Wednesday MLR

Another perfect running day. Termperatures now down in the low 20's but clear skies and no humidity makes for a huge relief from the past few months. Especially when you're coming from a zero fitness base.

Today was the old Centennial Park route with Louis and KPMG Rob. Very easy pace although it picked up a bit towards the end. Achilles a bit stiff after strength training this morning with Carl. 18.57km in 1:27:55 (4:44's).

Hurts Progressive tempo

Big crowd today including Tucks, Clyde, Binfield, MC, English Andy, Fast Charlie, LF Charlie, Indrajeet, Dom etc. Set off conservatively with Tucks with just Fast Charlie a few steps behind. Stayed this way all the way until the hills after Mrs Macs Chair on the return when Tucks pulled ahead. He ended up back at the start on 44:47, me on 45:03. Fast Charlie pulled out opposite the ABC Pool. I pushed the pace down beneath 3:30's as soon as we turned knowing that that is the only way to get back in 45 mins when you turn on 23.5. A 2 minute negative split is a lot. Km splits went as follows:

3:55, 4:03, 3:51, 3:49, 3:53, 3:45, 3:28, 3:38, 3:22, 3:26, 3:30, 3:45, 3:14 (for 206m).

Total of 12.21km in 45:03 (3:42 per/km). 10:18 for the final gate to gate.

Felt good today. Nice and cool but quite a bit of a breeze. Saw a load of people out there including Kanser, the Chairman and Hamburglar.

Easy Monday

Very easy 13.5km in 1:01:10 (4:32's). Nobody waiting so went off by myself. Bumped into Kanser and Eamo half way around so ran with them for the rest of the way. Also saw Binfield and the Chairman (in a rare outing). Beautiful day today, clear as a bell but much cooler than yesterday.

Seal Rocks and Narrabeen Sunday

Returned from a great camping trip at Seal Rocks last night. Missed a run on the Friday on the way up. The rest of the week went as follows:

Sat: 12km easy
Sunday: 23km picking up the pace all the way averaging 4:24's by the end.
Monday: 10km starting easy (5km in 21:30) but picking up the pace to finish in 40:19
Tuesday: Rest. Achilles sore due to lack of stretching and exercises.
Wed: 13km very easy.
Thurs: 13km easy.
Friday: 10km tempo in 37:33. Aimed to pick up the pace the whole way. Worked other than my usual soft cock 6th km. Splits went 3:58, 3:53, 3:49; 3:46; 3:46; 3:49; 3:43; 3:43; 3:33; 3:32
Sat: 13km easy.

All run over an undulating unsealed road from Seal Rocks to Yagon campsite plus some beach on the longer runs.

Today was my route up to Narrabeen and back but ran along Dee Why beach this time as the tide was out. Felt great on the way out running sub-4:20's with ease but struggled back up to Long Reef and until Curl Curl against the wind. Can't seem to do this run without hitting a wall at around Dee Why. Recovered again towards the end. Turned at 13.5km averaging 4:30's and finished the 27km in 2:02:26 (4:32's). Not helped by running at Noon on a pretty warm day - 29C.

Not quite HuRTS Time Trial

MC is scared of doing the time trial so he set it up for today knowing that he wasn't running due to Saturday's race. So I front up despite having drunk a truckload of beer last night. It was good that I did - I sweated out a bit of the hangover and it's such a fantastic day out there today, much cooler at about 23C but clear as a bell.

4 others showed up, and one of those (Chris Graham) was late. The others were Mat Kaley, Dom and strange accent Will. I just wanted to cruise around so set off with SA Will. Actually felt OK when I was running apart from a period of about 5 minutes around Farm Cove when I thought my internal organs were going to pack up. Ran 26:19 (4:03's). Other results were:

Mat: 24:35
Chris G: 25:18
Dom: 25:18
SA Will: 26:53

Off camping to Seal Rocks tomorrow so this will be the last post for a while.

Wednesday MLR

Same as last week but just with Luke. Being Luke, the last few km were pretty quick all averaging around the 4:05 per/km pace. Achilles is pretty sore. Need a rest and to work on it.

HuRTS 45mins Fartlek

Cooler (24C) and wet today which meant a low turnout. These are Sydneysiders we are dealing with. Just Tucks, Clyde, Fats, TimC, Pete W, the King, Phil Woods, Clement and a couple of others. Set off in the front group with Tucks, Clyde and Fats fully expecting them to pull ahead around Farm Cove. Felt good today though so just kept on pushing the fast stretches and keeping pace. Fats was complaining of wind and pulled off at Circular Quay for a pit stop. We reached the first speed hump on Hickson Rd at the half way mark - 6.25km which was way further than I've done recently. The pace then picked up on the way back with the km splits hitting around 3:32 (which included the floats). Went through 10km in 35:46 and just got back to the gates in 44:53 with Tucks having pulled ahead on the penultimate rep and Clyde slightly dropping off.

Really pleased with the session - 12.48km all up averaging 3:35s. More pleased with the fact I made it back to the gates for once so have a bit more strength in the legs.

Ran past Sparkie (who I haven't seen in a long while) and Action along the way.

Recovery Monday

Out with MC, LF Charlie, Clyde and Luke for the usual Monday 14.8km. Felt very easy on the way out (I think the first km was around 5:20). Bumped into Kanser along Hickson Rd and he joined us until the Opera House. We must have upped the pace all the way through as we finished in 67 mins (4:31's average). Felt much better in the second half.

Iron Cove Bolter STaR

Set off with the 6.20am group not knowing whether CT was going to show for a 6.30am start. Very easy to start with but it was just what I needed - legs were still shot from yesterday. Group included Flakey, Shaun A, Nick B, Jo Cowan etc. Fats joined us at about 3km. We continued on together until about 15km when Fats and I drifted off the front. Caught CT coming back over the Gladesville Bridge and ran with him until 3km to go. No idea of the pace as I left my Garmin at home but I'm guessing it was 5min+ kms to start with but around 4:20's from when Fats and I pushed on. Finished in about 2:18. Guide reckons it is 29.9km but I reckon whatever route we took was a bit less, probably 29km.

Left achilles is now sore (not on the insertion but further up). Was the same story last time I did yesterday's session with Sean.

Centennial 8km

Warm and humid and boggy underfoot. However, was hoping to stick to Sean today given how much better I've been feeling in running recently. However, it wasn't to be. He pulled away at the end of the first laps and put about a minute into me by the end. Laps went as follows:

6:53
7:09
7:17
7:09

28:26 all up. Only 1s quicker than last month with very similar time distribution over the 4 laps. I was hoping to get under 28mins today so was pretty disappointed. Not sure of the reason - probably just tired after the recent step up in training. However that third lap is just pathetic. Need to do some more tempo running to stop this mid-race tail off. I'm much stronger over intervals. Will do some quicker tempo 10kms when on holiday.

Followed by the usual 10 hills which I did consistently in 21s. 14km all up.

The effort of pants

Very easy 5km over lunch with Clyde, the King and a chick called Anne. Clyde reckoned 5km wasn't even worth the effort of changing pants. I've become slightly obsessed about running every day though. Don't seem to get sore when I do.

Easy Thursday

Very tired from the week's training and still can't shake a cold that I've picked up so skipped HuRTS and ran a very easy 13km instead. Crossed paths with Pete W and Clyde and caught Hamish Bell with 2km to go so ran back with him.

Wednesday MLR

Easy run at lunch with MC, Tim C, Tucks, King James V and Indrajeet. Usual route out beyond Rose Bay turning after 45mins. Managed 9.4km before we turned (just before the top of Heartbreak Hill). Quicker on the way back to finish 18.76km in 1:27:11 (4:38's). Tired by the end despite the easy pace - it's been a big 3 days (60km) and did strength with Carl this morning so the legs were weary.

Farewell Sergio

The big fella emailed yesterday to say that he'd resigned and was heading over to that popular destination for Australians of Portuguese descent - Switzerland. It will be a sad loss for the HuRT Squad and the Sydney running community. No-one will forget his 68min Half Marathon at the Gold Coast - he wouldn't let us. For the month or so per annum that Serg was actually fit, he would blitz us all. The thing was that he'd only take about 4 weeks of half arsed training to get there. We will be marking his departure in true Serg style - 2 lite beer shandies (heavy on the lemonade), a plate full of peri-peri chicken and 3 Hickson Road reps.

Today was 4 x 3km with the HuRT Squad. None of the fast guys were there though with Clyde and Tucks absent and John and Andy resting before Ironman Oz this weekend. So I was all alone by myself up front. With yesterday's session in my legs and a heavy cold, I ran comfortably but can't say it was too enjoyable. Reps averaged 3:41, 3:33, 3:41 then 3:28. Zero aches and pains though. Body feels better than it has in 2 years.

Long Monday

Heaed out early for a loop of Centennial then joined the boys (MC, Tucks, LF Charlie, Luke, Indrajeet, Rob and James V) for the usual Monday route. I'd taken Centennial very easy (4:31's) so still felt good when starting the second part. Slowed down to start with then we picked up the pace all the way through such that the final 4kms were run in 3:56, 3:49, 4:00 and 4:05. All up 27.15km in 2:00:16 (4:26 per/km). Felt great today. First long run I've done in 12 months feeling good all the way. Luke was on fire pushing the pace towards the end.

Short Sunday

Didn't have time for a long one so just 7.2km to the fields the other side of Campbell Parade, around twice and back. Averaging 4:37 (33 mins or so). Legs very tired after yesterday.

Centennial 4 x 2km

Sean's plan was to run them at 3:25 pace. Was hoping to get them all in under 6:40 after last week's session. We were running them off every 9.5 minutes so a longer rest in between compared to last week.

Felt great on the first going off quick and just feeling comfortable. Keith and Vlad came past so just tried to keep within a reasonable distance of them. This was how each rep went - I was basically about 6 seconds behind Vlad so used him as a marker. CT also joined in the last 2 having wandered acorss us on a run. Various others were doing shorter variations on the 4 x 2km theme. Reps went:

6:31
6:26
6:27
6:26

Garmin had it at 1.98km but still really chuffed with the times. Long warm up and down for 16km all up.

Easy new shoes

Very easy jog to the Sydney Running Center in Edgecliff, swapped for a new pair of Brooks Infiniti and ran back. About 5km.

Slingshot kms

Session was planned for Rushcutters, I was late and only planning on running an easy 13kms. Bumped into the boys (Todd, MC, new boy Mark, Rob, Dom) running back from Rushcutters though as it was being used for a cricket match. So followed them to Farm Cove where they ran Gate to Gates and I ran with them but then continued on with a jog while they had the 2 minute rests, hence the "slingshot". All good, average km times came down from 4:50's while jogging to 4:00's while doing the slingshots. 12.5kms all up in 54:40 (4:22's). Bit out of the ordinary but there you go.

Beautiful day again, perfect Autumn weather. Sydney at its best.

Wednesday Non-MLR

Only time for an hour today so headed out with Mike Race and Tim C around the Centennial route I did on Monday evening. Beautiful day for running. Just over an hour at an easy pace. Have got a sore throat so packing in the zinc.

HuRTS 5min reps

Eight of them. Normally like this session - each one feels fairly comfortable (you run them at Half Marathon pace) but you get this creeping fatigue during the last 4. However, having finished my long run only 15 hours earlier, the creeping fatigue set in half way through the first rep.

Ran variously with Clyde, Binfield and the Judge but Clyde and Binfield pushed on on reps 2 - 4 and Clyde alone did on reps 5, 6 and 8. I was pretty consistent running them all in 3:28-3:29 pace other than the first (3:34) and the last (3:25). Sunny but cooler again (25C) which makes a huge difference. Interesting that the total session works out at 12.01km in 50:30, 4:15 pace despite having 10.5 minutes of rest included. Shows how tough it is on the body.

Feeling guilty Long run

Friday too busy to run. Sat was Thurston's Bucks day. Sunday was recovery from Thurston's Bucks day. Monday should have been further recovery from Thurston's Bucks day, but felt too guilty missing my Sunday run so ran home after 6 hours of meetings this afternoon at work. Went via my Wednesday Centennial Route then along Cahill Expressway and back home. Lovely cool evening and no aches and pains after 3 days off. Picked up the pace the whole way to run 26.18km in 1:55:19 (4:24's) which ain't bad considering all the hills. Attacked the hills from the Cahill Expressway home. It's become a bit of a habit.

Some great results from Six Foot from Uncle Dave, Fats, Tim C and Tim Ashby (the latter beating my PB by 3 seconds). Tucks had a shocker. In fact, I'm beginning to question his mental strength for the big races. I'll be beating him soon. I've challenged him to an 800m after he declared he'd given up on long trail running and was going to stick to the track.

Bingle Single

Not sure why anyone expected anything else from a 22yr old Shire girl.

Great session today - 4 x 2km off a strict 2 minute rest. Much cooler conditions and I felt stronger as a result. Set off on the first rep with Ray and Fats behind - MC, Todd, Derek and others in a group behind us. Ran with Ray and Fats on the second rep with a following wind pushing us along. Alone again on the third and with Ray pushing all the way on the last. Times went:

6:53

6:45

6:43

6:25

Sean had me down to average 3:25s so was really pleased with the times. More pleased with how I felt - full of running today.

90kms for the week but may fit in another tomorrow given I'm likely not to be able to get out over the weekend.

Photo is of the Tiger going for a run with Australian 1500m record holder Sarah Jamieson yesterday. At least he told me he was going for a run.

Longer Wednesday

Headed out with MC, Indrajeet, Marty and Tim C towards Rose Bay. I cut short towards the end for about 17km at a very easy pace (4:50's). Crossed paths with LF Charlie doing Warrior on the Woolloomoolloo steps (he obviously chickened out of a proper run) but he was concentrating too hard to respond.

Hurts Progressive tempo

Actually, it's more like running halfway at steady tempo than turning and trying your best to get back. Ran with Ray, Clyde, Andy and Tim C with Ray and Clyde pulling ahead by 20m at the turn. Ray and Clyde came past strongly pretty soon after the turn and left Andy and I running together for the return. I struggled up the hills towards the end when Andy came past.

Very warm today (high 20's) but not so humid. Still feeling the weekend work in my legs. Averaged 4:00's on the way out and 3:40's on the way back (11.82kms in the 45mins for 3:48 average). Finished 30 seconds short of the Stone Gates.

Easy Monday

Had the day off work with Bec being ill so headed out in the early evening for a very easy 8km around Manly. Felt terrible for the first 2km but felt great by the end. Bumped into Richard Green half way around and had a chat - said he was nearly a minute slower on Sat than he was expecting.

Dehydration

Went out for my 2 hour run at 4pm after sweating all day in the humidity. Really didn't feel like it but forced myself out. Ran the same course up to Narrabeen as last week but went via Long Reef going behind the dunes on Dee Why beach rather than on the road. Felt great until 16km, running 4:10 - 4:20's feeling really relaxed, but then suddenly became dehydrated running back up the hill to Long Reef headland. From then I was hanging out for every bubbler. No matter how much I drank I still felt thirsty. Still do now, 2.5 hours later. Feeling pretty queasy too. Bec has a virus so hope I'm not in the early stages of that.

Held it together OK to run the 26km in 2:00:01. How's that for sticking to schedule?

Bring on Autumn.

Striders 10km North Head

Woke up to find no wind but a humid morning after all the recent rain - similar conditions to last months race. Jogged over to the start, but having moved it to the car park at the end of North Head is much further to jog there than it used to be. I realised this about half way there when I'd already started sweating quite a bit. Caught up with Ray beforehand for a jog and we were off.

CT, Jan-Willem and another chap shot off and I was next, wanting to make an aggressive start. Enda was alongside with Ray, Thien Vuong and another. Basically ran with them until the turn at 3km when Ray and Thien started to pull ahead on the drag back up after the Stone Arch. After 5km Wayne Bullcoh came past and I let him go aswell. Lost a lot of time in the middle of the race between 4km and 7km - just don't have the confidence at the moment to push on through. After the turn at the Stone Arch for the second time I decided it was time to put some effort in so concentrated on catching Wayne. Got into a good rythmn here and pushed on past him between 8 and 9km to finish strongly. 35:28 all up. Ray finished on 34:58. A bit disappointed but it's still a minute improvement from last month so I can't complain. Body feels fine now.

Sort of Mona Fartlek

Sean's session for today was 6 x 30s with a 30 second rest. HuRT Squad session was Mona Fartlek. So I ambled around the back of the HuRT Squad until Clyde caught up with me on the final 1 min stretch before the six 30's started. I then ran the 30s with him which fitted in perfectly. Bashed them out pretty hard and I was pleased to finish them.

Others there were Ray (taking it very easy before Sat morning), Andy, Luke and Dom. MC had got there early and assumed we'd already set off. At least that was his excuse.

Dave - Sat morning is the next Striders 10km up at North Head, my local.

Easy Wednesday

Just an easy 10km plus a few sprints at the end - first half with Mike Race. Weather cooler but clear. Looking forward to Autumn.

Tempo Run Home Again

Missed HuRTS with a meeting so decided on a tempo run home. Felt great from the word go after yesterday's rest day so pushed all the way. 14:30 at Ben Boyd, 26:52 at Toyota Garage and 50:21 all up after a 6:50 final 2km. Only 1:36 behind my PB set just before City to Surf in 2008. Hope I haven't overdone it before Saturday.

Sore Sunday

Schedule today was 26km in 2 hours. Woke early and set off at 6.15am feeling absolutely terrible. Really bad night's sleep due to the heat and humidity but also very tired after yesterday's session. It was a case of one foot infront of the other to start with, and even at 5km I thought I was never going to get myself out of it. I basically just ran up the coast to Narrabeen lagoon and back again. It took a push up Griffin Rd to Dee Why to get the heart pumping and breath some life into my legs. Km splits tell the story:

5:10, 5:00; 5:58; 4:42; 4:35; 4:39; 4:35; 4:29; 4:39; 4:21; 4:24; 4:25; 4:18; 4:23; 4:20; 4:12; 4:24; 4:20; 4:24; 4:26; 4:40; 4:22; 4:26; 6:17 (Freshwater beach and those bloody steps up over Queenscliff); 4:35; 4:22.

26.07km in 2:00:57 (4:38's). Achilles is sore for the first time in ages. Right hip flexor also tight.

Bumped into Richard High (second time in 2 days, he's stalking me) and Pete W.

Centennial 8km

Out with Sean's squad on a beautiful cool morning. Ground was very wet though which made things quite heavy underfoot particularly on the second loop. Warmed up with Keith and then did 8km tempo followed by 10 hills. Ran the first lap with Vlad who is recovering from illness and injury. He dropped off on the second so just tried to keep Sean within sights from then on. Laps went as follows:

6:55
7:10
7:14
7:08

28:27 all up (3:35's - exactly what I was told to do again). 9 seconds quicker than last September. Hills were fine.

Old Skool

Very easy 10km today with the old skool of HuRTS runners - MC, Ray, Springer and, wait for it, Serg. Headed around the new pedestrian path at Barangaroo which looks purpose built for HuRT Squad sessions. They've even got a blue line with a painted runner on it. Cooler again and light rain making for perfect running conditions.

84kms for the week. Hip, knee and achilles all great.

HuRTS Gate to Gates

Hangover. Very stiff legs from yesterday's core strength session. Only turned up hoping to bump into Indrajeet (work issue) and because the session (8 x 909m) was very similar to what Sean had planned for me (7 x 800m). Then started the session and felt surprisingly strong. Was running at the head of the front group consisting of me, Fast Charlie, Ray and the Judge. All the reps were run in around 2:52 (3:09 pace) other than the first and the last which were a bit slower - about 2:58. Ray and Charlie came past half way around the last rep and the elastic broke. I did 7 of them as per Sean's plan. Beautiful day. Cooler than recently but perfectly clear and a little headwind on the "out" legs.

Fitting it in

Missed HuRTS with another lunch so just ran home. Tried to pick up the pace a bit and attack the hills to make it tougher, but it was something a little less than a tempo. Bottom of Ben Boyd in 15:33, Toyota Garage in 28:33 and 53:34 all up after a 7:14 final 2km. Felt pretty good from top of Ben Boyd onwards. Still got some slight concerns about my hip. Not sore when running but aware of it when sitting down.

Late Sunday run

Photo of Bec in the Flags. The keen observer will notice me in the background.

Tonight was 22.67km easy run home in 1:43:51 - averaging 4:35's. Was going much slower until I reached Sydney Rd to start the loop around Manly when I decided I'd better speed up and get home before Kirst started to get worried.

State Carnival Weekend

Thursday night headed up to the Nippers NSW State Carnival. Had a fantastic weekend, capped off today with Bec making the final of the U8 Wade. She was going well in the middle of the pack until three-quarters of the way through when she swallowed a whole load of sea water and struggled home. Nonetheless, she made her parents very proud.

Struggled to fit in the runs, rested on Friday. Got out Saturday afternoon in the baking sun having spent the morning and early afternoon in it. Did what was on the program - 4 x 2km plus hills. Found a 2km loop around some ovals behind ourt hotel in Newcastle. Was very reluctant to do them but told myself just to grind through them. Times went 7:25; 7:15; 7:09; 7:00. ould only do 6 hills due to lack of time. Caught up with Richard P for dinner with our families and headed out on Sunday morning with him and two of his running buddies for 15km very easy at 6am along the beautful Newcastle coastline.

Will try and fit a long one in tomorrow although my hip is a bit sore. Couldn't do any of my usual exercises in the hotel.

Thurs run home

Same two glasses of wine at lunch, same time at bottom of Ben Boyd (16:02), almost same time at Toyota Garage (29:38) but quicker in last section for a 55:55. No legs for a 3:40 finish though.

Wed run home

Felt a bit dodgy to start with after a couple of glasses of wine at lunch but soon settled into it. Pushed all the hills which lead to a slightly quicker time - 29:43 at Toyota Garage and 56:40 all up. Puffing hard up the hills but then would feel great after. Last km in 3:40. Followed by 5 x 100m at 90% effort.

HuRTS 4 x 3km

Actually, 4 x 10mins on way out, 2 mins rest then return to the start.

Was working until 2am last night and was struggling this morning so set off pretty tentatively, trying just to ease my way into it. I think everyone was doing the same thing as there was a lot of banter going on for a rep session. John, Tucks and Fats out front (the Judge dropping in every now and then), me, Ray, Andy and Enda in the next group with Derek and Clement popping in and out. Reached the edge of the bus stop outside the Art Gallery for the first rep (same point as I got to on Mona Fartlek two weeks ago but felt as though I was running a lot slower today). Back in 9:30. I pushed the 3rd rep, running with Fats, Ray and Andy and pushing up the hills. Reached the big tree half way between the end of the bus stop and the statue. Back in 9:35 including a big pick up in pace over the final 300m tussling with Andy.

Andy had the average pace as follows: 3:50, 3:37, 3:42, 3:33.

Very pleased with the session. Getting stronger.

Load of people out there today. Even saw the mighty Serg going for a jog.

Sunday Valentine

Headed out this afternoon for 90 mins with Ryan (nothing to do with it being Valentine's day). Ran around and about including up to North Head. Covered the 20km in 1:29:42 - 4:29 pace. Probably a bit faster than I would have done by myself to be honest, but felt very relaxed. Also easier on the legs doing the slightly shorter distance - again at Sean's suggestion.

Saturday session

Missed getting to Centennial this morning following a late dinner out last night so headed out at 4pm to do the session Sean had suggested. I was down for 6km at 3:35 pace followed by 10 hills.

That's what I did. Covered the 6km (2 and a bit loops of my 2.5km circuit) in exactly 21:30 although had to push the last 2km to do so. Kms went:

3:33
3:35
3:37
3:37
3:32
3:32

Then just rolled through the hill reps. It was very humid (we had 70mm of rain last night in an hour) but no wind. Vest was sodden by the end. Might have lost a few grams as a result.

HuRTS Time Trial

6.5km time trial. LF Charlie, Chris G, Dom and others set off on 26mins, Ray and I set off on 23mins, Andy gave us 30 seconds and Tucks set off on 21mins. Have only done this session once before which was early September when I was in the middle of my first mini-comeback. Then I ran 22:45 but damaged my hip in the process. I took the first km a lot easier this time hoping just to run relaxed all the way. I had done a pretty tough session with Carl this morning and my legs were still tired from that. Km splits went as follows:

3:37
3:33
3:42
3:37
3:40
3:42
3:20 (pace for the half km)

23:30 all up. So fairly steady all the way, picking up the effort up the hills towards the end. I ran with Ray all the way and that helped push up the hills. 45s down on last time, but it was hot out there today. Having said that, I'm obviously still not as fit as I was in September. But I'm not injured.

Great run by Tucks to set a course record and finish in 21:00 (he went through 5km in a (very soft) pb of 15:52). Andy ended up running the same time as Ray and I. Greg will have the other results.

Easy stuff

Very easy 40mins around Farm Cove and the Opera House etc. Beautiful day - sunny but not so humid. Greeted loads out there, including Dicky H and Bill, Springer, Derek, Crasti and saw Craig Dunn looking quite fit.

HuRTS 5min reps

8 of them off 90 seconds. Tucks and Binfield out front, Ray all over the place, me, Fast Charlie and English Andy following, Mike Race looking solid, LF Charlie, Pete W and even Greg in attendance - just another usual HuRTS Tuesday lunchtime. I managed to persuade Brendan from work to join in too. He ran a solid 19:57 at JPMorgan off little training so have persuaded him that 6 months of HuRTS training could get him into sub-19 territory and give us a shot at the mixed title again.

Started steadily and basically ran all the reps at the same pace - 3:42 per km. Felt pretty good on the last one so upped the pace in chasing Ray to something sub 3:30. Not much more to report. It was rainy then sunny. Pretty warm.

Tired Sunday

Missed a run in the morning due to competing in the 2km at the Cole Classic. I think I managed to avoid being last in my age group due to a sprint up the beach where I overtook an overweight bloke with the same coloured swim cap as me, so avoided complete embarrasment.

As a result of the swim and yesterday's race, the first 5kms of today's run over my favourite Manly long run route (Seaforth, North Head and Balgowlah Heights) was very sluggish. Got into it a bit after that, particularly after deciding to push the hills to raise the heart rate. Bumped into Thamal up at North Head who was looking as relaxed as ever. However, struggled over the final 5km running through the bush on the Manly to Spit path. 2:09:41 all up.

Knackered now. Achilles and hip better than ever but my old knee injury is feeling a bit weak. Need to restart the ski squat exercises which I was religious about until 4 months ago when I started all the other bloody exercises I have to do.

Fantastic run by Jeff Hunt in the Beppu marathon. I always said that lad had talent...

Striders 10km Homebush - 36:24

Picked up Dicky Green at 5.50am and was chatting to him on the way to Homebush about fitness and training etc. I indicated that my hope was to run under 36mins today. He said he had no idea but anything under 40mins would be OK. Little did I know at that stage that I'd be seeing a lot of him for the rest of the morning.

With high humidity (despite not being too hot) I realised after the first km was reached in 3:30 that 36mins was going to be tough. I seemed to be miles back in the field during the first 2km. I deliberately didn't sprint off and tried to work my way through the pack instead. I was running with Dicky but with large groups in front who we gradually picked our way through. However, just after 3km when reaching the horsetrack he gradually eased ahead and I was on my own again. I reached 5km in 18:10 just after someone else had come past and realised that it was time to make an effort to keep in touch and claw some places back. I passed a group including Shaun Aichison and Steve Jackson along the road to 6km, and then Eoin Reville at 7km. Dicky started coming back at 8km so I just pushed on. Finished in 36:24. Time not great but it's my first race after only a month comeback training so can't expect too much. The pleasing bit was feeling much stronger in the second half and recording only a 4 second positive split when others blew out much more. That's probably got more to do with being scared of the distance in the first half though.

Tucks ran strong for 2nd place in 33:05 (times generally were relatively slow today). Great to see the Judge out there running just over 35 mins. Ray started coming back towards me at the end in running just over 36. Keith Bateman is looking very fit but blew up in the second half and ran high 34. Good shouts from the sidelines from the Tiger and Silverfox. Cheers all.

Easy jog

Just an easy 6km jog in the hot and sweaty conditions. Will be tough tomorrow morning if this weather doesn't break.

HuRTS 3 x 2kms

Mike had the session down for 4 x 2km but given he's away I shortened it to 3 times and tried to make them quicker. Run off every 10mins. Small crowd but interestingly included Ray, Cradock, Chris G and myself (the 4 founding members of HuRTS) plus Tucks, Clyde, chap called Andrew who knows Serg and who was quite handy plus others.

Reps went as follows:

6:50
6:50
6:49

So nice and consistent. Quite a bit of wind on the 2nd rep so pushed it a bit harder. Felt comfortable running them just behind Clyde and Ray (although Clyde pulled ahead on the last). Tucks was on fire out front getting the first one in under 6mins. Bumped into Kanser putting in a coulpe of quick stertches with Sam along Hickson Rd.

Hurts Progressive tempo

Big crowd today including Tucks, Fast Charlie, Andy, Binfield Motors, MC, Ray, Cradock, Pete W, Todd and dozens others. Even Durante popped by to say hello before attacking the workout playground with the men with their shirts off. The reminiscence of old times continued when passing by Kanser twice whilst doing the session. Second time he appeared to be going faster than me.

Set off too quick running with Fast Charlie just behind Andy and BM. Ray, the Judge and Tucks were further in front. Cradock then joined Andy, Ray and BM and they started pulling ahead during the second 10mins. I was then all alone, as usual. Turned on 23.5mins about 100m behind that group and realised I was going to struggle to get home. Legs were still heavy from Sunday. They all came past exactly on 30mins around Circular Quay. I continued on OK until Mrs Macquarie's Chair (when Tucks came past) and from there I struggled up the hills, hitting 45mins at exactly the same spot as doing Mona Fartlek last week (although it took me 10:25 to get there this time).

As Cradock pointed out after, it's all about getting the kms in the legs at the moment and just biding my time. Another solid session nonetheless.

Monday recovery

Very easy 30min jog at lunchtime today, after buying a pair of budgie smugglers for tomorrow's firm swimming carnival (I'm entered for the 50m breaststroke). The run was slow but the legs were very tired after yesterday's long run. Ran past Cradock on Farm Cove and thought about turning around and running with him but frankly, he was going too fast.

Achilles better than ever. Heel drops with the push back up are working a treat.

Back to Manly Flat

Kids Tryathlon this morning with Bec (who made her folks gush with pride after coming out of the pool first in her wave) so headed out at 4.30pm for some flat 10km loops around Manly. Felt great today, notwithstanding a lingering hangover from Enda's engagement drinks and sticky conditions in the 30's. Didn't want to wear the Garmin but was moving very comfortably so timed the second 10km loop which was done in 43:04. Was starting to tire at the end of this loop so jogged the final 5km for 25km all up.

Achilles much better, JLP went to work on the calves on Friday and reminded me about the heel raises which I've been working on.

HuRTS Mona Fartlek

Better crowd today with the return of Tucks, a rare appearance by the Judge and MC's crowd of UBS employees. They must all respond to the fact that an executive director sends out the session details.

Felt pretty good beforehand so set off with good intentions only to see Tucks, the Judge and Ray immediately disappear off into the distance. I ran the whole first half by myself, hitting all the hills at the wrong time (ie. just as the clock ticked over for another fast section). Reached the end of the lay-by next to the Art Gallery at the turn and headed back. Felt much better on the way back, attacking the 30s quite hard as I caught MC, Cradock and Andy. Managed to stave off Ray and Tucks overtaking me which was a small consolation. Not as beat-up at the end as I am when running this fit. I think I'm scared of distance and the idea of falling apart at the moment.

GMap is here.. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3439958 Total of 5.45km is an average pace of 3:40s. Tucks hit the Stone Gates with 15s to spare so plainly is in great form. I think we've only done that twice - 19 June '08 and 8 November '07. Not sure he got back as far but that was countered by the fact it was the height of summer today and he was running by himself. Ray was a good 100m ahead of me at the turn too.

3+km warm down for 10km all up. Heel much better this afternoon. It seems to respond well to fast sessions but badly to running slowly.

64km running for the week, it will be 85km on the bike and 0km (eek!) swimming.

MLR Wednesday

First MLR Wednesday in a while. Tried to catch up with MC and others but missed the start so ran with a chap called Rob from UBS who was also late. Basically just ran the C2S course but turned left at Hopetoun Ave. Turned around after 43 minutes. Got back in 84:25. Very easy pace - it was exactly 17kms. Heel felt tight during the run - below the insertion of the achilles where it was painful with the previous injury. I think it may be the bursar getting excited so will ice it for now. No pain with the eccentric loading so I don't think it's the achilles.

Australia Day

2km warm up then 7.5km Manly route run quickly. Trouble was I did it at 4.45pm when it was 31C. Big crowds in Manly and along Fairlight path too. Felt crap all the way. Messed up my watch again but 29:25 would be a pretty accurate guess extrapolating average pace (3:55).

Dee Why Dash STaR

Fronted up for the 6.20am group with 6 others (including Flakey, Dennis, Paul, Sean Aitchison and the heavy breathing Martin) for the hilly Dee Why route. Plan was the cut it short and run the 26.4km option, not wanting to increase the mileage too much too soon. Started very easy but soon got into the hills which are very steep. I ran at my own pace up these and starting puffing a bit. From Belrose it's basically a very long and enjoyable sweep downhill. Turned back on the short route with Dennis. Felt much stronger than last week, probably due to the much easier pace to start with. Achilles good after lots of leg stretching today. Lost the clock towards the end but 26.4km in about 2:06 so it was about 4:50 pace on average.

Hot Summer Runnin'

Missed the lunchtime run so swapped my ride home for a run home. Trouble was it had hit 34C by the time I headed for home. Not even sunny, just really muggy. So I took the run very easy. Felt very average heading up the steps to the Harbour Bridge and had to stop to buy a Powerade in Neutral Bay (I'd finish it before I got home). Despite this I got into a good rhythmn along Military Rd. 31:04 at the Toyota Garage but surprised with 58:34 all up with 7:56 for the final 2km.

Received R4YL in the post today - I'd thought Kirst had just bought me a copy for my Xmas stocking but turns out she had bought an annual subscription. How good is that? Very interesting article by Nic Bideau on training for the 5000m. I think I may need to make some changes....

55kms for the week, 90km on the bike and 3.2km swimming.

It's all about speed

Unfortunately I have none. Any Joe Schmoe can clock up the kms.

Today was 8 gate to gates (909m) but I only did 6 as I was getting pretty tired and am still erring on the side of caution. A good crowd but none of the fast boys were there (well, Fast Charlie was there but is even further behind on the comeback trail than me). I ran at the front for most with Ray darting in and out. MC and Pete W were just behind (the former having clocked up 22kms yesterday). Reps went as follows:

3:06
3:07
3:03
3:04
3:00
2:53

Ray pushed along on the final 2 and I just tucked in behind. The thing is, 3:06 (which is 3:24 pace) felt uncomfortably fast. I can't believe it gets that much easier with more kms. Perhaps I'm just getting old.

HuRTS 45mins Fartlek

This used to be one of my favourite sessions and today didn't disappoint. Another beautiful day if slightly too warm out of the shade. John and Andy headed off out front leaving a pack of me, MC, Pete Walker and another behind. I set the pace for this group and the km splits went as follows:

3:48, 3:56, 3:55, 3:47, 3:43, 3:59, 3:58, 3:59, 3:45, 3:53, 3:59, 3:56.

Tried to pull ahead of MC and Pete coming back around the Opera House and managed to create a gap which they closed slightly as I tired coming back up the hills. Finished back at the gates with 15s to spare. Felt great on the fast stretches for the first half though. All up 11.53km in 44:45 so averaging 3:54's.

Getting Longer

Bit of a mess up this morning. Had picked up Ryan and was supposed to be doing a shortened version of the Striders STaR but got the starting place wrong (I went to the Rotunda) so missed the 6.30am group. Ryan and I did a route up to Centennial and then 2 laps of Centennial instead. I left him after the 2nd lap (16kms at which point we had been averaging 4:27s) then jogged back to the car. Slowed down a lot over the final 6kms to finish 21.35km in 1:35 - 4:32s. Tired and sore now. Need to stretch a lot. Bumped into Ben and Sean in Centennial, telling the latter (probably optimistically) that I'd be back soon.

Got a call from Duncan mid-morning asking if I wanted to swim from Shelley to Manly in prep for the Cole Classic. It was a perfect day weather wise so I did. Ended up swimming from Shelley all the way to Queenscliff. Knackered now.

Plans for the year

Today was a gentle 10.3km with Ray and Sam in 46:45 (4:32's). First run I've done this time back feeling comfortable, which has given me a load of confidence. Achilles fine and hip better than ever. Most surprising thing of the run though was bumping into Kanser along Hickson Rd. Still tentative early stages for him but great to see him out there.

55kms for the week and 105kms on the bike. 0km swimming which is a bit of a concern for the upcoming Cole Classic. Must get down to the Manly Boy Charlton tomorrow.

Priorities for 2010 at this stage are as follows (in order):

1. Remain injury and pain free.
2. City to Surf
3. JPMorgan CC
4. State 3000m track
5. Road marathon - possibly Sydney in September
6. One decent Half to try and crack PB - maybe Gold Coast
7. One fast 10km
8. Long Course X-Country in Nowra
9. Beat Tucks at anything. May have to race him over 400m.

Old stamping ground

Headed over to Hickson Road for the usual session. I was aiming to run them quick enough to feel uncomfortable but not hell for leather like this session should be run. Reps went as follows:

4:08
3:56
4:04
4:01
4:00

So around 3:23-3:25 pace. Fats was out front ahead of Andy with Mike and Clyde just in front of me and a very fit looking Mike Race. Not quite the huge crowds running between 3:30 and 3:40 of days gone by, but still a decent turnout. Pleased to get through it with no discernible impact on the hip or achilles. Jog there and back made it about 10km.

Back with the HuRT Squad

Yesterday was a Conway/Dalziell variation on the Balls Head route. Very easy pace (made me realise how quickly I've been running by myself) on a warm day and with lots of bush and twists and turns made for 13.39km in 67:47 (5:04 pace). Just happy for the time on feet though. Was a bit concerned with my hip towards the end of the day (after riding home) but woke up this morning feeling good.

Today was a 4 x 10mins session with the HuRT Squad but I only wanted to run 2 of them. Farm Cove was blocked off so we ran the old Art Gallery Rd route (see post on 14 June 2007 for what we used to run these in). I ran with MC on the first with Binfield out in front - we averaged 3:49's covering 2.62km. I tried to find some water after that and miised the start so ran behind everyone on the second rep. Covered exactly 2.62km again so at least they were consistent. Felt comfortable to start with but rapidly deteriorated in the heat (31C out there but with little shade to hide under). 2km jog to end with. Long way to go...

Tucks - not sure why I updated the Head to Heads, particularly given Durante has effectively retired, Kanser has gone AWOL and Serg is in aestivation. If the injuries stay at bay, I'll probably run the Striders 10kms and Six Foot, but looking at City to Surf as something to finally be competitive for. Tiger has laid a bet....

2010

2009 was a bit of a write-off. Effectively injured all year, but only accepting it from the end of March onwards. Racing back too quickly and picking up a new, equally serious injury. Hope to learn from my mistakes. I still managed 2 PB's, albeit soft ones, with 15:39 on a hot windy day for 5000m and 3:53 for the Six Foot Track.

2010 is starting well. I'm back running pain free but still just gently. I'm still "aware" of both injuries and am worried that if I pick up the training too much either could recur. However, I've felt that way about my left knee for the past 20 years and managed to live with it.

Tasmania was fantastic. Flakey - we missed the Hobart Marathon by a few hours as we flew out yesterday morning at 10am. Would be keen to head back and race in Tassie in the future though as it's a beautiful spot and seems to support running - we caught the tail end of a 5km race in Hobart on our first day there on 28th December. I managed 7 runs in the 2 weeks, gradually increasing the time on feet to 56 mins a couple of days ago. It's bloody hilly though. I seemed to encounter a huge hill on every run I did. Best place for running was Land of the Giants near New Norfolk (Russel Falls) where I ran for 5 minutes straight up a road and then found some gently undulating forest trails for the next 45 minutes. Also enjoyed sand-boarding on the Henty Sand Dunes in Strahan - I'd run up the dunes after each ride which was great for the glutes.

Will post some photos soon.

Boxing Day

Lull in Blog updates over the past week or so having travelled back to the UK and being busy. Caught a cold on the flight back (not surprising given the temperature in the UK and the busy itinerary). Did 3 runs in Hexham, each on the same route around Warden (about 9km). All run quicky - on or just over 4mins per km. The final one was with Jamie on a very frosty morning of Dad's wedding. He made me keep the pace very honest all the way before we caught site of Laurence just before Hallstile Bank (thank God).

Today was the first run in a week and running off the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day drinking. Quickish again for 8km (my 7.5km Manly route but extended through to Campbell Pde finishing at the Mola's where we were for Christmas Day). Plan to run more frequently in Tassie and then pick it up again in the New Year. May even make a HuRT session in January. Hip and achilles are pain free. Only become aware of my hip when I slow down and "sit back" into my stride, hence the quicker running. I've been slack on the exercises recently though which make a huge difference.

Good start

Carl blew me out this morning (after just paying for my new set of 10) so rode to work angry. Albeit not very fast. Just haven't been putting the time in on the bike recently. Went out over lunch for 7km, first 5km quick (19:14) and the last 2km slow (10 mins). Felt very bouncy again, this glute work is doing wonders. Achilles good. Hip good.

Sunday fun

South Steyne and back from home. 30:14 (about 15:07 at South Steyne). Very warm but felt great and bouncy. No probs with the hip although achilles has stiffened up a bit since Thursday. Spent the morning watching Bec in the Nippers Carnival at Queenscliff where she just missed the final of the beach sprint after looking across in the final 10m. No wade due to the heavy surf which was a shame as it's her strongest event.

Update

Sore after first run so will try again tomorrow.

A few recent photos....

http://pommytom.smugmug.com/Highnam/December-2009/10541399_UTTrR/1/732144034_NqHdu

Tentative return

Very easy 5km today testing out the hip (the MRI for which showed a bony spur on my femur head and torn cartilage). No pain although I "became aware" of it in the final 500m. We'll see how it is tomorrow. Been doing a stack of exercises on my glutes which has made a big difference in the past week.

Very unfit though. Felt great for the first 2 minutes then the heavy breathing started.

Adductor Tendinopathy

Is what I have - saw a physio on Wednesday. 2-3 weeks off running, but allowed (and encouraged) to ride the bike. Groin is very tender at the moment, even to touch. Won't be fit for JPMorgan or State 3000m now but will be happy to sort this problem out properly and start running pain free again. Will take it much easier this time with no fixed goals other than to start building a good base.

Bugger

Session was 14 x 3mins off 60s but I pulled out after 6. Not sure what the matter was - completely bereft of energy and was puffing and wheezing just to hang on to the back of the group running 3:45s. Plus the groin/adductor was very sore (which it has been all week but have been trying to ignore it). Have booked an appointment at the physio tomorrow and will sort it out properly this time. Won't be fit for November but just want to run pain free again. Only good news is that the achilles feels stronger every day and actually seems to be better the more running I do.

Strange things are afoot...

Yesterday I showed up at Centennial Park at 6.45am to find our usual meeting place roped off by police due to the murder of a 37yr old. http://www.smh.com.au/national/man-died-a-violent-death-20090927-g7js.html. Today I try and run around North Head only to find the road closed by police due to a human skeleton being found by a fossicker. http://www.smh.com.au/national/skeleton-found-at-north-head-20090927-g7dm.html. Also on my run today, I set off with all things being usual from near Campbell Parade and return retracing my original steps to find a massive tree blocking the path. Good job I wasn't anywhere near it when it came down as I don't think I would have had the acceleration to avoid it.

Dropped Billy off at Woody's for a party and left the car there to do a 2 hour run. Ran to Shelley, up to North Head (but stopped by the cops at the roundabout), so went back the same way but when I got to Queenscliff carried on up the coast beyond Dee Why before turning around and heading home. Just like 2 weeks ago I felt fine until 90 minutes then really struggled. Didn't fall apart quite as badly as last time but it wasn't as hot. I think the correlation is doing the long run after Sean's session the day before, done it twice and both times I've struggled. All up it was 2:00:11. Works out at about 26.5km (route) so about 4:32 per km.

The Lambton Worm

Caught up with Sean's squad for 8km hard followed by 10 hills. Lots of wind today which, given we run a figure of 8 circuit, helped in parts but was tough in others. Laps went as follows:
7:04
7:17
7:24
7:03
28:46 all up. Felt pretty depressed during the 2nd and 3rd laps seeing the Tiger and Hollie pulling further ahead (albeit only doing 6km) and then saw Wayne Bulloch closing in on me so put some effort into the final lap. Felt better on that lap, lacking in confidence at the moment to push it earlier. Wayne was about 15 seconds behind. Given he ran 35:00 at North Head that shows about where I'm at. Pushed all the hills this time so pretty tired by the end. 15kms all up.

Bobby Shaftoe

Just an easy 6km today but ran it quite quick going through 5km in 20:09 before easing down to jog up the hill.

Cushy Butterfield

She's a big lass!
And a bonny lass!
And she loves her beer!
And they call her Cushy Butterfield,
and I wish she was here!

Another run home tonight. 31:07 at the Toyota Garage and 58:45 all up. Felt quite bouncy towards the end with the last 2km in 7:45.

A bet has been laid

Adductor was feeling better and had a massage with the Tiger so tested a run by running home. Where the adductor previously was sore was fine, but felt uncomfortable in the groin in an external, inside of the leg position. Was sore when the foot landed as opposed to when I dragged it forward as before. Achilles was also a bit sensitive with not having run in a while. Can't understand why I'm getting all these aches and pains in the hip flexor/groin area. Even the left leg was slightly sore. Otherwise run felt great, hardly breathing but was helped by a decent south westerly pushing me all the way home.

Got to ignore injuries from now though. Gary and I have $50 on who beats the other in the State 3000m. There's a $50 bonus if either beats my PB. I certainly won't achieve the latter, but it's full stream ahead on training regardless as to the aches and pains in order to beat the Tiger.

Bugger it

Very easy 6km run around the Botanical Gardens. Feeling strong again but the adductor/groin problem was bad. I number of other muscles in the leg get sore trying to protect it. Will take the next 5 days off to hopefully knock it on the head...

HuRTS Hills

First hill session in almost a year. Wasn't worried about the achilles but more about the adductor. Was fine during the session though. The program was for 30 x 100m hill with a quick jog back down after each one. We did them in the Botanical Gardens where the PiTD hill is. The intention isn't to all out sprint them, just to concentrate on form in lifting the knees and pushing through by firing up your glutes. We had a good crowd (suprisingly, given the Sydney Running Festival this weekend) with Charlie out front, Timmy L going well just behind him and a few others being burglars on the occasional rep. I ran in the middle of the pack alongside Binfield but found myself further forward for the last 5 or 6 when people started to tire. We had a quick drinks break after each set of 10. It was hot out there today - 30C but we had no shade from the sun.

Pleased with how it went. I could probably push them a bit harder next time but was being cagey. Still, legs are now very shaky, particularly after training with Carl this morning where we started to do squats etc.

4km warm up and 3km warm down for 13km all up.

Starting to get excited...

Rotten cold yesterday. I was the world's grumpiest man. Better today but still coughing up a load of bad stuff (which almost hurts my still sore chest). Wasn't going to miss today's run though. Set off by myself on the Surry Hill's route to Centennial, did two laps then 3 loops of Mackay Oval then back the same way. Very sorry for myself to start with, coughing, feeling my sore adductor etc. Then at about half way everything seemed to come right, started to push the pace just because I felt I could and felt fantastic for the first time in ages. Spirits really lifted. It shows in the km splits:

4:43; 5:01; 4:23; 4:35; 4:31; 4:25; 4:17; 4:23; 4:11; 4:02; 4:07; 4:20; 4:17; 4:12; 4:03; 3:43; 4:05

All up 16.82km in 1:12:41 (4:19's). Had a good stretch at 12km and the adductor felt much better afterwards. Should remember that.

Sore all over

Yesterday's run buggered my legs up. Felt like someone took a hammer to them overnight. Not helped by general stiffness due to the streaming cold I've caught.

Today was an easy 10km in 44:20 with Serg and Clyde, catching up with Gerry half way around. Felt quite good while out there, but as soon as I stopped as I was hobbling around like an old man. One day soon I'll go for a run and everything will feel great.

Big congrats to my big bro Jamie who smashed his 10km PB yesterday in running 36:57. Looks like the sub3 marathon in November should be easily achievable. I'll be giving him 10 seconds max in the Highnam Handicap in December.

Tough

If I'm being honest, I haven't enjoyed the long Sunday run for about a year. Injury worries seem to be exacerbated when running slowly, so it's always a slog. So I wasn't looking forward to today. Adductor was still sore, chest has been very sore and I'm always very aware of the achilles. Plus I had a sore throat and slight headache with a cold coming on, and the only time I could get out was 1pm on a beautiful sunny day with the temperature up at 28C. However, there was no way I was going to miss it after last weekend's effort.

Despite that, I felt great from the word go. I ditched the crap shoes yesterday and bought a pair of Brooks Infiniti and they felt brilliant. The adductor was still sore for the first 10km but gradually eased over that time so that I could barely feel it. I was running just under 4:30's but felt bouncy and was enjoying it. That was, until I hit 20km. I was then desperately thirsty but the nearest bubbler was 3kms away. I slogged my way there with the kms blowing out to 4:50's and then ran from bubbler to bubbler hovering around the 5:00 per/km mark. Eventually got back covering 28.69km in 2:13:06 (4:38's). Could barely stand up, shivering and alternating between feeling hot and cold. Tried to drink but immediately felt sick. I think I've just made the virus a lot worse than it would otherwise have been, but wouldn't have done it any differently. At least I didn't pull out.

Slowly feeling more normal

Saturday

Joined up with Sean's squad for what I thought was 6km hard. Turned out it was 8km hard followed by 10 100m hills. Watched everyone immediately shoot off into the distance while I ran with Craig Dunn and another chap with Dmitry just behind. Stayed with them for the first two laps where the other chap finished (he was only running 4km). Craig then seemed to ease off the pace a bit so I pushed ahead and ran by myself. Kept the pace fairly controlled the whole way and I think I judged the pace OK - it was hard but not as knackering as a race. Pleased to be able to stay ahead of Craig and Dmitry but they are also recovering from injury/illness. Splits were as follows:

3:28, 3:33, 3:41, 3:36, 3:40, 3:41, 3:41, 3:30.

Must be a bit short of 8km as my time was 28:36. Then did only 3 hills. Achilles was fine but I needed to get home and was also a bit concerned about the adductor.

About 14km all up.

In pain

Easy 10km with Clyde and Sam (44:20). Had intended to run 14km but adductor was starting to get a bit sore. Stretched it out thoroughly and feels good again now. Pain in my chest following last Sunday's secatur accident won't abate though.

Birthday HuRTS

Blogger seems to know it's my birthday - there was a cake with a candle on it integrated into the Blogger symbol when I logged in. Big Brother is watching...

Woke up with breakfast in bed (bacon and egg roll followed by cake and interspersed with fizzy cola bottles and cherry gums) looking out on a beautiful Spring day. Wasn't going to miss a run today so popped two Voltaren which did wonders to my adductor strain (and bruised rib). Felt like a young man again, ironic given I'd just clocked over another year.

Session was 7 gate to gates (910m) off a rolling 5 mins. I'd intended just to jog around the back but was feeling good so put some effort in. Ran them all with Tim Cradock and new Triathlon Tim, with Tucks a good 10-15 seconds in front. Reps went 3:01; 2:58; 2:56; 2:58; 2:55; 3:00; 2:53. Plenty of stretching afterwards. 11km all up.

Nice session, beautiful day, Ribs and Rumps tonight, life's good.

Injured (again)

Cut short my long run after 5km yesterday with a very sore adductor longis. It's been plaguing me all week but I'd started to run with a limp yesterday compensating for it and realised that 28kms of doing that would not be good for me.

Will give it a rest for 2 days and see how things are then.

Sean's Squad

Headed over to Centennial Park for 4 x 2km off a rolling 9 minutes. Plenty of guys there I knew including CT, Big Mikey H, Dimitry, Ben, Jim Dawes, Tom Crasti etc. Quite a long warm up then banged out the reps as follows:
6:45
6:46
6:50
6:48
So pretty consistent but it didn't feel that way as most others were running the reps progressively 10s faster each time. Quite a few only did 3 (including CT, Dimitry and Hollie Emery, who smashed me on reps 2 and 3). Still, it's another quality session in the bank. Jim Dawes is going well, as is Big Mikey H who was ahead of Crasti for 3 of them. Harry and Ben were way out front.

3km warm down for about 15km all up. Beautiful day and enjoyable out there.

Easing up

Scheduled run was 6km easy with the 90% strides so turned up for Mona Fartlek with the HuRT Squad and hung around the back until the final five 30s efforts where I sprinted for 15s then eased up. All worked out pretty well. Right thigh still sore but saw Carl this morning and he identified the relevant muscle and gave me a stretch for it.

Looking forward to my first rest in 8 days tomorrow.

A Novelty

Haven't even been aware of the achilles over the past two days so plucked up the confidence to run the hilly route home today. The decision was helped by the fact that I didn't fancy heading out at lunch as I was still suffering from a hangover from Muz's farewell drinks and dinner last night. Felt great this evening but for a corked thigh. It's very sore from the adductor all the way down to the knee. Other than that it was an easy run in lovely cool conditions. 31:30 at the Toyota Garage and 59:15 all up for the 13kms.

HuRTS Time Trial

Today (Tuesday) was 6.5km hard on a route starting at the stone gates opposite St Mary's, down to the Opera House, around and back. We had a rough staggered start which we can finesse next time based on today's times. I'd been looking forward to this run as a good gauge of my current fitness. Outcome is that I've still got plenty to do. Set off quickly with Enda running the first km in 3:11. He then pulled ahead in the second km which I ran in 3:23. I was then on my own, suffered in the third km running 3:36 and going through the Stone Gates in 9:46. Was blowing hard around the Opera House covering the next km in 3:36 again but recovered slightly coming back around Farm Cove (3:34). It was then a question of just holding on and pushing hard up the hills for home. Tucks and Andy came past at this stage. Was pretty pleased about the way I finished, closing slightly on Enda towards the end. Clocked 22:45 to finish (exactly what I predicted - central governor was in control). It's just short of 6.5km so works out at 3:31 per/km on average.

Final times were as follows:

Tucks: 21:19
Andy: 22:08
Enda: 22:30
Me: 22:45
Travis: 22:58
Binfield: 23:50
Gerry: 23:54
Smolly: 23:55
Todd Neal: 24:10
Greg: 28:04

Easy recovery

Very easy 5km around the Bot Gardens and Opera House. Bumped into Gerry along the way then Andy and ran with them. Achilles was sore to start with but eased up by the end. Was running in the new orthotics from Dr Windybank which were strange. He suggested a stretch for my ITB and didn't have much affect on that but had immediate affect on my achilles.

...and sore

Had to squeeze in the run at 4pm today after coming back from Billy's all day soccer Gala tournament. Wasn't really in the mood and just wanted to get it over and done with. The result was I took it very easy, barely breathing but worried about every ache and pain in my legs. Might as well just have run it quick- don't seem to worry about all the aches when you run fast. Right ITB is sore, right foot is sore particularly when I twist over it on the inside. Left achilles was a bit sore. Beginning to dislike my new trainers. The result of going cheap is that they have no support on the forefoot and'I felt it today.

26.25km all up in 1:59:02 (4:32's).

Getting tired

Just an easy 33:52 today on my old 7.5km Manly route (run in reverse). Feeling very tired. Keeping up the quiet running but it means there are no comfortable runs. Ran in the Skins that the Striders team won for topping the ANSW Premiership last year. They just seem to make my legs sweaty.

Maggie's back to her old self and no lasting damage that we can see.

Mike Threadgill

Usual Friday route with Ray, Nick Fairfax, Sam and Mat K. One of those rare occassions where I was the youngest person running. Pretty gentle averaging 4:29's (32:38 at the turn). Forgot to restart my watch after stopping for water but it was the same pace on the way back. Finished up with 5 x 80m at 90% effort. Felt heavy legged and tired today, struggling to get into a rythmn and feel comfortable. Achilles feels better by the day though. Woke up this morning able to walk on it without pain for the first time in almost a year. Tough night's sleep though having to rush Maggie to Westmead Kids Hospital after she fell with a stick in her mouth and punctured a hole about the size of a 5 cent piece in the back of her gums.

15kms in total.

Adrian Bell

Plan on the Sean program was 75mins easy (16km). Given I was running the HuRT Squad and we were doing Hickson Road reps, this was not going to be easy. So ran 7km beforehand then ran the reps at a good pace but without killing myself like you normally do on Hickson Road. That's not to say it was at all comfortable. I ran them at about 3:22 per/km pace. Tucks was miles ahead, Serg joined him up front for a couple, Ray, new boy Tim and a couple others were ahead of me with LF Charlie, Pete W and a few others behind. Made me realise how far I've got to go though. Trying to get under 3:40 for each 1.2km rep would have killed me.

By the end of the reps I'd covered 13km at an average of 4:00 per/km, so just jogged back to the office. Couldn't face the 80m sprints. All up 16.03km in 1:06:42 (average of 4:10's). Not quite what Sean had planned I'm sure but not a bad session in any case. It's all good at this stage.

Very bad news for Kanser having picked up a stress fracture in his pelvis. Know how he must be feeling at the moment. Stick with it mate.

Vince McKie

Out with the HuRTS boys. Session was Sean's suggestion for this week, 15mins hard (4min rest), 15mins hard (4mins rest), 10mins hard.

Was still feeling a bit sore after yesterday and trialling my new shoes (Nike Span 6). I've decided to go back to basics with shoes, getting a neutral pair and concentrating on a low heel tab. Good thing about this approach is that they're much cheaper.

Crowd today was fairly quiet again - Serg, Tucks and Ray upfront, Andy joining in and taking it easy with Clement, Pete W, LF Charlie, RMR and a few others behind. I felt pretty average on the first rep, running out yesterday's run from my legs and worrying about how I'd cope with the second long rep. Managed 4.14km in the 15mins (3:37 pace). Felt really good on the second rep. Serg came by very early on having run a 3:16 first km and I tried to stick with him for a while. Then Ray and Tucks came by, Ray dropped off up the hills while Tucks pulled ahead. I then caught Tucks coming up to the gates. Finished the rep in 15:01 so just failed to get back in the same time. Having said that, the Garmin got it at 4.18km (3:36) pace so perhaps I started further back from where I finished the first rep. Tried to do gate to gate in 10mins for the final rep but hit the wind around Farm Cove and only managed 10:10. Still, another building block and pleased with how I felt on the second rep, particularly after yesterday.

Serg should race on Sunday. He's plainly in great shape.

Vince Wilson

In an age group above me, Vince went on to some success. An interesting article on him here.

Plan for today was to fit in my long Sunday run which I missed yesterday. Knew the boys would be meeting up at 12.20pm so slotted in an hour beforehand. Took it very easily averaging about 4:43's. I was a bit worried about my first 2 hour run in 5 months as well as the fact that when I hooked up with the rest of the lads later it would be a bit quicker. As it turned out, only Serg showed up today and Serg is incapable of running slowly. Having said that, it didn't feel as though we were travelling that quick as we were just bantering on about the World Champs etc. However, I noticed the splits were much quicker and we seemed to increase the pace all the way. Finished up covering 27.17kms in 2:00:26. Felt great for the second half and particularly towards the end where I thought I would struggle. A real confidence booster. Here are the splits. It's easy to spot where Serg joined in....

4:45, 4:36, 4:44, 4:46, 4:39, 4:44, 4:49, 4:41, 4:47, 4:42, 4:33, 4:49, 4:58, 4:23, 4:14, 4:16, 4:22, 4:16, 4:14, 4:09, 4:03, 4:07, 4:05, 4:01, 4:01, 4:13, 3:47.

Stephen Outterside

Been away for the weekend at Lake Macquarie. Couldn't fit in a run while away but managed 20mins followed by 5 x 80m sprints at 90% effort this evening. Was worried about the achilles over the weekend as it felt tight and was wondering whether it was due to the sprints on Friday. But everything suddenly felt a lot easier after today's run, even including the sprints. I think I'm susceptible to tight calves and hammies which put strain on the achilles and today's run just eased everything up.

Will have to fit the long run in tomorrow instead.

Goot to see Tucks bounce back to form with a 3rd place in the Willy to Billy and Tim Ashby showing some form in 5th holding off Cradock who has been running well... Results

Paul Morgan

Lee's elder brother. He tried to get me into a pub when we went down to the 1989 English Schools X-Country Champs in Hertfordshire but being a pre-pubescent 15 year old (I was a late developer) it was always going to be tricky. I think we drank Cokes on a park bench and talked about attractive female runners instead. Wasn't a long conversation.

Missed the start of today's run but caught up with Serg, Clyde, Gerry and Sam around Farm Cover for the usual route. Serg dropped off early with an injury. Clyde kept up the banter the whole way. These runs are starting to feel easier - felt bouncy the whole way. About 55mins today due to the shortened start. Finished with 5 x 80m sprints at 90% effort. Shoe almost fell off. Need a new pair.

Danny Wilson

Couldn't join the HuRT Squad today as I had a conference call and was also keen to follow Sean's program rather than 7 gate to gates. Jogged over to Rushcutters (quietly) in 15 mins. There was a school sports day on the Oval so did the session running on the perimeter path of the next door field. Scheduled session was 1min fast, 30s float, 2mins fast, 45s float, 3 mins fast, 60s float x2. So just 16:30 all up. It'll be x3 in 2 weeks time. Started to struggle a bit on the first 3mins fast. My stamina may be OK but my VO2Max has been shot by the 5 month lay off. I would have strolled through this session previously. Started to feel OK again in the second set when I was forcing myself to relax. Didn't worry about my running style when doing the session - seemed to be running on my toes in any case.

Plenty of stretching after then a slower jog back to work. About 11km all up. Achilles no problem but calves still sore. Amazing the change after JLP's work last Friday and the quiet running. I need a new pair of shoes though as my "adapted" shoes just slip off when going quickly.

More great races from the World Champs. 1500m last night was fascinating - just goes to show how tactical that race can be (Peter Rono, Noah Ngeny anyone?). Disappointed with Sally in the 100m Hurdles but the 800m made up for it with a great run from Jenny Meadows. I have a feeling that in 3 weeks she'll be kicking herself even more that she didn't dip for the line to get what may potentially be the gold medal.