Monday, June 10, 2013
Shuffle
Charlie's becoming obsessed with dominoes
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Tired Sunday
Knackered for rest of day. Have to go out in Manly tonight too to check out a band at The Boatshed. Never been less keen to visit my favourite late night haunt.
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Margaret St hills
Don't think I injured myself which is always my main concern doing hills. 10km all up.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Easy Friday
All quiet on the western front from Young Timmy. Despite desperate pleas from Big Sam to deny the birth rumours, he's gone AWOL. Although there was a sighting in Centennial Park this morning:
120km this week.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
HuRTS 3 x 2km
First rep I run with Barts and Vlad and this random chap who looks so easy it's a joke. Barts turns to me and Vlad half way through the rep with a look on his face saying; "who the f**k is this kid?!". I'm giving it everything with Robdog's words in my head and we finish the 2km in 6:15. 2 mins rest then same again - kid still with us. I take some time at the front when I feel the pace easing a bit. End in 6:13. Struggling now. The boys started 5 yards in front on the final rep and I never caught them, finishing 5s adrift of Vlad and Barts (the kid finally blew half way through) in 6:21. Rooted, but this is exactly the session I've been missing. Blowing hard over a sustained effort and desperately holding on. Hurts like hell but felt great after.
Had a chat with the kid and turns out he works at NAB in the financial institutions group (good client of mine). He's called Jason Roxburgh and has form - a 31:30 10km PB and 69min half. Barts is already counting down his days as HuRTS #1.
Well, that was the session. Then on the extended warmdown the bombshell was dropped. Take a look at Timmy's blog today. More Aussie bashing. Well, news has filtered through that our John Bull, Anglo-loving, Churchill admiring man from the Black Country turns out to be an Aussie. Not only does he have an Aussie passport (which, in fairness, most of us have adopted for expediency sake), but HE WAS BORN IN MELBOURNE!!! Yes, you read that correctly. Young Timmy is more Aussie than Richie Palmer.
Thank God he's no longer fast enough to make the English team. Big Sam will be weeping by now.
Timmy, yesterday:
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
New Wednesday
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
HuRTS 2 x 20mins
Fats was way in front of us. Barts and CT were even more way in front of him. Less said about this session the better.
Constantly hungry at the moment but also losing weight - took a notch in on my belt today. Got to be careful not to get injured or sick.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Monday aches and pains
Thought for the day: Mary Cain, talented girl - but nutjob.
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Fast finish Sunday
Time passed quickly chatting about anything and everything (well, anything and everything related to running) before taking a gel at 20km and picking the pace up from 21km onwards. Barts had eaten white beans the night before which wasn't agreeing with him so I was leading most of the way. We did most of these kms in 3:46 to 3:50 ending the 33km in 2:19:46 (4:14 pace).
Saturday, June 01, 2013
NSW Cross Country Relays
Then on to Charlie's soccer for a 3-2 victory (although he was pretty knackered) before wandering over to watch Billy's game which ended 2:2 with Billy scoring both.
Then down to Miranda. Usual mad scramble entering teams (I should really sort this out earlier online) and with a slight shortage of numbers it worked out as Andy, Fats, Ray and me in the Over 35's (our best chance of success) but with Ray and me doubling up in the Over 45's and Open teams respectively. It's an incredible event really - just small scale relays around some hilly and boggy school playing fields but the cream of Australian distance running talent was out in force - Benny St, Liam Adams, Jeff Hunt, Ben Moreau, Nipper, etc.
My plan was to go out as hard as possible and hang on. I did the former but not the latter. Went through lap 1 in 6:01 then proceeded to die on my arse. First 4 blokes went past (including Kevin Robertson) then Richie Roberts came past at about 2.5km (and proceeded to put 18s on me in the final 1500m) then Chamkaur came past at 3.5km. Ended up with 12:26.
Some interesting times out there. Fats had a great run ending up with the same time (but the first leg, being a race, always produces faster times). Richie Roberts ran really well with 12:08, but Geoff Arnold (12:37), Robdog (12:43) and Peter Costello (12:30) were comparatively slow compared to what they've done in recent races. Great to take out the Over 35 team Gold in a very close finish over Sutherland - Nick Bennett got within 7s of Ray on the final leg. Massive thanks to Andy for making the effort to come along despite achilles issues. The win was all the more satisfying with Andy C in the Sutho team!
Ran the 4th leg for the Open team as they were a man short. Rob Lansdown (coming back from injury), Kenny (running a great 13:01) and EJ ran first so I had about 30mins rest. Couldn't contemplate doing it for the first 5mins after the first leg, but then did a jog and felt ok. Started much more sensibly and actually really enjoyed the second run, feeling stronger on the hills and aided by overtaking people the whole way. Ended up with 12:59.
Great day. Shame about everyone scoffing the scones after LJ's mum had gone to so much trouble. I'm trying to get over it.
Awards photo. Strangely, Andy H decided to put some tights on. Even more strangely, Andy C decided to copy him but with 3/4 length versions.
107 km last week.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday ramble
There and back for me was 14km.
Few beers with the Berlin boys in the evening. Much fun. Barts is taking a bit of stick for his SMH race report.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Wednesday MLR
Saw the Tiger this arvo and bumped into Benny St. Turns out his first hit-out post racing Mo could be a relay leg for St George on Sat afternoon in the ANSW XC Relays. Shaping up for a competitive event which will be great to watch. Fats, Andy and me confirmed for the Striders 35+ team but struggling for the 4th man. Barts too interested in personal glory these days.
Thoughts for the day:
1. Sad day: http://m.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/28/little-chef-sold-nostalgia
2. Eddie McGuire - WTF?!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
HuRTS 4 x 10mins
Felt better as the reps went on (usually the way when running on tired legs). Ran the first with Kenny and Vlad with Fats and Barts smashing it upfront. Reached the final lamppost short of the gates (i.e. about 10s short). Back in 9:35. Vlad took off with Barts and Fats on the third rep with Ray and me chasing. Felt like I was working this one well and caught Fats by the ABC Pool to reach the gates in 9:55. Back in 9:32. So a solid session in the end. Longer warmdown for 15km all up.
Some shady shenanigans and hot gossip in the hill walking in excessive branded gear world (otherwise known as ultra running). Deliberate false accusations of cheating and ghost Facebook accounts? You don't get this in your average Striders 10km (except when Kanser decided to gob over his fellow competitors).
Walker apologises to fellow walkers
Monday, May 27, 2013
Long Monday
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Slovenly Sunday
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Saturday hilly tempo
2km warm and and down for 17km all up.
Billy had a great game of soccer today almost scoring in the top left corner but just drifting wide of the stanchion. Charlie's team coached by Big Sam continued their impressive run with a 5-3 win (albeit causing us a few nervous moments throwing away a 4-0 lead to 4-3 until the last minute).
Out to a 40th tonight so I don't think the long run with be taking place at 5:45am.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Friday apologies
Today was an easy 13km with Ray. 86km for week.
Was checking some old race results yesterday and found these PDFs of the English Schools Track and Field champs in 1988 when I was 14. I just missed the final in the Junior Boys 1500m that day in a sprint finish (as usual) but more interesting is Junior Girls 1500m. Check out who finished 8th in the final. I'd travelled down with the Northumberland squad all the way to Yeovil on the bus and was quite interested in a girl on the bus from Northumberland called Valerie Botham (albeit in a 14yr old asolescent sort of way and who I think was from the same school as Timmy's mate Sian Ellison). Great pins. Little did she know she'd just beaten a girl who would go on to be the greatest female marathoner in history.
Check it out:
Thursday, May 23, 2013
HuRTS 1.2km reps but, shock horror, at new location
I would like to note for posterity the hardcore of the squad who showed up for this session on the coldest and wettest day that Sydney has produced in living memory:
"Young" Timothy Lindop
John "Bartles" Bartlett
Jonathan "J-Fen" Fenton
Indrajeet "Jeet" Aich
Michael "MrAce" Race
Andrew "Skippy" Heyden
James "Kenny" Everett
Charles "Warrior" Dalziell
Damien "Damo" Sullivan
Paul "Paul" Birch
John "JB" Bowe
Ben "Bob" O'Brien
Anthony "Muz" Murrell
and Yours Truly*
*[let me know if I missed you out]
If they ever read my blog, let them say that I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die. Let them say that I lived in the time of the HuRT Squad, tamer of chicks. Let them say I lived in the time of Conway.
I wore two short sleeved tops as I was cold. All this meant was that both layers were soaked through within 5 minutes, weighed a ton, and I was still cold. No hanging about today so we were off. Barts was taking it easy so I ran alone at the front other than rep 2 when Muz stayed just behind most of the way and the final rep when Barts helped me out and stretched his legs. Rep times were:
4:00, 4:00, 3:57, 3:57, 3:56
Works out at about 3:06 to 3:03 pace. Legs felt pretty heavy but breathing was good. Pleased to have got it done as those VO2 max sessions always test you mentally. Longish warmdown for 11km all up.
HuRT Squad stretching out around Farm Cove today:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
MLR Wednesday
19km at lunch just avoiding the rain. Was late to start so had to run solo. Finally saw MC and Mr Ace crossing the road at the very end. Felt magic today.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
HuRTS Fartlek Not
Rest
Tuesday
HuRTS Fartlek with the plan just to take it easy. Everyone else (Fats, Andy, Ray, Smolly, Muz(!) etc.) had the same idea. So much so that Smolly was calling out the start and end of each split and half the time we couldn't work out whether we were supposed to be speeding up or slowing down.
Turned at 2nd wharf on Hickson and pace actually picked up on the way back finishing in 43.5 mins and ended up averaging 3:44's. Felt fine albeit legs a bit weary when pushing on at the end.
I now know Fats' formula for winning Six Foot. It's all about meticulous preparation. Check out the cutlery tray in a Fats' loaded dishwater:
Gary Howard, August 11th 2013:
Sunday, May 19, 2013
SMH Half - 15th in 72:36
Met up with Timmy early doors along with Kirst and Dan (her relay partner) before heading out to meet all the usual suspects. I love this race. There's a great atmosphere to it, and there always has been. Despite doubling in size in recent years it has maintained its feeling as a real runner's race. I also love the switchbacks where you get loads of cheers and encouragement (thanks for all those who shouted - not least Phil Dove who I could hear from half a mile off). It's why I always wear my Striders top as you get a load of "Go Striders!" shouts which never cease to lift you
Set off feeling comfortable running just behind Barts and with Jim Perrett and Robdog. I think Fats may have been on my shoulder too. They then edged ahead and by 4km I was running with Hamish pushing a good pace. Felt OK at this stage but not as comfortable as I felt last year. Going through Pyrmont, Fats and Nikki Chapple caught us as we caught Jim. This was my lowest point - Fats and Nikki looked really strong and I was worried they were just going to power ahead. But we managed to stick together as a group going through 10km in 33:56. Then coming back along Hickson Road I first felt good leading the group, then felt as though I was barely able to hang on. When we got to the nasty hill at the squashed car roundabout I drifted to the front and started to feel more confident - it's always the hills where you can tell how people are feeling. But if that's the basic gauge, Nikki was feeling good as she powered up onto Kent Street with me just trying to stick to her heels thinking it may be hurting Fats and Hamish. We overtook Neil Pearson at this stage with Barts next in front. Any thoughts of Fats being done were dispelled when he reappeared at the head of the group going along the Cahill Expressway. It was at this point last year that I began to unravel so made a real effort to keep it strong up Macquarie Street and then attack the loop around Mrs Mac's chair. Sensed Fats had dropped a bit here so really started to push hard but it hurt. The little pinch before the Art Gallery made my legs a bit wobbly so tried to shorten the stride and increase the cadence. This seemed to work as suddenly Nikki dropped too. I may avoid being chicked! Hell, that was enough to start sprinting. Wait there, I've gone too early. Bugger, I'm starting to fall apart. Then I see the line, see the clock and it looks as though I'm going to run 72:38. I like the symmetry of that, but the results give me 2s quicker. I'll take it. It's an SMH PB. It's probably a Half PB as I'm fairly sure the Blackmores was short in '07.
Happy with the form. Stronger in the back half than last year (where I went through 10km in 33:37) and last year I was further down the marathon training plan. Would love to give the Half PB a shake at Gold Coast.
Some great runs out there today in perfect conditions. Robdog smashed it with a mid 71. Barts got my PB with 72:08 but Eoin was my run of the day in 76:50 closely followed by Justin B in 77:20. Also great to see RP with another PB in low 76. The Tiger lost his bet going down by 7 minutes against the 6:40 on offer. I'll claim some beers from Andy C too...
The Churchill/Sands trophy looks to be England's again. You can expect a few more photos while testing Fats' homebrew this afternoon, but here's a starter.
CHAMPIONES!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Saturday jog
Great result by Benny last night - 13:18 for 5000m in the States finishing 3rd behind Mo and Dathan Ritzenheim.
On other world class performances, congrats to Brenda Davies taking out the North Face 100km in a record time with Tucks smashing his PB for 3rd. Looks like CT had a tough day in the office. Hope he decides now to stick to what he has great talent for rather than this trail walking stuff.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday meander
Now just have to get through the trauma that is the Manly West Primary School Carnival that's on tomorrow.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
HuRTS 8 x 800m
2:30, 2:28, 2:29, 2:26, 2:48, 2:24, 2:48, 2:20
1:30 rest between reps (I'm sure we used to get 2 mins?).
Andy looks good and is foxing for Sunday. Expect a big one from him. Have a feeling I'll be chasing him and Fats around Mrs Mac's chair with 2km to go. Andy says JB is a dark horse too. The English are on fire...
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Busy Wed
Ooh, nearly forgot. Saw the Tiger and he cajoled me into a bet for Sunday's race and forced me into accepting a 6:40 handicap. If he doesn't take $50 off me he should be ashamed of himself.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
HuRTS 8 x 5mins
Joined today by Muz for the first time in years now he's resettled back in Oz. Durante was also out. Then a first time appearance for Jamie Palmer (5km nemesis back in September) who was smashing out 6 reps with me and Andy.
I pushed quite hard today - first averaged 3:25 pace, then 3:20, next 4 at 3:15's before easing off on the last 2 at 3:23's. can't say the 3:15's felt easy, but Fats made them look so, running out front at what must have been close to 3:10's for 5 of them. Vlad was also around running with us on the odd numbered reps before "making an effort" (aka running 2:55's) on the even ones.
Had to take a dip in the harbour post session with Pete W, Smolly and Welsh Jim. Not bad considering its almost Winter.
15km all up.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Mondayitis
Feel fine during day but neck and shoulders ache by end of day. Maggie was off school today and Kirst is crook so maybe I'm fighting something off.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Same again Sunday
Knee tendon a bit sore. Tired now.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Manly hilly tempo
3:36, 3:48, 3:53, 4:03 (still can't get that tough km under 4mins), 3:33, 3:49, 3:56, 3:36, 3:54, 4:44, 4:13, 4:22, 3:06 (857m).
Bloody hard on the hammies this run. 2km warm up and down for 17km all up.
This one for the family:
Bec's Little Prelude
Striders Night of Nights
Then on to drink too much at the Striders dinners and ask Lisa Weightman inappropriate questions (like would she beat Lara Tamsett over 10km, which she seemed pretty confident of).
115km for the week.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
HuRTS Pyramid
And a funny session it is. There aren't many occasions I've done it at max effort for one reason or another. It's quite intimidating, especially on the 3 and 4 lappers, to commit early on. Anyway, all I had to do was follow Barts who continues on in sparkling form, with J-Fen not far behind and Ray and others dropping in and out occasionally. Reps went:
80, 2:40, 4:00, 5:29, 4:10, 2:37, 74
That's as good as the best I've done. Disappointed with the 4:10 when Barts took a big lead on the first lap taking it out quickly, but otherwise pretty happy considering the lack of speedwork I've done recently.
Some photos from Saturday:
Tucks and I (and random ranga):
Dicky H, J-Fen and Richie P:
Macca and Hamish M:
Enda:
The Tiger and Justin B in the background:
MC in blue:
Laura:
Young Timmy - he could take a lesson in form from Laura:
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Dreamer!
Supertramp: Dreamer
Well, I was in the changing rooms after my run at lunch and received a call on my mobile with Bec singing it back to me. So well done girl. She wins her "mother and daughter treat trip to Max Brenner". Talk about incentivising in inappropriate ways.
Today did 45mins tempo. Ran with Andy the whole way with Barts, Vlad and Fats ahead by about 60m at the turn. Fats came flying by us under the bridge and was on fire today. Edged ahead of Andy climbing the hills at the end and tried to catch Fats but didn't quite manage it. Still, 12.65km in 44:54 (3:32 average) was good considering that's 80km in 4 days. Felt heavy all the way but breathing was fine, but strong on the hills at the end which was good. 10:11 for the final gate to gate. Barts continues to go from strength to strength - elongating the session to a 60min tempo and still averaged 3:27's.
Monday, May 06, 2013
Different Monday
Dad's booked his hotel room for Berlin so I will have a cheer squad!
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Getting longer Sunday
2:31:45 (4:35's). Felt ok today despite yesterday's race. Nice to have no specific aches or pains (touch wood).
Bec, warming up for Brookvale FC game. Hopefully she can avoid 2 weekends in a row of all my kids being smashed at soccer.
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Sydney10: 23rd in 33:02
Turned up pretty early after a good week of sleep and off the booze. Did about 3km warm up then some sprints and was feeling pretty good on the start line, albeit very nervous. Had a good few chats with all the crowd and it was a huge HuRTS turnout. Biggest disappointment was the absence of Andy who texted last night to say he'd fallen victim to the stomach bug he'd been trying to avoid all week. Just the worst luck as he was flying in training. I was in this position last year so know how he feels.
Gun went and it was the usual mad, slightly downhill, sprint. Conditions were perfect (cool and still) so knew it was going to be quick. I'd decided not to wear a watch though as I'd knew there would always be plenty of people to chase so no need to chase the clock. By 1km I'd settled in behind Barts with Tucks just behind. There were plenty of others around though, with CT and Nick Bellemore just ahead and some ranga chap I didn't recognise. Plan before the race was to stick to Barts for as long as possible, knowing the 3km to 5km section (slightly uphill) would be the biggest test. Sure enough, after the hairpin at 3.2km he starts to chase a few guys up ahead and I couldn't respond. At this point Tucks came past so I latched on to him instead. Stayed this way until the hairpin at 5km which we reached in 16:22. Renaud took this photo shortly after:
I fell off a bit here, then rallied at 6km and told myself to keep the effort up. Went past the group you can see above just after 7km with only Tucks coming with me. At this stage, Barts was about 50m up the road but was stranded so I thought we may have a chance of catching him if he started to fade. But at the hairpin at 8.2km Tucks started piling the pressure on and was inching ahead. I was just holding on at this stage, aware of some footsteps behind starting to catch. Tried to rally at the end, especially coming into the final straight when I saw the clock and desperately tried to get under 33, but it wasn't to be. Another photo from Renaud in the final straight:
Bit disappointed immediately after in not dipping under 33 and being 27s behind Barts, CT and Robbie, but in retrospect I think they all had great runs (when you see how close to Liam Ridings, Mark Warren et al they got) and I still managed to beat some very good runners in Hamish M, Kevin Robertson, Sam Walker etc. Timmy will no doubt take the piss for finishing just behind Tucks YET again but in truth I think he brings the best out of me in races and I'd have been slower if he hadn't been there.
Some great runs out there - Barts (a 1s PB with 32:35), Anna (big PB in 37:05 and taking Laura's scalp in the process), Richie P in a great PB despite being well the wrong side of 40 with a 34:24 but run of the day for me was Mr Ace running 36:00. Also dead chuffed to see my Sunday run buddy Macca defy all the doubters and prove once again that racing is very different to training in running 35:13. He'll be on a steep upward curve from here.
Nice warmdown after with a bubbly MC, J-Fen, Mr Ace and others. The estimated times were pretty accurate - actual results next to the predicted times in yesterday's post. A bit controversial, but I reckon this course is longer than in previous years. The 5km hairpin is closer down Olympic Boulevard, but the 3.2km hairpin was placed much further down the road - the difference being that you run the longer 3.2km hairpin twice but the shorter 5km hairpin only once. That said, I reckon it's an accurate 10km now - despite everyone's Garmin readings.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Taper time
CT: 32:35 (Actual 32:33)
Robdog: 32:40 (Actual 32:37)
Barts: 32:45 (Actual 32:35)
Tucks: 32:55 (Actual 32:59)
Andy: 33:15 (Absent)
Fats: 33:23 (Actual 33:43)
Jonny B: 33:30 (Actual 34:21)
J-Fen: 33:45 (Actual 34:05)
T-Bell: 33:47 (Absent)
Kenny: 33:59 (Actual 34:49)
Ray: 34:20 (Actual 35:27)
Enda: 34:23 (Actual 35:09)
Dicky H: 34:25 (Actual 34:41)
Tiger: 35:05 (Actual 35:32)
Macca: 35:40 (Actual 35:13)
MC: 35:45 (Actual 35:50)
Laura: 36:20 (Actual 37:27)
Timmy: 36:49 (Actual 37:44)
Anna: 37:20 (Actual 37:06)
Aidan: 37:20 (Actual 37:31)
Kilted Scot: 38:20 (Absent)
Elle: 39:32 (Actual 39:47 very impressive!)
Some fast times there but I think the boys (and girls) are running well.
Harry Summers will win the race in 29:10 (Yep, 1st, Actual 29:36) and Celia Sullohern will be first female in 34:40 (Actual 35:13 but only 2nd).
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Crocodile man
Had to include a picture of Khotso Mokoena jumping over crocodiles. I love these man versus nature/machine media opportunities (like Bolt races a horse or Guzzo beating a car to the City from Epping):
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Vitamin B12
Super proud of Kirst who ran a 7km time trial in 35:12 this morning (finishing up the monster hill that is Condamine St). Her running coach plainly knows a lot more about running than I do.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
HuRTS 3min reps
Vlad and Barts were way ahead. I was puffing running 3:20's (although they may have quickened a bit later on) with the legs just not used to turning over at that pace at the moment. Managed 12 reps. I think I'll take it very easy for the rest of the week for the chance of feeling fresh on Saturday. Andy and Fats continue to run well, J-Fen is coming back into form and big news of the day is that Tucks is back in town and running on Saturday too. So Timmy has me down as odds-on HuRTS no.6 at this stage. At least it trumps his current HuRTS no.74.
Apart from that it was business as usual. Fats let us know what he had for breakfast via a combined fist pump and bottom pump. Ray didn't stop talking. Macca was breathing hard. Everybody gave their words of wisdom to Laura.
Nice to see TB back in town. Hope he's running on Sat too.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Longish Monday
Fantastic run by Benny to win the Payton Jordan Invitational 10km in Stanford this afternoon in 27:37 thereby booking his ticket to the World Champs in Moscow. Few peak better for the races that matter than Ben. That's a super time for someone beaten to 3rd in a domestic 10km road race in Tassie only a few weeks ago.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Scaramanga!
I may have died last night and you only live twice so out I went in the late afternoon. A quantum of solace was that it was perfect weather again - managed 8km before deciding I'll die another day.
For your eyes only:
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Striders 10km handicap
I felt pretty confident going into this having been feeling really good in training this last week and confident of a 33:xx but that all went out of the window after 300m. My legs were just dead and I was blowing like a steam train. Tried to hold on to Thamal but as soon as we climbed up Scribbly he pulled ahead. We did the first 2km in 3:12 and 3:18. Coming down Scribbly I caught him again and this turned into a common theme - he'd pull ahead on the flats and uphills and I'd catch him on the downhills. 5km in 17:08 and my legs still felt terrible, it's the worst I've felt in a race for ages.
We passed Timmy at 6km then on the hill before 7km Thamal pulled ahead with a 5s gap. Timmy said that from behind it looked as though I just sat up. By now we were catching a load of other runners and by the final km it became very busy. Over the final 2km I could see Thamal was slowing and I finally started to feel vaguely OK. Dodged through the crowds in the final 500m to get within a couple of seconds of Thamal and finish in 34:07. At least it was a negative split (16:59).
I'm guessing I felt so crap because of the flight 24hours earlier but I'll need to improve a lot over the next 7 days to run well at State 10km.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Home sweet home
Durante's organising a team for City Mile Dash - me, him, Wildman and Barts. I'm nervous just thinking about it.
91km for the week.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Singers Part 2
Now for some Tiger Beers.
View from hotel window:
In Singapore
Bloody busy so just squeezed in 10km on the hotel gym treadmill in 38:54. Hate those damn things. Sweated like a pig.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Holiday summary
Loaded up on Voltaren and hammered my thighs on the hard ribbed foam roller so that I could manage 10km very easy on Friday. Saturday was 15km with a fast final 5km feeling good. Sunday was an easy 10km to Yagon and back.
Watched the London Marathon last night and loved it. I've heard some comments about how the times failed to live up to expectations given the quality of the field but I think that misses the point. It was the equivalent of an Olympic final and so we saw a proper race. Nothing quite like seeing quality runners falling apart and looking like the rest of us in the final 2km of a major race.
Off to Singapore tomorrow so needed to get a quality session in today so decided to push the pace a bit on my long run. Did 16.5km to Shelley Beach and back adding a loop of Manly Golf Course then ran to work. 29.7km in 2:00:34 (4:03's). 54:44 for the run to work bit but that included an extra loop around Anderson Park in Kiribilli in order make up some distance. Very happy with that. Running sub4's finally felt relatively comfortable so a big confidence booster.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Update
Sunday was 10km tempo in 37:19 on the Yagon route plus 2km warmdown.
Monday was 30km all the way down Yagon beach (middle of nowhere) and back. Got scared shitless after 7km running down the beach only to hear footsteps behind me. Turned around to see 3 dingoes pursuing me. If they'd approached at 27km I'd have been toast, but was still relatively fresh after 7km. Running back up the beech after turning I could see from the tracks they'd followed me for about 4km. Soft sand for 20km so legs were knackered at the end even only managing 4:56's.
Rest today. At Taree Hospital now after Claudia was bitten on the foot but an in identified Australian critter.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Jared West
Nice run at lunch with Chris Shaw form AMP. 15km easy. That's 131km for the week. Really good 4 weeks of raining, gradually increasing the mileage each week. I'll ease up next week on holidays and hopefully see some jump start in the fitness. Not sure where anonymous from yesterday's post is coming from. Check out what I used to do in training in 2008.
Very impressed with Jared West's result in the 800m prelims at the Aussie Champs. A PB of 1:47:99 to make the final. I've only met the chap once (after City Mile Dash last year where we shared a couple of beers) and he was dead humble. He trains around Manly and always says hello. Wish him every luck in the final tomorrow and hope he can podium. Jeff Riseley will be the man to beat.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Can't cope
More beers tonight. Will the form ever return?!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Wednesday MLR
Forgot to give a massive congratulatory shout to Craig Mc who ran 2:29:17 in Paris on the weekend. Wowsers, that's raised the bar. And he's only 4 days younger than me.
HuRTS 4 x 10mins
Amazed at how quickly the lads are running. On the third rep I think I was 8th with Barts, Fats, Andy, J-Fen, Clyde and some new random dude all putting plenty of distance into me. Andy in particular was flying. The times they are 'a changin'.
Good to see Timmy back out.
Out in the evening for a few Hooergaarden's and plenty of red wine.
These days I check my phone and always find some random photos on it. Damn kids. So I'm going to start publishing them.
Monday, April 08, 2013
Early doors
Sunday, April 07, 2013
East Side Sunday
30km averaging 4:25's.
Now off to watch Bec play U12's soccer at the bottom of the hill for new club Brookvale. Hopefully she can reverse a weekend of shocking defeats.
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Striders 10km Homebush - 4th in 34:05
Neil Pearson went off pretty hard with Barts and I next. Going up the hills at Scribbly Gums Barts started to pull ahead (hills always show who's feeling strongest) and he'd gapped me by the top and was pulling ahead. So from then on I was running solo. By the top of the hill at 5.3km Barts was with Neil and they had about a 20-30s lead, but Neil looked to be fading and rounding the hut at the bottom I could see him ahead so just concentrated on catching him. Worked my arse off to do so (which helped me run a good negative split) and caught him just after the hill at 8.5km but he immediately put an effort in and got 10m on me soon after. Then rounding the penultimate corner I gave it one final go and got on his shoulder before he responded once again. I pussied out at this stage, telling myself I'd tried hard enough. But in short, crap first half when I just couldn't get going but more encouraging second half.
Tedious fact #1: I ran exactly the same time today as I did on the same course in November. Andy almost did too.
Great run by Barts who was strong the whole way and continues his good form - he ended up with 33:43. Enda also had a great run in 35:12 and will undoubtedly PB at the Sydney10 next month if he continues this run of form. Anna won the ladies dipping under 38mins (and thanks for the top Anna - Bec loves it!) but run of the day was Laura's fellow Macquarie employee Ella who has run almost every HuRTS session over the past 2 months and improved her 10km time from 43:xx at North Head last month to 40:36 today!
Ran a warmdown with Enda and Andy afterwards before heading out for a couple of km with Barts and Darren Deed - the English gun we saw on the startline who is over here for 10 days for his mates wedding. Turns out he's a 29:40 10km runner and debuted in the marathon last year in 2:18 - knocking on the door of Commonwealth Games selection. He won today in 31:03.
21.5km all up.
Friday, April 05, 2013
Plod town
115km for the week.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
HuRTS Pyramid
Big crowd today but we were thrown off the oval by a grumpy groundsman. So after a bit of dithering we settled on loops of the concrete path surrounding the oval. GMaps has it at 500m. Maybe a bit shorter. We split into a few groups with Barts, Andy C, Kenny, Ray, J-Fen, some big chap and me in the first group. Basically, I just sat on Barts for the whole session. Felt pretty good today with plenty of running in the legs. Reps (1 lap, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1 with a rest of half the time of the previous rep) went as follows:
1:33, 3:08; 4:44, 6:20, 4:39, 3:03, 1:30
That's pretty quick if it is 500m so must be a bit shorter. Still, all going well. 2km jog there and 4km jog home for about 14km all up.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Wednesday MLR
Going OK.
Good news today with Neil Pearson (40+) joining Striders ranks for the ANSW winter events and Dicky H getting in touch to do the same. Sutherland will be tough to beat with Andy C joining them but should make for some great races in the O35's, especially relays.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
HuRTS 45mins Fartlek
Reached the second speed bump on the way out, still feeling fine (at least breathing OK - legs are always tired these days) and then tried to get home. Andy Cross left us at the turn, Fats upped stumps at CQ and J-Fen cut short half way around Farm Cove with Barts pulling ahead of me at that stage so ran up the hills alone but with the squad to overtake in order to get back under 45mins. Just managed it with a final gate to gate of 10:15. All up 12.67km in 44:57 (3:33's). Put a lot more effort into that though than I have in any recent Tuesday sessions.
Jog around the gardens to finish for 15km all up.
Monday, April 01, 2013
Monday meander
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Easter Sunday
Selfie with the kids pre-world's toughest Easter egg hunt.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Manly hilly tempo
Total time of 50:54 and v happy with that. Splits (last week in brackets):
3:25 (3:33), 3:43 (3:46), 3:50 (3:55), 4:03 (4:04), 3:38 (3:45), 3:54 (3:50), 3:59 (3:54), 3:39 (3:42), 3:56 (3:57), 4:46 (5:07), 4:34 (4:14), 4:27 (4:25), 3:01 (3:23) [910m].
Friday, March 29, 2013
Easy does it
Got out this arvo for 9km easy with the eldest 3 kids on their bikes. Ran to Ben & Jerry's, bought a tub (Maple Tree Hugger for the fans) and ran home. It was the only way I could persuade Bec to come out with us.
110km for the week.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
8 x 800m
Did 2 reps and felt like shite. I was suffering from yesterday's hammy strength session and just felt dead flat. Battled not to give up there and then and eventually got through all 8. Times were crap but one good thing was a little fortitude of mind learned in persuading myself to do the lot. Legs finally felt better over the final 3 reps. Times (off a 2min rest) were:
2:35, 2:33, 2:34, 2:34, 2:33, 2:33, 2:30, 2:27
11km all up.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday SLR
Good strength session with Carl this morning concentrating on hamstrings and core.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
HuRTS 8 x 5mins
Lovely dip in the harbour for afters. 14km all up.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Usual Monday
15km with Mikey, Barts, Andy, Kanser, KiltedScot and plenty of others including a new girl who looked like she had great form.
More good news on the Berlin Marathon tour is that TB is now on-board. That makes 15 of us. Will have to organise the tour singlets shortly.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Long Manly route
Tired after yesterday and ran in the heat of the day at 4pm. I'll suffer for this tomorrow. 2:03:37 (4:30's).
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Hilly tempo
2km warm up and down for 17km all up. Humid.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Tired Friday
Bumped into Enda on the way back. Strange experience. First he told me he was trialling a new running style, which I listened to with a raised eyebrow seeing as I'd only originally recognized him 100m ahead based on his old running style. Then he pulled his pants down and showed me his arse telling me he'd finished 2nd in a near naked race in the morning.
Certainly distracted me from how crap I'd been feeling plodding around 10km.
104km for the week.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
HuRTS 10 x 400m
All reps were 67/68 (although I reckon we were maybe 10m short) with a final one at 65, finishing just behind Barts each time.
Did a longer jog back home with Barts for 11.5km all up.
James E went very well, leading us out on 2 or 3. Good to see plenty of girls in attendance too, with HuRTS #2 showing HuRTS #1 a clean pair of heels over the sprints.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday getting better
Anna looks to be running very well - she was the one pushing the 4:10's around Centennial looking very easy.
Then a good massage from the Tiger concentrating on the still dodgy hammie with more needles in the ass.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
HuRTS 45mins tempo
Small crowd for HuRTS today. Not sure where everyone has gone. Barts ran off waaaay into the distance leaving me running temporarily with Enda and then all alone. Didn't push too hard. Tried to keep the average under 3:40's but just failed. Pleased to get back in under 45mins though. 12.24km in 44:49 (10:40 for the final gate to gate) for a 3:40 average. Turned about 100m down Hickson Road after the bridges (but before the first speed hump).
Achilles slightly swollen after whacking it while going down Mach 5 at Wet 'n Wild on Sunday, which then gave me a nasty blister. Hammie still not quite right but working on the exercises and need some dry needling with the Tiger tomorrow.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Run home
Did just that. Untimed, but it wasn't too shabby. Not the same eye candy as Main Beach, Queensland.
Was following through a link on Fats' blog and saw the website for the Blaydon Race. Tis is a big road race on the North East calendar which always attracts a good field. The current race record holder is none other than Patrick Makau. Anyway, check out who won the Vets race (a big thing in the North East - referred to as "Gadgies" in this race that celebrates all things Geordie) - back in 1984:
Blaydon Race Results
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Longish at Surfers
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Main Beach Park Run - 1st in 17:12
Woke. Jogged from Sea World resort to Southport SLSC. Ran the parkrun with out 150 others, but was all alone. Felt pretty average to be honest. Then jogged back. Then jumped in pool. Perfect morning and a great place to run.
Friday, March 15, 2013
55mins
Thursday, March 14, 2013
HuRTS Hickson Rd
Hurt like hell but these sessions always do after a break. Lungs still not fully right but coming good.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Begin again
Out for 13km around Centennial with Jeet, Jonathan and Ben D'Cruz y'all. Nice and easy. Chest still tight, hammie needs strengthening but back on track.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Pre-teen Steps
Fantastic result by Fats to win Six Foot. He demolished what had been hyped as one of the strongest fields in years. No one better on the hills and no one you would rely on more.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Toddler steps
Good luck to all the boys and girls at Six Foot tomorrow. Very envious I'm not there. It's an event like no other.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Baby steps
Deal closed today and was spurred back into running action by meeting Holt Hardy in a meeting on a new deal this morning. Holt is a former 1:47/3:38 guy and a great bloke and asked how my running was going. So I wandered out for 10km this evening in beautiful conditions and it was great just to be out there.
Friday, March 01, 2013
More of the same Thursday
Run to work again feeling marginally better but only just - 59:24. Sick to death of this illness. Have canned the idea of racing Sat night given how I feel plus will be working all weekend. Have also canned Six Foot based on my hammie post Equaliser. All in all not happy at the moment. So busy at work today I eventually changed out of my running kit after running in at 4:15pm.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sick boy
Rested yesterday. Ran to work this morning feeling dreadful. Not helped by work being manic at the moment. Haven't done a 14 hour day in a while.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday recovery
Usual 16km route feeling tired with Barts, MC, Andy, Ray, Elvis etc. can't shake the cold, seems to have come back when I thought I'd shaken it.
This is interesting. Plotted my 5km time into MacMillan and it predicts a 10km time bang on my PB. I said to myself in January that to run sub 2:30 I'd need to run a sub 32 10km and a low 1:11 Half. MacMillan agrees entirely:
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Equaliser - 2nd in 58:09
Set off pretty quick with Fats and I was feeling great. Ran the first 3 km following Fats closely and even entertained thoughts of tracking him all the way with a sprint to glory, but that was until the first hill appeared. This was after the creek crossing which I managed to aquaplane across on my chest. Jonny B was just behind at this stage and kept me honest up the hills. I pulled ahead of JB on the roads of St Ives (Fats being a good 200m ahead at this stage) but when we were back in the bush I came out onto one fire trail without a clue which way to go. Waited for JB who suggested right was the best option (which it was). Then pulled ahead a bit before losing my footing coming down a steep hill. Thought I'd caught my fall with 3 wild strides before hitting the deck. At this point, I decided to run with JB instead of attempting to push the pace with the aim of putting an effort in over the final km.
Felt OK on the final big hill so worked that pretty well to build up a gap. Then cruised home. Surprised to see the next guy behind me wasn't JB so he must have struggled up the final hill. Time was 58:09 or thereabouts. Good hard hit out and it was warm and humid today. In fact, we did a 10km warmdown and I was struggling for fluids at the end.
29km all up and tired.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Getting better
Friday, February 22, 2013
Variety
95km for week.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
HuRTS Pyramid
Tis all I'll say.
Jogged over and ran at the back with a couple of nice girls which was very pleasant.
Timmy AWOL yet again. News around the traps is that Franky Dearn is enquiring about odds.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
HuRTS 2 x 20mins
13km all up after a warmdown with Barts.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday recovery
Very easy 11km with a big crowd at lunch. Getting a sore throat. Knew the weekend would catch up with me in some way. Hammie feels great though.
Photo below is from Saturday night - me with the two youngsters (Bryce Coles-Sinclair and Jordan Gusman). The latter won the NSW U20 800m last week in 1:51. The former was 3rd in the 1500m in 3:59. Both less than half my age. Bryce went on to gap me by 10s by the end with Jordan dropping off badly.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Super long Sunday
Then at Cromer Golf Course, after jumping the fence, some grumpy golfers turned us back telling us there was no through path, so we had to retrace our steps to Narrabeen. Pace picked up to sub4's from there but to be honest I was holding on the whole way. Eventually at Campbell Pde (36km) I persuaded Fats and Macca I needed water and would only jog home. Thankfully, they agreed.
All up 38.5km in 2:45:42 (4:19's). Absolutely shafted now.
State 5000m
Great crowd of HuRT Squad runners with Barts, Andy, Kanser, Ray and Laura all running. Watched a really good tussle between Andy, Kanser and Ray in the C race as Barts and I warmed up. Got dead nervous then we were off.
Hammie had been feeling fine courtesy of some Voltaren (I think the issue is some deep tissue swelling in the glute) and was feeling very bouncy after plenty of rest so decided to commit early on. Followed Cale Bowd and Bryce Courtenay Pierce Brosnan Coles Sinclair for a couple of laps before they eased ahead when a couple of other chaps came past, so tagged onto them. Went through 1km in about 3:01, 2km in 6:06 and 3km in 9:15 so knew a good time was on but that the pace was generally slowing. My brain is a bit mushy as to what happened after that but I figured I needed a strong last lap and was lucky enough to have Jim Perrett just in front of me with a lap to go. Went past him on the back straight and had a really good tussle the whole way home with him edging ahead on the line.
Very happy with the time. Always good to get a PB after many years of racing and a nice touch to have my Dad lap counting for me on a night when I equalled (but did not beat) his PB. I ended up with 15:36:57. Unfortunately they only had hand-timing back in them days and Dad doesn't remember the decimal (I'm guessing because it was .9) so we have to call it a draw for now.
Laura looked very strong on the women's A race in setting a 20s PB and great to watch the men's A race with my pick (Dave Byrne) being edged on the line by James Connor.
Now 6hours sleep after a party before the long run with the boys.
Friday ramble
11km around the city with Ben O'B, John Bowe and a couple of other tri blokes. Dead easy. Hammie fine but I'd taken Voltaren.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Oscar Pistorius
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tell Charles I'm on my way
Then slept for another 3 hours this morning and an hour this afternoon. I think my body is telling me something. Gonna take it easy to sort out the hammy before it deteriorates.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Hungover Saturday
Friday, February 08, 2013
Not too bad
116km for the week but some good quality stuff in there.
Forgot to mention about my warmdown with Barts last night. A couple months ago we were doing a long run through Castlecrag when Barts casually mutters "snake" while pointing to this long-toothed yellow thing curled in the middle of the road that I was about to step on. Well, last night we did a loop of the horse-track at Homebush when this rat runs out in front of us. Well, I've never heard Barts squeal so high-pitched or leap about so madly. It was like jogging with a 3yr old girl. Wish I'd had my camera.
Great photo I was sent yesterday. Love the look of the old school cyclists. Not sure about the chap on the corner getting a bit too excited.
2km Time Trial
Out for the haul over to Homebush in rush hour with Barts. Traffic meant we were half an hour late but Tiger was being generous and allowed us a good warm up. Did about 3km including a few strides then we were into it. Megsy was to take us through 800m in 2:20 and Gary to carry on at the same pace after for as long as he could be arsed.
It was pretty windy down the back straight and on he second lap I felt it was getting too comfortable so pushed ahead with Gary coming past in the home straight and Barts just behind. Gary then gapped me a bit and I struggled through the next 600m (with the lap splits showing). He stepped off the track at 1400m and Barts was about 2s back at this stage so I was solo for the final 600m. Had a good last lap though (67.x) to bring a bit of respectability to the time. Finished in 5:53.1. Was secretly hoping for 5:48 but I didn't have the confidence to go with Gary at 800m. Barts also had a good last lap to finish in 5:57.
Lap splits went:
1:10, 2:20, 3:33, 4:45, 5:53.
Still think the fitness is there as it's been a very big week.
7km warmdown with Barts for 12km all up. Thanks to Barts (who was even more nervous than me beforehand), Gary and Megsy for joining in. Megsy looks a class act running at pace.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Dropping like flies
Timmy threatening to drop out of Six Foot. We're dropping like flies.