Getting close now...

just under 2 weeks until my next marathon, its actually a 43km marathon so the longest run ever for me. And this 3rd marathon will be my first on a trail course. It won't be nearly as tough as Mt Macedon but longer with sections run on the beach, so a real mixture.

Our last long run was along the bay. Together, before we go in different directions but still with full support for each other.

with the Sea Shepherd 'Steve Irwin' in the background

bad ass, hard core defenders of the oceans. docked at Williamstown until the next campaign

We ran from Altona, touched the Westgate Bridge, up to Yarraville Park and back. The morning was really cold but it was a beautiful morning for a 4 hour run! Plenty of time to solve the problems of the world.

While I was running I was thinking about how far I had come and the things I had learned along the way. I have had several people say to me recently 'I don't know how you do it' and 'I couldn't run 100m'. I always reply the same. That it has taken me a long time to get to this point, none of it has come naturally or easily but it has been worth every step. I wasn't all rainbows and positivity either. I didn't enjoy the last 10 of the 32.5k and wanted it to be over. But soon enough it was over and we were dissecting the run and patting ourselves on the back.

I feel ready and philosophical about this next challenge.

What will be, will be.

Hello there...

Since the last post where I was 14 weeks out from the next marathon and just getting back into running after my surgery, training is back in full swing.

That next marathon is now just 5 4 weeks away.

Long runs have taken over the weekends and events are being ticked off the list. Thanks goodness for my running girls who are keeping me to the plan. Thank goodness also for Melton City Runners and their passion for running which sees me included in their training runs and drills as well. How could I not succeed in such a supportive environment.

Since getting back to running I have been a regular at Wednesday night track sessions and the different drills are pushing me and my fitness and endurance along nicely.

Some hill/mountain training in the You Yangs has pushed my trail fitness along as well.

MCR at the You Yangs

The 'sadddle' - harder than it looks

trialling my new hydration vest at You Yangs parkrun

I was ready for the annual Run 4 Kids run and we dressed up in our bright yellow singlets and ran through the tunnel and over the Bolte Bridge. A bit of rain didn't hamper us too much and shows how hard core we really are.

I busted out a tutu for the first and last time

supersportsimages

We worked our way up to be ready for the first half marathon of the year at the Werribee Mansion. It was a hard morning and showed we still had a long way to go.

And more recently we travelled down to the coast to run along the Great Ocean Road. We again camped at Kennett River. This time Melissa had her new tent to try out and we experienced foxes in the campsite overnight, and we kept awake by human and animal noises for a lot of the night. But in the morning a glorious sunrise greeted us and set the mood for the day.

The weather gods were kind to us again, even though the doomsayers had delighted in telling us in the lead up week that Victoria was expecting a months' worth of rain in 3 days. We were not happy with this prediction. Running in the rain isn't a problem but camping and getting ready in the rain would not have been fun. But it turned out to be fine and even sunny at the end. Similar to last year the night was mild and the camping was fine. We are learning something each year but still haven't learned out to pack lightly.

start line smiles

sunrise

supersportsimage

finish line smiles

The 23km was a beautiful run, its a tough one but well worth the effort. The girls finished ahead of me but I was more than happy with my run. We were all happy with our performance and effort. We then lingered after the race to relax and have coffee and food and to watch the marathoners and ultra runners finish their races.

I was determined to catch up with unsporty woman. I saw Annie finish her marathon and when I talked to her she was in that 'I've just run 44km and I can't think straight' fog so we chatted for a few minutes and then she was on her way to hydrate, rest and find her crew. I'm so glad I was able to meet her and a shame I didn't get a pic, oh well next time.

Back to it...

The rest is over.

Back to work. Back to training. 14 weeks until the next full marathon.

Training is gradually building and I'm still not back to previous fitness levels and try not to get too discouraged by slow progress.

running the whole 5k, Karen behind stuck with me and got her PB

Parkrun has been a good start. My first week back I just wanted to see how I went and had walk breaks. The following week my goal was to run the 5k without stopping and I'm happy to say each week has been a little faster. I've had loads of encouragement and have felt really well.

Maribyrnong Parkrun and had to leave Hayley behind to run all the way

My shadow in the white managed to run the whole way too

 I am particularly happy with this last run. I could hear the young girl close behind the whole way and as we turned for the last 300m she came level with me and I said to her I wondered when she was going to pass me and to go strong to the finish. After we crossed the line I had a laugh with her about her shadowing antics with a swoop at the end. She said she was using me as her pacer and thanked me for getting her across the line, she felt she would have given up otherwise and walked a bit. A PB in the bank for her and I was pleased to help her out. Way to go Kayla!


Track nights have been a bit tougher, not quite managing the whole work out but doing the best I can and reaching a little further each time.

I was asked to fill in for Ladies Mon night tennis and won the 2 sets but felt I wasn't playing to full capacity. Weekly sessions at Cardio Tennis will see an improvement there too. Last Friday we had a circuit that involved skipping and I'm happy to say no leakage occurred! A big step forward.

The first of our racing events was run this morning. It turned out to be a 34 degree day as we hit the trails for a 10k through Brimbank Park. I couldn't run the whole way and spent time walking up the steep hills that ring the valley and river.

MCR girls rule!

at the top of a very big hill

the hills were brutal

thanks for helping me out

happy to finish

another medal is always a nice reward

Today's run shows I still have a long way to go but will keep chipping away, supported by my running team mates and my very special Running Buddy.

10 sleeps to go...

Just 10 more days before we face our next big challenge.
We are in the taper part of the training plan and it feels a little strange. On one hand its kinda nice not to be pushing all the time but on the other I am a bit nervous about whether we have done enough. From what I read that seems about right and plenty of others have the same concerns.

Our long runs have felt pretty good and the gear and the nutrition have been sorted. I'm looking forward to race day with a mixture of nerves and excitement, the Gold Coast Marathon some 12 weeks ago has become a memory as this event takes precedence but I'm hoping the muscle memory will take over once we start.

In just 10 days time...

Nearly over the hump...

We have nearly reached the pinnacle of training for the marathon. Just 3 weeks left to get those k's in our legs and I'm happy to report that after 5 weeks of down time our Mel is back running with us.
Running Buddy had a change of scenery and ran in the Sydney Running Festival and refreshed her joy of running. Without her I slipped off the plan a bit and waited for her return to hit the road again. A brisk 10k walk with Big Sister was a lovely way to spend the day, with a break for a cafe lunch, but did not add to the km tally for the week. Wet weather in Melbourne had put me off as well.

I need to harden the F up and get on with it.

So we planned to do 34kms along the beach front for our longest run. We all had Monday off so set off to get it done. It was hard. I only got 32 done and Mel back from injury hiatus put us to shame and busted out a 33. I was cross with myself for thinking I could be out running for nearly 4 hours and not get sunburnt and now have a patchwork of differing shades of red skin for my neglect. I was exhausted at the end and sat in a Port Melbourne cafe unable to choose something to eat and drink. The young waitress was very unimpressed by my lament of  'we've just run 32k and can't decide...'

Since then I have run another 2 x fast 8k and attended the You Yangs parkrun launch this morning.

MCR at the You Yangs

this is the kind of running I enjoy and I know I will enjoy running again when this hard slog part of training is done.

Tomorrow is another 28k with the training group and then the tapering begins!

Goals...

Rain has put us off tonight from trying out the pyramid run. With no break in sight from the drenching we are hoping to get it done tomorrow night. I think I needed another day break from the long run we did on Sunday anyway. Although we got the 30km done it was hard and I ended up a little sunburnt from the 3 & 1/2 hours out in the sun. We almost didn't get it done as after just 3km into it I was consumed by a wicked gut ache that felt more like intense period pain than a need for the toilet. My ever patient Running Buddy nursed me through another couple of slow ks until it passed as mysteriously as it had shown up.

But still 30k was tough but showed me we are a bit closer to our goal.

And then I saw this bucket list of running goals and while it is U.S. based I've adjusted it a little to suit my own goals. And it was nice to cross some off the list already.

1. Trail run in a National Park this will be a goal for next year, after my hysterectomy, I want to pursue some trail runs
2. Ocean run on the sand Yep did that at Port Fairy and it was glorious and freeing.
3. Complete a Marathon Gold Coast and Melbourne are ticked off but I still have Paris or New York or Amsterdam or London as an ultimate goal
4. Serve as a race-day volunteer Yep did that at Melbourne Marathon last year and while it was  a good experience it made me want to run even more. I volunteer at parkrun too, encouraging others to run.
5. Three generations of runners in one race this one will be particularly tricky for some time, maybe just 2 generations in one race will suffice, Hayley has taken up running so I'm pinning my hopes on her
6. Sunrise run  We were up before the sun for the last Run Melbourne
7. Conquer each distance: 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon done, done, done, done
8. Run for charity done - Sussan's womens race, Mother's Day Classics, Run4kids, Run for Mental Health and many more
9. Run with someone completing her first race Yep when we roped Mel into her first Run Melbourne, and she beat me!
10. Participate in a long distance, overnight relay this one will stay on the list for a while, but going on road trips like when we went to Great Ocean Road was such a fun trip I can imagine it would be just as much fun
11. Race festively (race-themed attire or tutu and tiara all count) Next Run 4 the kids I want to wear a tutu and hope to rope in Big Sister to make me one
12. Run Central Park Insert Run a few tourist Parkruns instead. I've done 2 away from my  'home parkrun' at Maryibyrnong and Toowoomba but would like to run some more
13. Run the Golden Gate Bridge 
14. Run Big Sky country 
15. Attend a runners’ retreat
16. Join a running group Yep joining Melton City Runners has introduced me to some great friends and motivating runners
17. Complete a trail race Does Hanging Rock 20km count? I'm MCR will help me with this one
18. Volunteer to support a kids’ running group or after-school fitness program, I'm more likely to encourage others to find the joy of running
19. Train with a four-legged, furry running companion gonna have to get a dog first...

and…

20. Never stop chasing the next dream or challenge.

How many can you cross off?

An update on the old blood pressure. While the medication has made me feel better within myself it seems my renal function has deteriorated enough for my GP to message me to say stop taking it while we figure out the next step.

Friday catch up...

I had a couple of different running experiences this week which brings back into focus why I do what I do.

We have been running with a group of strangers in the city that we have been slowly getting to know each Sunday morning getting our long runs done. The group splits into two with a faster group and us in the slower group, We have been getting tips and sometimes more information than we know how to process but we are learning all the time while clocking up the kms. We are able to encourage other similar runners and gain insight from the more experienced. At this stage of my running I am somewhere in between novice and expert.

During the week I ran with the local running group to do a fast 6k. I was able to run part of the way with the President of the group. He had just completed a 100km trail ultra run on the surf coast and treated this quick run as a 'recovery run'. I let him do all the talking although he kindly showed interest in my training plan and then offered advice. Seems that our current plan is a better one than the one we had used in the lead up to the Gold Coast. A plan is a hot topic, I was asked several times which plan we were using and I glad I had something to say, that I was legitimately training for this marathon.

The outdoors proved dangerous for my Running Buddy when she was swooped by a magpie in a local park and ended up with a black eye. Ironically it is one of her biggest fears, along with sink holes, a torment we have to endure each Spring. Luckily she was wearing her sunglasses otherwise it could have been worse and it has shaken her confidence. And she wasn't even running at the time. I was concerned that she may never run outside again but shortly afterwards she posted this pyramid plan for us to try. The plan we are using this time incorporates more than just long, easy paced runs.

My nursing skills have been put to the test this week with my poor husband struck down with the man flu. He must feel really sick as he has allowed me to tend to him, he has even taken the proffered medication and advice. As long as he is not sharing his condition we will get through this.

6 weeks to go...

Training has been going well in its all consuming way.

We have had several long runs with the Melbourne Marathon training group, which has been a great way to push ourselves. 29k last Sunday and another 24 today. We start in the city and run from anywhere to the Zoo or Sandringham and have been picking up tips from the pacers and other runners. The paths are very busy with fellow runners, lots of cyclists and people out and about enjoying the city. It makes it a bit challenging dodging and weaving but we get to cover new territory and follow the marathon route which will be a bit of an advantage for the event.
Next up is a couple of longer runs before the taper.  We've been putting in about 50k per week and feeling like we are better prepared than previously.
Chris is getting used to the weekends being dominated by long runs or overwhelming fatigue. My battle with my uterus will continue until after the marathon is done, then I'll have to have an enforced hiatus and then back into new challenges next year.

But right now I'm really looking forward to the taper.

Post Olympics post...

I love watching the Olympics, even for sports I don't normally follow. Watching a highly trained athlete push themselves to the limit to finish is awe inspiring.
I was mesmerised by the marathons and distance races, marvelling at the quick pace they set. I got teary watching replays of great finishes and cheered on Chloe Esposito in her Decathlon gold each time I saw it.
These athletes are the best in the world and to see someone come in 7th when they had given their all is still winning in my book.
It has been inspirational for me as well to keep training to reach my goal, just when I needed a boost. The time I put in is not insignificant for me but does not compare with the 4 year commitment the Olympians have made, so I will push on til October to get it done.

Our #teamJAM is a little fractured at the moment with Mel out with injury that hopefully will not keep her out too much longer. Running Buddy and I have been going out regularly to do tempo runs, fartlek, hill sprints and long runs. We did Parkrun twice on Saturday, a quick one and a long one doing 23k all up. Social engagements have meant we haven't been able to get back to the city on Sundays or enter events to keep us going.

But I think we are on track for our own gold medal.

and I had an opportunity to purchase this bike on Saturday from a friend who is upgrading so I will be able to add some cycling to my training

Counting down...

Just 2 days left before we fly out to warmer climes.

2 runs down this weekend and just 3 short runs before the big one.

4 things to print out: flights, rental car, accommodation, bib collection.

2 cases to pack, and decisions to make about outfits.

Saturday saw us shopping before our run to pick up a new singlet which will be our new unofficial team shirt.

and keeping with the rule of 'nothing new on race day' we tried them out on Sunday. Even though I wanted to wear long sleeves on this freezing morning we tested out the shirt and agreed the lightweight top will be perfect for the Gold Coast. A cruisy 10k was the perfect way to end up our training together. We won't run as a trio again until next Sunday morning and we chatted about how excited we are and how the finish line will be an emotional one.

I think you can follow along our progress with these links audience guide.

Voting has been done and we got to see Erin at work at the pre poll. She has made us very proud with her application to this position, and she is pleased with herself also. The election has been good for our household in unexpected ways.

Another Friday check in...

another week of leave is almost done and a lovely week it has been. The weather has turned very wintry and has made me look forward to our Queensland trip even more. I managed to sort some more things around here, cook some meals and cakes, get new tyres for my car, and try to settle into this tapering period.

We ran 15 kms on Sunday and it felt a little strange not to do more and then another run on Tuesday which stretched out our legs. I really enjoyed this run as we paused on top of the hill to investigate the new bridge across the river and then took a cross country detour to get back. We haven't done this running for pleasure running for a while and it was nice not to have time/pace constraints.

The planning and talking and checking of weather forecasts has continued at a furious rate. I am excitedly anticipating this trip and have forced myself not to pack too early. Chris has started his leave as of tonight so we will be able to prepare together the last details.

I want to get in a couple of short runs over the next few days if the icy weather allows.

5 sleeps to go!!

Friday check in...

except I'm posting this on Saturday this week...

My first week of leave has been lovely. There is something very comforting in the satisfaction of cleaning and sorting things that have been put off for so long. Not very exciting but good.

My cough has improved after Tuesday's disastrous run which was abandoned after just 4.5km. I haven't been that short of breath for ages. I tried to make RB feel bad that she had made me run up our big hill but I don't think it worked. I have had a rest from running to feel better and now look forward to getting back into it. A chilly run at Parkrun felt really good this morning and of course the running chatter has given more tips and ideas.

I've been doing a lot of reading about marathons, checking on our course and other details. A fellow runner put me onto this guy, James Dunne  who helped him with his marathon prep.

Might be a bit late in the training to start now.

I've also read a lot about training the brain and what I have to tell myself repeatedly. Apparently fatigue is just an emotion and you can talk yourself out of it. And I have to speak to myself like I would a friend. "You've got this, you've done the work, you can keep going"

And I was able to get the ultrasound done but the plan of seeing the GP for the results before we go away hasn't worked, no appointments available til after the race, hopefully no issues will spoil my race.

My survey completing has paid off with a free entry to Run Melbourne this year. I hadn't planned on running in it this year as it is only 3 weeks after the marathon and I've done the 10k twice before, but who can say no to free pass? It is a nice race to participate in, another big event and well run so off I'll go to do another half marathon. Maybe that will be the new distance. When the girls saw that I had taken up the offer they also signed up to do it. It will be nice to do another one together.

This caught my eye today

very apt, the donut that gives you wings

The last long run...

it seems you can run 30km with a waning head cold and persisting cough but afterwards you feel pretty bad,

The first 20 were OK and we trotted along and chatted and waved to fellow runners. But then the hurt started to set in and I struggled. I know I can do 25 I kept telling myself, I had done it before and it's just 5 more. Think of the accomplishment I said to myself but then the thoughts of a little bit of walking is OK too snuck in. In the end I finished 30k but didn't run all the way. I'm disappointed I couldn't master my brain and it proves to me I need to practice that part more. A timely post from Tasmanian Annie shows me it is a common phenomenon and I was impressed by her plan to overcome it.

My family are over my persistent cough as much as I am. I'm not sleeping well either. I'm torn between wanting to be well prepared for the marathon and giving myself time to be well. Thankfully my leave means I hopefully can do both.

Cough, cough, cough...

I've caught a cold.

I hope its not so close to the marathon that it will hamper our last preparations. Hopefully I can get over this and feel well and strong for our race. I am meant to run our last long run tomorrow, a 30k and then begin 3 weeks of tapering. My sore throat is gone but I am left with a lingering cough. A cough that annoys Chris as he tries to sleep. And annoys everyone else including me.
Tomorrow will be OK. I'll just go slow.

I hate being sick. Hate having my plans hampered. Hate the thought I might be passing it on to others. It was bad timing at work as an already stretched roster meant I couldn't follow the golden advice and 'stay at home if you are sick'.

Not that I prescribe to this theory at all but coincidentally I volunteered at parkrun in the rain and helped Hayley move house in the rain and played tennis in the thickest fog and then got sick.

Pini brothers at work...good job boys

this funny little structure is a novelty 

soggy parkrun but still 38 turned up to run

Hayley is settled in her new digs in Moonee Ponds  and I was impressed to find not only the concrete structure that possibly was some sort of cellar or drying room but also a Feijoa tree and an enormous avocado tree full of fruit. I'd already come home with a big bag of lemons and chillis from the old house.

Finally my booked leave time has arrived and now for the next 6 weeks I can concentrate on the things I want to do.

The Asics training plan...

With all of our researching, reading, questioning & trialling we have been sticking to a consistent plan. We've incorporated advice and tried products and gear as we progress. We have found some things that work well (like Tailwind, mefix for chafing) and things that don't (short shorts and black tops) and not been too rigid in our following of the plan.
The last 2 weeks of the plan have been to run a 5k, a 10k and a 25k during the week.

So we headed off to Parkrun on Saturday for a short one, and I was feeling good. I thought I would push myself and see what I could do. The result was a happy PB and a full 96 secs off my previous best time. Another record on my Garmin.

5k in 27:23, my fastest 5k

Must have been the new MCR visor that made me so speedy.

Running Buddy had an idea for our first 25k run

Altona to Williamstown 25km

We started from Altona and ran along the foreshore through to Williamstown, we thought we might get all the way to the Westgate Bridge but we didn't quite make it before we had to turn around. It was a lovely flat run and RB pointed out things from her old stomping ground along the way. We even ran through a farmers market and saw many walkers, cyclists and the odd scuba diver. A strong head wind tried to push us back for the last 3km before we turned and what a blessed relief it was to have that wind finally push us along from behind. Even with the tail wind the last few km were tough and I felt my pace slowing toward the end. I didn't want any views by that time I just wanted to finish. It was the farthest I'd run and showed to me I could do hard things.

Fastest 5k and farthest run all in one weekend.

The second long run was my idea

Keilor to Avondale Heights along the Maribyrnong River

We parked at Brimbank Park and ran along the Maribyrnong River until the track left the river and then turned back. To continue along the river we needed to go up into the streets of Avondale Heights and we weren't really sure of the route so headed back. This run was a bit more challenging, not as flat and it was a cold morning and showers fell intermittently. By the end we were wet through and RB's lips were blue and her hands a deathly white. But we were well prepared with dry clothes to change into and coffee for the way home.
Similarly to last week, the out part of the course was full of chatter and observations of kangaroos and golf courses and the old munitions factory. There were less people out on this cold morning, just a few hardy souls with their dogs. The back part of the run was more like head down, cap low, music on and soldiering on in the rain over the undulating trail. By the time we got back to the car we were a few kms short of our goal so ran past until we hit the 25 km mark.

This week is a lighter week with just a 5k, 10, and another 10.5k to do. I'll also play 2 nights of tennis and do a cardio session on the courts. Then comes a week ending in a 30km run before we start to taper.

Great Ocean Road half marathon...

Wow what a fantastic weekend.

It was a hard race and it threw all sorts of challenges at us...hills that went on and on for kilometres, head winds and a rainy finish but I am pleased with my effort and my result and I have another medal to add to my collection and we are another step closer to the big event.

and an impressive medal it is too

First of all we set off with Running Buddy's car packed to the hilt with camping and running gear.

you need as much stuff for one night as for a week 

Excitedly we set off on out camping/running road trip. We stopped at Anglesea for our first toilet break and then onto Lorne to have a break and to collect the clothing drop bags (as it happened they had run out of said bags only to have to collect in the morning)

1st pitstop

2nd pitstop...refreshed & ready to hit the winding road

the sun was shining on us at Lorne

We drove along to Kennett River stopping with the other tourists to stop at the iconic sign to snap a pic.

Once we checked into the Kennett River Holiday Park onto our powered site we set up our camp and introduced Mel to camping. We set up our swags figuring it out as we went along.

pretty good job I think

the locals got a little too close

the koalas were quiet overnight

We wanted to get set up before dark so there was time to head over the road to check out the beach before we headed out for dinner.

this shot was reflective of our mood, upbeat and happy

We got to Apollo Bay by 6 and thought we would pop into the Hotel to have dinner. Apollo Bay was abuzz with runners intent on the same thing so we were turned away and wandered along the street looking for an alternative. We found a little wine bar that serves tapas that turned out to be perfect. We had a little wine, lots of water and shared some plates that were delicious. We were pretty hungry so didn't take a pic until dessert was served. It has become a tradition to have a doughnut the day before a race but couldn't find one and settled for some churros instead.

Back to the campground we found a few more runners had set up their camps, there was some in tents and some sleeping in their vehicles. Running Buddy had found at the last minute that her son had left the poles for his swag ...somewhere, he's not sure where so she also ended up sleeping in her car but it was quite a good set up. After a cup of tea sitting around the lantern we were in bed by 930.

I had a fitful sleep, I never sleep well the first night in a strange bed and I listened to the noises of the campground with the surf crashing in the background. Chris had smartly said I would be lucky if someone didn't toss something at me to stop me snoring but nothing landed on me and I woke at 5am to the sound of the garbage truck and the crew setting up the start line. The beauty of staying at Kennett River was that we didn't have to catch an early shuttle bus and could get up at 630 to be ready to cross the road to start at 8am. Thousands turned up in a steady stream of buses before the road closures and turned the little caravan park into a hive of activity. Pity the poor people who were actually camping. We had a key to the park toilets so didn't have to queue in ridiculously long lines for our toilet routine. We quickly packed out swags and gear and got ready for the actual race, the whole reason we were there.

The morning was perfect, sunny & mild. We had studied the course, even driven along it, & knew what we were in for, now we just had to do it. I ran the whole way, up all the hills and enjoyed the downhill respites. I felt pretty good and plodded along sometimes listening to my music but often lost in my thoughts, taking in the views and battling the strong head wind.

At one point I looked up and there was a beautiful rainbow framing my view. I didn't at that point think about the rain that was creating this rainbow but we copped it shortly after that. A little drizzle turned into steady rain that soaked me through.  As we got closer to Apollo Bay supporters started to appear to cheer us on, it is always nice to have complete strangers willing you along, even if they say 'nearly there' when you aren't. As I came into the finish chute I heard the announcer announce my name and it made me smile. I was glad to finish and wonder how I am going to run another 20k on top of that. At that pace it will be a 5 hour marathon. That's a lot of running.

a soggy but happy finish

I don't mind running in the rain but was wet through at the finish and got cold quickly when I stopped. As always after a long run I felt unwell and even though we did a quick change in front of strangers in the laudromat into our dry clothes AND ate a banana AND replaced fluids it took me a while to come good. Apollo Bay was even more crowded and we battled to find somewhere out of the rain to have a coffee. The girls were interested in some shopping but I couldn't think straight to make a purchase. I think it is the levels of lactic acid that make me feel unwell and being cold makes it worse. I just have to keep moving and keep drinking.

On our way back to shuttle bus we paused at the sidelines to watch others finish and to see our MCR team mate Frank blitz the inuagural 60k Ultra in 4:05 taking out the $1000 prize. Colin was pleased with his sub 4 result but Eddy struggled after doing Wings for Life last weekend.

the MCR crew, I'll have my top soon

I wasn't looking forward to the bus trip back to Kennett River but made it back without incident where we showered and headed home. We decided we were hungry by then so stopped at Wye River for this delicious burger. It really hit the spot.

It was an excellent weekend, the race was achievable, the family survived without me and again it has proved to me that I can do hard things