Monday mutterings

Huge crowd today in the heat (must have been 20 of us) but I was stuck between the bickering of Enda, Timmy and Kanser.  All talk concentrated on the Beer Mile on Thursday and a massive amount of pressure is building on Timmy to avoid being "treble chicked".

10km nice and easy.

Catch up

Well, I've been taking it very easy since JPMorgan just getting out for a run when I can (not very often due to work) and enjoying it.

Friday 12th was an easy 10km jog around the City with Jac, Brendan and some other HuRTs members, Tuesday 16th I headed down to HuRTS and did 6 x 3min reps.

Thursday 18th I did the Timmy hills and Tempo set (all at 3/4 pace at the moment) before the big HuRTs awards night at The Hero of Waterloo.  Have to say, I thought the night was a real success.  Enough space (including a stage to present from) to house all 60+ of us, whilst being cosy enough to create a great atmosphere.  Highlights were the chants of "Cheerio, cheerio, cheerio!" to any of the early leavers and the excellent PowerPoint compilation of 2016 photos put together by Renee.  

I was genuinely shocked to win the Male PoTY against the toughest competition in years given Hoey's 2nd place in Canberra (2:29 low) and Barts' London result (2:29 low) and GC Half time (69:25).  Other winners were:

Female PoTY:  Renee (well deserved, has really stepped up in class this year)

Improver: Brendan (amazing gains, just has to consolidate now)

Ultra: Erika (our first female winner of this award)

Triathlete: Pete W (back where it belongs)

Spirit:  Timmy (for his cones)

The "Serg" Award:  Kanser (richly deserved)

I Gave it Everything:  Jeet

Some photos from the night:

Winners:

More winners:

Family:

Late night celebrations:

So Friday was a bit of a write-off.

Saturday I did 14km around the Dam - usual route but legs getting soft already.  Then out for another party with Kirst's friends that night, but ''twas a good one with the likes of Ben Streck and Charlie Brooks also there.  Here's me getting ready:

So getting up for a 2hr run at 6.15am was always going to be a struggle, but fortunately Erika had also had a big night so we met up at 7.15am and met Barts, Darren, CT, Toby, Lewis, the Cap'n and another East-side deserter in Jerome for the last half hour before a beautiful dip in the ocean at Queensie and brekkie at Emporio.  Can't beat that for a start to the day.

JPMorgan - 2nd in 17:25

Well, another one done and dusted.  I think that's my 17th JPMorgan and my best ever position.  But slightly disappointed all the same.

Had a manic day, culminating in a meeting at Moelis (Enda's place) at 3.30pm where I started checking my watch every 30s once the clock ticked over 4:15pm.  Eventually, one of the chaps on the other side said something like "I understand you're keen to leave Tom, Enda mentioned you may get like this.". So I made my apologies and left.  Got to Martin Place station and met Jeet, LJ, Jac and Birchy.  I can't get the official bus anymore, I get too nervous being stuck on it.  Arrived at Centennial is light rain so we all huddled nervously in the Allens tent.

What I love about this race is that everyone from HuRTs is there, whether going for it (as most are) or just soaking up the atmosphere.  You warm up and see all your training mates plus some blasts from the past (Richie Palmer, Charlie Low, etc.).  We're then held on the start line in the coldish rain by none other than Benny Saint acting in an officiating capacity.  The bigwigs from JPMorgan obviously couldn't find sufficient umbrellas as they were late to make the pre-race announcements leaving us more nervous and miserable than ever.  Here's a photo of me to prove it:

Finally, we're off.  Plan from the start was to sit in a pack and attack the final km.  Easy.  Didn't quite work out.

Going up the hill I follow CT and Crossy at a quickish but manageable pace.  Turn the corner at the top and Crossy drops a bit leaving me and CT to lead.  We head towards Woolhara Gates and have we got a lead?  Feels that way.  Hey, it's a showdown between me and CT!

Then down the hill and someone bolts past us like we're standing still and immediately puts 30m on us.  Far out, it's Holt Hardy!  I was only talking to him in Monday.  CT turns and asks me "Is he in the race?" Then Neil suddenly comes past so I jump on the back of him with CT seeming to drop a bit.

Through 3km and there's Gary telling us to work together and we'll reel him in for sure. I'm not so sure.  He's looking comfortable.  But then he's proved right and we're cutting into his lead.  After 4km (towards McKay Oval) we go past and I push on a bit, into the lead.  Fuck me, I'm in the lead and I'm going to win JPMorgan!  Then some fella (Brett Halls) suddenly breezes past like I'm standing still.  I can't match it.  Fuck it, I'm gone. Turn Fox Studio gates and someone comes up to my shoulder, argh fuck it again it's Neil. Maybe 3rd will do, it's a podium after all.  No.  Can't let him beat me. Barts would be too disappointed. So on the rise from 5km to the Cafe I just nail myself and get a gap.  This is the gap on the final turn (photo courtesy of Greta):

From then on, I sprint for the line.  Congratulate Brett on the win (he seems non-plussed), turn around and see everyone coming in.  Holy moley Barts is 3rd.  Where the hell did he come from?  A great result considering his recent return from injury and just goes to show how much racing depends on belief and determination.  Then Neil.  A great run by him and he really is an all-rounder.  We know how good at the marathon he is but obviously has plenty of speed as that's the second great JPM he's run in consecutive years.  Then bloody Toby stumbles across the line, pipping CT in the process.  A massive run by him and my vote for HuRTs Improver of the Year.

We get ushered along but not before I see Erika coming in second in 19:41.  Holy crap, another huge performance with a time that's within 11s of LJ's PB and a time that would have won her the race in the majority of the previous 10 years.  

Then follows plenty of beers and chat in the Allens tent before we head to the Light Brigade.  Jeet and Bruce attempt the worst smokebomb in history along Oxford Street, while Macca, Hamish and I end up in Maisy's for the second round of burgers and milkshakes at 1am.  Another perfect night.  Apart from Donald Trump being voted in as President.

Serious talk:

The crowd:

HuRTs Ladies:

The Light Bridgade:

The day before

20min warm up session from the ferry to home.  

Have a manic day at work tomorrow but have cancelled all appointments from 4.30pm onwards (fortunately one meeting was with JPMorgan so I think they understood).

Monday HuRTs

Huge crowd today with a final tune up before JPM.  Ran with Enda, Kanser, Hoey & co before being joined by Holt Hardy.  He's doing a lot more on the bike these days but always pops out for JPM and will likely knock out a low 18.  Wouldn't want to leave anything to a sprint finish against him though as a 1:47/3:38 guy.

10km all up in 4:50's.

Taper session

Beaut of a day. Started with a walk up the coast with Kirst and brekkie at Splat. Bit of cricket with the kids, lunch at Ruby Lane, another episode of Stranger Things in the afternoon (awesome new series - it's scaring the bejaysus out of Charlie) and dinner at the Cogleys.  Managed to fit in a taper session locally in the late afternoon which consisted of a 5km warm up, 5mins hard (3:08 pace but first km (3:13) into the wind), then 4 x 30s on Nolans.  Followed by 4.5km cool down.

Ribs a bit sore when huffing and puffing through the 200's.

Happy days.  Could have killed for a beer though.

Saturday

Allambie Hill/Manly Dam route making up 14km.  Felt fab today and really enjoyed it on a beautiful day.  Made up just over 14km in 4:17's.  

Ribs still sore (still can't sleep on the left hand side) but better each day.

Breathing through a straw

Met up with Barts.  3km warm up around Mrs Macs Chair.  Session was 6 x 1min hills then straight into 10mins hard.  Couldn't find a hill long enough so we did 10 x Domain hills followed by a Mrs Macs loop.

Hills went fine with the legs feeling pretty good and getting into a good rhythm but could only manage to breathe shallowly due to the ribs hurting.  Then straight into the tempo, 3:11 first km was good with Barts just behind, he catches me at Mrs Macs then pull ahead a bit up the hills but the legs were dead and my stomach was sore due to breathing shallowly.  9:40 for the Gate to Gate loop.  Not bad in the circumstances but need to sort out the ribs to give JPMorgan a good crack.

3km cool down.

Girls this am.  Another 120km of commuting for sport.

Thursday

Aborted run home with my ribs too sore. Picked up a beer injury on Tuesday evening.  Just couldn't breathe properly.

Melbourne Cup session

With the race that stops a productive afternoon on today, got out early with Darren and Erika for 12x500m on The Nolans path off a rolling 3mins.  Actually bumped into Jared for the warm up and cool down but he was doing a faster session on the grass.

First 3 reps were torture as they always are at 6.15am.  Rep 3 was a 1:32 which produced an expletive.  All the others were 1:30 apart from the last two in 1:29.  Very happy with that as I felt good this morning.  Nice and lactic over the final two reps which showed I judged them right.

14km all up.

Put your money on Jameka.  You heard it from me first.

Monday cruising

Jog home.  With a session in the morning took it as easy as I possibly could.  1:08:47.  Next year when I up the mileage this will be become a regular commute so 1:08:47 is the easy jog benchmark.

Sunday's are the best

Especially now we're properly in Spring. Lovely weather, would have had a dip in the ocean but for a breakfast date with Macca, Ben and the Cap'n at 8.15am at the Grumporio.  But now they know my name they shall henceforth be known as the Happyorio. 

2 hours this am (and 3mins) covering 27km.  Did the usual route in reverse but finishing at the house before grabbing the bike to breakfast.  Erika and I had a bit of an OCD moment when Toby and Lewis suggested reversing the normal route.  Took about 5km to adjust.  I was tired after yesterday's session (I always struggle backing up 12 hours later) but the company was great.

These are lifesavers:

Saturday 5km tempo

Couldn't get out to Parkrun due to the busiest kid schedule ever.  One drop off for Duke of Edinburgh weekend away, 2 drop offs and pick-ups for sport (Avalon and Wahroongah - just to make life easy) plus 3 separate parties.  I've covered 200km in the car today.  Eventually got out at 5pm so did 4km warm up then 5km hard (2 loops of golf course again) with the same cool down.

Started and finished at the corner of Quirk and Balgowlah Rd thinking there was a 2 loop Strava segment that covered that section but it wasn't picked up.  Went out hard which was tough as the first 400m is an incline to the clubhouse. So your legs are cooked from then.  3:08, 3:16 then the hills clocking 8:03 for the first lap before a 3:22, 3:17 and 3:13 (8:15 second lap for 16:18 all up).

My PB is 16:17 set back in March when in peak form before London.  But back then I ran 8:08 and 8:09 so much more even split.  In short, I'm in good but not great form.

Friday solo

Missed the group (again) so did the usual variation of the wharves adding some botanical garden hills at the end.  13.5km in 4:36's.  

Wednesday sort of MLR

Does 17km count as an MLR?  I think it has to be 18km to be an MLR.  Just like a long run has to be 26km.  I don't think Timmy's done an official long run in 3 years.

Was late for the group (work too busy again) but bumped into Jimmy early doors around the Opera House so did the rest with him which made it much more enjoyable.  Finished with the usual 4 hills up the Domain.  Felt sore and tired to start after the previous night's session but better at the end.  17km all up in 4:40's.

Another early morning shopping trip (6.20am) this am to get the kids packed lunch food and dinner.  No-one in the shops at that time which makes it dead quick.  But got home to discover Billy had scoffed all the Arnotts Premium Choc Chip cookies last night which sent Claudia into tears, so had to improvise with some jam sponge.  Wish I had packed lunches like this when I was a kid.

Decided to run Berlin Marathon next year so sent a HuRTS email out looking for support..

Tuesday ES Marks

Usual jog there with the achilles and bruised foot feeling much better (achilles as good as it's been in weeks).

Just Benny this evening and when he said 5 x broken miles off a rolling 6:30 I thought he was describing his own set, not mine.  Different broken miles this time being 400m hard, 200m float, 400m hard, 200m float, 400m hard.  Everyone was doing slightly different variations with Hamish running 4 at even pace and Neil doing 4 broken versions with me.

Hamish was running well and ahead on each rep, pulling ahead on my floats.  Did the first rep in 5:03 chasing him and I was cooked from then.  Wanted to pull the pin after rep two and was conjuring up all manner of excuses to explain to Benny.  But then after rep 3 you've broken the back and, even though I was getting lactic, managed to finish them all going 5:08, 5:12, 5:12, 5:13.  Not bad in retrospect but at the time it was sheer hell - mentally one of the toughest sessions I've had to endure.  8km of running all up at 3:10-3:15 pace with few rests.  But the body is feeling in good shape.

15km all up including cool down.

15 days to go.

Have got kids pack lunch prep down to 30 mins.  They now think my packed lunches are the best ever.  I find that buying bouncy white bread, Jatz and Arnotts Premium Choc Chip cookies works a treat.

Monday

Bizarre.

Late to start so met the squad at the Opera House.  Good crowd running with Kanser, Hoey, Worswick, Brothers Branigan & Co.  Saw some girl looking as though she was shooting a porn film around the wharves.  I kid you not.  Caught on her the way back but she was wearing a bikini by this stage.

Ended with some hills at the Domain.  15km in 4:41's.

Sore Sunday

Great night at the Steyne and Ashiana's last night with about 18 of us at the Steyne and a dozen for the curry.  Nice to see Emma and Nathan out.  All was going great until I tripped down the stairs exiting Ashiana's and turned my ankle, complaining like a sook.

Took some Voltaren this morning and managed to get out late arvo for various loops of Manly from the house which involved stops at home at pre-determined intervals in order to cook the roast dinner.  Just about worked although ran out of time for gravy.  Managed exactly 27km in the 2 hours (4:27's).  Have to say, it's a struggle without Kirst.  Haven't had a moment's rest today.

Foot:

Check out the edges on the lawn:

Some amazing times at Burnie 10 this morning, looks like Australia's fastest ever 10km.  Also looks like various people (Harry Summers, Hugh Williams in particular) blew up trying to stick with the pace:

JP Morgan session

Kids sport this morning so got out at lunch for Tiger's favourite JPMorgan session.  Basically 6 x 1min hills then straight into 15mins hard.  It's designed to replicate running up that bloody hill in Centennial at the start of JPMorgan before trying to get into a fast pace.

Did a 4km warm up to Suwarrow Street then straight in.  6 hills is just enough to soften the legs.  I was keen not to recover too much after the hills as you lose the benefit of the session so jogged straight back down and across the road and straight into 2 laps of the Golf Course loop.

Decided anything under 17mins would be ok so aimed for 8:20 for the first lap (3:20 pace). Started well with a 3:13 but then it started to hurt running up the rise in Kenneth Rd into a slight wind.  Bit of respite after passing the clubhouse and was chuffed to see 8:14 for the first lap.  It's then just a case of digging in and holding on.  Passed the Cap'n outside Jamie's  house as it was really starting to hurt but finished well for 16:39.9 for the 5km.

Very happy with that, albeit buggered. Will do me the world of good.  4km cool down for 16km all up.

18 days to go.

Thursday How do I do it

Ok, sounds like a bit of an Enda headline but struggling a bit at the mo with Kirst heading off to the UK (with Bec) with me to look after Billy, Charlie, Mags and Claudie for 2 weeks.  Spent 1.5hours on lunch boxes this am. How the hell was I to know Claudia only ate salami and not ham and Mags preferred apples to blueberries. A friggin nightmare.

Got out at lunch during a manic day (did I mention I was busy) to join the back of HuRTS mid-set so ran with Timmy for a bit before jogging around before rejoining Stoke's finest for a jog back.  11km all up  in 4:41's.  

20 days to go.