Land of the Kiwis A runner in New Zealand

What’s He Up To?

Not much. Training and Resting. Literally. Let me give you a sample day:

7AM: Grumble about the light and bury myself deeper into my pillows.

8AM: Look out the window: Cloudy'n'wet? Roll over...  Sunny? Woohoo! Unfortunately, I now already find myself at the hardest part of the day: pulling my achy-breaky body out of bed. Eventually I usually succeed and stumble into the kitchen for some Wheetabix or toast or something. Once armed with carbs, I'll sprawl as luxuriously (some say awkwardly) as possible across one of the free couches (Alex and Josh are usually up before me) and bring my mind up to speed with some Southpark or Cricket Results (depending on Josh's mood).

10AM: Regardless of the buildup I'm usually out the door for a morning session by 10. Today Mitch called for:

am - AB 55' >< 65' start @ slow end of pace zone, end @ fast end
+ stretch
+ ice achilles

The run went really well (considering I had to massage both my achilles to life before starting the session). I've been having some problems starting these longer pieces off slowly (especially when I know they should be picking up). Problem is I usually get to 12min in and realize I've come all the way down to the bottom of the pace zone. Oh AB = Aerobic Basic, 5:20-6:00/mi. Today I just decided to stay 6:00 for first 30min. Around minute 40 I hit the track and got a speed check. 85.5 lap so 5:51 pace. Good. Coming back home I dropped a 20:20 to finish up the 5.8km back to the flat. Finishing up 5:20 bang on. So I'm really pleased.

Noon: Whatever the workout, eventually it will come to an end and, as per the Seb Coe plan (zero extra-curricular energy allowance), it's straight back to hard core lounging. The only question is the form of the lounge. And with that, we come to my one decision of the day: Sit down in the power chair and crank out some web work? Or re-assume my splayed position on a couch and trash talk it up with the locals. The decision largely comes down to: Will I be disappointing anyone by not working? Is Stefan Smith here and likely stirring up trouble? (surely yes). Either way, I have 5 hours to kick my feet up before the next session.

5PM: Sessions number two, which carries on for at least 2 more hours total (maybe more if I have to get to and from Freyburg pool), takes me all the way to dinnertime.

Today I have:

pm - GR 25' >< 35' easy
+ Lift 1
+ stretch hip flexors
+ ice achilles

Most went well, I think I strained my back a little bit with the squats and my left achilles (getting quite bad now, gotta talk to Mitch) couldn't handle the calf raises. Strong effort overall though and I'm feeling pretty powerful. Upon getting back to the flat, it is a tradition of Alex and mine to whip up some fortifying milkshakes in hopes of gaining some recovery carbs.

8PM: Time to craft some sort of meal, which is a group effort though usually under the supervision of head-chef Van Dalen. After that, it's kick back again and take a peak at what horrors Mitch has concocted for me the tomorrow. More sports and banter to finish off the day and then off to my room by 11.

Midnight: Despite my best efforts, I usually don't end up falling asleep until midnight or so as some email or blog post requires writing.

But with that, you have a nice template of my average day.