling. I will read, look at the ocean and be thankful for all the blessings in my world. Its a good day to be a good day.
Tuesday the 4th of April, 2023
25k Suspect, 10min Stepper
Yesterday afternoon I read about the Buddhist concept of Upekkha in Steve Magness book, Do Hard Things. ‘A spiritual virtue, upekkha means equanimity in the face of the fluctuations of worldly fortune. It is evenness of mind, unshakeable freedom of mind, a state of inner equipoise that cannot be upset by gain and loss, honour and dishonour, praise and blame, pleasure and pain’. Regardless of your spiritual proclivity, there is no denying that this concept is one we all should strive for in everyday life. One would be hard pressed to find a more relevant depiction of ultra-endurance sports and the state of being required to succeed (or not) in these lengthy endeavours.
The balance and flatlining of ones persona, regardless of surroundings is what I seek. I fail. Moment by moment I fail. But I seek. I strive and I hope! I find it hard to put to words my feelings beyond the concept outlined in Magness book, yet I resound so strongly with it it leapt from the page and stuck like glue to my mind. My life’s purpose? Something we should all strive for in life? I believe so.
I suggest reading the quote daily, or at least a few times and sitting with it. It's a paragraph I will be leaning back on in the future and doing my best to keep front of mind.
Wednesday the 5th of April, 2023
7k Sad Face
Well, this morning sucked. I got up to do a big day and my suspect achilles from yesterday gave up the ghost at about 3k. I ran the rest of the way home in various amounts of discomfort/pain but made it. I need to rest it. I have had this kind of thing before and I kept running and ended up with achilles tendonitis and couldn’t run for a couple of months. Ironically, it was 10years ago before Coast 2 Kosci which I am planning on running again this year! Ugh.
I just don’t seem to be able to have a win at the moment. I am trying to remember my writings from yesterday and stay level but I tell ya what, I have been fairly down today. I had to drop from my attempted run across Australia, ended up with plantar fasciitis shortly after and it has hung around for about five months now. Now, my achilles has flared up. I just want to be healthy and run consistently. Man. Sometimes I just get down and want to quit. Then I remember quickly how important running is to me and how much I need it in my life and I am more determined than ever to get back after it. I need to remember my post from yesterday. Upekkha.
Otherwise, the day was pretty good. A lot of kid running around, some yard work, a trip to the green waste facility, grocery shopping, reading and more running around after kids. A decent day. I also had a brutally sore throat last night so I am hoping that settles too. Its been a busy ‘day off’. Im mentally preparing for a massive few days (public holidays) at work over Easter so some good sleep and rest will be required.
Thursday the 6th of April, 2023
2k Test
Mic check 1-2. I was going to quit on my running streak today but when my achilles wasn’t terrible the last quarter of yesterday, I thought I would do 2k and give it a go. It went ok! No pain so thats a win. Apart from being a bit sick, it was a win. I am sticking to 2k for the next couple days though to let it rest and repair. At least I can keep the streak rolling.
The rest of the day was spent blowing my nose, battling though work and preparing for the public holidays ahead. Its gonna be wild! Fun but wild! Thanks to my team for being so organised and ready to throw down come tomorrow.
Tonight will also be very exciting. Corlè has been at acting camp all week and tonight they have their final performance. She has been very excited and practicing very hard what she has learnt each day. Its super cool so see a kid so keen and focused on the task at hand. It will be fun to watch her up on stage shining. Otherwise, time to chill and try and feel better for the coming days.
Good Friday the 7th of April, 2023
2k
Ohhh man. Some days are about survival. That is obviously a gross exaggeration but man, today was rough. We were opened at our Bargara shop and although it wasn’t manic (due to wild weather), it was still bloody busy and I was just hanging in there. I felt so so rough most of the day and was just going through the motions. It sucked. I really don’t like not feeling my best and I know I wasn’t giving my customers my all. I was present though so I guess that counts for something?!
This arvo has just been about relaxing. I am really hoping I feel better tomorrow as its going to be another massive day. One moment at a time…..not feeling like writing much due to feeling rubbish. Tomorrow is a new day.
Saturday the 8th of April, 2023
2k Ded
What a day. After a terrible sleep I got an average run in and then off to work to open. Man. What a freaking day! It was WILD! We maybe did 6-700 drinks today and it was maybe our busiest day or equal to to date. So wild. The upshot was that I was feeling a little better which was great. Still not fantastic but a little better. Ill take the wins I can at the moment.
While I was closing, Tegs messaged and asked if i wanted to go down to the beach to meet up with her girlfriend posse. I said no that I just wanted to go home and chill out. After cleaning a little more I got thinking and I was just like, ‘Why not?!’ and called her back. I met them down the beach and it was beautiful. Super relaxing and good people. Bit of Vitamin Sea which is always a win! Now though, chill and get ready for Easter Sunday tomorrow! Good times ahead!
Sunday the 9th of April, 2023
4k Happy Easter!
Mmmm, nice to have a day off! Happy Easter! I got a short run in (the last k a little suss) and then home for the usual choc fest that evolves every year. Then we went down to the park for church and some time at the beach. Super beautiful!
I do love the Easter period. Work is always hectic busy, there is a day off in between all the madness and Sunday in particular, remembering Jesus re-birth is an important day for our family. Its one of significance, reflection and gratitude. A special day.
This week as a whole has been a bit of a challenge. Getting sick, the achilles flaring up and having to work when feeling like garbage. It hasn’t been easy but I have got through. Here’s hoping the week ahead is stronger, better and without sickness or significant injury. Onward and upward my friends!