Usual Monday

Standard Monday run with a big crowd, including MC, LF Charlie, Mr Ace, BW, Indrajeet, Kilted Scot, Worswick, Sonya, Emma and Caroline Sweeney who lasted longer than all but MC, Rob C and myself. I felt crap all the way and, notwithstanding Charlie's blog tried to slow it down. Was going to quit at CQ but I was in an interesting conversation at the time so carried on and ended up doing the whole 15.8km in dunno what. Felt knackered in the heat and, particularly, the humidity. I think people underestimate the impact of humidity - I reckon I'm still recovering from yesterday.

Manly Dam Style

Met up with Dicky G at 6am and we ran over to the Dam to do a loop replicating next week's trail race over the same course. As we started, Dicky takes a look at his watch and immediately darts off at a rate of knots. I'm trying to follow behind, checking every step to avoid rolling an ankle and puffing up the step hills and steps. The last 2km in particular were a killer. By the end of 10km around the Dam, I was knackered and rethinking any plans to race it next weekend. It really uses every muscle in your legs over that terrain.

We started jogging afterwards to recover and ended up along Manly beach, bumping into Macca so finished the final 4km with him too. Also saw Ben, Paul S, Chris Y and Pete Walker out there on a beautiful but humid day. I had bonked by the end - only 24km but felt like 34km.

Berlin Bound!

Knocked about by the bad cold which had me feeling very average since Tuesday, not helped by the start of silly season as the booze doesn't aid recovery.

Finally felt well enough to get out today for the usual route and, with a few days rest, the legs felt very fresh. 14.04km in 58:56 (4:12's).

Big news is that the Berlin trip has been confirmed, we've paid entries and booked accommodation. It's a great crowd of tourists - Kanser, Young Timmy, Enda, Tucks, Rob C, Macca, Barts, Big Sam, J-Fen, Renaud and my mate from Fairlight, Steve B. Berlin Marathon just happens to land smack in the middle of Oktoberfest so post marathon recovery will be down in Munich. Can't wait.

Jamie - fancy a short trip up to Berlin lat September?

HuRTS 45min tempo

Turned up to pick up my new HuRTS branded cap along with 50 others with the same idea. At least Mr Ace had a lighter backpack to run with.

Still crook so took it very easy. Ended up doing 11.47km in 44:43 (3:49's). Client dinner tonight. Client beers tomorrow. Client Christmas Party on Thursday. Not sure when I'm going to recover.

Sick boy

Ran in to work feeling crap all the way (59:25). Had a sore throat for the past 3 days and it got worse during the day, now feeling fluey so canned my planned double-up run home.

State relays

4 x 1500m relay with Ray, Kanser and Andy. We smashed the field. I ran the first leg and we'd already lapped one of the teams before I handed over to Andy.

Good fun. I was called out 4:18 when I handed over to Andy but it's so inaccurate on the official handover mark that it's impossible to tell what the official time would be. Makes me think I'd love to run a proper 1500m and with a competitive field I reckon I could get close to 4:15 which would be great. Will have to look at the ANSW timetable. Today was a blind time trial. I saw the clock on the laps and ran 65, 2:15, 3:26 then a 58s last 300m.

Massive appreciation to Dave who showed up despite a last minute booking to fly to see his Dad this afternoon and losing his wallet and phone on the way. It was almost a definition in stress for him this morning yet he still showed up and performed strongly for the team.

Beers and curry with Dicky G, Richard Banks and Hamburglar this evening. Great evening. Richie B seems to know every curryhouse owner in town and Hamburglar seems to know every loose female bar owner in town. Much fun.

Easy Friday

Just an easy 15.35km in 4:33's today with MC, Big Sam, Andy, Todd and a few others. Plenty of chat about Wednesday night. Got the relays on tomorrow morning but haven't thought about it properly yet. Kirst is away so I'm flying solo with the 5 kids this weekend. Not quite sure how I'll handle that out at SOPAC.

JPMorgan CC - 4th in 17:37

I just love this race. Gary Howard summed it up best by describing it as a school sports carnival for grown ups. Basically 8,000+ weekend warriors putting it on the line for work honours. That said, it's always won by a classy runner. This year Marty Dent smoked the field, but in previous years its been won by Youcef Abdi, Pat Carroll, Benny St, Paul Arthur, Wildman etc.

Did a very nervous warm up with Enda, Todd and Tucks then made my way to the start line to be greeted by literally dozens of HuRT Squad members. We were held for ages on the start line then the hooter went and the mad dash to the hill began. I felt like I was pushing hard but was surprised to see a group of 6 ahead of me - that group being behind Marty who flew away. Crasti was in the group but I didn't recognise the others. I was running with Tucks at this stage so normal service had resumed. Stayed with Tucks until 3km (having caught one of the group of 6 - we'd get them all bar Crasti by the end) but then he did exactly what he told me he was going to do and inexorably pulled away. We were still catching the group of 6 one by one though so I figured I hadn't blown up. It also still felt fast. By 4km I was up to 6th place and catching 5th. At the Fox Studios gates I'd caught 5th but he was running strongly with me. Tucks was about 80m ahead with the 3rd placed chap. I have to admit that when I caught the 5th placed chap, my sole thoughts were on keeping that position as you get mentioned on the JPMorgan website for 5th but nothing for 6th. Shallow, yes. Narcissistic, absolutely. Motivational, you betcha. But I look across and this bloke I'm tussling with for 5th place is a kid, and all I'm thinking is that I bet he's a better sprinter than me so I'd better go early. So I start going for it at the 5km mark. The kid sticks it out for a bit and then thankfully drops off, because I couldn't maintain that pace for much longer. But then, what do you know, but the bloke in 4th who Tucks has now dropped is suddenly in striking distance, so just like 2 years ago I just carry on the sprint and catch him on the final corner. Hell, even Tucks is now just up ahead. Stoked to cross the line in 17:37 - second fastest time ever and about 20s quicker than I was expecting.

What it taught me is that you can make up heaps of time in this race over the final mile (from 4km to the finish line). If I'd held pace I'd have run 17:5x - I managed to put 13s and 16s on the blokes I was running with at the Fox Studios gates (photo below). Also taught me how good Tucks is. He gets a lot of credit for his ultra trail performances but I think a lot of people don't appreciate how good he is on the shorter stuff too.

I was expecting J-Fen to figure strongly given how well he's been going in training but he was badly affected by antibiotics he was taking. He was in a very bad shape coming down the finishing straight with his legs buckling just before the line. Fair play to him though - he gutsed it out despite everything and must have been in a world of pain.

Some great performances out there. Special mentions to Andy, JB and Barts who all finished within 3 seconds of each other a shade over 18mins. But what about Laura - what a champ. Off virtually no training she runs only a few seconds slower than her winning time of last year to finish second. She's a big occasion performer.

Central governor performance of the day to MC for running 19:05. Lots of PBs out there today, including for Enda (another who always goes well in this race), Indrajeet and the KiltedScot.

Allens finished second in the Mixed team to KPMG, but Matt ran a great 19:17 and the girls ran out of their skins to finish either side of 23mins. Next year we'll get it.

At 4.8km:

The CEO and Chairman:



Me and Tucks, the latter looking more relaxed:



This is how painful it got for J-Fen (Enda about to strike):



You thought J-Fen looked pained? Check out Big Sam realising Mikey has taken him:

Getting nervous

A very easy 8km today with a few strides. Big crowd and plenty of chat and trash talking about tomorrow's race. Tucks disclosed his game plan "there's not much magic to it Tom, I just put a bit of effort in at 4km" and Kanser was coming up with all sorts of excuses as to why he couldn't run (and risk MC claiming a rare scalp). I fear Young Timmy is in the same boat.

I'm pretty psyched for this one and will just give it a good crack. Should be a great night.

Biding time

Just an easy 10km today with MC, Big Sam, Indrajeet, KiltedScot, J-Fen, Rob, JW and others. Don't like these pre-race runs, just feel nervously lethargic.

Bec and Kirst are sick so I may be sleeping in the basement tonight and tomorrow.

Weekend at Coledale

Sat morning was 12km at 6am just rolling the legs over. Glutes working well though as I was pretty bouncy.

Then headed off to Coledale Beach for camping. Sunday was a glorious day and headed out at 7am after 9 hours solid sleep down the coast trying to find the bike path on LF Charlie's recommendation. Found it and it was running Mecca, just hugging the coast and cliff tops. 20.35km in 1:30:28 (4:27 average). Again very bouncy and glutes were sore by the end.

Easy Friday

Felt a bit tired after yesterday's session but much better after a very easy 13km. Would have done the 16km as I was enjoying the run but had to get back to work which has been a bit frantic recently.

Crowd was Ray, MC, Kanser, Emma, Big Sam, Todd and Russ. Very warm, but came out of the changing rooms and it was as if night had fallen, with a massive storm rolling through, hail stones and all. Standard Sydney Spring.

3 good sessions and 98km for the week but no long run. I rely on my long run. But feeling good nonetheless.

HuRTS 400's

Whoa! A mighty crowd for the 400's today, bigger than I've ever seen for that session with all the squad regulars present other than Timmy and Enda. Also there were my two gun females for next Wednesday, both doing a great job competing 8 reps with the squad. Alex is coming on in leaps and bounds and looks a completely natural runner, she could do great things.

I wanted to give it a go today. Did all the reps (off a rolling 2:10 given we were doing 440's) between 75 and 77s. Tucks went off hard on 3 of them with Dom and Clarky in tow and J-Fen gradually increased his pace to run alongside on the last two otherwise I was upfront with Clarky on my shoulder. Bloody hot out there and had to work hard but pleased with the final speed session and feeling more confident for next Wednesday night.

Did an extra 4km warm down with Andy and JB for 11km all up.

Sydney to Hobart

Up at 5.30am. Taxi to airport. Flew to Hobart. All day meetings. Flew back to Sydney. Back to office. Sent a couple of emails. Changed and ran home. 57:30 feeling nice and easy. Dinner in front of TV watching episode 3 of Homeland. I'm hooked. I'm knackered. Bed.

Melbourne Cup

Bloody hot and humid today but showed up with a select crowd of J-Fen, Richie, Andy, MC, John from AMP, Laura, Angus et al for 4 x 10mins. Wasn't in the mood and feeling tired from too much boozing (today won't have helped) but set off on the first rep with Richie and MC with Richie running strong to finish with me by Robbie Burns stone statue. Holy cow J-Fen was flying to get to the stone gates in 9:42. I don't think anyone has run quicker. He is certainly firming as favourite for JPMorgan.

Ran back in 9:29 then third rep a bit further running with J-Fen taking it easy (last lamppost) then ran back in 9:35.

Was cooked to finish so jumped in the harbour with Laura, Angus and J-Fen for a much needed cool-down.

Then started on the Coopers Pale Ale.

Left Verandah Bar 20mins ago with my poor secretary (Kellie) in the hands of Wildman and Durante. She's a feisty girl so hoping she's OK.

Lazy arse

Planned on doing a long run today by adding 10km to the usual Monday run but I was energy depleted at the end and craving sugar so cut short at 16km. Beat myself up about being a lazy arse but in truth it was the vodka and tequila on Sat night that was to blame. One day I'll take this running malarkey seriously. More drinks with ANZ tonight. Melbourne Cup tomorrow. The silly season has arrived too early.

Good times

Out at our 3rd consecutive weekend 40th birthday party last night which involved rollerblade disco girls, shots of tequila and vodka from an ice sculpture and 2am in the New Brighton Hotel, so an early morning run was not on the cards today. Eventually dragged myself out this afternoon for 11.81km in 50 something (4:18's).

Child of the 70's:



My beautiful wife:

Lane Cove 10km - 2nd in 34:05

The return of the old timers. Truscott first, me second and Jeremey Horne third. All three of us 39 years old.

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.

Easy Friday

10km from work very easy solo.

83km for the week but some good sessions.

Manly 400's

Playing golf from lunchtime so jogged down to the oval next to the Boy Charlton pool and ran loops of the white line marked around the oval. Turned out to be about 440m (are all ovals 440m in circumference?). Legs weren't up for a full bore session so kept the rests short running off every 2mins to try to get the feeling of running 3min kms relatively comfortably.

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.