Pymble STAR run

I’ve finally discovered the Sydney Striders STAR runs and I’m a major convert. The hardest thing I’ve found about training has always been the long run. Just going out by yourself to pound out 3 hours or so on the road all by yourself is such a mental battle – not just the run itself, but getting yourself to actually leave the house when you know what’s ahead of you.

The opportunity to just turn up at a spot on a Sunday morning, join onto a group of great runners and spend the next couple of hours trotting along discovering a different part of Sydney, chatting, meeting people and just maintaining a much faster pace than I ever would is fantastic. Then to end up with a major feast, tell a few yarns and be home by 9.30 – perfect.

I did my first one about a month ago in Mosman, then Woolwich and finally this morning in Pymble with Chris. It was bloody hilly and the pace felt tough. Halfway through I was struggling, but as I’ve experienced many times, suddenly in the last 5kms I felt stronger than ever and really enjoyed the bush track finish.

Stats:
29km
2 hours 37 minutes
Average HR 138

It started raining just after we finished. Perfect for going home and watching the entire 8th stage of Le Tour which I’d recorded last night!