Monday morning

Out early for a very easy 4km with Bec (couple of faster loops of Passmore for her) then carried on for another 11km for me.  Ran past Lewis and his unmistakeable bouncing stride along Manly Beach.  Pretty tired towards the end.  These early mornings kill me.  Another tomorrow.  But also affected by an hour of yoga last night.  Yes, you read that correctly.

15km averaging 4:49's.

Sunday shock!

Poor Ben was beside himself.  It had taken him 48hours to adjust to the idea that we wouldn't be running Narrabeen Lake back via Cromer, only for Macca to head up Pittwater Rd on the usual route. Dicky was quietly seething that his planned route to Tania Park had been usurped.  The rest of us (Quentin, Rich Mullaney, Erika and myself) were just enduring the pain of low 4min kms while Macca and Dicky fought for who would be leading and therefore determining which way to go.  The problem, you see, is that Macca can't face hills, at least for the first 15km of a run.  On the other hand, Dicky doesn't like the flat.  It's all too stressful.  We'll be reverting to the usual route next week.

Another cracker of a morning.  I was a bit stiff after too many red wines last night meant I neglected the stretching.  With the hilly route on top of that I was feeling the hammy a bit towards the end.  All up 28.5km averaging 4:36's.

Cop a load of that Hoey.  Emporio's Big Breakfast.  Macca and I are in food heaven.  10/10.

Saturday fitting it in

All day outside first at cricket then at the Manly West Carnival bumping into half of the HuRT Squad including Jimmy, Darren, Erikakaka, Dicky et al.  Managed to offload Claudia onto Bec for an hour to sneak home and fit in the scheduled 40min run.  Felt good today so just got quicker throughout - as the splits show.

10km.

Friday rest day

So I did 8km very easy to Shelley and back instead.  Bit of a hangover after a full house at the Bull & Bear and an ISDA members dinner.  37:36 (4:34's).  

106km for the week.

HuRTS 8 x 800m

Small but loyal crowd.  Each one will PB at JPMorgan. The rest of youse are gooone. 

Ran with Tongey on the first then alone but with JFen dipping in and out and Timmy doing 400's so helping me on the first lap of each alternate rep.

2:30 to start with and 2:20 to end off the rolling 4 mins.  Average was 2:26.50.  2-3s per rep slower than earlier this season but very happy with that as a first speed session in 3 months.  Took the shoes off after 5 reps and made a big difference.  Take away is to buy lighter racing flats for the race.

Told JFen (who was flying on the few 800's he did after his solo 10x400m set) that my sole aim was to beat him at JPMorgan so the cat is out of the bag.

14km all up.

Wednesday MLR

Caught up with Iain early doors for the North Head loop.  Bumped into Quentin on the way to Shelley who then joined in. Beautiful morning for it.  Can't beat Manly.  Legs fairly cactus again but slow sign of improvement towards the end when I picked up the pace a bit.

16.5km in 74:36 (4:30's).  

I'm hoping at some stage things are going to click.  But it ain't happening yet.

HuRTS - Progressive Hurt

Got a chance to pop out at lunchtime for the progressive 45min tempo in the heat.  Wasn't what was scheduled but given the chance to run hard with a crowd I took that over running by myself.

Set off with World Silver Medallist Crossy, Hamish and Clydesdale Jono.  CT and Barts went off ahead.  That said, when we picked up the pace every 10 mins we started to catch them as they dawdled around, such that on the turn at 23:15 at the entrance to Barangaroo we were right behind them.

Crossy pulled out at CQ and the others had dropped off by then.  CT and Barts had gone past me even before the Harbour Bridge so it was a lonely struggle back home.  But managed it with 2 seconds spare in 44:58.  LJ should take some pacing lessons from me.

Thighs were wrecked the whole way around and my legs just felt lethargic and tired throughout.  Some nasty virus toxins still in there I reckon.  But the breathing was fine and I haven't passed out at my desk this arvo which is a plus.

4km warmdown with Charlie and Barts for 16km all up.

Run home

Ran home.  Felt shocking.  Still feel as though I've got the virus in my legs.  The Ebola virus.  Maybe due to the Tiger massage this am stirring things up.

68:49 via Burnt Bridge Creek.

Solid run by the Cap'n in Amsterdam running 2:46.  Sensational run by Milly Clark in 2:29.  She could be on the way to Rio with that.  The Cap'n went through the Half in 1:19:06 feeling great, so what is it about our marathon prep?  Too few kms?

Sunday with the boys

27km with Macca, Ben, Craig and Rich Mullaney.  We extended the latter an invite to the exclusive Northern Beaches long run/breakfast club on the basis he's English, lives NOTB and has some talent. Few have the trifecta. 

Slow (4:38's) but I was still struggling my way through it still suffering a bit from last week.

Forgot to mention that we saw the who's who of the Northern Beaches on this morning's run.  First up was Elle enjoying breakie in the cafe at North Narrabeen.  Then another talented female athlete in Melinda Gainsford-Taylor jogging around Narrabeen Lake.  All the stars are NOTB. 

Also didn't mention that Charlie's cricket team smashed Peninsula yesterday (4-117 versus 20-74) with Peninsula managed by none other than Michael Slater.  Here he is imparting advice to his outgoing batsman.  Made Charlie even happier with his 2 wickets off his final 2 balls:

Great runs by Barts, Q and JFen at Curl Curl yesterday.  Mixed performances at Melbourne.  Jess Trengove stunned with her 2:27 but Erika will be a little disappointed with her 2:57 after struggling from not taking enough water on.  A PB is a PB and it shows her strength of character to fight through but there's definitely a low 2:50 in her.

Saturday return

Avid readers of my blog will have noticed an absence of a few days.  They will both be wondering what had happened to the 16 day consecutive run.  Well, on Monday night I can down with gastro (which probably explains why I felt so average running on Sunday and Monday).  Tuesday I was bed-ridden - couldn't even crawl to the sofa to watch TV.  Back at work on Thursday but couldn't really stomach anything until Friday night.  Only plus is that I lost 2kg which I'll try to keep off until JPMorgan.

Did 10km on Saturday evening.  First 2km were a shocker (so lethargic probably from lack of food) but felt better as I got into it.

Monday moanings

Jeez I'm tired.  Like, marathon training tired.

Fronted up today with a big crowd in attendance including Enda, Kanser, Hoey, Worswick, BW, Renee, Jerome, Happy Hammer, TKS et al.  Plodded around feeling uncomfortable.  Felt a bit better after Enda and I stopped for water around Barangaroo and started running 4:00min kms to catch everyone.

Plenty of chat between Kanser and Enda.  I understood about 20% of it.  Enda pretty psyched up about beating JFen at JPMorgan.  It'll be pretty close between these two but I'll plump for Enda in that he always seems to perform well at this event and is looking lean after a 3 week break in China.  I'm just hoping to keep them both in sight and, who knows, if they fight each other hard enough I may be able to reel one in over that tough final 600m.

15.5km in 70:26 (4:32's).

Farked

Busy all day walking, at Nippers and lugging stuff around the garden.  Got out at 6pm for 40mins but was shagged.  Just couldn't get going.  Some days you just have to accept you haven't got it.

About 8km.

Saturday long

Out early doors with Barts, the Cap'n and Macca (the old team) for 27.5km up and down the beaches.  Finished with a dip in the ocean at Queenscliff and bacon and eggs at the Grumporio.  Absolutely magic.

4:34's so nice and easy.  Massive stretch of my quads last night and the hammy is better than ever.

Friday holy cow

So I was schedule a rest day.  But then Erika said she was running at lunch so decided to head out for an easy run and chat about her upcoming marathon.  Then she says she needs to run 6km at 4:00 pace so I think, OK that should not be too tricky.  Then we meet and she says that Gary has instructed her to run quicker.  So I think, well, I'll just run and see how it feels.  So we so 3km warm up before, BAM!, there goes her first km in 3:30 and BAM BAM!!, there's the second km in 3:24.  I kid you not, I could not hold on.  She has a 15m lead on me and I start thinking I can kill myself to bridge the gap or I keep running the same pace and surely she'll start to fade soon.  I catch her by the end of the third km (3:35 for me) and then into the wind around Barangaroo we run a 3:51, then a 3:48 and a 3:45 to run the 6km in 21:20 or thereabouts (3:38's).  Gary has got her into fantastic form for next week's marathon and I hope she smashes it.  I'm predicting a 2:53.

12 all up and 100km for the week.  Haven't had one of them since June.

Tiger Woods, eat your heart out

Out at 8am in Manly for 10 x 1min hills plus 10mins hard.  4km warm up to the hill at Shelly Beach. Didn't thrash myself on the hills but solid and was tired towards the end.  Then did the 3km back towards Queenscliff running 3:21, 3:20 and 3:14. Happy with that with the legs feeling comfortably numb at the end.

Then down to The Lakes for a day of corporate wanker golf.  Had a top day playing Ambrose.  I was the weak link as usual but got my 3 drives in early including my best drive ever on the 1st.  And we won!  Nice bottle of vintage bubbly to crack open next time we have something to celebrate.  So it will be very vintage bubbly when consumed.

MLR, kinda

Well, just coming home now at 9pm so my deal didn't quite sign at 10am but at least 'tis done.  Managed to get out at 2pm for 16km around the wharves and Barangaroo in 1:12 nice and easy.  Been taking Voltaren last 2 days for this troublesome glute insertion and feels much better.

Solid

In at 8.30am, out at 1.30am.  Massively busy day but somehow managed to get out to do 60% of a HuRTS session.  Session was the 3, 2, 1 fartlek x 5 but I just did x 3.  Very hot but surprised myself in running pretty well turning not far behind Barts.  But I couldn't have gone much further.  

Hoping this deal signs tomorrow so I can get some kip.  May come home early if it does.

Monday long run

Out for the Sunday run on Monday with Ben, Banksy and the Cap'n.  Up to Narrabeen Lake via Cromer, one loop then home the same way.  27.5km in 2:06:12 (4:35's).  Longest run I've done since the end of July and felt it at the end.  Hammy ok but the insertion to the glute was a bit sore (which I think has been the issue all along).

Then rode with Claudie, Mags and Charlie to the Grumporio for breaky with the Cap'n and his boy Toby.  Beaut of a morning.  Think I'll have a kip now.

Sunday scorcher

Scorchio today.  Early start heading down with Craig to the Wharf Bar to watch England humiliated at home by the Wallabies.  With the clocks going forward last night it was a super early start so had a bit of shut-eye watching Paw Patrol with Claudie over lunch.  Headed out in the early evening (when it was still in the high 20's) for 10km easy feeling pretty good.

Saturday canter

Easy 12km in the afternoon.  54mins.

Recovery Friday

Out for a very easy 11+km with Kanser around Barangaroo.  Felt pretty tired today for the first time on the comeback trail - must have been yesterday's reps after Wednesday's tempo.

80km for the week.

HuRTS 6 x 1km

Back out with the HuRTS crew.  I'd woken up in the Daintree at 4am before a 6.45am flight from Cairns so was pretty tired.  Eased my way into the session running with Macca and Bruce. Good crowd with CT leading the way, Timmy falling further back in each rep, JFen and Hoey looking controlled and our three leading ladies (Erika, Greta and Renee) all looking strong.

Times went 3:26, 3:21, 3:19, 3:16, 3:06 and 3:13.

Then did my glute stretch on the grass only to have Mikey G come over and say "you don't want to do it like that, you want to do it like this!", and then proceed to show me an eyeful of one muscle of his body which certainly wasn't his glute.

10km all up.

Tempo time

Final day here in Mossman.  Felt good after yesterday so planned a tempo today.  Did 2km warm up jog, then 10km tempo, then 2km warmdown.

Set off at a solid but relatively comfortable pace and just tried to hold it and keep consistent.  Had to work a bit between 7km and 8km in the full sun but generally pretty good.  All km splits were between 3:42 and 3:47 apart from the final one pushing on a bit to finish in 37:02.

Been a great holiday.  Haven't been as relaxed or slept as much in a long time.  Some pics of our house here:

Holiday running

Another 12km in the morning - pretty quick again (seem to do perennial tempos when in on the comeback trail) but Suunto lost batteries after 6km.  Hot and humid.  

Cairns Parkrun

I'm Up nice and early and cajoled the family out of their beds for the short hop down to the Esplanade for Cairns Parkrun.  Did a 2km warm up then listened to the bloke try to explain the course route.  He did so FNQ style, so I was none the wiser at the end of his talk.  We had a load of visitors given it was school holidays - must have been 150+. 

Decided just to sit behind whoever was in the lead.  Did so for 1km but then couldn't help myself but drift to the front. All was good until 4.5km when I was about a minute ahead of the next chap and started looking out for the turn to the finish.  At 4.8km I knew I'd missed it and saw a random volunteer packing up from the first lap who told me I had run well past it (thanks mate).  Eventually got back with 5.8km in the watch.

Chap who won was on his 100th Parkrun so nice for him to get a win.  I jogged afterwards to pick up Charlie, Bec, Kirst and Maggie and all loved the occasion.  Then out for breakie.  No pan-served breakie or brioche in FNQ.

Splits were 3:21, 3:23, 3:24, 3:28 and 3:45 (becoming frustrated).  Hammy held up well so will try 90mins tomorrow.

How we felt after:

 

Mossman

11km straight out from the property, turned around and ran back.  22km in 1:33ish (4:14's).  Felt it towards the end in the heat and humidity.  Basically ran through sugars cane fields alongside the cane railways on quiet roads.  Amazing scenery.

Having said that, doing a long(ish) run solo on holiday is one of the hardest things for me.  Need company on the long runs and when on holiday it just feels unfair.

Cairns!

Nice and hot here.  Did 10km along the Esplanade in the evening.  Move to Mossman tomorrow but not before Cairns Parkrun which starts less than 1km from where we're staying.

Bit of speed

So the toe made a bit of a recovery overnight so I ventured out with Timmy, Mikey, TKS, Renee, Ray and a host of others for a very easy run around the usual route. 

It was 3 old school HuRTS Warriors fighting back from injury who turned at 5.5km to head back in anticipation of a quick OH Gate to St Mary's Gate (2.9km).  Got a bit of help from Ray around Farm Cove then hit by hurricane force winds up the hills which had us all at a standstill.

Pleased to get 10:14 under the belt with the hammy feeling tight early on but no issues in the warmdown jog.

11km for the day.

Gammy toe

I had to type this heading 3 times because it kept on auto-correcting to "hammy", which is ironic.

Anyway, hammy fine today and was going to try my first speed work.  But I was picking my toe-nails last night and managed to yank off half my big toe nail and now it's infected and too painful to run.  Take a look:

In other news, here's me next to a monster truck earlier today:

STOP PRESS:

I've had many requests for an afternoon update on the toe which has continued to deteriorate and has prevented any running.  In fact, I can barely get my foot in my shoe.  So here goes:

Monday starter

10km out to Shelley and up the hill and back.  Went quicker this morning.  Saw Lewis on the return and exchanged the usual friendly shouts.

Have started doing a new glute stretch and it seems to be working a treat.  I'm crap at it at the moment but plenty of scope for improvement:

Sunday MLR

So, next big test.  Out at 6am with the Cap'n running 20km.  Reached the new toilet facilities at Narrabeen Lake then back again.  Noticed the hammy on the way up but had a good stretch and it was fine on the return.  Perfect morning for running - cool but clear and no wind.

Some great results from Blackmores but they are not courses to run PBs on.  I thought Angus went very well to dip under 78 as did Bruce.  Barra took top honours again with a high 71 but he wasn't impressed with his time.  Standards have been raised this year.  Jeet ran well to get under 80 and Erika was solid with a mid 83 in her marathon build up.

Also great to see Manly local Emma C back racing again.

Saturday plod

10km very easy in the late afternoon with the Cap'n but starting to feel as though I could run harder.

Friday meander

Up in BrisVegas all day Thursday so couldn't get out.  Friday was an easy 10km bumping into Jimmy and running with him for a bit.  Tried to persuade him to shave the beard off but he was having none of it.  Claims that he's growing it to help fight the ladies off.  I would have thought his conversation was sufficient but apparently not.

Another easy one

Out with Timmy for an easy 10km over lunchtime.  Joined by Andy from G&T and Kanser and Hoey for periods.  More shite was spoken in the 10 minutes that Kanser ran with us than an episode of Geordie Shore.  Poor Andy was silent and must have been regretting his decision to run with us.

Back to Black

5km walk with the missus feauturing breakie at Emporio then 7km run in 4:29's to the wharf.  In honesty, hammy was giving me a bit of jip following last night's run home.  Just need to keep up the rehab.

The Wobbly Head Cup League Table.  You can just see 'Proud Potter' Timmy in 20th. I couldn't fit Enda (in 35th place) on the one page.  That's me #1.

Turnbull, PM

It's 11pm and kookaburras are screeching outside.  What's going on there?  Maybe they are aware of something afoot in the electorate of Warringah.

Ran home (well to Manly Wharf) in the next real test.  Felt aware but fine the whole way.  Hoping a bit of muscle memory is kicking in as, although it was slow, didn't feel as though I was huffing and puffing as much as of late.

14.5km.  Did a brisk walk with the missus this morning which was nice, if a little elderly.

Sunday getting longer

Out at 7.15am to track down the early starters and join them for breakie.  Bumped into Macca, Erika, the Cap'n, Richard B and Q between Dee Why and Cromer with Ben who was a few hundred metres behind.  But the heartless bastards refused to wait for him against my protestations despite stopping for water.  The Manly Crew are ruthless.  I imagine the East Side Crew would have been only too happy for a couple of extra minutes rest.

Managed 12km all up with the hammy ok but a bit stiff starting from cold early on.  Nice breakie in Emporio with Macca and the Cap'n afterwards.  I feel no need to post the photos.  We enjoy engaging conversation rather than endless selfies.

Mad Dog and Englishman

Out for 10km with the Cap'n in the heat of the day.  Avoided the crowds and headed up the BBC Deviation to Seaforth.  Which meant hills.  Crikey, not encountered them in a while.

Nice easy pace and pain free again.

Pain free

Trying not to get too excited but today was first pain free run.  Did the same as yesterday on a beautiful Melbourne morning but a bit slower averaging 4:24's.

Hoorah!

Birthday run

In Melbourne but managed to get out at lunchtime for a bIrthday run.  Found a new route to the Tan - running along the river before cutting across to join at the bottom of the big hill.  Did a loop then back to the hotel.  

Lovely day.  Hammy gets better each day. Just over 34mins for the 8km.

AVCAL 2015

The usual 8km this morning with Erika this time chatting about all manner of stuff.

Now flying off to Melbourne to attend the AVCAL conference, which basically involves drinking large amounts with a bunch of uber-wealthy private equity types, where somehow I end up buying all the rounds.  Keen followers of the bog (both of you) will recall that it was at this event 3 years ago that I turned up expecting to breeze the "Conference 5km" only to be out sprinted by a dark horse despite running 16:05.  At least a few of the squad will be there so we can talk running.

Getting it done

Usual Shelley Beach route times today in 34:12 (4:16's).  Aware of the hammy the whole way but it's getting better.

Thoughts for the day:

1. Today over Sunrise.

2. Response to Syrian refugee crisis shows the power of a photograph.

3. Mike Baird for PM. Now.

4. Is it sexist for me to enjoy The Bachelor but have no interest in The Bachelorette?

5. Sydney in Spring is just the best.

6. How does Keith Hong manage to smile when he talks on his daily updates for his 8 week challenge? I can't smile when I talk.

7. Wales have just lost any chance of making it beyond group stage of World Cup.

Monday

8km to Shellley and back bumping into Lewis of all people!

Felt marginally better today.  Have also done a lot of stretching of adductors.  Hoping I'm on the right track.

Striders - North Head - 37:59

Fronted up late and just in time to get a spare bin before burying myself in the pack with the intent of jogging around.  Only really showed up to go out for brekkie with Big Sam and the boys at Sydney's top breakfast establishment - Bench.  Rated 10/10 by Tommy and all non-hipsters who are bemused by brioche.

Anyway, I digress.  Saw the Tiger who told me not to do anything more than a jog.  Set off and ran with Hamish who was on 40min pacing duties but it felt like a jog so decided to catch up to Sammy for a chat.  Hovered behind Tiger for a while not wanting to get told off, then saw Erika up ahead looking strong so decided to run with her knowing she was on for a PB.  Gave her a bit of encouragement for the rest of the way but she is in great form and needed nothing from me to get her first sub38 and PB by definition. 

Hammy was pretty tight on the warm down.  Resolved to see Lewis over brekkie to get to the heart of the problem.

Saw him on Sunday (with large hangover having been on a curry and beers night with Big Sam and the crew) and he reckons it's an excessively tight piriformis which he worked on with me in tears.

Had a great Fathers Day with more soccer in the field in the arvo with all the local Dads and their kids.  I struck a beaut of a volley which had the local Mums aghast in admiration.

Thursday

Jogged down to HuRTS at Rushcutters and did a few 400m jogs and a 1km slightly faster jog before jogging back to the office.

Getting bored of this jogging malarkey.

Wednesday

Up early and ran 8km to Shelley and back, initially with Erika but she pulled out  after 2km with a sore ankle.  Hope she's OK.

Hammy got progressively tighter at the top and bottom.  Had a massage at lunch and the Tiger worked on it solidly saying 'twas feeling much better than last week.

Tuesday

Rode into, and home from, work.  Love my bike.  My problem with riding is that I treat it like a tempo run the whole way and can't let myself just spin.  Too many bloody competitive commuter cyclists.

Monday

Very easy 7km with the HuRT Squad.  Hammy a bit tight at top near flute insertion.

Sunday continuers

8km this time getting to Shelley and back.  Been hammering the rolling out and have loosened up a lot.   I can now put my pants on without having to sit down.  High fived Paul and Chris at the lagoon.  Hammy better today with most of the pain in the tendon behind the knee.  34 mins odd.

Will be out early tomorrow training Bec and Kirst.  Bizarrely Bec wants me to train her again - 3 years after swearing she never wanted to run ever again in her life.  Has the aim of running under 25mins for Parkrun.  Which is about my standard atm.

Saturday starter

Tried 6km down the beach.  Conscious of the hammy for most of the way but determined now to hammer the rehab - particular getting the cricket ball on to my ass.

Spent the evening with the Manly runners curry club - Macca, Craig, Charlie, Quentin, Banksy, Skins, Jamie, Paul S, Benny and the Taffy lad.  The Steyne followed by Ashiana's followed by the Steyne watching the Toon go to the cauldron of Old Trafford and hold on for a creditable draw.  Who said our defence was shite?

City to Surf

Washout.

Did 6km on Saturday with a few strides.  Could feel my hammy a bit but took more Voltaren and thought it might survive.

Sunday - travelled across with the Manly crew.  Great start as ever chatting to the masses but they get stricter every year on the start procedure.  Survived running with Barts, Neil and CT until KX tunnel then on the downhill afterwards my hammy grabbed and I was hobbling.  Jogged to Rose Bay then took the shortcut to Bondi where I could scream at the squad over the final km.  Standout performances from Barts, CT, Big Kev, Angus, Timmy and Erika.  Shouted myself hoarse then drank for England in the Allens tent with the crowd.  Magic day despite my disappointment.

2 weeks off now to regroup and rebuild.

Have to live vicariously through my kids.  This is Claudia today at her Sports Day:

Ice Ice Baby

Went down to ES Marks in the evening for the RunCrew session.  No Alex this week but Sam Strutt and Tiger's ever increasing crew of attractive female runners was there to chase.  Session was 2 x 6 x 400m.  400's were rolling off 2:10's and we had a 5min rest between sets.

First set of 6 were a bit laborious trying to settle in.  Reps went 70, 69, 68, 68, 69, 68.  Was about 2 or 3 seconds behind Sam on each.  Then the second set started and suddenly I feel great.  68, 67, 67, 67 then, fucky wank shite, my hamstring tightens up down the back straight while overtaking Sam so I pull up at 200m.  Try and stretch, try and do a jog but it's pretty tender and tight.  Get home and stick it on ice.  I blame the lack of beers in my diet over the past few days.  Plainly not getting enough salt.  Should never rattle the cage and do things different.

Now to rest and hope it comes good by Sunday.  If it does, it could be just the enforced rest I need.

(Haha, just checked the blog for C2S last year as I seemed to remember I strained my hammy in the week before then too.  And it looks like I had an identical blog post heading on this day last year.  Maybe Timmy is on to something!)

Monday meander

10km very easy catching up with Enda and Hoey.  46mins.

Sunday struggle

Had too much wine while entertaining yesterday so eventually got out in the afternoon when I felt less shabby.  17.5km around North Head including the Fairfax track.  Easy pace just under 4:30's.

Saturday Parkrun - 2nd in 16:12

5km warm up, quick chat to Jamie, Darrell, Jake, Mrs Heyden and Sonia from Liverpool - an old friend of mine from Uni days who is over in Oz for a few weeks.  Jake asked what my plans and we agreed to share the pace.

Went off hard along with Jake.  Watch beeped at 1km and it was 3:09 and my heart sank a bit - it felt closer to 3:00!  So put more effort in as the plan was to get to 2km in 6:20.  Got to 2km in 6:20.  Then a 3:21 across the fiddly grass bit and Jake and I are still together going up the hill on Harbord Rd.  But he starts to pull ahead towards the top and eases ahead from there.  I finished with a 3:13 and a 3:08 (+10s for the extra 60m as the COURSE IS LONG).  Hardly shabby but Jake managed to put 22s into me over the final 1.8km - he must have run sub 3's to finish.

Turned around to see a big smile on Jamie's face as he finally went under 17mins in running 16:52.  Well done mate.  Also had a chat with Andrew McFarlane who I haven't seen in ages.  Then jogged back around the course with Jake to find Sonia (who's local Parkrun is the same as Big Sam's in Bromley) who ran 30mins.

3km warm down for 13km all up.  Good rust buster.  Now need to freshen up for the big dance next Sunday so that the first km doesn't feel so tough.

Thursday

AM:  6km dead easy.

Lunch:  8 x 800m off a rolling 4mins.

2:28, 2:26, 2:25, 2:24, 2:25, 2:23, 2:24, 2:23

Legs felt dead.  Struggled today.  13km all up.

Wednesday MLR

Out for the usual Wednesday route but missed Dicky and the Cap'n due to my

newly discovered slow running pace.  Bumped into the Cap'n near North Head and ran back with him, on the receiving end of one of his legendary sprays.

Saw Lewis along Manly beach as usual and told him to slow down.

15.2km in 1:14 something (just under 5mim kms).

Latest bets for C2S, I must be mad:

1.  Barts $100 head to head.  I've already provisioned for that.  Made a while back when drunk.  What a goose.

2.  $25 with Timmy on LJ to beat him head to head.  She just has to show up uninjured and healthy I reckon.  One of my more sensible bets.

3.  $20 with Timmy with me giving him a 7 minute headstart.  This should be close.  Always a fair spread agreed on for our head to heads.

4.  $10 with Danielle (Kirsten's close friend) with me giving her a 24 minute headstart.

5.  $20 with Enda with me giving him a 2:30 headstart.  I've been rorted here.  But that's almost the definition of any bet with Enda.

Very disappointed in CT refusing to accept a head to head (which he should romp away with given his current training form).

Back into it Tuesday

AM:  8km very easy to Shelley and back.  Bumped into the Cap'n and chatted to him a bit.  Otherwise just a thoroughly enjoyable plod on a cold but beautiful morning.

Lunch:  45mins progressive tempo for the Squad but Tiger changed this for me to 20mins solid, 5 mins easy, 10mins hard, 5 mins easy, 5mins kamikaze.  Went very well, feeling up for each fast section by the end of each easy section.  Felt comfortable on the solid section (averaging 3:30's), pushed the hard session (averaging 3:20's) and then 3:30's on the final 5mins but given it's pretty much all uphill the effort was there.  Turned on 22.5mins at the main entrance to Barangaroo and finished on 44:58 which was good.  Had Tucks to chase on the final section after Barts and CT had gone past previously running very quickly.

12.75km total (3:31 average) followed by 4.5km warmdown with Barts and Jeet.

Easy peasy Monday

Very gentle 14+km run with Mikey, Timmy, Nathan and James at 5min km pace.  We were even joined by Hoey fresh from his 2:33:12 at M7 yesterday which picked him up a tidy $2.5k.  Although did he offer to buy us one of his fancy brunches?  Did he hell.

Right hip flexor a bit sore.

Sunday long

First long run in 5 weeks (ignoring the marathon). Caught up with Jamie, Erika and Ben for the usual route.  Tired after yesterday's session and just pulled myself through.  Poor young Erika was struggling with recent volume too but will go well if she avoids injury.  Spent the whole run bitching about our coach.

30km in 2:20 (4:40's).

Saturday speedwork

Session was 3 x (1km hard, 1 min rest, 500m hard) with 5 mins jog between each set.  Marked out the 500m and 1km on the path through Nolans so flat and straight.  And I could pretend I was babysitting too.  Times went:

2:59.7
1:29.6
2:59.7
1:29.1
2:58.8
1:29.1

How about that for consistency!  Felt great today - bouncy and full of running.  First time since GCM.

Long warm up and down for 14km all up.

Friday

Very easy 10km with Kanser - back finally from the emerald isle.

HuRTs Hills

Out with the HuRTS Squad at lunch for Argyle Hill reps running solidly back down so no real rest.  More like a hilly tempo. 

Good turnout with Tucks, Tongey, CT, Barts, Crossy, JFen, Andy, Timmy, Boydy, Jeet, Erika, Rich M, TKS and even Wildman putting in an appearance.  AND JAMIE WAS THERE.  Didn't know what to expect for my first Tuesday HuRTS appearance in a long time.  What I was dished out with was a taste of reality.

CT and Barts quickly imposed themselves on the session with me a distant 3rd.  Was aware of someone behind me and thought it was Tucks but found Tongey coming past me on the 4th rep.  You can see from the times below I slowed on the 3rd, made an attempt to stick to Tongey on the 4th then gave up on the 5th and 6th.  To be honest, I was a bit of a soft cock on those reps.  However, I saw Tongey was not gapping me further so made an attempt to catch him on the final 2 reps.  Came past him on the final downhill.

Barts was a good 50s ahead at the end and is in fine form.  Here's his C2S cash.

I ended up with 35:24 for 9.86km (3:35's) but there's a lot of switchbacks so it will measure long.  One positive was finishing  relatively strongly.

Uphills: 2:15, 2:13, 2:18, 2:15, 2:19, 2:18, 2:15, 2:15

Downhills:  2:03 (shorter route), 2:09, 2:11, 2:12, 2:12, 2:11, 2:08, 2:01

5km warm down with a gradually thinning crowd for 16km all up.

MLR Wed

Very easy 17km this morning back up around North Head with Justin and Erika.  Plenty of chat with the conversation including everything from vomiting to testicles to how hot Sara Hall is.  I think sometimes I forget Erika is a lady.

4:41's.  Luminous orange snot diminishing.

Easy morning

12km along the beach.  Easy pace with the sinusitis still hanging around.  Bumped into Justin and ran with him for a bit - interestingly he's had exactly the same symptoms as me.

6C this morning but at least the sun was shining.  I'm sick of winter.  I didn't travel half way across the world for this.

In other news, I watched the final of House Rules last night to discover Steve and Tiana won and had their mortgage paid off.  This made me feel a little jealous.  That result needs some serious auditing.  First, the judges (whose scores amount to 50% of the result) award them 19 points versus Ben and Danielle's 17 points.  The remaining 50% of the result is made up by the audience voting either "NSW" or "QLD" via text.  So how do they calibrate that over 17 and 19 points?  We are not told.  We just have Johanna Griggs (whose chest seems to grow by the week) read out the winners.  Secondly, my guess is that Steve in his 50's has a considerably smaller mortgage than first house buyers Ben & Danielle.  My guess is that the opacity in the voting allowed Channel 7 to save themselves a couple of hundred $.  This upset me with my strong lawyerly sense of fairness.

Back to basics

Sunday felt crook again so no running.

Read an article recently that Benny St did for a magazine where he said that when he doesn't feel great, he applies a 10min rule.  Which means he gets out to run for 10mins then reassesses whether to carry on or give up.  I did that today.  Got to 10mins, felt pretty good so carried on.  Did 22km in the end around the wharves. 

Going to stop chasing the fitness, get myself 100% healthwise and just enjoy running in the meantime.  I'll hand Barts his $100 for C2S at some stage this week.  At least I'll get 25% of it back from Timmy.  Caught up with the squad for a few km on my run and was chatting to LJ who ran high 38 at the Sutho to Surf yesterday.  She tells me Timmy is trying to back out of the bet.  Which means he's mentally shot.  Which means we're 80% there...

Saturday

Friday was a rest that I needed.  Saturday still felt under the weather but got out in the later arvo for 10km.  Felt surprisingly good when I was actually running so did some fast patches - 2 to 3km (3:20 into the wind down Manly beach), 5 to 6km (3:14 in opposite direction) and 3:15 for final km along Pittwater Rd.  Ended up with 40:40 for the 10km which is quick for me.

Farked

AM:  8km (Shelley) very easy bumping into form man Lewis half way around and finishing with him.  38:16.

PM:  HuRTs 4 x 2km.  I think we turned early in the first rep so more consistent than it looks.  Barts was flying upfront running his final rep in 6:03.  I've got a lot of work to do until I smash him at C2S. I ran with (variously) J-Fen (in good form off this showing), Andy, Colin and Tongey.  Times were:

6:20

6:25

6:23

6:22

4.25km warm down with Barts and Timmy for 13.5km all up.

Got back to the office shaking due to low blood sugar, ate some lunch then promptly fell asleep at my desk.

Wednesday MLR

Out with Timmy, Crossy, Jerome, Worswick, Hoey and Gleeso for 8.5km up the C2S course then a return.  Very easy pace which was tickety boo.

Brass monkeys.  

Got a bet out of Timmy for $25 him head to head with LJ at C2S.  Go you good girl.

First tester

AM: Very easy 8km to Shelley Beach and back in 38:15.

PM:  Jogged to ES Marks (6km).  Then 3 x 1200m off a rolling 6:30 followed by 6 x 400m off a rolling 2:30.  Wasn't expecting much post marathon but held on better than I thought.

1200's went 3:40, 3:38 and 3:38 (71, 75 then 74/72 for each).

400's went 71, 69, 70, 68, 68, 68.

Chasing Alex on all reps with Benny St shouting the lap times.  Alex running freakishly well - 4s ahead on some of the 400m reps running in lane 4 on the last.  Davina would keep me company for the first lap of the 1200's and the first half of the 400's, which was pleasant.  Good to see Anna back out running well.

2km warmdown.

New blog linked with Big Sam posting thoughts from London.  Worth a read if only for the anti-Stoke humour!

Back home

Easy 11.2km around Manly feeling almost back to normal.  Still a bit of a shuffle but a faster shuffle now.  Averaged 4:16's this morning (47:59).  Still glad I wasn't racing this morning and bet Barts was too, suffering after last week's Half.  Lewis fared a bit better but neither can expect to back up after big Half PB's on an unrelenting course the week before.

Scott's Head

30mins very easy in the morning from the AirBnB place we stayed in at Scott's Head.  Great spot - log house built by the owner and fully sustainable with views of the ocean.  Felt better than yesterday and a few hills thrown in today.

Byron Bay

Friday - very easy 30mins along the beach at Byron Bay with Craig.  Just over 6km.  Bit of a shuffle and felt pretty tight around the groin area.

Gold Coast Marathon - 26th in 2:33:09

Well, that was hard.

Enjoyed an easy start to the morning.  Craig and I found out way to the elite athlete area.  This was a very nice set up with grandstand views of the finish line and we just saw 70 minutes tick over before Eloise came through (wow, what a run) before Barts, Alex and Lewis then came through in quick succession.

Then off to the start line.  Few hellos to Andy, Hoey et al and we were off.  Settled into the first km with Craig trying not to go too quick.  Rowan Wker comes past with a big group but let them drift ahead.  Another group including the first female being paced by Jackson Elliott comes past at about 5km so I ask what pace they're aiming for - he says 3:28's so again I let them go.  Craig drops off somewhere around 7km and I'm now running with the second female but the 3:30's still feel very comfortable.

Just concentrating on reaching the 15km turn at this stage.  At dinner the night before, Tom Buckley said something about knowing how well the race will go at 15km.  Well, I turned at 15km, saw Hoey was fairly close behind but Craig appeared to be having a bad day.  And then suddenly trying to run 3:30's became a whole lot harder.  I managed to just about hold them to half way but I realised then that it was going to be a massive struggle to get home.  The splits show that:

Hoey comes past at 23km bouncing along and I wave him on telling him he's looking great.  I'm now running 3:35's and it's hurting.  Gary appears on his bike, asks how I'm feeling and I tell him I feel like crap.  I can tell he thinks I look like crap too.  He's a great fella Gary, but not very good at hiding his true feelings.

Huge shouts from Clyde at Surfers and then LJ, Jeet (who had a fab sub80 run in the Half) and crew at Main Beach and then Angus on the Broadwater side of Main Beach.  Here's a photo from Angus at 28km:

At this point, Hoey (who's still only about 30m in front) takes a wrong turn due to some dopey traffic warden looking the wrong way, but quickly gets back on track.  Heading back into the crowds at the start finish area and I'm now really hurting and trying to hold 3:45's.  Barts offers some coke but I wave him away, being very ungrateful.  Can't concentrate on anything other than getting to the finish line.  The final 7km is just a world of hurt, trying different running positions to get a bit more pace into the legs and just keep the turnover going.  A Japanese fella overtakes me at 40km (I'd overtaken him earlier while he was running 4:30's!) but I don't care.  Turn back onto the main road and can see the final turn but it's so far away.  Eventually get there, turn the final corner, see the clock ticking over in the 2:32's but don't even bother to try to get under 2:33, I just want to stop.  And then, finally I can.

Have a chat to Dean and Julia then wait to see Craig come in on 2:36 having had an off day.  Then Andy and Matt Gibson race in on 2:37 with Andy having had a great run and negative split.  Next is Macca on 2:43 having also had an off day.  Maybe Hogs Breath Cafe the night before wasn't the great idea we thought it was at the time.

But run of the day goes to Hoey.  A low 2:30 in those conditions was sensational and the way he ran the race was perfect.

Then for some trash talk and beers in the beautiful surrounds of the Southport SLSC hearing about Barts eventually hauling in Lewis, how much of the work Neil did, how CT did exactly what we predicted and how LJ "jogged" around for 82mins. Wasn't she supposed to "jog" with Clyde, who himself managed to beat Enda?  The latter needs to retire after yet another underperformance.

And now back at the ranch for a bit of R&R.

Would I have rather run the Half with such a good pack?  Maybe.  But there's something very satisfying about doing the marathon even if you don't quite do what you wanted.  Anyone who finished that yesterday is deserving of huge respect - Birchy, Sonya, Jacquie, TKS - all suffered but got through.

Final run

Shelley Beach and back (8km) but run as 10min warm up, 8 x 1min fast, 1 min float, then 10min warm down.

Brass monkeys this morning.  In fact, stepped out with a singlet and t-shirt on, stepped straight back in and changed the singlet for Timmy's favourite Milk Tray top.

3 days to go.

Short, easy Wed

8km along the beachfront and including 4 x 100m hills next to MacKellar.  Didn't feel like running faster than 4:30's but bouncing along fine.  Saw Mrs Bromley and Lewis running the other way, the latter doing his 3:50's as usual.

8 years at Gold Coast:

2007:  10km in 33:02

2008:  Half in 1:13:09 (windy)

2009:  Spectator with achilles injury

2010:  10km in 33:21 (injury comeback)

2011:  Marathon in 2:36:40

2012:  Marathon in 2:34:00

2013:  Half in 1:11:16

2014:  Missed as in Europe

4 days to go. 

7, 5, 3

Down to HuRTs at the OH gates but not the 14 x 3mins for me or a few others running Gold Coast at the weekend.  We did 7, 5 and 3 mins off a 3 min rest.  

Went off quite hard on the first rep with no one with me - 3:09 for the first km, 3:17 for the second (up the hills) and average 3:12 at the end.  Ran with Barts and Tongey for the 5mins averaging 3:05 back down the hills then 3:07 for the final rep.

Short, sharp and session done.  4km warmdown with Enda, JC, J-Fen, Heet and Barts.

Massive crowd today doing the longer session, with those mentioned plus Timmy, CT, Q, Macca, Andy (the boy's found some form), Skins and a whole host more.  Fewer of the ladies in attendance with wannabe HuRTS #1 Renee fronting up whilst erstwhile #1 LJ decides the pressure of the squad is too much so has joined CanToo.  But she is promising an appearance at Goldie if the worlds tightest hamstrings can climb the JetStar steps.  The news just gets better and better for TKS.

5 days to go.

Taper time

14km around Nieth Head in 59:53.  Felt very lethargic and with a few niggles in the first 5km then much better later on.

Heard this booming voice at Queenscliff Playpark to see Barts rushing over ignoring his kids.  Then Jamie with his family about 100m further on.  

All enjoying God's Country.

7 days to go.

Not Parkrun

Couldn't get out for Parkrun due to Charlie's soccer (plus friends coming over last night) so emailed Jamie knowing he'd missed it too and suggested a 5km hard at noon.  Did two laps of the golf course which I've measured at 2.5km on Mapmyrun and the Suunto measured it at exactly 5km too.  Which probably means it's short.

First lap in 8:02 and second in 8:18 for 16:20.  Struggled on the hills a bit on the second loop.  Warm down with Jamie (who ran 17:44) for 15km all up.

Still coughing up crap and chest a bit tight.

8 days to go.

RunCrew 1km efforts

Up at sparrow's fart to meet Quentin, Jamie, Macca and Amy at 6.10am for 6 x 1km off a rolling 5mins.  It was still pitch black at 6.10am so we had to do them around Passmore where we had at least the tiniest bit of light.  Mainly from the toilet block which I had frequented in my usual fashion.

Ran the first rep with all my extra layers on not feeling at all up for it.  Then eased into them but to be honest never felt particularly comfortable this morning.  1km was just over 1.5loops of Passmore and I'd just concentrate on getting a loop done before pushing home the final half a lap.  Ran them all sharing the lead with Quentin who kept me honest.  Was pretty rooted on the final rep.  Times were:

3:20
3:09
3:06
3:04
3:07
3:03

Long warmdown with Macca for 12km all up.

10 days to go...

Wed easy

16km solo around Centennial with a loop of MMC thrown in.  Then did 4 x 100m hills as per coache's orders.  Felt better at end than I did at beginning.

11 days to go.

HuRTS 4 x 10mins

Nice turnout today with CT, Barts, Enda, Colin Hunt, Hoey, Fats and Andy all running upfront and the likes of Timmy, Jimmy and others making welcome returns.

Plan was to run within myself a bit quicker than marathon pace.  Did the gate to gate reps (starting from St Mary's Gates) in:

9:52
9:52
9:40
9:51

So nice and consistent although I had to work hard up the hills on the last rep to keep the time the same.  Long warmdown with Barts after for 18km all up.

Still coughing up the lingering effects of the cold.  But Bec now has a secondary flu type thing (off school today with a temperature and the shakes) so I'm avoiding kid contact as much as possible.

12 days to go...

Easy recovery

Turned up for a Monday HuRTS run for the first time in ages.  But they were too quick for me so Jacquie, new chap Andy and I dropped off the back.  Then around the STC wharves I saw Mr Ace and MC running the opposite direction so ran back with them.  

10km slow.  Back of left knee a bit sore.

Long run

Out in the arvo for various reasons.  Quentin and Justin thankfully joining in.  36km on the cards with some sort of fast finish.  But because it wasn't 6am we were pretty quick from the start.  Q dropped off  after 17km and Justin and I picked up the pace too early (at around 20km).  We'd been around North Head, up to Fitness First then back around the golf club.  Did 2 loops of the golf course averaging mid 3:30's, but having been doing a few mid 3:40's before that it was enough for me.

Eased off for the final 5km around Nolans and the blood sugar levels got very low in the final km. 

Final 18km (when Q gave me his watch after mine bombed) averaging 4:00.  All up 36km I guess in 4:10's.  Solid but worried about bonking in the marathon.  Nutrition will be key.

Curl Curl Parkrun - 1st in 16:44

Woke up at 6:45am having slept through my alarm.  Was touch and go to get there so jumped in the car.  Arrived with 2mins to spare.  Just Jamie there to keep company this morning.  Felt average in the first km, struggled through the mud after the recent relentless rain so just tempo'ed it through to the end.

Then a short break before Jamie and I ran the course again doing a 10 min effort and a 5 min effort off 3 mins rest.  Averaged about 3:30's.  Still not feeling magic.  But session done.  11km all up due to a lack of warmup.

Great to see Elle out there running again!

It was touch and go

Sick with a cold Wednesday and Thursday.  Ventured out Friday lunchtime and did a lap of Centennial looking a bit like this:

12.5km in 55:30.

Easy from home

Worked from home today helping Kirst out and still not feeling 100%.  Felt well enough to head out around North Head in the late arvo.  16.5km averaging 4:20's.

Forgot that I put a bet on against Barts head to head at C2S for $100.  Never betted against him before.  Should be interesting.

Launceston 10km - 18th in 32:06

Crap night sleep on Saturday night.  Coughing all night and felt as if I barely slept.  At 5am I decided I wasn't going to race.  Then got up later and felt a bit better.  Also realised that I wouldn't be able to enjoy a few beers later if I hadn't run so decided to do it.

Freezing morning - 2C at 10am.  Did a warm up with the boys with a few run throughs and we were lining up.  Church clock struck 10am and we were off.  Had decided that I wouldn't sprint out of the blocks preferring to work my way in.  Bart's had the same plan.  Dozens were in front of us but we still went through the first km in 3:07.  Started moving through the field here and suddenly it was just me, Barts and some young chap.  Dave C was about 50m in front.  Overtook Master Sweeney at about 2km so he'd gone out very quickly.  We just shared the pace until 5km (15:50) where we caught a couple of other chaps.  Turning back for home realised that we had a bit of a headwind.  The 2 young fellas we'd caught were a bit annoying as one of them kept on clipping my heels as I tried to tuck in behind Barts into the wind.  So I'd get frustrated and try to push the pace on, before Barts would then resume.  Couldn't drop them though.

Between 6 and 8km we slowed a bit to 3:16kms which basically cost us the sub 32.  Coming past Macca's and at 9km there's only 4 of us.  We hit the little bridge over the river and I realise everyone must be hurting as the pace drops on the little rise.  So I wait until we turn the final corner and then just kick past for home.  I seem to be clear!  Could it be this easy?  I see the clock ticking towards 32mins and realise I'm going to just miss.  But he comes the line and at least I've beaten Barts. But oh no, who is this white ghost drifting past me with 10m to go?  Noooooooooo!!!

So a little disappointing but with a final km of 3:07 the strength was there so all good for GCM still.  

Then we went in search of brekkie.  Wandered into what looked like a Nighclub where the lady greeted us by saying they didn't have a breakfast menu and could only serve us a stack made up of hash browns, bacon, eggs, beans and some healthy stuff.  Duh.  'Twas magnificent.  This photo is for Hoey:

Matching socks and shoes:

Then we did a Boags Brewery tour where somehow LJ got a special hi-vis singlet:

And we ran into Master Sweeney!:

Dave:

Didn't realise he was so close:

The Blog's Most Valuable Reader:

Jeet:

Birchy:

Sat - arrive in Launnie

Very easy 6km with Dave Criniti on arriving at our luxurious accommodation.

No pop culture refs for this session

Shortened session today with Sunday's race in mind.  Up early and down to the beachfront as it was too dark around Nolan's .

Session was 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1 off a 1min float recovery.  Hard to get going this morning and was counting the seconds down on the 3's and 4.  All up managed 6.38km in the 22mins (3:27's).

RunCrew Northern Beaches Chapter all over the place this morning running variously past Erika and Amy going quickly in the opposite direction.  Then bumped into Macca at the end so did the final 3km warmdown with him and Sweden bound Erika.

Just over 13km all up.

Easy peasy

10km easy in the late evening from the office including 4 x 100m fast strides towards the end.

2km TT with RunCrew

Out of work early and down to ES Marks.  Bit of a warm up and then some strides (actually, quite a few) before toeing the line for the TT.  A rolling start with Benny St Lawrence at the front, then me and Alex R sharing the pace with Tom do Canto (running 3 x 2km) behind us, then Gary, Lucy Starrat, Nick Walker and the other girls.

Went off way too quick following Benny who looks like he's jogging.  Through 200m in 31s (almost a PB) before easing up a bit.  Then stand aside for Alex and he pushes the pace again.  He starts to step aside at 650m so I go through but Tom DC immediately jumps in front.  So I just jump in behind him.  He drags me around until (running very wide on the final corner) I sprint down the final 100m.

Happy with 5:50.3 (not even in the home straight when Ben finished in 5:32).  Had enough for a sprint on the final lap after almost going lactic at 200m.  But, as Gary says, it's the benefit it does for you that is most important.  

Then did 5 x 300m - upping stumps after 5 instead of 10 like everyone else - as I was starting to labour them.  All between 50s and 52s (other than an easier first one).

Long warmdown chatting to the friendly squad for 14km all up (which somehow takes 100 mins?).

Longish run, hard finish

Out with Macca, Craig and the Cap'n this morning for the usual loop.  I had a hard finish scheduled, but only the last 6km.  Pace was thankfully nice and easy to start with as I was feeling the effects of yesterday's session.

Picked the pace up at 24km (just before the top of the hill at Dee Why so nicely timed) and ran 3:24, 3:28, 3:25, 3:29, 3:27 and 3:21 feeling pretty good finishing halfway between North Steyne and the Corso, then jogged back to Emporio for breakfast to finish with 31.25km in 2:16:20 (4:21's).

Parkrun

Coach said no Striders because of Launnie next week, so Parkrun followed by some 1min reps.  Met Quentin early doors to jog over.  Was pretty impressed with myself for getting up and if Q hadn't arranged to meet me I reckon I'd have rolled over and told myself I'd do the session in the afternoon.

Arrived to find Barts and J-Fen also there so a quality line up for a Parkrun particularly with North Head Striders on the same day.  Did some warm up strides and noticed quite an Easterly headwind.

Ran with Barts and Q until 2.5km when Q fell off.  Barts pulled ahead gradually from 4km but I felt good today - in control and not scared by the pace.  Was pleased to end in 15:56 - second fastest ever and a good sign for next week.  Bart's won in 15:50 with Q in 16:20 and J-Fen running well solo on his Parkrun debut for a 17:07.

Then did a 3km jog back around the course before starting the 10 x 1min reps off 1min recovery.  Did them around the fields next to Parkrun start/finish with Barts and Q, being replaced by J-Fen after rep 3.  Then a jog home.  So about 20km all up for a solid session.

Easy Friday

12km very easy along the beachfront and around the golf course.  Randomly bumped into Macca at 5km and finished the rest off with him chatting about the dirty scoundrel Salazar but how Mo has sailed through unblemished and should ditch his coach.

55mins or so.  Heel getting better after spreading on the Betadine.

Tan session

Out of the hotel and 3.5km warm up before starting the Manfred Mann session  (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) off 2 min float recovery.  Managed 6.48km (3:35's) but struggled to get going at the start.  Better by the end.

4km warm down for 14km all up and a beaut start for the day on a clear, crisp Melbourne morning.

Only problem is the blisters sustained on my heel post tempo session on Sunday.  Ouch:

In Melbourne

10km on the treadmill this evening after a super early start and arduous day.  Added a bit of gradient to make it feel more comfortable.  44mins.

20km easy

Turned up to HuRTS to amble around towards the back just for some company for my 20km.  Ended up running roughly with Pete Walkers group - I'd catch them on the offs while they pulled ahead on the ons.  After that did another 8k and was fortunate enough to bump into Barts and we ran and chatted the whole way.

20km in 85:00 and feeling fine although calves still stiff.

Marathon tempo

Over to the Bay for the marathon tempo. Alex R and Barts would be running 20km with me (well, Barts originally said 18km but I knew we'd be able to guilt him into 20) and then I had to do the final 7km lap solo.  Gary was riding his bike alongside (Benny St was doing the same to a couple of others in RunCrew doing a similar session) handing out water and gels.

Plan was to hold 3:30's the whole way.  That's pretty much what we did - a bit faster a times and marginally slower on the hills at the end of each lap.  Felt pretty good early on and only started to feel my legs tightening a bit near 20km when Barts and Alex seemed to lift the pace marginally.  Had to dig deep running solo on the last lap but all in all I was pretty happy.  27km in 1:33:54.

Concern is how much longer I could hold that pace before it would all fall apart.  I remember Tim Rowe running an effortless 30km time trial a few years back before the Canberra Marathon but it all going wrong when the big day came around.

With warm up and down it was 31km.  Massive thanks to Alex and Barts.

Sat

3 dead easy with a few strides.