Run home the hard way

Plan was to run home but spoke to Beaky in the afternoon and planned a session he described as "2kms at marathon pace, jog, another 2kms at marathon pace, jog, then 1km at marathon pace". All sounded fine until I realised his marathon pace is my 10km pace.

Took my usual route with added bits. Mostly stayed with him on the fast spells but was getting lactic build up towards the end of each. He peeled off at Parriwi Road and from then I could take it easy.

Great taper for 6ft! 14km in total.

Pain

4km jog then 6km Pain then 1km warmdown: 11km.

We let Scott and one other go ahead for Pain and ran it ourselves more sensibly. Didn't get a split for the long rep (Ray said approx 1:59 for him so about 1:57/8 for me) or for the whole thing. Certainly felt easier towards the end without pushing all the way at Scott's usual pace. Durante was strong over the last 4 reps having eased off on the long one.

Sunday from home

23km North Head and Balgowlah Heights route. Ran in the midday sun on a very hot (31C) and humid day. Legs were rolling over fine to start with so just went with the flow which meant too fast. Hit the stone arch in 46:45 and realised I'd taken it too quickly, from then on I really struggled, plodding along at the pace I intend to run 6ft track in next week.

Stopped at every bubbler but was still parched. Reached reef beach and decided to go in for a swim which was fantastic. Haven't felt so relieved. Picked up a bit after that and finished in 1:39:16. Pretty respectable in the heat but am knackered now and need a sleep.

Striders 10km Homebush

9th place in 34:31. Not sure why the time was so slow - no wind but it was very humid. My vest and shorts were drenched in sweat at the end. Disappointed with the time but not so much with the position - everyone seemed to struggle.

Had originally planned to set off at 34 minute pace with Keith Bateman. Didn't want to push it too much to start with after struggling at 3km at Lane Cove last time out but in retrospect I think I took it too easy early on. Tim Ashby had about 20 seconds on me by 3km. Ran most of the first 5km with Guy Doulman. Ray (who was only doing 5km) came past at about 4km chatting as usual - I tried to mutter some reply but was not making any sense in between gasping for breaths.

Time at 5km was 17:03 so tried to push it from there. Gradually reeled in Damian Tancred by the top of the hill between 6 and 7km and then Jake Shaw(?) going around the circular gravel path between 8 and 9km. Could see that I was catching Tim but ran out of time in the end.

2km warm up and warm down - 14km in total.

Recovery jog

Very easy 8km to Darling Point and back. 35:08.

Hickson Road

Big crowd there today - Ray, Phil Woods, Richard High, Pete Walker, Michael Durante, Christian Ellis, Bill and Dave Le Banh. Very consistent session (the usual 5x1.2km with 2 minute gap) went:

3:40; 3:34; 3:39; 3:37; 3:39

Richard pushed the first which is why it was quicker than normal. Chasing down Ray on the next three and then Phil Woods on the last. Easily the quickest aggregate time as first time all have been 3:40 or under. (Actually, just checked this point and I did a couple in November all 3:40 or under (one with aggregate time quicker too) when I was peaking for JPM. So won't expect anything special on Saturday morning.)

Jog there and back made 10km all up.

Struggled in

14km run into work. Beautiful morning but really struggled on the hills following yesterday's session and not helped by carrying a backpack with my workshoes in. Felt fine on the flat and downhills, dreaming of easy races and smashing PBs. Then I'd hit a little hill.

27:53 at Spit Junction and 59:00 all up so slow second half even though felt more comfortable in that section.

Pain plus some

Decided to bulk up Pain in the Domain by jogging 6km beforehand. Bumped into Ray and ran with him for most of it, chatting about races etc. Scot led Group 1 at the usual breakneck pace. Could feel the extra 6km in my legs most of the way around but was pleased to still manage 1:57 on the long rep - reeling in Durante but a good 3 seconds behind Dave.

27 minutes jog plus 24:40 for Pain plus 1km jog = 13km.

Recovering

Rest. Too tired and sore throat.

Weekend summary

Sunday

30km Mosman Reversed STaR. Lovely run in cool conditions. Steady all the way - about 2 hours 32 mins.

Saturday

8km in about 33:30. Ran to Ken and Emmas for a party taking in a route along the Manly-Spit walk.

Friday filler

14km run to work. Started out very sore and tired after yesterday's intervals but gradually worked my way into it finishing quite quickly across the bridge.

28:10 at Spit Junction, 58:34 all up.

Hickson Road

Hot and humid with a slight breeze (which always seemed to be against us) for the reps today. The usual 5 x 1.2km with a strict 2 minute interval (often 1:45 by my watch). Only Ray Wareham, Phil Dove and Phil Woods there today. The reps went:

3:44; 3:37; 3:35; 3:39; 3:37

A little more consistent than last week with no blowout on the 4th rep.

10km all up.

Nothing much

Regulation run home. 14km, 30:25 at the Toyota Garage and 57:51 all up. Slight headwind, felt comfortable, glad to be recovering from the bug.

Strange Pain

Very different Pain as the QM2 was in town, the moonlight cinema was being taken down and the Domain was packed. As a result, we improvised with a longer course - the long rep being from the path near the Opera House gate to the glass pyramid. Felt rotten to start with, tried to sprint the rep from Lady Macquarie's chair but gradually got into it during and then after the long rep. Finished the last two reps feeling quite strong which was encouraging.

8km in total.

Woe is me

Rest. Feeling lethargic and listless, and with a strange aversion to milk. As a result, haven't had a coffee all day. Which is only adding to my problems. Cheered myself up briefly by booking accommodation in Blackheath over 6ft Track weekend, so I've fully committed myself now. How hard can it be?

Mystery bug

Sunday

11km run around North Manly, Harbord, Brookvale, Curl Curl and Queenscliff - about 48 minutes. Planned not to run a long one due to JJ's party the night before. Good job, as once again, felt listless and struggled the whole way. Started to feel under the weather following the run - slight chill and dodgy stomach.

Pretty disappointing 3 days.

Saturday

Manly 8km route - 31:34. Felt a struggle the whole way. Started to feel a little ill following the run.

Friday

Rest. Hangover.

Hickson Road

Reps with Ray Wareham, Tim Cradock, Phil Dove, Dicky Palmer and Sean. Usual format, although the rests are getting shorter due to staging staggered starts after the first rep. They went:

3:44; 3:36; 3:36; 3:45; 3:34

Funny session. The reason for the discrepancy is having someone to run with or chase. First rep I was on my own. 4th rep everyone took off after only about 1:20 rest. I was so tired I insisted on my (almost) 2 minute recovery and was too far back to make any headway into catching anyone. Ran the last one with Phil until half way then pushed on which is why it was so quick.

10km all up.

So where are all my cards?

Easy 14km run into work. Very stiff and sore to begin with, so took it very easy - deliberately slowing down through Balgowlah and along Military Road. 27:45 at Spit Junction and 58:20 all up.

Pain

Pain in the Domain. 24:09 all up (it's getting ridiculous) and 1:57 for the long rep. Felt full of running again throughout. Really pushed the long rep in trying to stay with Dave (who again ran 1:55) and still felt strong. Pleasing session.

Short warm down afterwards for 7km all up.

Wild Monday

14km run home from work. Full of running to start with when I couldn't help but go quickly - 29:30 at Toyota Garage. Slowed down in the second half particularly on the hills when the backpack with shoes in started to weigh me down. 56:05 all up. Great weather - cool, plenty of rain and a mostly following wind.

For any family members that have dropped in by accident, here's a photo of the birthday boy. He's lost out to his siblings in recent posts.