Wednesday recovery

Very easy run and necessary as my legs are surprisingly still very tired from the Half.  Maybe a bit of jet lag in there too.  Just 11km all up averaging 5 min kms.  Bumped into Hoey and ran most of the way with him, chatting about the pain of Six Foot.  He's vowed not to repeat.  We shall see.

New York Half Marathon

Spent all day yesterday stressing about the prep for this race.  What should I wear?  Should I wear a watch?  How do the corrals work?  Will they have enough toilets?

On the last question I needn't have worried.  I've never seen so many portaloos.  Always one free.  Sydney could learn a lesson there.

In the end I wore my usual kit but did wear a watch.  Threw off my extra clothes into the donation bin at the last minute (a Tommy Hilfiger long sleeve top and a fleece - each bought for only $9.99 yesterday in Macy's - clothes are SO cheap here).

I lined up early and, after some podgy Mexicans pushed in front of me, started about 6 rows back from the front.  The siren goes and it's a bit of a scramble but I get away and into running ok.  An early hill sorts people out and we're through the first mile in 5:28.  A bit slow. But then the pace picks up as I pick up a group of 5.  Second mile in 5:08.  Km splits are all over the place so I give up on the watch other than checking mile (and 5km) splits.

At the top end of Central Park there's a cool section where you run along 110th street in Harlem, come around a big roundabout and back into the park.  Gives you a great chance to see the leaders (all Kenyans) and top Americans like Meb, Bumbalough, Tegenkamp and Ritz.  5km in 16:30 and I'm feeling good.  Then the big hill in Central Park comes, and it's followed by a load of rolling hills.  I come out of the park and our group has split apart.  I hit 10km in 33:40 and I'm floundering, wondering where it all went wrong.  Run down 7th Ave to Times Square (which is surreal) but it's into a headwind and I realise the whole length of the West Side Highway will be the same.  I'm feeling pretty low here, but then my saviour arrives.  He's like a Yank Hoey.  Someone to drag me through the second half.  I jump on his back and immediately we start catching and overtaking all the group who dropped me in Central Park.  Each one tries to jump on as we go past but drop off shortly after.  Down the West Side Highway and as Yank Hoey slows a bit, I take up the slack but, given its into the wind, my turns are shorter than his.  I keep on saying (to quote Farah) "One Mo Mile" before I drop off.  But then we're at 11 miles, I see Freedom Tower and it's all getting close.

Through some massive tunnel and I'm fighting hard here, thinking I can save something by getting a sub72.  Then out in the clear, more cheering by the NYPD and Firemen and over the line in 71:32.

Pleased to have recovered after I thought I was down and out.  A 70:xx is definitely possible on a good course in good conditions.  But this was an amazing experience and that's what I'll mostly take from it.  Everyone in the city supports it.  The hotel porter high fives you when you come back in.  Australia could learn from the enthusiasm everyone shows.

 

2nd Over 40:

New York #4

Just an easy 30mins on the treadmill as it was pissing with rain outside and not the nice sort of refreshing rain you get in Sydney.

Then caught up with TB for some pasta and red wine.  He fits right in in NYC.

When I was a kid I had this sort of encyclopaedia called "Fact Finder" (actually it was probably one of my brothers) which I was a bit obsessed with.  I never read novels as a kid, just fact books and maps.  I was a bit of a nerd.  Anyway, in Fact Finder they had a piece on a sculpture called "Bird in Space" by Brancusi.  I thought it was really cool as a kid.  So yesterday I wander into the Met and in one of the rooms, there I see "Bird in Space" in the flesh, so to speak.  It made my day.

New York #3

Stepped out of the hotel in the usual running gear (2 long sleeve tops, full length skins, shorts, thick socks).  Ran 50m, turned around, back to Hotel and put a thick hoody on as well.  Absolutely bitter this morning, -1C but with a windchill to cut straight through you.

But a beautiful day and the usual route but coming back down 6th Ave.  Got overtaken in the park this morning.  Didn't like that.

Good luck to all running Six Foot today - I'll be tracking results from 4pm my time. Go Quentin!  Go Tucks!  Go Fats!  Go Jono!  Go Hoey!  Will be a great battle up front.

New York #2

This time up 6th Avenue (I think it's my favourite), around Central Park anti-clockwise (it's the way everyone seems to go and race direction for Sunday) then back down Broadway to Times Square and home.  

Over an hour today as I took it very easy nursing a hangover but pushed a couple of the hills in CP as some annoying bloke was sat on my heels.  Won't run down Broadway again either.  Too many bloody tourists.

Now reverting to my roots sat in the Cock 'n Bull Pub drinking a Newcastle Brown and eating Bangers and Mash.

New York #1

Day of travelling yesterday so no run.  Pretty broken nights sleep with jet lag, so easy to get up this morning for a run.  

Rugged up in Skins etc. and set off in the cold running up Madison Ave and around Central Park before coming back down 5th Avenue.  Much better on 5th as it's extra wide.  Reminded me of running when a kid due to the cold - Central Park is still full of snow.  Was fantastic.  Love this city.  Ended up running for an hour.  4:10 pace around the Park (which is hilly!) but slower crossing the roads back to the hotel.

Me on 5th Ave later on:

Makeshift Monday

A bit late out so joined the crew of Bruce, TKS, The No.2 Jordan and Adam at CQ for the usual route - joined by Charlie and Andy a bit later.  Easy pace of 4:40's - 11km.

Very warm out there today.  Tomorrow is going to be a shock to the system.

New lap of the lake

Out with Macca, Lewis, Barts and Andy on a new route going the back paths to Cromer then doing a lap of Narrabeen Lake around the newly opened paths and back to Queensie.  Top route.  29km slow with all our legs sore from yesterday.

But the dip in the ocean and B&E rolls went a long way to sorting that out.

4:40's I think.

Striders North Head - 4th in 32:39

Up out and early and, for the first time, rode to the start line.  Well, rode to the bottom of Darley Rd then pushed the bike up the hill.  Didn't want to risk overdoing the glutes.

Bizarre experience while taking some excess clothes off before my warm up when I put my hand on the window ledge of the building where the refreshments are to feel something moving underneath it.  Removed my hand to see a slightly squashed red back spider (biggie too) trying to crawl away.  Panicked a bit, then realised it hadn't bitten me so all good.  But got the heart going.

Massive turn out from the squad and loads of the faster runners on show.  Barts, CT, Criniti, Neil P, Lewis, Quentin, Hoey, Andy, Macca and Mitch Dean all showing up.  But late pull-outs from Enda (queasy tummy worrying about Macca's form) and LJ (dodgy ITB) with knock-on consequences for Birchy.

Plan was to push hard early and work with the inevitable group.  Mitch and Barts immediately went quicker than the rest of us with me, Neil, Lewis, Hoey, Quentin and Criniti in the next group.  At 2.5km Criniti comes flying down the hill outside the kiosk and pushes ahead and I must have subconsciously upped the pace to follow him.  He moves ahead after 300m but it blows apart our group and I'm now running solo.  However, coming back towards the Stone Arch I can hear them catching and Neil and Hoey draw level at about 5km (16:10 I think).  I struggle on the false flat after the arch with Hoey taking the pace and immediately think here we go again. But all I have to do is hang on and allow him to drag me around with his usual even pacing.  Around 6km we must have dropped Neil.  8km I'm blowing very hard up the hill and give up hope, but by the long flat towards 9km I'm feeling ok again.  Push the downhill, get a bit of a break at the Arch and work very hard up the false flat to the finish.

Pleased with the time.  Disappointed to be 20s behind Barts but he is in great form.  Another great run by Hoey and I have to thank him again - 30s PB looking smooth.  Quentin did his usual trick of just holding off Neil and Lewis ran 33:38 behind CT. He should be much further up based on his training.

$20 from Timmy after failing to hold 4:15 and $20 from Enda for bailing on the Irish Challenge means my Striders race entries for the year are paid for in one fell swoop.

Coffee and B&E Rolls after.

This, apparently, is a 3/4 Latte. I think it's a Bondi thing.  The barista must be on secondment from SOTB.

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.