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This is pure iPhone glory on a glorious morning. I'm a serial photographer. Drives my husband mad. It has in fact been my biggest joy in the inception of the iPhone. Love to stop and snap and share. Hesitated as I was in full flight and hate to stop, but couldn't resist the colours and empty path. Photography in general is on my list of things to do and concentrate on, one day, when I get that superpower I mentioned earlier happening.

Anyway, one of my other biggest joys is also connected to this photo. The early morning exercise. In years gone by I always tapped into the weekend morning exercise to start the day and loved it. But more recently this is just my favourite start to any day of the week. In fact I find it difficult to face breakfast without it! There is a certain smugness but even more than that it is frequently the loveliest part of a day. Today was no exception. However the length of my run also meant I copped the not so nice elements of the day too. On that note for some reason the 25km this morning was a drag, despite it being a km drop. I also have a few whingeries (thanks to bro-in-law for the invention of that term), toenail chaffing, random short chaff on my back (ouchy ouch in the shower) and a generally sore right side (calf and hamy). Must book in to see magician. Oops this was supposed to be a quickie. Here is evidence of my morn:

Ps tones of roos out this morning too. 

Self impressive

Motivation stakes were pretty low for this mornings ride, back in Melbourne, no training buddies and rain to boot... Still managed to make it out and felt pretty happy with myself. 

Slimmed the ride down to just 80km, caught a couple of small rides with some packs but mostly on my own, which is probably better training for me.

Justified the 'slim' ride with two laps of the tan to finish, enter self-impressive. The first lap clocked in at 18 mins flat, not bad considering the numb feet and shaky legs. Second lap 16 and half mins (exact). I was just quietly impressed and felt a third wouldn't have even been out of the question! 

Makes me think this is entirely achievable...

Travel destination training

I've always wanted to write a book about running, particularly my travel adventures and running. I'm still sure there is a lonely planetesque guide waiting to be written for the travel exerciser enthusiast, particularly these days. I used to be pretty much the lone crazy runner from the hostel, these days I'm not so sure. 

Anyway writing this blog is giving me the opp to realise some of those lost opportunities.

So over my many years of backpacking and travelling it is customary for me to start my running reccy as whatever mode of transport brings you into town. There are generalities that abide to most locations. A source of water is always gold. River, beach, lake, water normally equates to a path. Enter my favourite overseas run of all time - lake in Hanoi. More to follow. If no water source is apparent or you know it is unlikely that a suitable road will be available (eg Sth East Asia) a local oval is always good to satisfy the running itch. 

So as my husband/travel buddy is scoping the best pubs my eye is keenly scanning the surrounds to tap into local paths, notice where other people seem to be gravitating to. I feel like I have almost developed a sixth sense for it. 

One of the other benefits to getting out for a jaunt, aside from the obvious - more room for good travel food and drink, is that often it gives you a head start as to local hotspots. The ground you cover is greater and the sights you see endlessly entertaining. The number of good bars, cafes, local handouts I have gleaned through this mode of transport is endless. Again more to follow. 

Anyway back to travel destination training. Byron Bay definitely comes in at a high on my list of training destinations. These last couple of days have been a delight and some milestones, albeit small, achieved. Managed a midweek rest day to start, gasp, then a cheeky 12km lighthouse trip, a casual roll the legs over before a chilly 3km swim in the local pool, supposed to do a 30km run this morn but due to GPS trouble and heat, think it was only 27km, made up for it with a plunge straight into the ocean and about 12km walking. 

All of that equals a delightful drunk dizzy feeling in my legs with the first beer of evening. Yum.

Bit of new razzle dazzle

Not a bad first spin for my new razzle dazzle shoes which are going to take me through to race day. Four days in Byron Bay, four days of golden training opportunities. Joined the locals in a jaunt to the lighthouse this morning, what separated me and them was my shorts and singlet, their leggings and long sleeves! 

Slight toe blister in new shoes, had to get some karma for ignoring the advice of the salesman who said they should be used for long distance running!!

Normal is the new black

Normal or rather what is normal has been the training theme of the last couple of weeks. I’m happy to concede that my view of training normality is a little skewed, but I kind of like that.

So hit some big km on the weekend. At the half way point of my Sat run (14km) I felt I had barely started, does concern me for life post half-ironman! Saying that the Sunday ride wasn’t easy and I don’t feel like progress is as forthcoming as I would like. I have almost hit my longest  training ride at 110km. Amazing difference from the 60km starting point.  

 
At the end of the day even though my view of what is ‘normal’ fitness or training wise is skewed, someone else out there has an even crazier view of normal. Casing point – crazy guy on the news Fri morning who has just circumnavigated the world running a marathon everyday for two years, that is OTT.  

OK about to go road test some new runners, very light weight and very bright. Will be sure to report back.

 

Can't be cross at this cross training!

Feeling strangely un-tired and unspent after a weekend, probably how you are supposed to feel after a weekend. Unfortunately I also feel slightly guilty for the lack of km in my legs, but then you can't be too cross when you have gotten to cross train like this! One day of skiing and then a cheeky jog/walk to start the day, could have been worse! 

I'm slightly concerned/pleased by my sadistic quest to feel the burn yesterday. Didn't quite happen as much as I anticipated, I reckon a dual combination of fitness and my body expecting the European terrain. I'm sure however a change is as good as a holiday. 

Start of Sept, getting lighter and the race getting closer. Must get that ninth in this week and remember september's mantra, my body is a temple and not a seven 11 store!