Recovery post Halong Bay Marathon has gone well. So well in fact, that I signed up for the Song Hong Half Marathon, held here in beautiful Hanoi, yesterday. In the past I would have thought that two weeks between events (where I pushed my legs hard during the full marathon and really felt it afterwards) would not have been long enough to adequately recover. However, touch wood (and I hope I don't jinx myself by writing this) my recovery time seems to be a lot shorter these days. These seems bizarre when you think I am getting older every day as a runner, so surely that would make my recovery time longer? On the other hand, maybe I am getting stronger/fitter with every race and it is all accumulatory? Or perhaps it's due to my nutrition being on track most of the time (with many a recovery beer and usually pre-race beer or two too - I am a fan of balance and moderation: stay tuned for another 'Eat To Win' runners' nutrition program in 2017 if you too want to maintain balance and eat foods you love while improving your running performance, times and recovery: www.lousweight.com.au)? Or perhaps, it's simply a case of having way less stress in my life these days, when compared with even just 1-2 years ago?..... Who knows. I'm not knocking it, however, not one bit...
It's allowed me to take part in the wonderful Song Hong Half Marathon and see various familiar amazing running faces at the event, which was held at the Ciputra Club yesterday morning. Perfect weather conditions too, despite the race starting at what I thought was quite a late start (8am compared to the recent 5:30 and 4:30am starts). I thought it may be too hot by 8am already, but it was a nice, cooler morning, complete with sunshine, and some amazing volunteers cheering us on and directing us as to which way to go. Thanks to the organisers, volunteers, and other runners! This was a great run! No placing this time, and I'm not sure of my exact result/position as yet (again: watch this space, could be 4th??) however I think I did it in 1:36, which was a full nine minutes faster than that crazy humid Long Bien Half Marathon in October (which I won, amazingly enough!). So I'm pretty happy with that. I then turned the run into my long run of the week by running (albeit a lot more slowly) the 8km home. Job complete. Legs feel pretty good today too. I think this recovery was helped by good food, a few beers, and good company yesterday arvo.
Here's me with a couple of legends, at the finish line, on that post-race high, ahhh:
It's allowed me to take part in the wonderful Song Hong Half Marathon and see various familiar amazing running faces at the event, which was held at the Ciputra Club yesterday morning. Perfect weather conditions too, despite the race starting at what I thought was quite a late start (8am compared to the recent 5:30 and 4:30am starts). I thought it may be too hot by 8am already, but it was a nice, cooler morning, complete with sunshine, and some amazing volunteers cheering us on and directing us as to which way to go. Thanks to the organisers, volunteers, and other runners! This was a great run! No placing this time, and I'm not sure of my exact result/position as yet (again: watch this space, could be 4th??) however I think I did it in 1:36, which was a full nine minutes faster than that crazy humid Long Bien Half Marathon in October (which I won, amazingly enough!). So I'm pretty happy with that. I then turned the run into my long run of the week by running (albeit a lot more slowly) the 8km home. Job complete. Legs feel pretty good today too. I think this recovery was helped by good food, a few beers, and good company yesterday arvo.
Here's me with a couple of legends, at the finish line, on that post-race high, ahhh:
Now it's on with my gradual/vague training plan pre-Bangkok marathon on 5th February. I really like using other events to build up and use as training runs pre a full marathon, so I've just signed up for another local half marathon held here in Hanoi on 8th January. Can't wait! Apart from that, it will be my usual runs throughout the week, a bit of strength/cross-training, copious cycling around town (as it's my transport), plus the requisite longer weekly 'long' runs. Oh, not forgetting the food too of course: a KEY part of my training plan. Hmmm, Christmas and New Years + marathon training? Should be an interesting month ahead.... So excited that THIS amazing human will be spending it with me here (and in Tokyo!):
So, it won't all be about running.... Ahh, Kim! Can't wait til you're back here!! Love you lots xxx
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