New Challenge and big decision

Next week I am going to see a knee specialist and then I will fix that stupid knee once and for all because I am getting ready for a new challange.

I signed up for the 'Oldies Olympic Games' - http://www.2009worldmasters.com/default.aspx

In October 2009 Sydney will be host for the World Master Games - that's too much fun to miss and I hope I see more of you out there participating in the biggest sporting event on this planet!

I will be participating in the 8km Cross Country, 10km Road and the Half Marathon!

Happy and save running

Bush Run

Last week was a bit a washout and my only training was in gym on bike and treadmill - at least I could train and watch Euro 08 at same time :-)
Sunday I joint some runners who signed up for the 100km Oxfam and we did a great training run between Checkpoint 2 and 4 - was great to be out in the bush for a 3 hours run. My knee however did not like the steep up and downs :-( and I do not feel confident that I could keep up a rigorous trainingplan to participate in the 100km run end of August without damaging my knee more. Shame, as I really would have love to take on this challanging team race.
Guess it is a back to my 3 days a week running for the time being....I am still reluctant to put the knee under the knife but I probably only kidding myself here as it needs to be done to be back 100% for bigger adventures ahead.

First race after the desert

2 months after crossing the finish line in Morocco and 4 weeks into my new training schedule, I lined up for the Great Nosh 15 km trail run in North Sydney. This race is organised by the NSW Orienteering Association http://bennelong.nsw.orienteering.asn.au/the_great_nosh%20(coming%20event).htm and offers a great run in the middle of a 4 million city through stunning forest and scenery.
Last week I was out with a cold and the lack of training was felt after about half of the distance when a steep climb stopped my efforts to a slow jog for a while...my tank was empty and togehter with the steep descents taking its toll on my knee I finished in 96 min. A bit slower then expected for 15 km but it is a start and I have time till my next goal in October.
I hope the weather will hold up for the next couple of weeks so I can enjoy some more outdoor running until my next stop in the Hunter Valley for a team (2 runners) 1/2 marathon. I signed Denis and myself up for this one http://www.huntervalleymarathon.net/ as another preparation run for our race in October.

Updated website

Have a look at the new layout, visit the Marathon des Sables photo galerie, watch a couple of videos (there will be more soon) and enjoy my race and pre-race reports.

Uli did a great job and updated my website, http://www.run4vision.com/

Please let her know if you like her work -mailto:-luculia@gmail.com

Please don't forget The Fred Hollows Foundation - they still need our support, thanks.

Happy running

Missing the hard training

Today I went for my first long 25 km run in the nice, warm Sydney winter sun. Currently I am only running 3 times a week - one moring on the track, one morning tempo work and the long run on Sunday mornings, plus some swimming and cycling in the gym.
A change from my usual 100+km weeks but since my knee is still hurting I am kind of happy that I do not have to push too hard and I am still reluctant to get under the knife and fix the mensicus.
My plan for the rest of 2008 is to run a couple of shorter races and then in October attempt to run a qualifing time for Boston Marathon at the Fitzroy Fall Marathon. The goal is to finish that race in the forsest of the Southern Highlands in 3 1/2 hours.
Let's see if the old bones are holding up till then.
Uli is updating the website and I am trying to get some photos and videos onto the site shortly to give you all a climps of our adventure in Morocco. I am missing the heat and sand a bit and enjoyed watching a few videos on 'YouTube' about or race last month. Check it out - just search for 'Marathon des Sables 2008' and you will find heaps of great and less great videos from fellow runners.

First run

Well, it was a forced run back to town yesterday, as I left my scooter back at work the night before due to a big night out drinking with work. Was quite please, not only with how the night went but also how I went the next day with a hangover - covered the 11km in just over an hour.

Today I hurt - never had muscle pain after such a short run so guess it is time to get back on track and proper training soon.

Unfortunately the planned 100km Oxfam will be for 2009 - the race sold out within a few hours and before I could get a team of 4 runners together. I will still try to find a spot in a registered team which needs a replacement if one of their runners drops out, but no big sweat if it is not working out in August.

There are a few smaller races and maybe one or two marathon in the 8 months of 2008 to run anyway. 2009 is my wife's year and my running adventures need to be kept on a back burner as I may not be allowed to go too much overboard; nevertheless 'Run 4 Vision' will continue helping The Fred Hollows Foundation and there will be many opportunities to rise money for this Charity in the months to come. I look forward to watching next years Marathon des Sables from the comfort of my home....not.

Have been working hard on my Race Report and sorting out the photos so I hope by end of this long weekend I should be ready with it all.

Happy running

Back in town and not running.....yet

Well, every adventure has an end. After a long flight back to Sydney I arrived to rain and cold weather - just perfect to start another marathon at work.....clearing up 400+ emails!
Since Dubai I developed a shin splints in my right leg and it took the whole week now to get rid of the pain...I will give my body another week or so just to recover fully before start some kind of training again.
Already have a new project in mind, which I missed out on last year - the 2008 Sydney Oxfam Trailwalk (http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/). Still looking for two more keen team member - any volunteers? Denis, my local running buddy, and I are planning to start training next week. All for a great cause and I hope we can register pretty soon as this race will 'sell out' very quickly. I believe we should be able to finish the 100 km under 15 hours - or at least that's the goal.
Before starting that new challenge I will work on my Marathon des Sables Report this weekend and make sure you will have very soon access to all my photos as well.
Thanks for the patience - should not be much longer...but I had to un-pack and wash my smelly running gear first :-)