Sunday back to routine

Out to meet Darren, Dicky and Ben at the pool at 6.15am to kickstart the old routine.  Battery died shortly after so had to annoy Darren and Dickyveith constant updates on distance.  First 10km felt like a marathon but easier once we headed to Curl Curl.

Left hammy very tight in final 5km but got 26.5km done in just over 2 hours.

ANSW Relays

Arrived early with the Striders tent and for Maggie’s Under 12 relay at noon. She ran great, going second leg and looking strong on the hills which bodes well for her District XC in 10 days over a longer distance (3km).  She ran 8:28 and was 5th fastest on the day with her team picking up a silver medal.

Then started to get nervous for my race. Rejoov had a strong +35yrs team with me first leg, Eoin, Jerome then CT. I’ve raced once this year so was pretty unsure as to how I’d go. At least had Crossy and Jack running the same leg so people to look out for.

Headed out quickly just ahead of Crossy and Jack but with 2 big groups ahead.  Pace was face (that first km always is) but felt ok. Then Crossy comes past on the back field and I try to stick to him but up the hills he’s too strong and gaps me. Great cheers from Timmy, Mags, CT, LJ, Strommy and Elle though. Some guy from Athletics East (James Costello) comes by at about half way and from then on it’s just a case of hanging on with nervous glances at every turn to see where Jack is.

Finished in 13:49 (same as CT, 4s behind Jerome and Eoin just over 14 - but admittedly I had the easier leg). But we dominated the Over 35’s so I got a nice gold medal to go with Maggie’s silver.

10km all up and Mrs LJ came through with the best scones!

Thursday back into it

Tiger has been setting longer Thursday’s instead of speed so headed down to Rushcutters for some company and just ran loops easy. Fortunately found Q, Jerome and Andy doing the same thing so ended up running with them. 20km in in 4:34’s.  was slower than that until around the 14km mark when, running solo, a short blonde chick with tats came flying past. Looked a bit like Vic Mitchell but wasn’t. Anyway, speeded up to try and work out who it was and ended up running just over 4min kms from then on.

MLR’ish Wed

Got the call from Timmy so did a very easy 15km up to and around Centennial Park with him and Brendan F joining us. Another perfect Sydney autumn day for running and once again feeling bouncy and fresh. Enjoying niggle free running for the first time in 18 months and it’s so enjoyable.

4:43’s.

So nice to feel well again

Yesterday was a manic trip down and back to Melbourne in a day and no time for a run. So got up early and did the Church Point ride with the Peloton this am and decided to carry on in to work with Chappers for almost 60km all up. Pace was easy today so felt fine.

Couldn’t get out for the HuRTs session and, still easing back in and having Rodden I just did 10km in 4:24’s in the late afternoon.

So nice to feel full of energy again. Realise now I’d been pretty down for a long while. Last speed set was April 24th.

Tentative return post 70.3

Finally back running after 3 weeks of sickness and Port Macquarie 70.3 recovery. Friday was an easy 10km with Emma, Saturday an easy 11km with Charlie on his bike feeling pretty good and bouncy. Today was 20km around North Head with Darren and Charlie on his bike again, again feeling great.  Stunning day and perfect cool running conditions which help, but I’m feeling better running than I have since returning from the achilles injury.  I reckon these 2 weeks off may have been a blessing in disguise.  Today was 1:29:05 on a hilly route.

Doing relays next week and need to get back into racing.  One race this year has left me a bit rusty.