Big things are coming

I have been inundated with training, research and logistics over the past week.

At Wednesday's session we did 5k time trials. I improved my time by over 4 mins - more on this later, woohoo.. On the downside I bombed heavily on pace management and struggled through the last 2k (including actually stopping three times). My time was 30:16 so if i can get my act together between now and the next 5k trial in 3.5 weeks then I should be looking below 30.

Friday night I did not sleep well at all and woke Saturday morning with aching legs and heavy fatigue. The weather conditions were wet and windy. I did not train!

Instead I researched intra-run nutrition and hydration solutions! I ended up forking out some big bugs for a nathan sport hydration pack vest thingo. It holds up to 2L of water and was the most comfortable of everything I tried on.

On the nutrition side, I was very keen on a non simple sugar solution and after much research came across Hammer nutrition and I've ordered a sample starter pack from them to try out their various gels and powders.

On Sunday I did a long run on my own, I headed out on the yarra trail for 1:10 and back in 1:07:24. I had my headphones and some podcasts to listen to which was wonderful. I think when it comes to my actual marathon I'd like to have some music and podcasts with me so that if I do want to tune out a bit I have the option.

That's my longest run except the half marathon and I was really happy with it, I didn't struggle the way I did in the post 01:45 period of the half, in fact I was able to kick it up over the last 3k, a section of the track I know well.

I have been feeling quite anxious and overwhelmed, there is really a lot going on in my life right now, but I am chipping away at it all and making progress. I have spent lunchtime today doing some heart rate analysis of my long runs since can too started and the two 5k time trials I've done so far, I'll post about that separately.

I'd like to pinpoint my focus on the next 3.5 weeks until the next 5k time trial. I have made a long list of things to accomplish between now and then with daily reminders of desirable things to achieve (like getting to bed before 10, no white flour or sugar, 5+ veg etc).

The really big news today is that I have surpassed my minimum fundraising target of $2000 and am now at $2,037. It is really important to me to make my $5000 goal and I've been thinking of some creative fundraising ideas, and am scheduling time to work on them. I'd love to be halfway ($2500) at the halfway point of training, August 2nd.