Workday Friday

Holy moley.  Suddenly very busy at work.  

Sneaked out for a run to Edgecliff to buy some new trainers than ran back in them.  Very comfy.  7km and 96km for the week.

Will be looking for a big run in them tomorrow morning.  With CT, Quentin, Neil, Barts, Lewis and Hoey all running, it's going to be very competitive.

I've got a couple of bets.  $20 with Timmy giving him a 4:15 head start and $20 with Enda that my man Macca will reverse last month's result.  Enda is backing himself this time rather than Timmy and I having the bet after Timmy refused to back him!

I reckon it's going to be quick.

Slack Arse Thursday HuRTS

Woke up with the alarm at 5.30am feeling like death warmed up.  Got to the bathroom, took a look at myself and decided another 90 minutes sleep was the best tonic.

So showed up for the HuRTS session feeling pretty good to be honest for 6 x 1km around Rushcutters.  Quite a good crowd after I'd made a call to arms but I ran solo for the first 2 reps before Barts appeared.  Took my shoes off after 3 reps which made the usual improvement in times.  But ran all reps within myself feeling comfortable.  Times went:

3:12, 3:13, 3:11, 3:08, 3:07, 3:04

Caught up with my old mate Steve for some beers this evening at Customs House which fortunately serves my new favourite Cricketers Arms but unfortunately only in pint glasses.  As poms we settled in nicely as if it were a night in London.  Now paying the price.

Big big BIG race shaping up on Saturday morning with more head to heads than a Bondi speed dating night.  LJ wanted a mention so I shall say this:

1. Head to head with Birchy - my money's on the Shire girl.

2. I'll be impressed if she gets within 90s of Timmy.

3. If Wol breaks 43, I'll buy them breakfast.

I'll post my other predictions when I'm more sober tomorrow...

Billy No Mates Wednesday

Arranged to meet the Manly crew at 6am but set off just before 5.45am to get a few extra km in (had to be back early).  This meant I arrived at the Boy Charlton Pool from the opposite direction and was about a minute late but Erika did a Mikey on me and sent everyone off on the dot.  So ran solo in the dark feeling sorry for myself.

Eventually bumped into Erika near Shelley running back so circled back with her for 14km dead flat all up.  Left knee is still a bit sore so was happy to avoid the hills and cut short.  4:37 pace.

Had a few beers with Birchy, Andy and J-Fen last night so to get out and run 14km at 5.45am actually involved a Herculean effort. 

10 x 330m

Missed HuRTS due to a meeting.  Had just read an article on the importance of speed training (circulated by the Tiger) so decided to do 10x400m solo later in the arvo.  Then Robdog sends me an email saying, Tommy, do 10x300m with a 100m float instead.

When a bloke as classy as Robdog tells you what to do, you obey.  So jogged over to Rushcutters, tried to work out about 3 quarters of the oval was and set off.  No watch, just ran hard and floated for 10 laps.  Bit of mental pain, seemed to work the glutes well so a good session.  

Jogged a lap and counted chimpanzees all the way rounds.  122 chimpanzees for the sprint section and 163 chimpanzees for the full loop so must have been very close to 3 quarters (330m and 110m).

Jog back to the office for 11km all up.

Blah

Late out at lunch but ran into the crew at OH for 13km easy pace (4:28's).  Back of left knee still a bit sore.

Bloody boring day.  I need some pizazz in my life.  Locked in 4:15 head start for Timmy on Saturday morning for $20.  But it's not quite the pizazz I was thinking of.

Mountains Sunday

26.5km around Leura on a warm warming.  Bloody hilly and, to be honest, I was knackered by the end.  Left hammy was a bit tight.  2:03ish (4:40's).

Then a walk after.

The three sisters.

Tough night last night for the boys in the State 10000m but and amazing time (32:09) by Barts in tough conditions in snatching State Bronze medal.  Everyone else ran nearly a minute slower than what they had hoped for so would be very interesting to see what he would have run on a cool night with a pack.

Mt Solitary

I didn't do anything ridiculous like run up it.  Just enjoying the views of it with a beer post my flattish 10km around Leura in 44:25.

Hoping Barts, Macca, Jono and Justin go well tonight.  Good luck gents.  It feels warm here so I'm guessing conditions won't be ideal in Homebush.

Tiger Crew and Biathlon

Another super early start with Tiger's Babes for 11mins fartlek, 3 mins rest, 11mins tempo, 5 mins rest then 6 x 30s.

Just Lewis to chase today but chasing I was being shown a clean pair of heels, at least until the 30s sprints.  Ran those barefoot and felt great.  3:36 per km average for the 11mims fartlek (trying reasonably hard), 3:34 average for the 11min tempo (easing off) then sprinting hard on the 30s intervals.

Then in the evening was the biathlon.  Coerced into doing this by Timmy and really wasn't keen (nor was Enda, LJ, Jimmy, Durante et al.) but toe the line we did.  Felt pretty good on the run but with no-one to push me.  Then came the swim.  Didn't try as desperately as usual so swam 6:10 instead of my standard 6:00 but it was enough to hold of Timmy by 4s.  To be fair to him, he didn't make any excuses for dropping his goggles and it gets closer each time.  I was caught by Durante and McGartha with 20m to go and it was pretty desperate in the touch.  Matty Anderson seems to find it amusing that a breaststroker is fighting it out at the end and said as much (apparently) during the presentation.

But here is me getting my $20 for the head to head with Timmy:

And here are the squad post race.  I was absolutely rooted.

Great event. Some lovely beers post race with Timmy, Enda, 'Lil Jimmy, Durante and Sonya.  Top night.

Nanny State

Feeling grumpy today.  Just a few things which make me feel we live in an era (and area) of such mimmsy nimby's.  

First, Kirst says this morning that Manly West is proposing a rule that no kid under 10 is allowed to bike to school.  "It's too dangerous with too many cars on the road" they say.  So stopping kids riding is going to ease that.  Why can't we be allowed to exercise our judgment as parents?  FFS.

Then I get on the ferry and read the front page of the Manly Daily:

Social problems?! Greater social problems having to live in the vicinity of these tools making the objection.  FFS.

Anyway, usual Wednesday morning run with Justin and Lewis around North Head.  Tired as usual but still niggle free so all good. Lots of chat about the State 10,000m.  18km in 4:41's.

HuRTS 14 x 3mins

Wasn't sure what session to do today.  Had an interview for Billy at High School this morning so contemplated running a track session down in the Shire with Eloise Wellings.  Then was told I need to pick up Charlie from cubs this evening and my argument that we could give him a badge for navigating his way home solo was not appreciated.  So got down to the HuRT Squad lunch session with a cast of thousands including all the regulars bar Enda.

Been feeling knackered recently.  Consistent big training over a decent period of time and not helped by a bad night's sleep last night after being bitten (in bed) on the toe by an ant.  So the first 6 reps were shocking with CT, Jono and Barts all finishing ahead with me, Tucks, Macca and Andy in the next group.  Gradually felt my way into the session and finished the last 4 quite well (especially the last) getting down to 3:15 pace (3:05 for the final one).  Was then rooted for the warmdown.  But all said, it was another hot and humid day so it's no wonder we're all pretty lethargic.  Hopefully it will be a massive boost going into the cold conditions in New York.

17km including warm-up and warm-down.

Timmy finished off well today after I shouted at him on reps 12 and 14.  Barts and Macca both looked nervous about Saturday night's 10,000m.  Macca will be aiming for Sub34 and Barts Sub32 although in secret I think he wants a bit more.  He keeps on talking about CT's PBs.  If anything will snap CT out of his trail-walking fascination, Barts doing the previously unthinkable will be it.

HuRTS Monday

Just me, Charlie D, Bruce, Jackie, Andy, Worswick, the Italian Stallion and a couple of others today.  15km feeling surprisingly good.  Was expected to be shattered after yesterday but bounced around in 4:26's.  Must be the change in shoes.  My Wave Rider 17's are now like plimsolls.

Durante wolf-whistled a naked bloke and I've got a new office change room partner in Jackie but that's about it on the interest front.

Fast Finish Sunday

I Did a slightly longer warm up of 3.5km this morning and only just caught the boys who I could see leaving the Boy Charlton Pool as I approached it.  At this stage we were in the middle of a huge downpour and, embarrassed to say it, but I think I heard Barts whooping as they set off in the rain.

It was Barts, Macca, Lewis, Andy and Justin this morning.  Pace was nice and easy (averaged 4:38's before the fast finish started) but I didn't really feel comfortable and was dreading having to pick up the pace.  It was only Lewis who fancied the FF, with the others saving themselves for next week's State 10,000m.  Had a gel at 21km then started picking up the pace at 22km (emerging from Narrabeen lake).  The final 10km went:

4:01, 3:53, 3:43, 3:40, 3:44, 3:32, 3:29, 3:29, 3:28, 3:27

So 32km all up in 2:17 odd (4:17's) with a final 10km in 36:26 which is about what I was looking for.  Lewis very strong again, couldn't hold on to him in the final km when he bounced away running a 3:17.

Beautiful dip in the ocean after (water temp about 4C cooler than last week) and the usual order at Emporio.  Nice.

Good to see Ogi finish as first Japanese lady in the Tokyo Marathon.  She's the girl I ran with all the way at GCM in 2012:

Easy Sat, first in a while

Just 10km along the beach in the evening.  First easy Saturday run in 5 weeks but doing a fast finish in the morning.

Squeezing it in

8km early doors around and about then running to the wharf.

111km for the week.

Thoughts on the Fast Ferry:

1. Has someone died on Eastenders?

2. This cyclone hasn't landed near Townsville.  All the others always seem to land at a town "near Townsville".

3. I wonder if Thodey gets some sort of share options based on Telstra's price when he retired.

4. The IAAF are adding an O50's event to the World Champs.  Only 800m at this stage. Wonder what you have to run to win? My guess is 1:56.

5. Cricketers Arms beer was very good last night. Might even be better than Coopers.

6. How long does it take a girl with a big tattoo to regret it?

7. Has anyone actually listened to a Ramones song or do they just buy the T-Shirt?

Running with Tiger's Girls

Met up with Danielle Allen, Emma Collyer, Anna White and Amy Stafford (the Manly Run Crew) as well as Macca, Jamie, Quentin and Lewis this morning at Passmore for a session Gary had scheduled for the girls.  It was 2mins, 6mins, 10mins, 6mins, 2mins off a 2min rest. 

Given we'd all be running different pace I laid out some cones from the centre of Passmore to the path at the perimeter (where we would do the reps) so that when we finished each rep we could just converge back in the middle with no-one having to travel any further than the others.  Worked quite well with each of us emerging from the morning mist to regroup before the next rep.

To be honest, Quentin and Lewis took it out quicker than felt comfortable for me, but to avoid running solo I tried to stick to them.  I did for the first rep, I think I dropped off the second towards the end (can't remember). On the 10min rep we ventured onto Nolans Reserve and I struggled on the grass but caught them on the final 2 laps of Passmore.  Same story on 2nd 6min rep and Lewis showed us all a clean pair of heels on the final 2mins.

Pace per rep went:

3:07
3:10, 3:23
3:17, 3:21, 3:14
3:16, 3:09
3:03

I found that pretty tough and was almost lactic on the final 2mins.  But did a long warmdown (5.5km), some stretching and a hot bath and I've got Pink Floyd legs now (comfortably numb).

The girls are strong.  Danielle has some real speed but must have had a tough week after her 5000m exploits on Saturday followed by a 1500m at the Bankstown Invitational on Tuesday night.  With focussed training I reckon she would be in Lara Tamsett territory.

Wednesday MLR

18km this morning around North Head (the extra km trying to find Justin) with Macca, Lewis and, eventually, Justin.  84:52 (4:40's).  Another beautiful morning but Autumn is closing in as it was dark when I woke up.  Legs buggered again but had a hot bath at home after and felt much better after that. 

Caught up with the lovely Elle this morning for coffee who only has 2 weeks until Goldrick Jr appears.  She was on fine form and I think I even managed 2 sentences during our 45 minute catch up.

HuRTS 4 x 10mins

Rocked up today feeling tired again so planned to feel my way into the session.  Q, CT, Tucks, Andy, Crossy, Ray and Macca were there also holding back a bit so we ran about 3:40's on the first rep, getting back with 4s to spare.

CT, Q and Tucks pushed ahead on rep 3 with Andy coming past me while I finished with Crossy.  Was doing 3:32's on that one.  Got back in the same time but needed a final 300m push to do so.

Just a session to get through without hurting myself.  Not comfortable at all though.  4.5km warmdown with Andy for 16km all up.

Nice to see LJ back out again easing her way back in.  Andy looks to be getting some form back - Macca and Enda will need to watch the mild-mannered boy from Watford (Milton Keynes? Luton? Somewhere down south).

Homeward Bound

Ran from work to Manly Wharf, picked up my bike and ride home.  14km, dead slow as the legs were barely functional.  Equivalent of 61mins running past my old house.  All up 14km in 4:40's.

NOTB Triathlon

Macca referred to our now standard Sunday routine as the NOTB Triathlon - 30km run plus swim in the ocean plus brekkie.  Same again today with Barts, Macca and Justin toeing the line.  Pace was very easy (4:41's) but we were all rooted after last night's efforts and it was one foot in front of the other stuff.  Took a gel at 25km (first time in months) just to get me home and it's amazing the hit you get when you're not used to them.

Bit embarrassed at Emporio when the waitress assumed the chai decaf soy skimmed latte was mine and not Barts', but otherwise another perfect start to the day.

Splits from yesterday.  Pretty consistent throughout.  I ran well from 3km to 4km (7th place to 1st place) which is a good sign at a tough stage of the race, but couldn't match the final sprint.  Barts's final lap was faster than everyone in A grade bar one (Matthew Cox).

ANSW 5000m Champs - 4th in 15:19.64

Drove out with Dad after a day of trying to corral the kids, grab some rest, watch some cricket and eat for an evening race.  How do you eat for an evening race?  I settled on a bacon & egg roll for breakfast, 2 chicken sandwiches for lunch, various bananas and 3 piccolo lattes.  Figured that as it was hot and humid, piccolos were the way forward.

Arrived at Homebush with Dad with the rain starting to fall and it still at 26C.  At least the wind had dropped but I wasn't expecting fast times with the warmth and humidity.  Did a warm up with Macca and Barts, then a few strides and was feeling pretty good.  I was running in my Mizuno Wave Rider 17's but without orthotics - which reduces the weight a lot.  However, the track was wet and they soak up the water so was regretting not just risking the spikes.  But hey ho, don't think shoes make that much of a difference.

Knew quite a few of the field and figured Barts would be leading it with Kyle McDonald, myself, Lewis and a few other youngsters in tow.  But I was wrong.  The gun went and everyone went screaming off.  I settled into mid-pack after a 35s first 200m then had to navigate my way around in lane 2.  By 1km (3:00) I was in a pack of about 6 including Kyle and Barts, with 2 random chaps another 30m in front.  But I figured they'd come back.  Our pack was working well together banging out 72s laps and I knew it wouldn't be won by a random bloke in sub 15:00.  2km in 6:02 and they're coming back to us.  I was about 4th in our pack, feeling pretty good for once.  Normally in a 5000m my brain is scrambled and I'm just holding on, but I was aware of each km and thinking I need to work the 3rd and 4th.  Through 3000m in 9:09 and I figure we're on for a pretty good time as the pack is still working together.  Somewhere between 3km and 4km we swallow the 2 in front so the race is now on.

At some stage before 4km the 3 lads in front gap me, Barts and another chap so I go past them to bridge the gap.  Then figure I might as well go to the front just to say I gave it a go.  Also, I want a good time so want to keep the pace honest.  I'm then overtaken, and from here things are a bit hazy, but I think I took the lead again at 600m before being overtaken before the bell.  Kyle, a chap called David Spence and another called Brady Goodyear are ahead and Barts goes after them in chase.  My legs are gone so I'm just trying to hold form as well as possible.  Brady falls off the front 2 at 200m to go, Barts takes him and I've now got someone to chase.  Then I hear the track announcer call out; "So it looks as though it's come down to a two horse race" and all I can think is 'I wouldn't count Barts out yet mate, that's really going to piss him off'.  Sure enough, Barts admits after the race that announcement really pissed him off.  So I was dead chuffed to see the big fella chase down the young blokes in the final 100m to win by 4/100ths of a second.  He even gave it a fist pump, so it's not just me who is subjected to it.

I managed to catch Brady and dip under 15:20.  Was stoked with the time.  But more so the race - it was great just to be in a race with a pack like that.  Not sure how Barts managed to put 7s into me on the final lap.  But the fact is he ran 6:03 for the final 2km to my 6:10, so it's not as if I finished particularly badly - he just finished brilliantly.

I think Lewis will be a bit disappointed with his 16:18 (given he went through the first 5km last week in 16:30) and Macca was with his 16:48 but they'll both be better for it in bigger races to come.  I admire anyone who runs track.

Was great to see a load of people out there - Tiger, Hamish Mac who I did a long warm down with, Benny St doing pacing duties for the Community 5km, Kenny and Renee and old rival and former great James Harrison with Robin Whiteley giving a few shouts out.  A great night.

Photo courtesy of Macca - me and Barts with our respective Dads, who frankly should be looking more impressed with us than they were.