Writen by Lachlan Boyd
Last week my coach instructed me to go for a 3.5km run and to my absolute bemusement I knocked over 3.74km in 16.48mins with an average pace of 4.29min/km. This is not super fast but it does give me hope with a 3.35min 1km time trail under my belt that my goal of 4:00min/km is achievable.
This week started much the same as the last. My coach has rightly identified a few movement patterns to improve my overall performance which we address in a strength session. Tuesday was dedicated to mental and physical training with some uphill carry work and Wednesday slanted towards performance/technical training. To add some variety and recovery to the week I decided to leave my primary form of transport, my bike, at home and walk. My running goal for the week was a 4k around the Red arrow, which I would tackle the next day.
This plan changed immediately when I arrived home to discover my bike missing, stolen at some stage during the day. I would have to walk and run to all of my appointments, mapping it out on google the sum of Thursdays effort would be a reasonable 3.5km and Friday would require approximately 14km. Getting through Thursday feeling good, Friday began and the first 5.2k leg was great. Running on grass when possible to avoid the pavement along the Cairns botanic gardens and esplanade in the early morning light is a nice way to start the day really. The next 6k was not as neat, the temprature already up around 30 and my short cut across some fields turning into a dive and evade game as I was defeated by the swooping birds. I was happy for a lift eliminating the need for the rest of Friday’s distance and giving my feet a break.
With my running goal successfully tripled Saturday recovery was a walk on the beach. I am in no way happy about the theft of my bike but cannot help but find the humour in the fact that there is little choice now but to use only my legs for transport. It is an opportunity to do more and a challenge that I know will only make me better. To paraphrase my good friend Sharyn “thats a bit shit, now on your feet”.
