Running
13.5Km in 1:08:37, average pace 5:05
Isn’t it great when an ordinary run is backed up by a fantastic run the following day 
Contact lenses firmly in place I was feeling much more secure this afternoon so thought I’d try returning to my mid-week long(ish) run, albeit a day late. Rather than trekking up along the path to MacRob’s bridge and back again I decided to try Albert Park for a change. Despite a bit of mucking around waiting to cross a few major arterials it was well worth it. I ran up The Tan past the war memorial, down Dallas Brooks Drive and Domain Road then over to the Lake.
I can’t believe I hadn’t ventured down that way before, the last time I ran Albert Park was my first proper fun run, The Queen of the Lake in August ‘05. I ran the 5km in 25:53, placed 10th in my age group and all off 30 to 40kms a week of treadmill running at the gym, not too bad, even if I do say so myself, It was that race that gave me the running bug, it was one of the first times I had run outdoors since high school X-C.
Anyway, I digress. Despite the famous Albert Park wind it was thoroughly enjoyable and as you can see from my overall average pace I used to nice flat track to pick the speed up for some sub 5 minute Kms. I’ll definitely be using that course again and adding an extra bit along The Tan and Yarra I could easily manage an 18km run. Previously my mid-week long runs were maxing out at 16Kms when I was training for the half marathons. So just like with the Sunday long run I’ll start building these up again week by week.
I have been asked if I was to help out as a run leader for the Run for the Kids training runs, I said yes. I really enjoyed these training sessions last year, the atmosphere was great and I got to meet alot of new buddies, it will be fun taking a group of runners out and helping them towards their goal of finishing the R4K.
Caved in a bought myself a Fuel Belt today, I have resisted but after close to 3 hours running in the Dandenongs on Sunday with no water or Gels I realised I needed one if I want to keep running trails. Anyway, I amused the sales staff at Paddy Palin today, jumping up and down on the spot and running up and down the store. It seemed pretty secure and non-bouncy, I’ll give it a go on Sunday, better be comfortable because they ‘aint cheap. I got one with 4 flasks, 1 for water, 2 for Endura and 1 for Brandy in case I get lost 
Ahhh, is anything better than a long weekend? I think not.
3 whole days to myself, no work, no stress, magic!
