Hot, not humid, slight wind

8km to Darling Point and back. Detour at Rushcutters Bay due to the footbridge being repaired. 15:30 at Darling Point, 33:19 all up. Felt terrible, stomach pains (Xmas lunch and lots of drink yesterday) back pains and sweating profusely. Pleased to get it over and done with.

Peter Beardsley

Tuesday

Pain in the Domain. Took it easy as I'm still recovering from the virus over the weekend. Started to push the reps harder in the second half - stayed with Durante for the 709m rep until the second mosaic and then eased off. He ran around 1:55. Finished with plenty in the tank. 27:27 in total.

7km all up.

Monday

Rest. Feeling pretty rotten having picked up a virus which took hold shortly after Sunday's run. Very lethargic and sorry for myself.

Sunday Morning

24km at 6.45am. Met up with Richard High at South Curly and ran to Long Reef. He tweaked a hamstring climbing up to Long Reef so peeled off on the way back. I continued on to South Steyne and then home via Manly Wharf. Stiff headwind travelling South slowed the run down considerably.
Few beers and glasses of wine the night before meant it was never very comfortable. Time 1:44:03.

Chris Waddle

8km run on Manly route early in the morning. Very tired and lethargic. 32:55.

Paul Gascoigne

OK, struggling with titles now.

14km run home from work. Very tired legs and a struggle almost all the way. 31:15 at Toyota Garage and 58:51 all up.

Kevin Forster

Had to Google previous winners of the Blaydon Race in order to insert today's title.

Hickson Road intervals with Richard H, Richard P, Richard Mullaney, Ray and Phil Dove. 5X1.2km (approx) with strict 2 minute rest. Splits went:
3:40
3:39
3:38
3:39
3:36
Very pleased with the session. Richard H and Phil were pushing the first 3 then dropped back on the last 2. Return intervals slower than normal as there was a bit of a headwind.

10km all up.

Ian Hudspith

Run into work. 14km. Hot (28C at 8am) so took it very easy. Suffered only towards the end as a result of the heat. 27:56 at Spit Junction and 58:49 all up so must have picked it up slightly in the second half.

Sean Cundy

Tuesday

Pain in the Domain. Hot and humid conditions so energy sapping in the second half. Felt very good all the way around though - 1:57 for the long rep out in front after holding off the MBL bloke. Ray and Durante suffering from tough sessions yesterday. Struggled up the steps but then pulled it together for the last 4 reps.

27:30 all up. 7km in total.

Monday

Rest. Been afew too many of those recently. But suffering after long session yesterday.

Mark Hudspith

Barrenjoey Bash STaR. Turned off at Palm Beach and ran back directly by myself, so very easy to start out with and quite tough over the last 40 minutes trying to get home before Kirsten got worried. 2:06 for about 27km.

Mike McLeod

State Relays at Homebush. 1500m - second leg. Ran 4:19 by myself. Sparkie started off with a 4:17, Ray followed me with a 4:18 and then Keith finished up with a 4:20 - 17:14 in total which was a new 160 yrs+ NSW State Record for 4x1500m (I'm not sure who keeps these records).

Sparkie handed over about 150m clear so it was just a time trial in admittedly very good conditions. I think I ran 69, 70, 72, 48, although that last 300m sounds a bit quick. Felt great all the way and had plenty in reserve on the final lap in mustering a sprint. I'm now quite keen to run a competitive 1500m to see what I could lower the PB to.

About 5km all up.

Cristina Boxer

8km to Darling Point and back. 14:30 at the point, 30:52 all up. Put in a couple of fast spells to stretch the legs. Quick time and felt great. Given how I felt yesterday, it was probably in my interests that the race did not take place. I think I was struggling from 2 days of nervous stress.

Looking forward to the 1500m relay tomorrow. I've bought myself a new pair of spikes. Just a little worried about how fast it is going to be and my tolerane to lactic build up. Still, I'll just give it my best shot.

Brendan bloody Foster

Thursday

JPMorgan race cancelled again due to the weather. Fast 4km towards home to release some pent up frustration.

Wednesday

JPMorgan race cancelled. Easy 8km in the evening with Beaky moaning about the situation.

Tuesday

Rest.

Monday

Rest.

David Sharpe

Sunday

About 25km in approx 1:45:00. Ran to Clontarf to join the North Head STaR but was a little late and so spent the first hour trying to catch up the 6:20am group. Eventually crossed paths on the return from North Head.I then ran with them until Kenneth Road - Glenn, Fats and I running together. Very enjoyable doing a Sunday run with others.

Saturday

Very easy 8km running around and about picking up the food shopping.

Paul Cuskin

14km run home. 30:25 at the Toyota Garage at Spit Junction and 56:53 all up. Lovely weather and very enjoyable.

Brian Rushforth

Thursday

Hickson Road intervals with Tim, Chris and Peter - 5 with strict 2 minute recovery. Felt great, particularly the first 2 which were very comfortable. Times went:

3:40; 3:35; 3:36; 3:39; 3:33

Only the fourth was slightly disappointing. Little bit of a headwind but in truth I was saving myself for the final rep. The 3th and 5th are rep PBs. Tim took off on the final rep so it was made a lot easier in just trying to stick to his shoulder.

10km all up.

Wednesday

Rest.

Charlie Spedding

Pain in the Domain.
Great session - pushed all the reps but still ran 1:56 for the long rep. Only finished 3rd though behind Ray and Michael.

Steve Cram

12km easy in 52:12. To Darling Point (16:30) and back with Robbo then around Mrs M's Chair and Opera House to the bollards, back and up to usual 10km finish. Just a jog. Met Richard High at Farm Cove and had a long chat about next week's race.

She's a sadist

Kicked out of bed at 6.15am by Kirsten and told that unlees I did the run then it wasn't going to happen. So after less than 5 hours sleep and large numbers of different sorts of wine at the partners dinner the night before, I headed out for 23km around North Head and Balgowlah Heights. Took it very easy. 47:10 at the stone arch turn and 1:39:18 in total. Feeling better now for taking it so easy - fewer aches and pains than usual.

Lane Cove 10km

Striders 10km race at Lane Cove. 34:14 for around 6th place. Just in front of Damien Tancred and Kanser - 26 seconds behind Tim Ashby who set a PB in 33:46.

Felt good the whole way around - took it easy on the hills by shortening the stride and tried to push the downhills and flat sections. Was coasting coming up to turn just after 5km when I heard a familiar Irish accent on my shoulder. Kanser's presence stirred me into a bit of action. Had hopes of trying to catch Tim but he was too strong over the final 3km. Good crowd turned up - Fats was in the 34's and Tim Cradock (suffering after a big week) finished in 34:56. Kanser finished in 34:20 which is a strong result given last week's marathon. He won't make it as easy for me next time.

Bit disappointed not to have broken 34 minutes but not overly concerned given it felt quite comfortable.

Sweat out the Hangover

Very easy 6km amble around the Domain, Botanical Gardens and Opera House sweating out last night's two bottles of red wine. 25:20. Looking for ward to tomorrow and just hoping I don't feel lethargic in the first few k's.