Hugh Williams – Getting Back on the Horse
As the sun set at the Glendale Athletics Centre and my warm up was completed, my coach said to me that I was looking fantastic in my drills and strides. This was the final confidence boost I needed before toeing the line after having a consistent few weeks in preparation for this event. Whilst at the marshaling tent, we were welcomed to the smell of mosquito repellent and a heap of the blood suckers hooking into us whilst we attached our hip numbers, making sure we didn’t stay still for too long.
Once the gun went off, I tried to stick to my plan of running with the leaders for as long as possible. This may have meant I fell off the back at halfway but it was a test to see what I was capable of at this point in the season. Unfortunately it didn’t pan out as hoped, as I faded early and struggled home. I was pretty gutted for a day, however I know I’m in better shape than what my time on the weekend indicated. The important part is to ignore that result and get back on the horse and prepare for my next race, the Briggs 5000m in Hobart.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Hunter Track Classic. The size of the venue is perfect, the spectators were excited and the weather was great. Despite my result, there were kids that still wanted me to sign their booklets and shirts, which I have to admit made me very happy! Add to that some quality banter from The Naked Runners and it was a fun night of track and field.
Training 13/1/14 to 19/1/14
Monday – Easy hour over to and from Cammeray Golf Course. Undulating but felt solid the whole time (13.5km)
Tuesday
AM – 8km easy
PM – 3km warm up and warm down. 10 x 400m with 1min recovery (1st two in 59/58, next 6 at race pace (65/66), last two in 59/58) (19km total)
Wednesday – 35mins easy (7.5km)
Thursday
AM – 20 mins easy (4km)
PM – 3km warm up and warm down. 4 x 200m with minute recovery. (11.5km)
Friday – 30 mins easy (6.5km)
Saturday – Hunter Track Classic
Warm up (3.5km) + Strides. Achilles feeling good!
3000m – last in 8:40.
2km warm down
(10.5km total)
Sunday – 2 hour long run. Felt flat whole time, should’ve stopped at 1:40 or even earlier but pushed through. Not smart. (26km)
Total: 94.5km