Fitting it in

Had a stomach bug over the past few days with fever symptoms - seems like the whole office suffered the same thing. Looking after the kids all weekend with Kirst away so had arranged a babysitter to come in to go for a run. Still wasn't massively keen on running but couldn't cancel the sitter so went anyway. Discovered a very flat new 14km route which I did in 59:07 - 30:30 on the way out and 28:37 on the return. Continued on my sprint home straight to the dunny.

Watched the London Diamond League this afternoon. Highlight was Dibaba in the 5000m - she's had a quiet season but still showed everyone her devastating speed (58s last lap) to win in 14:36. Will be interesting to see how Gregson goes in the Mile tonight.

Wednesday MLR

Been a lazy arse over the last 2 days so dragged myself out for the usual Wednesday run with MC, JB, Laura, RMR and Christian today after core strength with Carl this morning. Had a pit stop at Rose Bay so didn't get to the top of Kincoppal making it only 18km in 1:28:06. Very easy.

Then had a Tiger massage where two new bets were laid (after paying him $50 for my Timmy bet at North Head):

1. $50 on Tiger not beating Jonathan Bleasel at North Head in September (if anyone knows who Jonathan is, please tell him to keep up the training - we think he's the young red-headed chap who has looked pretty handy at Striders races this year).

2. $50 head to head me versus the Tiger at the Blackmores Half Marathon but comparative to our Half PBs (1:15:54 for him and 1:12:21 for me). Whoever beats theirs by the most wins the cash (or who gets closest if neither does).

This is basically how the hour of my massage is spent - coming up with increasingly elaborate but close-run bets...

Results of City to Surf here. Pleased to finish in front of Nick Bennett (reversing our positions at Short Course X-Country) but slightly disappointed to get close to CT without getting a win.

City to Surf - go Benny!

First of all, huge congratulations to Benny St for the win. Watched it on TV this evening and it was inspirational stuff - outsprinting Shelley in the home straight. Exactly to plan.

Rushed to the start throwing my bag in at the last minute and bumping into Dicky H in the process. Went and did a warm up with him bumping into Tucks, CT and Fats. Was late to the start line and we all got squeezed back needlessly behind some token white line. Loads of people I recognised around including Matty P, Richard P, Phil W etc. Suddenly we were off and the mad sprint down William St occurred. Found plenty of space on the left and all was good. Saw JB up ahead which was as close as I got to him all race. Was breathless by the tunnel as usual but started picking up places going up to Edgecliff then again through Double Bay. I was running with Keith and Lara Tamsett (lead female) at this stage with the motorbike filming Lara getting in the way a bit. Got my first split at 5km of 16:25 - 20s down on 2 years ago but I was still feeling fine so wasn't too fussed. However, Keith and Lara and a group of 3 others started to gap me going around Rose Bay - I just didn't seem to have the speed on the flat.

Started climbing Heartbreak Hill and suddenly they were all coming back to me - everyone seemed to be running it really slowly. Keith suddenly stepped off the road just as I caught him but just concentrated on catching Lara which I did at Kincoppal (as the hoardes of girls cheered her on). But again on the flat at the top of Heartbreak she started to gap me. From here on I was pretty much on my own. I was staring down the back on one chap who finished one place in front of me to avoid losing too much time but I think my "splits" reflected the fact that I had no-one to run with here. I reached 10km in 34:05 (so my 5km to 10km split was quicker than 2 years ago) but ended up with 47:10.

I had 4 aims before the race, top 50, sub 47, beat JB and Keith. I reckon I was 43rd (will find out Tuesday) so 2 out of 4 ain't bad. Bit disappointed with the time though.

It's a bloody tough race. It encompasses everything - really quick start and first 5km, big long hills and short sharp ones, big fast sweeping downhills and a fast finish. Need to get some more races in me and some more tempo runs. But Pub 2 Pub in 2 weeks, North Head 2 weeks later and Sydney Half 2 weeks after that should see me well by the end of September. Good to catch up with everyone in the tent afterwards. Tucks ran well (48:40) off 40km a week, Timmy will probably be disappointed with 51:00 and Kanser held up with a 53.

Pre-race Nerves

Just a very easy 5km jog today down to North Steyne, South Steyne then back. Left orthotics at work and achilles could feel it so stopped early.

Very easy run to work

Bloody cold this morning (about 11C), so rugged up for a very easy jog to work - Skins, hoodie and backpack. Just jogged in dead easy - 28:30 at Spit Junction and 60:20 all up. If the weather is like this on Sunday it will be perfect.

Picture is Harbour Bridge webcam as of now - check out the flags.

HuRTS Hickson Road

Seems like ages since I ran the Hickson Road session properly, but I wasn't about to start today only 3 days out from the big race of the year. It's the original but still probably the hardest session we do when you do it properly.

Just cruised through each rep in 3:30 pace (i.e. 4:04 - 4:08) with a 30 second burst mid-way through ran fast. JF was out front on each rep (Mad Man Moyle with him for the first 3) and asked to be paced through the last one so ran that one in 3:38 (3:05 pace) - Ray joining in half way through as he likes to. They all felt really comfortable.

Massage with Bianca last night (that sounds dodgy, it isn't!) and I'm feeling great at the moment but am a bit worried because I don't normally feel like this before I run well. Normally before a good race I feel lethargic and fearing the worst.

A few random predictions from me for what it's worth:

Benny St: 40:39
Thamal: 45:28
JB: 46:12
Truscott: 46:13
Bateman: 46:28
Andy: 48:30
Tucks: 48:59
Dicky H: 49:10
Young Timmy: 50:01
Flakey: 54:30

Easyish run to work

Core strength training with Carl this morning then a jog to work (busy at lunch talking). It started out as a jog, and felt pretty tired to begin with, but then started to feel better and better running on another beautiful Sydney Winter's day.

26:45 at Spit Junction and 55:54 all up.

HuRTS 5min reps

Bit of a concern about our "Chalet" for post City to Surf based on this photo after last night's storms...





Plan for this week is to taper by reducing the volume but no so much the intensity. So showed up today planning to run 4 at normal pace and 4 easily (the session is 8 x 5min reps off 90s rest). Set off with Charlie and JF just behind feeling great although it was pretty blustery out there. Finished the first rep beyond where I have done recently averaging about 3:18 per km. Was feeling great and breathing easily. This continued for the next 3 reps then ran the last 4 with the two Mikes (including the last 2 with young Timmy) at about 3:42 pace.

Big confidence booster as it felt easy today. Bit of a worry about Kanser who disappeared off complaining about his hip.

Interesting email from the City to Surf organisers this evening telling the Seeded Runners who all the other seeded runners are. Guess it allows you to size up your opposition. If I can just beat one other person on the list (other than Andrew Lloyd) I'll be happy.

Bateman Keith, Warren Mark, Criniti David, Whitmore Luke, Lynch Barry, Farrugia Anthony, Highnam Tom, Elliott Jackson, Lloyd Andrew, Tuckey Andrew, Antonelli Jason, Meagher John, Kelly Steve, McFarlane Andrew, Shatrov Vlad, Nankervis Shane, Saunders Philo, Cox Matthew, St Lawrence Ben, Hunt Jeffrey, Williams Hugh, Johnson Michael, Dent Martin, Grattan Luke, Neill Robbie, O'brien Earl, Crasti Thomas, Ireland David, Symons Kale, Haber Anthony, Robertson Kevin, White Brad, Cochrane Tim, Low Charlie, Gultekin Riza, Cavanagh Stephen, Whiteley Robin, Didyk Adam, Craigie Alan, Keem Barry, Moseley Saxon, Clark Daniel, Moneghetti Steve, Taylor Luke, Morrison Tim, Welsh Richard, Page Grant, Hurt Simon, Mwangi Josphat, Serem Isaac, Hobbs Aidan, Cooray Thamal, Verwey Dane, Abercromby Mark, Webster Matt, Shelley Michael, Kay Richard, Summers Harry.

Good to see Rob Dog entered.

Very easy Monday

Just me, Dougall and chap whose name I forget from Freshwater today for a shortened Monday route. About 12.5km just short of an hour. Another beautiful day but a tad breezy.

Feeling better

Shortened Sunday run today - Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation, Shelley Beach, North Head, Queenscliff and home. 21km in 1:29:49. Felt great and a beautiful day. Sort of day when running is fun.

Hang my head in shame

Didn't want to race the Striders 10km this morning with only a week to go until C2S - memories of 2007 put me off. So decided on a fast 5km by myself instead. Wasn't up for it though, still had Thursday's booze in my legs. Did a 3km warm up then two laps of the Golf Course circuit in 17:18. First lap 8:33 where my heart sank, then gave up with a km to go to jog home in 8:45 for the second. Just felt dead. Not really much of a confidence booster for next week. Wish I'd done more tempo runs and hills.

HuRTS 4 x 2km

Really didn't want to do this today. Had an excuse list as long as my arm. Yesterday was a big day with core strength with Carl in the morning, a long run at lunch and a massage in the afternoon. I then didn't drink enough water to flush out all the toxins and so woke up very stiff and sore this morning. I was tired, both physically and mentally after the last 3 weeks. So toyed with the idea of a jog, but then told myself not to be such a soft bastard and just get out there.

So rocked up (late) to join MC, Tucks, Dom, Timmy C, Milli Vanilli, Ray, LF Charlie, RMR and others for the tough 4 x 2km session. We split into two groups and our group took the 2 minute rest off Dom's finishing time so I was getting about 2:30 rest. Reps went as follows:

6:25
6:21
6:25
6:20

So another good consistent session in the end - I think we must have had a favourable wind on the return reps. Had Tucks just behind on rep one, Ray pushed reps 2 and 3 and gave the others a start on rep 4 to give me something to chase. That makes it a hell of a lot easier than running at the front by yourself - the 4th rep felt best. Dom was running well so will be interesting to see what he does at C2S.

Pleased to have run those times on tired legs. Need to be careful though as the last time I ran this session tired (then went out for drinks) I caught the flu and was out for 4 weeks. I've got an End of Financial Year drinks function this evening...

Wednesday MLR

Usual Wednesday route with Andy, JB, MC, Dicky H, Aus, chick called Laura James (6th in Sutho to Surf at the weekend), RMR and a couple of others. Wet and cold. Easy on the way out. I ran a bit quicker up Heartbreak Hill to find everyone else had turned early. Caught them up then ran back with Andy and JB. Much quicker on the way back (85:05 in total after turning on 44:50) and was quite tired.

Had a Tiger massage this afternoon and have put some money on young Timmy to show him a clean pair of heels at Lane Cove on Saturday. Gary then tried to bet me I wouldn't beat Keith at C2S, but I was far too sensible to take that one. Young Keith just has too much form at the moment.

HuRTS Progressive tempo

It's a Tuesday, 12 days until City to Surf and it wasn't raining so, as expected, the crowd was big. Intention is to increase the pace every 10 minutes by dropping 10s per km pace. In practice, you start quite easy, pick it up a bit, turn on 23.5mins and then go hell for leather to get back.

We took it pretty easy on the way out - chatting with JF with Tucks, JB, Andy, Dicky H and quite a few others also running with us. Turned on 23.5mins having reached 6.05km (3:53 pace). JB immediately upped the pace (it's difficult not to when there's a big crowd in front) with just Tucks going with us. We seemed to be going very quickly - once again I was struggling to hold on going around Circular Quay (where Tucks must also have dropped a bit). However, travelling around Farm Cove JB seemed to ease off a bit so I took my turn in front. Pushed the hills on the way back with JB dropping off somewhere on the hill up to the ABC Pool. Finished in 43:36. Very quick for the second half - 6.05km in 20:06 (3:19 pace) which includes all the uphills. 9:50 for the final gate to gate. All up 12.1km at 3:36 pace. Felt strong in the legs but the pace was tough. Ideally would like to do a 400s session on Thursday rather than the planned 4 x 2km - just to get used to some quicker pace running.

Good to see Tucks getting back to form despite still only running low kms. Also just noticed that Muz posted a late comment last week - good to hear from you mate. Looking forward to hearing about plans for your return home...

Recovery Monday

Usual Monday route in 68:11. Big crowd today including Ray, Tucks, Dougall, Andy, Kanser, Dicky H, King James, Indrajeet and a first time appearance for Timmy Rowe. Pulled up pretty well after yesterday's long one.

Long solo Sunday

Dropped Billy off at a party in Brookvale and had 2.5 hours to kill so ran via Curl Curl to Queenscliff, did two loops of my 10km circuit then ran back the way I came. The two 10km loops were run in 43:20 and 42:20 and all up just short of 32km in 2:17:07 (4:20's). Felt much easier doing the long run today without having done a hard session the day before. Legs still buggered now though. Bumped into Dicky G and had a quick chat at about 25km but otherwise pretty uneventful.

Off the wagon

I was supposed to do a 15km tempo but a night in the 3 Wise Monkeys put paid to that. 8km Manly route in 32:30 instead and that was a struggle.

Easy Friday

12km running Monday route but cutting back at Circular Quay. Problem is I forgot to transfer the orthotics from my racing flats so had to run in my trainers with no heel raises, orthotics or inner sole. So my achilles got sore.

HuRTS Mona Fartlek

Despite MC trying to hijack the session with some poxy long jog, we had a good turnout of JB, Kanser, Andy, Ray, Clyde, JF, Brendan, Dougall, RMR, Dom etc for one of the original sessions. Some suggest this session isn't tough enough so I stressed to everyone beforehand that the floats are not jogs or recoveries and that the overall pace for the 20mins should be 10km pace, so the fast sections are 5km pace.

Then had to practice what I'd preached so set off hard with the intention of reaching the Stone Gates. JB and Ray went with me. We almost got into the virtuous circle of reaching the top of the hills on the floats. Ray dropped off at 7mins to run back with Kanser leaving me and JB to carry on. We reached the Stone Gates with 8secs to spare and set off back. I was just holding on to JB on the final two 60s sections but felt better on the 30s intervals. JB dropped off half way around Farm Cove and I ended up half way along the side of the Opera House.

Another good, hard session. I've only reached the Stone Gates when I've been really fit (June and September/October 2008) so it's a good sign. It was quite blustery out there today too. I think it works out as averaging 3:22's for the whole thing. 3km warm up and warm down for 12km all up. 220km for the past 2 weeks.

Wednesday MLR

Usual Wednesday route with Kanser, RMR, Rob and Simon. Very easy pace today. Legs were a bit sore - need a massage. 1:30:05.