Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Slow hour

After filling my belly with Colombian food and Coke, the last thing I wanted to do was go for a run. But that was the only time available, so I trudged off with a stitch feeling lethargic and generally crap. 2km in 9:04, 5km in 22:28, 10km in 44:40 and 59:38 all up. At least I got out there. Bumped into Ryan Cantwell on Condamine.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Steady hour

Not quite. Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation, Shelly Beach,Osbourne Road route but cutting short up Fairlight Street to end. 2km in 8:37, 5km in 20:50, 10kmin 40:45 and 54:52 all up. Felt good today.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas 2010





 
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Carl session

Jogged to Carl's via Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation (21:42), did a non-plyo session with Carl (notable minor achievement being my first ever full squat on a Dura Disk without touching the ground) then jogged back home the same way (21:53). Pretty tired after yesterday.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Six Foot training week 1

Inspired into action after talking to Jamie last night, I set off on my first long run in 2 months at lunchtime. Decided on 1:45 going up all the Northern Beaches (so turning after 52.5 minutes). The Long Reef lagoon had broken through to the ocean so even got to practice the Cox's River crossing wading up above my waist. Felt very average for the first 20 minutes then started to feel good. Kept going until the Fire Station at Narrabeen which I reached in 55:16. When I did this run early last year I would be stuffed by Dee Why coming back so it was good to know I've got a bit more base as I still felt good. Having said that, the Griffin St hill is a bugger.

Got back in 1:48:39 so 53:23 for the second half.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

7.5km Manly route done this Argo on a fabulous day. Lovely views along Manly beach, Young Timmy would have appreciated this run. Felt pretty tired to begin with but soon picked up and was moving well along the beachfront. Made a bit of effort over the final 2km to try and get home in under 29mins but just missed with a 29:04.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

10km tempo

Well I tried to run it as a tempo, but it was very muggy out there today and my legs felt really heavy after a couple of bad night's sleep (3.5 and 5 hours respectively).

The old 10km out-and-back route from work. Got to 5km in 19:28 then picked it up a little coming back up the hills on the return to get home in 38:28.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wednesday MLR

9 of us today - MC, King James, Dicky H, Benny St, RMR, Kroney, Clyde and Simon. The old double loop of Centennial Park route. All up 19km in 1:25:44. Nice easy pace the whole way and felt really good after not killing myself yesterday.

I'll continue on this way for the first quarter of 2011 - keeping the Tuesday session controlled so that I'm not knackered for the rest of the week.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

HuRTS 5min reps

Beautiful day, quite warm at 24C (Humidity 33%, cloud cover 8%, westerly wind of 31km/h - got a new App for my iPad). Nice crowd today including the return of Young Timmy, MC, Dicky H, Andy, LF Charlie, JF, Chris G, RMR, Todd and the ever improving AAR crew of Ali and Julian.

Intended to run them sensibly and did so with JF, Dicky H and Andy averagin about 3:35's. On rep 7, Dicky was making it his last and picked up the pace running it averaging 3:21 and we continued this pace on the last rep. Want to continue to run them this way - feeling strong at the end. Not quite hot enough for a dip in the harbour post session but won't be long before that starts again.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Very easy Monday

Usual route but very windy so avoided Barangaroo and stuck to Hickson Road. Crowd included MC, Laura, King James,
Andy etc., but then we were joined by Durante and Wildman! The honour! All up 66:16, but at a very nice pace.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Comeback Day 2

Manly 10.2km today after a day in the sun. Felt great again. 5:59 for the Manly Mile reaching Manly SLSC in 21:38 and 39:38 all up. Doesn't really count but bumped into Hambuglar shortly before the run when in Dan Murphy's, he'd gone long on beer while I'd gone long on wine...

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Training starts here

Christmas parties over, mojo back, need the rigour of a proper regime again. Just the Manly route today but feeling surprisingly good. 29:43 without trying. Left orthotics at work though so ran without them and noticed it.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

HuRTS Progressive tempo

Charlie, considered your advice, but then made a $50 bet with the Tiger giving him a 30s headstart at the State 5000m in February, so decided to do some training.

Small crowd today what with Christmas and all (and MC confusing us all as to what session we were doing). Set out very easily at 4:27 pace with JF, Luke, French Ben, English Andy and Dicky H, picked it up to 4:00's then 3:50's then stretched out a bit with Rich over the final 15 minutes getting back in 44:15. We turned only just past the start of the Hickson Road reps though so it was a very easy first half.

Nice to be back out again though.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Stuffed

Been stuffed at work. Knackered at home. Just want to sleep all the time and have lost my running mojo. Haven't done anything since last Thursday. Had a Carl session this morning with more plyometrics work so ran there (4km) but he advised against running on to work afterwards due to the intensity of the session. My legs were wobbling by the end of it so I heeded his advice and got the bus.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Billy's homework

 
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Just been reading Billy's homework book for the year and noticed this entry from mid-August!

Runs to work

Wednesday: Ran to work via Carl. Carl wasn't there, did some core work in the Gym and continued on to work. 57:36. Got to work prior to 9am, logged on to Six Foot website to register for the race, couldn't get access, finally got access at 9.15am and it had sold out. So I'm waitlisted. Not happy.

Thursday: Ran to work. Decided to put some effort in and make it a tempo. Did the first km in 4:05 (which includes the first 200m of trying to get the legs to function) but then hit the hill at Balgowlah and my legs were dead. Continued to put some effort in but every hill I hit (and there are a few) my legs were goooone. Perhaps it's a good job I am only waitlisted for Six Foot. 25:44 at Spit Junction and 53:46 all up so not a bad time all things considered.

Good luck to Benny tonight at Zatopek.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

HuRTS 14 x 3mins

Knackered and run down after another broken night with Claudes so rocked up to the HuRT session in the heat with intentions to take it very easy. Ran with Mike Race for the first few reps and soon realised that running with Mike Race is no longer easy. Fely OK albeit a bit tight in the legs and pushed on a bit chasing Quentin over the final 4 reps. Another big crowd and even MC doesn't recognise half the group these days. It was Quentin followed by French Ben, Mike Race and Enda towards the front though.

Pleased to get through them unscathed, probably at the pace we're supposed to run them at (MC was saying Benny St thinks we do these reps far too quickly). I guess the last 4 were at 3:25 pace with the earlier ones at 3.35 pace.

Monday, December 06, 2010

Easyish Monday

The usual route (no Liners today so all the way down Barangaroo) with a big crowd including MC, Clyde, the Chairman, James V, Brendan K, Luke and French B. Easy to start with then the Chairman picked the pace up on the way back, with only me, Luke and French Ben running with him all the way. 35:00 on the way out and 31:45 on the way back for the 15.8km. Struggled towards the end though - lack of mileage is affecting me. Hot out there. Singlet was dripping wet by the end.

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Not happy Jan

Really busy and stressed at work at the moment and with Claudia not sleeping well at night it's starting to hit me. Came down with the same sinusitis thing I've been having intermitently all year on Thursday. Felt rotten yesterday. Just about better today so crept out for the short Manly route this afternoon after spending 6 hours in the sun marshalling the Queenscliff Nippers Carnival this morning.

Felt crap for first half then gradually better in the second. 31:35 (4:12's).

Thursday, December 02, 2010

HuRTS Gate to Gates

Muggy today, had a bit of a headache and generally lacking any mojo but headed down with Jules mainly just to run with some mates. Tucks was taking it easy so ran with Dicky H on the first two reps and a bit ahead on the others apart from the last where Tucks put some effort in and blew us away. Others there included Andy, Todd, Bill, Clement, Ray, Anna, Luke and French chap Ben. Times went:

2:52, 2:51, 2:47, 2:49, 2:47, 2:46, 2:42

It's 909m so that is averaging 3:04's. Felt pretty comfortable on all but the last, but was still wondering how I ran them 10s faster per rep prior to JPMorgan. Then following Tucks on the final rep I realised how - you have to go full bore from the start and hurt yourself during each rep. But I wasn't up for that today.

We were supposed to do 8 but everyone seemed pretty happy to call it quits at 7. Very Conwayesque behaviour and he wasn't even there.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Wednesday slog in the rain

One of those days where it would have been much easier to roll over in bed and forget about it for the day. Instead, put my kit and rucksack on with a gore-tex jacket over the top and ran the 4kms to Carl at Spit Bridge. Did the session with him (no bounding today due to the weather (and my body)) but instead more core strength stuff - he even emailed me with the details:

*Wk 2/4 Race recovery program full ROM PN demand high x10-15 reps
-S (55) single jacks
-S (55) double prone jacks with S chest support (no hold)
-S (55) LB roll out (oblique focus)
-D full squat
-B kneeling R woodchopper x13.6kg

Then followed up with the 10km jog to work feeling very heavy-legged, especially on the hills. Absolutely soaked as it was a downpour. One of those days I used to love in the UK as I knew I'd be training when some of my competitors wouldn't be. Unfortunately my competitors out here seem more hardcore than me.

Put a link up to Carl's website on the left for anyone that is interested. Highly recommended. Got me over my achilles problems and will be my not-so-secret weapon for next year...

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

HuRTS 45mins Fartlek

Looked out the window before lunch and it looked cloudy and cold so put a long sleeve top on. Step outside and it's warm and humid. The top was drenched by the end of the session.

Fair crowd today (including AAR recruit Ali) but good upfront with Dicky H, Tucks, and new chap Quentin but with me doing all the work. Turned about 20m after the second speed bump on Hickson Road so a decent distance but slowed a bit with the effects of the humidity on the way back. Dicky dropped off just before the Opera House and my legs were gone as soon as we hit the hills with Tucks and Quentin pushing ahead. Got back in 45:54. Legs affected by the lack of a long run in training at the moment.

Good to see RMR justifying his Most Improved trophy for HuRTS with a 2.5 minute PB over the Half Marathon at the weekend.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Run home

Legs felt a bit heavy today but the breathing was good. Quick again, 15:41 at Ben Boyd, 29:05 at Toyota Garage, 47:02 with 2km to go and 54:10 all up. I've concluded that when you do no tough sessions (particularly the long run and intervals), the average pace of your normal runs quickens to compensate.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Short Sunday again

Same as last week but a bit quicker - 41:03 at 10km and 61:59 all up. Perfect running weather - 22C but a slight drizzle. Thighs still sourish, they'll probably recover just before Wednesday's repeat session.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

The pain was bearable

Suffered like never before from Wednesday's strength training. Couldn't even touch my glutes without being in agony. Not helped by two nights on the booze on Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday was the HuRTS Awrds night, where the following were annointed 2010 winners:

Best performance: JB (Gold Coast Half) with Heyden as runner up (Comrades and other ridiculous Ultras)
Most Improved: Mike Race with Laura as runner up
Serg Award: Conway. No one else got close. Enda got a few protest votes for constantly having a cold.

Thighs and glutes could just about stomach a run today so did the Manly 10.2km in 43:57. The only person I bumped into was my own daughter, which was a bit weird.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Heavy duty Wed



Training with Carl at 6am where we've started a new program outside involving loads of bounds, squats and drills. Legs were shaking like jelly all morning as a result. Then went out at lunch with MC, RMR, LF Charlie, King James, Craig and others (Rob joining mid-route) for two laps of Centennial and back (19km). Longest run in a month and felt fatigued as a result. Saw my female nemesis doing reps around McKay Oval.

HuRTS Awards Night tonight. The big event on the annual runners calendar, after the Laureus Sports Awards.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Run to work

Another grey run. 26:43 at Spit Junction and 55:55 all up. Legs felt weary to start with, probably a bit due to last night but probably more because I hate morning runs. Until I finish them.

Very brief clip of my sprint finish at JPMorgan here. Confirmed as the winning Mixed team today so we're off to Singapore in April.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Run home

29:42 at Toyota Garage and 55:42 all up, last 2km in 7:30. One of those "grey" runs that all training guides tell you to avoid, neither too hard nor too comfortable, but sometimes it's just the pace you go at.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Steady Sunday

15km in a steady pace. 43:00 at the 10km mark. 65:02 all up. Will have to start doing some proper training at some stage.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Easy Friday

Easy 61 minute run with a big crowd at lunch including MC, Wildman, Dicky H, Laura, Luke, King James, Craig W and many more.

This was after my "executive health check" this morning where I was forced to do the fitness test, basically increasing the pace and gradient on a treadmill until I could stand no more. I got up to 30 minutes with my heart rate at 170bpm and blood pressure 185/50 before I pulled the pin. All cholesterol levels were very good, still a bit heavy (66.6kg, the devils weight) so there's more improvement with a couple of kgs to lose. Haven't done a long run in 4 weeks though. By comparison, when I did this check in 2008 I was 64.7kgs and in 2007 I was 64.2kgs. However, my "effective age" is 28 which made me happy.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tri Tim put to the sword!

Those keen followers of Young Timmy's blog will be aware that the fella has recently been riding like Lance and swimming like Phelpsy so it was with trepidation that I fronted up to tonights ABC Pool biathlon for a sportsman's bet head to head with the all rounder. Those aware of my swimming abilities wouldn't have been too confident, but I reckoned that if I could get a minute on him on the run I might be able to hold on in the pool.

The biathlon involves a 4km run then a 300m swim (6 lengths of the ABC Pool). CT (recovered from last week's cold) set off quick and didn't let up. Some young kid went with him and I was struggling in third, thinking I'll come good in the second half. Slowly reeled in the kid by half way but he was stubborn until 3km when I finally gapped him. Finished the 4km in 13:03 (well behind CT in 12:43) but by the time I'd stripped off all my running gear (everyone else ran topless and in budgies) I was third in the pool. Managed 20m of freestyle before I switched to breaststroke. Seemed like an eternity of struggling up and down the pool with guys coming flying past whilst I desperately checked if any were Timmy. But eventually finished in 19:29 for 7th place. Not bad for a Pom, but best of all Young Timmy was chicked in finishing in 20:48. The poor fella was well ashamed afterwards, sobbing into his beers in the Woolloomoolloo Bay Hotel, dreaming of elaborate ways to eventually beat me in a bet.

Buggered afterwards. The run was tough and there's no way I could have gone with CT but the swim afterwards just fatigues every bit of you.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bruising Wednesday

Training with Carl at 7.30am so rode my bike to him for the first time in 9 months then on to work. It was slightly damp and coming through the Mosman cut through I took a stack after my rear break locked up. Hit the ground hard and badly bruised and grazed my right hip and right elbow. Bit shocked for five minutes then rode on to work. Out for 71mins at lunch by myself to Rose Bay and back feeling a bit sore. Then Tiger massage and now not looking forward to a ride home feeling very sore.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

HuRTS 5min reps

Lovely sunny day. Been lazily recovering from last week and trying to shake this cold so no running over the past 2 days. Rocked down to the squad session today with the intention of taking it easy. Although Tucks and Fast Charlie were there, I actually stuck to my plans, letting them push off into the distance especially in the second half. Was still running about 3:26 pace but it felt nice and easy.

Worked up a bit of a sweat by the end though so me, Todd, RMR, Tucks, Laura, Rob and a few others jumped into the Harbour afterwards to cool down. Happy days. Young Timmy was watching jealously from the shoreline because he didn't want to stain the nice new leather seats in his motor.

Great video of the State 3000m C Race here. Can't believe how slow we look running sub 3 minute kms. You can see my pitiful attempt at trying to overtake Tucks on the final lap.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

State 3000m - 15th in C race in 8:59.7

Bloody hell, 3000m races are just the toughest. Been feeling pretty crap again during the day, not helped with it being a scorcher (33c and humid). But given it didn't appear to affect me on Wednesday I wasn't too fussed. Warmed up with Tucks, got really nervous, watched the earlier races (supposedly lower grade but they looked pretty quick to me) then we were off. Didn't want to kill myself in the early pace but it's hard not to get caught up in it all. Plan was to try and keep Keith and Tucks in sight and see what I had left in the end. Well, the plan worked perfectly until the end bit. Went past Tucks with 300m to go and was closing in on Keith but then the legs went wobbly and I could only hold on.

Great result by Keith to run 8:56 and set a world best for M55. Pleased to hold on for a sub9. Matty B, you were right! Results and split times here

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Easy recovery

Very easy 10km around and about bumping into and running with Tucks and then Wildman and the Stallion. Felt surprisingly OK so keen to run Saturday night now, despite the fact it will be hell.

JPMorgan 2010 - 3rd in 17:52






Photos above are:
1. Me and Tucks
2. Travis, me and Fast Charlie
3. Enda, Craig, JF, Dicky H, Me and the Saint
4. The Saint and me


This was just one of those races when everything went right. Felt like shit beforehand. Last night, I wasn't going to run. Felt marginally better this morning but was still giving everyone all the excuses I knew. Rocked up thinking I'll give the first 2km a hard push and if I feel OK then I'll give the race a fair shot. Everyone from HuRTS seemed to be there. Added to the start line was Truscott (but genuinely poorly with a cold), Crasti and the Saint. Set off pretty quick at the front watching the Saint and Crasti drift away. Pretty quickly a group of Fast Charlie, Tucks, Andrew Cross, the Chairman, Travis and me formed and we stayed together as a group for 4km. The km were haphazard but 4km was about right reached in 12:48. At this stage I was struggling. At the Fox Studios Gates Tucks pushed on with the Chairman and Fast Charlie following him, all gapping me by about 5m, and I was just thinking about keeping Andrew Cross at bay. Then I see the turn for the finish and thought I'd put a final effort to keep in touch with that three. I caught them at the final turn and thought, feck this, lets just start sprinting and see what happens. Only Tucks came with me about 2m behind but I desperately managed to hold him off. And what do you know, I finish 3rd!! Outsprinting Fast Charlie - how good is that! Revenge on Tucks - how good is that! $50 from Kanser for beating the Chairman - how good is that! Needless to say, I was smiling like a Cheshire Cat and consumed many beers. Happy Days! Great chats with many friends afterwards. Lots more pictures to post soon. To bed.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

More easy stuff

Out with the HuRT Squad (including MC, Tucks, Wildman, Pete W, Jamie, Marty, Ray etc) for 45 mins very easy jog. Still got a sore throat but not getting much worse. Too late to worry about that now in any case.

Monday, November 08, 2010

Feck

3 kids ill, got a sore throat and is getting worse. 60 mins today around and about.

Congrats to Andy and Tim in the World 100km Champs, top runs guys you bloody nutters. Also well done to Kanser for braving through NYC marathon despite his injury the poor little soul. Sounds like a great event though.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Run for Fun 10km

Rocked up a bit late (but didn't cut it as fine as Richie P!), waited for ages for the toilets, put my bag in the baggage area, went for a jog in the new flats, realized I'd left my orthotics in my bag, panicked, recovered bag, by now had 5 mins left. Posed for a photo with Benny St, Tucks and JF (Timmy, that's one for the pool room) and then lined up next to Tucks and JF. Fenton tried to chat up Clare Geraghty on the start line and, when she showed no interest, out-psyche her with tales of his recent training exploits.

And we were off. 1km in 3:08 just behind Tucks, Chadi and Thamal. 2km in 6:17 with Tucks having gapped me and running with a chap in an Australian triathlon vest (who I didn't get a chance to recognize but who said after the race we'd resume hostilities on Wed). 3km in 9:38, 4km in 13:10 (long drag of a hill), 5km in 16:30 and I can hear the familiar quick footsteps of Lara Tamsett closing in on me quickly. 6km in 19:53, Darren Moyle having gone past with Lara and dragging Aus Tri guy with them, 7km in 23:20, then the drag of a hill comes that I hate in the Striders 10km course but I put an effort in and catch Aus Tri guy, feeling really good now. Pass Darren and try to close on Tucks on the log straight of Australia Ave, turn for the stadium, see my 9km split of 30:11 and realize I have to run a 3:16 final km to win $100 off the Tiger. Head down, now some unknown Strider over takes me! (Quentin Reeve), sprint in with him into the stadium and he pips me on the line. 33:25. Not a sub 33 but pretty pleased as I haven't raced properly in a while. Feel much better now and more confident for Wed/Sat.

Good to catch up with all the lads afterwards. Tucks finished on 33:23, Chadi just under 33, JF on 34:22 having taken a wrong turn (!), RP, Enda, Jamie and cheers to Young Timmy for the shouts from the sidelines.

Should particularly mention a great PB by Mike Race smashing through 37mins to run 36:30.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Easy jog

22mins around and about with a few strides thrown in at the end. Still feel slightly dodge but it could be nerves so I'll race tomorrow.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Easy Friday

Just an easy 51mins around and about by myself. Bit worried about feeling fluey, like I did a few weeks ago - just got sore shoulders and a slight headache and a dodgy tum. Hope to knock it on the head in the next 24 hours before Sunday.

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Tamed by the Tiger!

Headed out with the Tiger to Centennial where we saw Young Timmy who offered words of encouragement and then jogged over to ES Marks joined by Tom Hurley for the 2000m time trial. The track wasn't as bad as I remembered it but there was a bit of Sydney afternoon wind down the back straight so conditions weren't ideal.

Plan was to go out and run 70s laps and see how we felt. Tiger would do the first, me the second, Tom the third and then whoever had the legs. Was feeling a bit nervous by now but Tiger took us out in perfect timing of a 69.8 first lap - felt very comfortable as if I was clipping his heels. Then I took over and it wasn't so comfortable. Went through 800m in 2:21/2:22. Stepped aside and Tom took over and by this lap I was starting to feel it. Went through 1km in 2:56/2:57 (at which point I was thinking I'm going to struggle to get under 6 mins), Tom then stepped aside at 1200m and Tiger took over and I was starting to hang off the back. I used a lot of effort getting around Tom just before 1400m and on to Tiger's shoulder but he then upped the pace into the wind and gapped me. I think I must have gone through 1500m in 4:25 (not too far off my PB!) and by now was just trying to maintain the gap with the Tiger and hold off Tom. Stayed this way over the whole of the final lap to finish just in front of Tom in 5:51. Tiger ran 5:47.

Felt pretty good after so feeling more confident for the State 3000m next week. Having said that, McMillan gives a 5:51 2000m a 9:10 for 3000m. Pretty sure I'm in better shape than that. But we shall see.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Easy Wed

Rocked up for the usual run to Kincoppal and back to find Wildman showing up for a run. Select crowd alongside him including Simon, Brendan, RMR and a couple of others. Turned around after 30:30 and got back in 61:05 as I'm still keen to drop the mileage this week. Very easy. Hardest thing was coping with the hangover after celebrating yesterday's big win in the Melbourne Cup.

Tiger's lined up a 2km time trial for tomorrow afternoon at ES Marks which should be interesting. We've got $50 on the head to head after choosing 2km as the point of equilibrium between our respective running abilities.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

HuRTS Gate to Gates

Melbourne Cup today so headed out early for 6 Gate to Gates (909m) with Tucks, JF, Todd, RMR and Mike Wingram. 2 mins rest based off Todd. Felt great this morning despite a bad night with Claudia so planned to take them out hard and see how I felt. Did the first rep, got scared by the time and felt as though I was already going lactic. Did each other one feeling the same way telling myself "if it's any slower, I'll just stop there". But having Tucks alongside meant they didn't get slower. Reps went:

2:41; 2:40; 2:40; 2:40; 2:41; 2:40

2:40 is 2:56 pace. I think that's the fastest pace I've ever done them, but having said that we normally do 8. Really pleased with the session and a good confidence booster.

Anaerobic/VO2 max training really is the hardest training you can do. I dread 10 x 400m more than 32km.

Monday, November 01, 2010

Easy Monday

Lots of easy days of late. Usual Monday route with a big crowd including LF Charlie, Luke, Laura, Springer, MC, Simon, Russell etc. Felt very sprightly from the word go after an easy weekend. Very slow to start with but picked up the pace quite a bit from the turn. That's shown in the first and second half splits - 36:00 (4:33's) and then 31:28 (3:59's).

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Very short Sunday

Came back from Nippers knackered and very lethargic - had to sleep and in no mood for a run. Think I was low on carbs. Felt better after lunch but didn't want to go long so just did the not quite 8km Manly route. Felt crap to start with but then picked up throughout. 31:00.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Steady Sat

Manly 10.2km route, testing out my new Brooks T-6 racing flats. They weigh next to nothing but you can feel every stone through the forefoot so I'll be saving them for races only. Started very slowly but picked up the pace all the way through finishing in 42:44.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Very easy Friday

A few too many Mojitos at The Ivy last night so went out for a very easy run at lunch with Ray, Laura and thingy from Ord over the usual route but cutting back through the City from Circular Quay to sweat it out. Served the purpose but have just wanted to sleep all afternoon. About 12km in 53:56.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

HuRTS 10 x 400m - the Return of Wildman and the Stallion!

Over to Rushcutters. Smaller crowd including Timmy, Kanser, Ray, JB, LF Charlie, Andy, Luke and Geoffrey. "Inside Lane" Kane marked out the 400m and off we went and, fair play to the big fella, he was banging them out in 70 looking fairly comfortable. Looks like weeks of running 23km on a Sunday in 2:45 may finally be paying off. My reps went as follows:

69, 69, 69, 69, 69, 68, 69, 67, 69, 64

Turned around after rep 5 and, after doing a double take and wiping the sweat from my eyes, who should appear but Durante and Thurston! It was like old times. After big group hugs and everyone getting a little misty eyed, we set off on rep 6 with the two stars of the Sydney running scene circa '08 helping out up front and, what do you know, I start running a bit quicker. The boys had to have a bit of a sit down on rep 7 but popped up on rep 8 and, whoa!, it happens again. Rep 10 was all in with Young Timmy showing everyone that he can run a mean 350m before the boys helped pull me over the line.

Beautiful day and the oval was in top condition.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Steady run home

Start out, legs feel like deadweights, struggle up the stairs at the Rocks, think what the hell's going, I thought running was supposed to make you fit, bump into Eoin at start of harbour bridge and have a quick chat, start to feel a bit better and feel like I'm running more freely, 16:00 at bottom of Ben Boyd, think that's not too shabby, push the hill, feeling good now, running well along Military Road, Toyota Garage in 29:24, that's not too bad, starting to motor now, push the Spit Hill, hit Balgowlah Boys school in 47:21, can I get under 7 mins for the final 2km?, will give it a shot, 6:45, pleased with that, 54:06, who'd have believed it 50mins ago?