6 Sep 04 - 12 Sep 04

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

An odd kind of morning. Woke to beautiful sunshine, and sufficiently few commitments to allow a luxurious lie-in for an hour before donning the running gear and heading into the unknown. As I took off, it dawned on me that at precisely that moment, about 10,000 other runners - far better athletes than I - were running the annual Sydney marathon, which follows the Olympic course, a thought which left me with an odd feeling; a mix of envy and regret. Sad, really. I also realised that in exactly 7 days time the 12km City to Bay will have just started, hopefully with me, but looking increasingly dubious.

I didn't feel good from the start and again had to cut my run short, feeling both angry and pathetic. This is really tedious, and I am becoming paranoid, thinking maybe it's all in my head.

However, it's at times like these I'm glad of the HRM, because it at least confirms that I am getting slowly better, with my average and maximum heart rate reducing along with my times. So while it's still bloody tough, I am at least getting to the tough point faster and easier. Still sounds terribly pathetic. Considering only a matter of weeks ago I was running 15km, and now I'm reduced to 3 or so. Urgh.

I came home, cooked eggs and bacon and read Andy's splendid musings from last Sunday - some of his best writing I feel - and that lifted my spirits. I was particularly taken by the notion that our weather is, for a brief period, rather similar, as you head into autumn and we head into spring. Those rare days filled with the promise/threat of the coming season are so vivid and among my favourite times, so I definitely want to experience them whilst out running. So tonight I'll head out for another run, and see if I can't do my 5km circuit again. Even if I don't make the 12km race next week, I'm grimly determined to get back to some serious distances. Taking longer than I had hoped or expected won't stop it from happening.

God this all sounds so pathetic!

Later that day...
Yes! Hoo-flippin'-ray! Finally, got round the 5km circuit in relative lack-of-discomfort! Is now making me think there was a considerable amount of mind-set missing in previous runs. Either that, or it's a simple case of persistence pays off. Either way, I'm a much happier chappy now. Went out at a steady pace, found my rhythm early (thanks to Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle", a great runners song) and Bob's your uncle.

Now, to get back onto that marathon training schedule!

One Happy Antipodean.