Four weeks to go...

With four weeks to go many runners will have completed their last Sunday long run before they commence bringing this important run down in distance. While the overall length of your runs generally get shorter with slightly fresher legs you will notice that the pace increases. This is good but don't over do it, the taper also provides an opportunity for your body to fully recover from the  pressures that you have placed it under in your marathon and half marathon preparation. 

Make sure, during this colder weather, that you accelerate gradually during tempo runs and that your easy runs are easy and don't simply become another hard hit out. Recovery is as important, if not more  so, than the actual training.

Barrel on wombats...

Don't PANIC

It's that time of the year, the lead in to the Perth City to Surf, when distance runners of all shapes and sizes start to panic. Have I done enough training? Should I up my mileage? Do I need to put in more hills? ... you know the drill, I certainly do because I have been there many times before.

These questions and these doubts are a wonderful part of being a distance runner however, the good runners see them as just that, questions and nothing more. At this late stage in your preparation for the 12km, half or full marathon there is little point in panic. Cramming will only make you tired and susceptible to injury or illness and these are far worse than worrying about not having trained enough. 

Just stay your course, make every run you have left count and remember ... if you have missed it , it's gone , nothing you can do about it so move on and prepare for the next day.

Barrel   on wombats...

Sometimes being a distance runner, or in my case being a has been  distance runner, looks a bit like this.The funny thing is that despite the isolation of the journey , it does become an addiction.

I ran hard last night, against a young guy I'm helping to coach as a part of a team and a part from the fact that he wiped the floor with me and this morning I felt like I had been hit by a bus, I ran again today. 
This is not normal behaviour however, it is a distance runners behaviour. Sticks and stones may break my bones but long runs seem to excite me.... 

Barrel on wombats...

It's Raining

I ran today....ouch!!!!

While the mind was willing the body was weak. This sport is not a place for the soft of mind. I am constantly telling those who I coach, help or guide , to remember that distance running is about time and patience. It seems however, that once I lace up these pearls of wisdom that I continually bestow on others , do not apply to me. I think I need to listen more than speak.

Perth had a great deal of rain, I know this is a god send for us in terms of water levels but if its the day that you step out the door for the first time in a long time its quite simply A TEST OF MY INTESTINAL FORTITUDE.......

Barrel on wombats...

Winter Mileage

Remember distance running is a time aged process. It does not happen over night and more often than not it is what you were doing two years ago in training that results in the benefits that you get from racing well now.

As we get older we tend to try and cram things too fast. Hold back and just use common sense and over time and mileage, your results will improve as you get stronger and smarted. It takes time to learn your body. Running is not just a physical activity. It is also a mental one.

Plan your journey and start now.

Barrel on wombats...

Work Load...

I have had a few emails of late asking why I have been an absent blogger. Unfortunately, not being the young wombat that I used to be, and the fact that work has been extremely busy over the last many months, Blogging has taken a back seat.

Rest assured though the wombat is still slogging on, getting out there every day, doing a bit of group coaching, as well as looking after a young wombat who is making very solid progress as a runner. In fact a recent trip to 'Falls' indicated that he is keen and eager and more importantly, switched on to learning his craft as a distance runner.

I will endeavor to be a little more regular and keep those of you who follow a little more in the loop to my travels and progress as a wombat warrior and a coach ... In the mean time

Barrel on Wombats...

PS A quick shout out to OTFBD, remember mate " On foot in front of the other in rapid success is what running is all about., the good guys just do it faster. More importantly every day matters but even more importance enjoy your journey.....

Patience

Never rush improvement when it comes to distance running. Distance running is a sport that takes a very long time to become good at. That means good at in terms of your own fitness, abilities and finding your level.

You cant cram distance running. Running three times on one day and then missing the next three is not the way to improve. You are better off starting with small steps and running a little bit every day, regardless of whether that is 400m or 5 miles.

Remember , steady steady wins the race.

Barrel on wombats...