Saturday, November 03, 2012
Lane Cove 10km - 2nd in 34:05
Warmed up with CT, Eoin, Richie H and Andy. Planned to take it steady to start and then ease my way into the run. The Horne went off quick and CT and I followed behind. CT then put in a burst to catch him and then pushed on ahead. That's how it stayed until the top of the hill past the 5km turn. CT ahead by 20 odd seconds with me running with the Horne. I sensed he was struggling on the hills a bit though and when we turned I suddenly found myself running alone pushing downhill. Had a bit of a scare at 7km when my left hammy felt it was tightening but it eased and I just cruised home.
Nice to get a few good prizes for 2nd - some great Mizuno gear. Certainly beats the cap and pair of socks from 2 years ago. Andy had a good run almost catching the Horne for 4th place. Gary looked comfortable just ahead of Macca still recovering from Melbourne. Dicky H is on the comeback trail and a few will be looking for a rare scalp against him at JPMorgan.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Manly 400's
Reps were all 80 or 81s with the last two at 79. Was bloody hot (over 30C) and I sweated buckets.
Golf was good. Need a new set of clubs for Christmas, if Santa is reading.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday MLR
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tiger Time Trial
Gary reckons its a great session that yields most benefit 2 weeks later, so the timing was ideal and the plan was just to nail myself. He wasn't feeling 100% so agreed to pace me at 70s laps for 3 laps. There was a nasty headwind down the back straight so I was secretly hoping it would be 3.5 laps, and fair play to him, he came good. Laps went as follows:
68, 2:18, 3:39, 4:40, 5:51.2
Very happy with that. Had to dig deep on the final lap so hopefully will do some good. I'm almost keen to try it again next week...
Many thanks to the Tiger who looked super smooth and provided perfect pacing.
5km warm up/down for 7km (!) all up.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Run home
Very easy run home spent trying to work out how to run a 2000m time trial tomorrow. After an hour I settled on trying to run 70s laps for as long as possible.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Long Saturday
Another 40th Birthday Party tonight so headed over to join MC's merry crew in Centennial at 7am. Felt very average early on having enjoyed a few Bavarian Biers off the ferry last night with Macca and Charlie D.
Really good crowd with Dave Clark, Killa, Enda, Russell, Paul B, Mr Ace, Jonathan W and client Ben O'B joining MC and myself. 3 laps of the 10km circuit, but cut off the final 2km for 28km in 2:02. Final 6km were all under 4mins per km (the last 3 well under) and have to say that MC is travelling very well.
Tucks tracked down the photo below from Fitzroy Falls. Closet trail runner. I've been outed.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Easy Friday
107km for the week and now averaged over 100km for 5 weeks straight. Will drop down the mileage a bit next week and do some more speed work, starting with a 2000m time trial with the Tiger on Tuesday. Papping myself about that already.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
More 400's
We ran whole loops - between 440m and 450m - off a rolling 130 seconds. Felt the extra distance towards the end. Also switched direction after 5 reps which made the second 5 much harder (strangely). I ran:
78.1, 77.6, 76.8, 76.1, 75.9, 77.4, 76.8, dunno, 76.8, 75.9
Longer jog around Mrs Macs with Andy on return for 11km all up.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
John Binfield
JB is a real talent. Has a similar background to me in running well as a kid (I think he did 800m at English Schools - I did 1500m) and his PB's are now pretty similar to mine. He started out quietly with the squad and then really improved in 2009 when I was off injured, so much so that when I came back he was smashing me. He takes his running (and Ironman's - currently training for Busso) very seriously. If I'm being brutally honest, at times I think he can overtrain. I don't think it's a coincidence that his two outstanding PB's (71 for a Half (Gold Coast, so full length) and 46:xx for City to Surf) came mid-way through preparation for a scheduled marathon. He's certainly capable of a 2:32 marathon and his 10km PB should be in the mid 32's. Having said that, I remember him running a 33:23 at North Head (again, pre-marathon) on a ridiculously blustery day which was worth at least a minute. But what do I know. Has a lovely wife (Sally - another runner) and enviable lifestyle. An all round good bloke.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Charlie Dalziell
I think the Garmin FR10 is the most accurate of the 3 I've had. I love it. 12.93km measures short compared to the 405 and 610, but is exactly the same as Gmaps measures it. It doesn't throw out the wild readings you sometimes get going under Circular Quay. Splits today were all within 3 seconds either side of 3:30's, other than a 3:40 coming up the hills and a slightly quicker finish.
LF Charlie has been running for a continuous period for longer than all of us. If you go onto Coolrunning (which I don't anymore on principle) he's one of the original subscribers. He's flirted with the offroad stuff and some "adventure" races, but I'll forgive him that as we all need a change once in a while and he's been at it for long enough. Has an encyclopaedic knowledge of races and people's PBs. The mild mannered man of the HuRT Squad, until Timmy starts buzzing in his ear. Enjoys a beer, but stops at 4, so sensible too. An all round good bloke.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Rob Costello
Rob joined the squad during my lengthy layoff with injury during 2009. An Irishman with an unhealthy appetite for lengthy trail running (which would normally debar you from the squad) he squeezes in in the basis of being a regular 10km and Half runner in between that offroad nonsense. And regular uninterrupted training is starting to produce some great results. A 10km PB back in the land of the blighted potato this weekend of 37:45 is testament to his efforts, and a marathon PB and sub3 in Dublin this weekend (as well as a potential notch against Kanser) is looking a dead cert. Becoming a new father always guarantees PBs, for reasons yet to be explained through scientific research. Enjoys the dark stuff (Guinness, not just trail running) - an old round good bloke.
Rob at front, unfortunately veering offroad again.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Paul McClarnon
Headed out at 5pm dropping off a party invite (Maggie's 5th) to Thamal's then continued on down to Manly beach. Started easy then gradually picked up the pace pushing quite hard at the end. 12.2km in 48:24 (3:57's).
Macca is a relatively recent joiner of the squad. Notwithstanding, he's been racing triathlons and running for years. I'd always seen his results in Striders 10km races not knowing who the chap was. Then out of the blue about 18months ago he introduces himself to me in our local coffee shop. Turns out he lives, quite literally, just around the corner. Macca is one of the best racers I know, insofar as the training efforts convert to races. He always gives 100%. Not only that, he fully commits right from the beginning of a race, confident of his ability to hold on, which he almost inevitably does. Even if he does drop off, it will never be big-style. Melbourne marathon last weekend was a classic example. He was sick for the 3 days lading up to the event. That would have ruled 90% of people out. Macca takes 2 Nurofen on the morning and tells himself on the start line it's pointless just going through the motions. He was still with Fats (who went on to run a sensational 2:33) past half way before pulling out a 2:39. But marathons are not his only strength with a 33:30 10km PB to his name. He's a great training partner for those long Sunday runs finishing quick, as I just need to try and hold on to him. Never stops talking unless it's to take a gulp of beer. An old round good bloke.
Macca, in green, tracking Bartles and ahead of Scotty.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Sam Agnew
Big Sam joined the squad a couple of years ago but, being another Fairlight resident, I'd been training with him (via Dicky Green, Jamie Stewart and Quentin) on Sunday long runs for a while before that. As strong as an ox, he seems to gain strength when others weaken over those 30+km runs. I'm convinced he'll run a great Six Foot Track one day. Runs great 400m reps too. If he sorted out his knees he'd be a force to be reckoned with. In between injuries, he's run a 34:30(?) 10km and a 2:46 marathon at Gold Coast last year, which would have been much quicker but for the robot dance in the final km. Berlin 2013 beckons. He loves a beer, loves the Palace, in fact loves all things English and makes my Sunday runs enjoyable. An all round good bloke.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Anna Fitzgerald
102km for the week and averaged over 100km for the past 4 weeks.
Anna is currently HuRTS #2 lady but is dead set dedicated and I wouldn't be surprised if she had designs on #1. Has a spot on attitude towards training but joins us less frequently now after joining Sean's squad. She's had her problems with injuries but always bounces back more keen than ever. Always laughing, always smiling. A great Half PB of 82:45 and watch for her to beat her 10km PB of 37:57 this weekend at the Brighton Beachside Dash. An old round top chick.
Anna in full flow and then with some chap in front of some toilets.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Laura James
LJ is HuRTS girl #1. In fact, with a 36:xx 10km PB and a Half PB of 80:xx, she keeps most of the blokes on their toes too. She also knows how to win races, which is much harder than it sounds, taking out the JPMorgan win last year among numerous Striders 10kms. She's a regular on the ANSW scene (and bakes a mean scone). On top of all that, she can hold her beer despite only weighing about 45kg. But that's because she's from the Shire. An all round top chick.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Charlie Low
I think Fast Charlie joined the squad in about 2008. Of course we knew him by reputation for some time earlier. A very talented runner, an English Schools medallist as a kid and one-time 3000m steeplechaser in 8:35. Always training, always injured, always drinking, always slagging off Young Timmy. A bit too keen on the bike for my liking. Gets running fit very quickly. It would be fair to say that he, more than anyone else, changed the training patterns of the squad. Pre-Charlie we would do Hickson Road reps on Thursday and Pain in the Domain on Tuesday. Fast Charlie rightly pointed out that PiTD was a joke and we soon found ourselves running 14 x 3mins off a 1min rest instead. We all got super fit very quickly then all got injured. And that has been the modus operandi of the squad ever since. HuRTs is appropriate in more ways than one, just as "Fast Charlie" is appropriate in more ways than one. An all round good bloke?
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Timmy Lindop
I set off with Tucks and J-Fen hunting down a marauding Rob Costello feeling great for about a km. then suddenly my legs (basically my hammies) just felt dead and I contemplated giving up there and then. Andy soon caught and passed. At CQ Kanser and MC caught and I managed to stick to them. Breathing was fine but the legs were gooooone. Should say is was about 32C too which didn't help. I think we averaged 3:38's on the way out. On the way back Kanser pushed ahead and I ran with Mikey until the Opera house and pushed on a bit after that. Finished in 20:16, pleased it was all over.
Where to start on Young Timmy? I've been delaying his write-up just to piss him off but now he's not talking to anyone and avoiding HuRTS sessions, it's about time to cover him. Timmy's an enigma. Always joking, but takes his fitness very seriously. Always winding people up, but easily wound up. Always with a drink in his hand, unless a certain ex-organiser of 10kms should be in the vicinity. Looks as though he gives 110% in every race, but I'm still not sure I've met anyone else with a sub35 10km PB fail to perform 45minute pacing duties. Proprietor of the second best running blog on the internet, but would lose a spelling-bee to my boy Charlie. Timmy has been running Striders since Brendan Foster could fit into a pair of shorts. He knows everyone and always has a word to say. He's got a very respectable 10km PB (34:24), a pretty good Half PB (1:16:xx) and an average marathon PB (2:47). Runs great 400m reps, but don't watch him do a 45min fartlek. Rides a damn good bike leg and, from where I'm viewing, seems to swim pretty well too. He makes turning up to races fun, having a beer afterwards more fun and my kids love him to boot. An all round good bloke.
Timmy, at left, following very rare win.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Clyde Rosanowski
Had a lunch on today so ran home. Had to make it fairly quick as Kirst was heading out to Futsal (scored her first ever goal in a narrow 3-2 loss!). Concentrated on the high cadence running which I've become fairly obsessed with recently. Didn't time it on the stopwatch but about 55mins.
I first encountered Clyde running the Sydney Half Marathon in 2007 - where I set my PB of 72:21 which still stands. This squat bloke running on the outside of his feet overtakes me on the harbour bridge and I think, who's this joker. I then proceed to teach this cowboy a lesson, but didn't get a step closer to him all race as he powered away to a 70:xx. I think Clyde has surprised a fair few people in this way over the years - most recently Macca in a HuRTS session a couple of months ago. An amazing engine, he gets running fit in no time at all and he's been on the scene for years with a wealth of experience. He seems to be mates with every Kiwi runner out there, from Nick Willis down. Takes great interest in how everyone goes and always willing to offer his advice. Unfortunately seems to prefer pimping up bikes and wearing lycra these days. But still an all round good bloke.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Mike Race
Succumbed to the tummy bug that has gone through the whole family yesterday. Managed to avoid the vomiting but came close. Spent most of the day in bed.
Headed out this morning with Big Sam at 6am having only handed beans on toast in the previous 48hours. Managed OK until I dropped Sam off but then bonked shortly after. Still managed about 27km though at a fair enough pace.
Results in from Melbourne Marathon with the squad running some great times. Fats was first up smashing his (and my) PB with a 2:33:28. Ray was next smashing a long held PB by 3mins running 2:36. Macca had struggled with flu in the few days prior and was touch and go whether to run but in true spirit battled through for a 2:39. But on to the titleman of the post.
Mr Ace seems to have been with the squad forever. Early on towards the back of the pack, but forever improving. A stalwart of the Striders 10km series, a part time Ironman competitor but always keen on the marathon. At first the aim was the big one for every club runner - the sub3 hour marathon. He moved well beyond that mark earlier this year with a great 2:53. However, earlier this morning down in Melbourne he had possibly run of the day in recording a 2:49:08. Hell, that's basically 4min kms. Always smiling, a brilliant result from an all round good bloke.