The Long One

It’s not just about how fast your run, it’s about going long and staying strong…


Broadbeach, setting off for a long one…
Today, I managed to fit in a long run. Last week’s 15km was great for pacing. Today I hit the beach at 7:45 and ran for two hours. An easy run, no need to push too hard. The aim was to keep an easy pace, practice fueling and get the body used to running long.  

Surfers Paradise seems so far away

I’m not a fan of long runs. It’s not that I don’t like them it’s just that I haven’t done many of them and I get bored very easily especially if I have to be running for two hours on my own. I mean come on how much solo time do I really need? Unfortunately, the only person I know who’s willing to run with me is my partner, our friends are not as sporty as we are, and most think we’re crazy for spending so much time training and participating in races. To us it’s normal, but that’s ok they love us anyway and we love them. 

Halfway, at The Spit
The first and last three kilometres were the toughest. At the beginning I just wanted to be warmed up and feeling good, by the 17th km I just wanted to be finished and to cool my feet off in the sea. Halfway through the early drizzle became a shower but luckily within ten minutes it subsided and miraculously the sun came out. For a moment I thought I’d be running in a downpour. 

Endura Raspberry Energy Gel – yummy and practice fuelling for marathon
At times it felt like I had the beach all to myself. Normally you’d see beach goers at 8 am putting out their towels, going swimming, walking their dogs. This morning it was mostly dedicated surfers, tourists and a few dog walkers. It was pleasant, quite and more relaxing than I could have imagined. My average pace was 5:40 per kilometre for 20km (total run time 1:56). So I’m stoked and ready to call the weekend a success. It’s amazing how a run can make me feel so satisfied. The lovely dinner with Jarek at our local Thai restaurant was a nice treat to end the day too.
                                                  
                                                                   Back to Broadbeach and the shoes get a much deserved rest