Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2019 a year of ultras, running and climate change


























As the decade counts down and a new decade is on the horizon , it is fitting to reflect on the good and the bad of the year and what for me has been a big year of running...lots of running .

I started the year running on holiday in Singapore and Japan ,some solid base training in much cooler weather in Tokyo and Osaka and enjoyed the slow build. Got ill on the return with a cold but persevered with the start of a training program for UTA .My 4th attempt. This included 2 trips to Bluff knoll and Albany for lots of elevation and repeats on bluff Knoll. It was tough and character building. Lots of running in Wungong and King's park and  Reabolt repeats. I thought I was prepared but went out hard ,thinking I had the legs but the lack of drinking and nutrition was the undoing with a TDF at 46km . I had the flu coming back and 3 weeks of just been sick.then tried to run the 100km at Avon but found that the legs were just dead ,another TDF . Not Good.

Regrouped after a months break and then started training for feral Pig 100 miler . Also had a great trip to Italy nd France with lots of running ,hiking and cycling some spectacular mountains . Lots of elevation and mileage .All set for Feral Pig

Then continuing with training for Feral pig with a 50miler WTF race on the Queens Birthday Holiday in Perth at the end of September .That was a hard race but again hurting at the halfway mark like in the 50km race in Jarradale but managed to get the necessary nutrition to bounce back and finish the 82kms in 13 hours.

All set for Feral Pig but 6 hours before the midnight start it was called off because of the extreme heat . We all ended doing a 50km race on Sunday when the temperature stayed below 40 a more tolerable 34 if I recall.That took me a good 8.50 because I ran out of water 12km from the end .Another miscalculation as to how hot it can get and the need for hydration. Walked the rest of the way with 2 other runners and as it was not an A race just enjoyed finishing rather than pushing through for a time. That is life. Not everything will pan out .The race I was hoping to test myself will have to be next year . The rest of the year was just short races and a little down time .No Ironman this year .

Rounding the year with a break in Sydney enjoying the city , fireworks and running around the beautiful harbour even if it is a little hot and smoky.

For the record the stats are below for the year.I have surpassed the total running distance for the year with 2300 km and 51,000 m of elevation .


Activities86
Total Distance2,314.33 km
Total Activity Time100:57:09 h:m:s
Activity Calories37,956 C
Total Elev Gain22,806 m
Average Speed25.4 kph
Average Heart Rate107 bpm
Average Run Cadence--
Average Bike Cadence75 rpm


Activities226
Total Distance2,205.43 km
Total Activity Time314:23:14 h:m:s
Activity Calories138,882 C
Total Elev Gain51,849 m
Average Speed7.8 kph
Average Heart Rate138 bpm
Average Run Cadence150 spm
This year 2020 , the goals are to keep getting stronger , several ultras and an Ironman . Back to swimming regularly so lots f morning sessions which I have skipped this pass 5 years.

Here's to a better and stronger 2020.