Monday, February 04, 2013
Maggsie's Monday
Maggie's first day at school today. 4 down, one to go. She was pumped.
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Centennial Sunday
Drove Macca over to Kanser's and we started the run from there. Met Timmy, Ray, Laura, Enda, C.T. and Fats at the kiosk before doing a couple of loops of the park, then headed down to Coogee and did a great run along the coast to Bronte before climbing back to Queens Park. purple of loops of the park bumping into Ray and J-Fen (who upped the pace) then back to Dave's for some top bacon & egg sarnies, tea, melon, fizzy lime juice, the works.
32.6km all up. Quick final few kms. 4:30 average all up.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Strider 10km Homebush - 5th in 33:52
Got up early to pick Dicky up as we planned on doing a longer warm up (5km). It was pissing with rain and had been for 24 hours but very cool temps for February. The course was sodden with huge puddles around the horse track which meant diverting onto the soft gravel or wading through the ankle deep water. Really appreciated the warm up though as I'd ironed out all the aches and stiffness before the start.
Good crowd with Dave Criniti, Robin Whitelely, CT, Fats, Craig Mc, Sam Walker, the Horne and Brendan Davies all in attendance. Had a good chat with the lads (Timmy looking very nervous) and off we went. Funny start as everyone stormed off and I was we'll back but then picked up a lot of places in the second km to be running alongside Robin and Sam. I think the long warm up avoided the excitable start with inevitable 2km slowdown.
CT and Dave jumped ahead at the start and Sam and Robin had closed the gap by 2km and pulled ahead of me by 30m in the process. I think Brendan was right behind at this stage but I was basically running solo from here on. At 5km on the switchbacks I could see that Brendan and Fats were about 60m behind and was worried as I knew those 2 would be competitive and push each other along - so I made a concerted effort to go hard until the top of the hill. From here I was just concentrating on getting under 34mins and knew it would be close. Used CT up ahead as someone to chase and pleased to come in with a few seconds to spare. Felt great in the second half. Splits went: 3:12, 3:19, 3:19, 3:25, 3:29, 3:18, 3:26, 3:21, 3:23, 3:23 (18s - measured 10.1km).
Some great battles out there. Timmy did enough to hold off Laura and Elvis but obviously made a real effort in doing so but fair play to him. Kanser missed the start by 20s (surprise surprise). Macca ran as solid as ever and has been given some impetus for Six Foot by an ill conceived goading from Elvis, who seems to be specialising in this.
A good morning was topped off by winning the spot prize which I swapped with Timmy for my $20 bet.
5km warm up and down 20km all up.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Plod
Bloody humid. If it's like this tomorrow the rust buster at Homebush will be brutal.
65.0kg after brekkie this morning.
Ahh, just reliving one of the happiest days of my life...
Thursday, January 31, 2013
HuRTS 10 x 400m
But to be fair to the big fella, he was flying today and seems to have hit a rich seam of form.
Big turnout on a lovely day, if a bit humid. But for this sort of session and bit of heat and humidity is actually beneficial as it loosens the legs. Vlad, Barts, Kanser, J-Fen, Big Blue John, MC, Enda, Timmy, Killa (last session before emigration) and Dicky G all in attendance. I led the first two, tucked in behind Vlad and Barts on the third (when I thought - here we go again) but they quickened the pace a bit and it was much easier following. I should do it more. We took turns like this for the rest of the session with Kanser and Big Blue John also sharing the pace. Times were:
69, 68, 67, 68, 67, 68, 67, 67, 66, 66.
All off a rolling 2 minutes. MC told everyone off for running too fast after the second rep, which gave us all a good giggle. It's not like anyone (including himself) slowed down.
Long warmdown to Darling Point and back with Barts after. Planning a 2km time trial for next week.
Also 4km with Billy very easy this morning for 15km all up today.
Ran in my new Elixir 8's which I'm disappointed with. Aggravated my left achilles. Over the past 12 months I've gone from Elixir 6's, through 7's to 8's. why do they mess around with a good formula?
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wednesday MLR
18.6km usual Wednesday route nice and easy with MC, JW, French Ben, Jeet, Glenn and Elvis. Had some pest loitering around us when circling Centennial and I was ready to call the cops but MC said not to bother as he reckoned we'd all easily outrun him if things got dicey.
Bianca massage late arvo. Forgotten how good she is. Brought tears to the eyes.
Now working late to catch up...
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
HuRTS 4 x 10mins
Didn't want to go full-bore on a Tuesday again and Fats, Macca and Barts obviously had the same plan. Ran with James E on rep 1 to the footpath short of Rabbie (3:38's). Back in 9:25 (3:29's). Bit further going past Rabbie with Barts on rep 3 (3:33's) and back in 9:52 (3:30's).
3km warm down for 15km all up.
Monday, January 28, 2013
And the heavens opened
Fascinating fact #1, I've never run up Sydney Rd from Manly until today.
More exciting news tomorrow.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Slowest run ever
25 kms in 2:12. Beautiful weather for running - cool, still and damp.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Not the Friday Swim Squad
Big Sam and I had a great laugh running by the ABC Pool on the way out. We saw the legendary Friday swim squad alright - all standing around in the shallow end of the pool having a chat and admiring the boys sunning themselves on the side!
16km all up and 123km for the week. Handled the mileage much better this week - helped in large part by easing off on Tuesday.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
HuRTS 8 x 800m
2:25, 2:24, 2:26, 2:29, 2:28, 2:27, 2:28, 2:22
Not sure why I bonked on rep 4. Maybe it was doing squats with weights yesterday. Maybe it was the Tiger's needles. Maybe I got carried away running with Vlad the Superstar on the first 3 reps.
Not a bad session in the end. The most positive thing is that I'm hoping that when I ease off the heavy training load sessions like this will feel like the first 3 reps but all the way through.
Good crowd out today on a warm one. Rests were 90s off MC's time. Rare showing by Enda who's very presence seemed to mess with Young Timmy's head. Great to watch MrAce and Elvis going eyeball to eyeball on the final rep.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sense prevails
Did an hour strength training with Carl this morning - loads of weights which had my legs trembling all morning. Headed out with MC, Big Sam, Rob C, the KiltedScot and Serious Simon for the usual Wednesday route. Was knackered the whole way but nice run with the lads nonetheless.
Saw the Tiger this arvo who stuck some more needles in my ass. Never look forward to that bit. Only consolation was him acknowledging (in flagrant breach of the Hypocratic Oath) that I handle the needles much better than Kanser, who in turn handles the needles better than the ultimate needle pussy - Fats. I held back the sobs after hearing that. Who'd have known it. I am the hard man after all.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The shame of Young Timmy
I'm very disappointed to say that last night Young Timmy brought shame upon himself. We were having the usual banter about bets on the 10km race at Homebush in 10 days and remarking on how close our bets usually are. Now I have traditionally offered him 80s and we normally finish within a few seconds of that mark so that's where I started my offer last night. He went though a list of excuses as long as his arm and, dare I say it, sounded right like a whingeing pom. So, to end the conversation and move on I relented and agreed to give him a 3 minute(!) headstart. And now he won't even take that!!!!
Just to lay down a few stats:
1. My training this month is almost identical to Jan 2012 (check the blog) - running every day, building a base, getting tired but knowing it's for benefit in 3-4 months.
2. Timmy tried to train through Xmas this year (albeit not with great success) but certainly more successful than last year (check his blog).
3. In the Feb Homebush race last year I ran 34:33 and Timmy 36:53. (Just noticed that Michael Ho - who was just behind me in training today - smashed me in the Feb race last year)
4. Look at my post from Feb 26th last year. Timmy had his bad turn trying to do a Sunday run on the trails and had his Elvis moment with me forced to pick him up in the car. Yet 3 weeks earlier (with 3 weeks less training in the bank) he was able to run 36:53. So any claim of his that he'll only run 38:xx next week needs to be evaluated in that light.
So I will open it to the court of public opinion. If you think I'm being unfair offering 3 minutes, let me know and why.
Timmy, yesterday:
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Middle Harbour Picnic
Great ad hoc 6.30am group arranged today of Fats, Barts, Ray, Macca, Andy, Craig Mc and Irish Tom his coach. All sub 2:40 men so the pace was always going to be solid. What I'd forgotten is just how tough this course is with 3 monster hills - the first up Warringah Rd from Roseville Bridge (3km), the second up Parriwi Rd (1.6km) and the third up from Balmoral Beach (don't know how long but bloody steep). Fats killed us all on all three. But it's not just about the classified climbs, there's undulations the whole way.
Ended up with 29.2km averaging 4:24's which is quick for the course. The final 11km averaged 4:04's.
Absolutely rogered at the end. Must take this week easy as that's a big weekend for me. Don't want to get injured now.
Not too tired to beat Dad 5-4 in matchplay at Wakehurst GC this afternoon. Played well for once. Beginning to enjoy this golf malarkey. Alec, if you're reading you'll be pleased to know it came down to the final putt which I sunk from 3' for the win. Hahahahaha! Dad was upset all afternoon.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Another tough Manly
3:31, 3:43, 3:51, 4:02, 3:36, 3:46, 3:51, 3:36, 3:57, 4:47, 4:16, 4:15, 3:09 (870m).
2km warm up and down for 17km.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Sydney's hottest day ever
110km for the week.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Making it up as I go along
4:31, 4:24, 4:18, 3:58, 3:52, 3:51, 3:46, 3:50, 3:47, 3:42, 3:52, 3:45(pace).
All up 11.75km in 46:40 (3:58 average).
Without doubt a grey run by what the hell.