Frustrated

Gettnig rather annoyed at this head cold generously gifted by my son. Haven't managed a run since we've been back in Sydney and only two weeks until the half marathon! Sub 90 is looking very shaky - might try a short one at lunch today depenng on how I am feeling and really hoping that I can get out for a long run on Sunday.

Cairns Inferno

Well, haven't really managed to get out as much as I had hoped during the holidays so with one day to go I resoved to get in a short one and may even try for the same run tomorrow before we head back to Sydney and what wil be some painful Hurts runs, I'm sure.
Weather and holiday have been fantastic although doing a run at 1pm when it is 30C, 55% humidity and with a 30km wind probably wasn't the best idea. I honestly thought I was on fire when I got back to the house - such a different heat compared to Sydney and you do have to bear in mind I am still Scottish.
Legs felt a wee bit stiff for the first 5 minutes of the 6km run to Trinity Beach and back. Started around 4.40's and managed to finish strongly on a 4.05 and a 3.50 for the last two kms. Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81104779 - might drop garmin a note to see if they can incorporate a temperature probe on their next model.......
Will try and get a longish (10-14km) run in before the first Hurts session back on Wednesday as I'll need to work off all the chocolate I plan to eat this afternoon.

Saturday Hit Out

Managed to get out for a longish run this morning - about 12kms all up and rather warm even at 8am. Felt pretty average on the last 4/5kms but still managed a 4.30 ish average for the set. Last two kms were considerably quicker due a turtle's head. Run stats at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/79385691
Mat up with Adam and Kasey at Palm Cove yesterday for a very nice lunch - probably why this morning's run wasn'y that great!
Just about to headoff the Atherton Tableland for an overnight camping experience at Bill and Geraldine's - going to be keeping my eyes on those creepy crawlies - have seen some rather large huntsman up there before. Hopefully we make it back!

Corp Cup Shambles from Cairns

Well finally on holiday and seriously enjoying the sun and relaxation of the in-laws at Cairns. Have spent the morning in the pool with kids and probably going for a wander to the beach this afternoon - certainly better than the FY12 budget meeting that was scheduled for today. It is also helping to erase the painful memories of yesterday's Corp Cup debacle. Slowest run of the series with a 25.20 and almost embarrassed to admit that online. Just felt ike I had nothing in the legs yesterday, chest also felt a bit wheezy for some reason, and the changed course did not help by adding fleet steps twice. Only thin that made my time bearable was Adam's who did roughly 27.30, and while I shouldn't take heart from his backward slide (he is four minutes slower than this time last year) I do. Quite a cruel approach given he notched up 50 runs yesterday. O also need to give a big shout (trying to keep it real for the young readers) to Mr Donnelly who hit his 200th run yesterday - a significant acheievement and I think he mentioned he has been doing the corp cup since 1997 which is 1200kms of running in the Corp Cup alone.
A rather long blog today, mainly because I am having to wait for the garmin active x control to download over a Far North Queensland internet connection - 5Mb took over 5 minutes - bring on the NBN!!!
All done now so here are the stats from yesterday and they are not pretty http://connect.garmin.com/activity/79091583 but then again, I'm sittig in tropical queensland and don't really care now.
Hoping to get out for a run tomorrow to get some lonegr kms into the legs ahead of the half.

Two sleeps left

Counting the sleeps until we go on holiday - must be a sign that I need one! Glad to get out for the Hurts session today with Adam and managed to do the normal route and come back to circular quay at an average pace of 4.28's for the 11kms. Must have been in holiday mode as I forgot to switch the watch back from the cycle setting, so not great stats for an 11km ride, but happy with them for a run. Good crowd out today with Mike, Adam, Wildman and Pete among the crew with Derek joining us around the Hyatt and Milke King making a special but short appearance at the Opera House. Adam dropped off at the end of Baragaroo with a heart rate over 180 and looking a little bit puggled - not unexpected given he hasn't been out with us for 2 or 3 weeks. Stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78524690.
Also just wanted to say congrats to Laura for a very impressive 3.08 in the Canberra Marathon yesterday - a pb by 4 minutes and a great effort.
Not out tomorrow as saving legs for last corp cup of the series and will aim to get a bit closer to the pb than the rest of the series.

Sunday Ride

Nice to be back in a warm sunny Sydney after my trip to Melbourne. Have been dog sitting for the weekend and looking forward to being canine free in a few hours! The mutt spent most of Friday night howling in the back garden, so Anna was up regularly sorting it out - it is her sister's dog after all, only right that she sorts it out! Unfortunately the kids were up three times as well, so yesterday was a long day for both of us.
Managed to get out on the bike at lunch time today and did 5 laps of the park - on the last two did the hill up to Oxford Street out of the saddle - so some good cardio. Garmin batteries ran out before I got to the park, so no stats to prove I did anything at all.
Aiming to get out for a longer hurts run tomorrow and heel is feeling a lot better, so with a month to go to the SMH Half, I need to be getting the kms in. Corp cup on Wednesday and heading off to Cairns that night for about 10 days, so will be a short week although the plan is to go a 5/6 long runs in Cairns.

Melbourne Quickie

Just managed a 15-20 min hit out early this morning in Melbourne. Not very fast and forgot to start the watch until halfway through as it was baltic. Could almost see my breath as I was running around Fitzroy Gardens. Half the run stats are here http://connect.garmin.com/activity/77844246 and looking forward to getting home tonight. Will try and get a run or ride in over the weekend as I need to start doing some longer stuff in prep for the half. Looking forward to heading off to Cairns next Wednesday for a family holiday and some humidity (read tropical rain) training.
House saga is finally over and would not be recommending 1to1Realty - who are now asking 2.05 for the house they advertised as offers over 1.8.
Have a good weekend my loyal readers

Wednesday Hit Out

Well no go on the house and if you are ever looking in the Eastern Suburbs avoid 1to1Realty.
Managed to get out for the long hurts run today - only three of us turned up - Mike and Anton being the other two. A very nice slow pace out towards Heartbreak Hill - I was only aiming to do 10kms so turned at Rose Bay and came back via Rushcutters and Elizabeth Bay. Average pace was 5.20 mainly due to the hilliness of the run. Stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/77494815.
Melbourne for the next two days so will take gear and hopefully get a run in on Friday morning.

BRW Win

Two topics to cover tonight - I'll get the annoying one off my chest first....
Attended a house auction on Saturday after being advised during the wek the house was in our price range. We were the only bidder at the auction and thought we were in with a chance for the vendor bid to come in at $150k over the asking price -seriously annoyed and now find out that they are trying to sell the place at $250k over the price quoted. Not sure the vendors have a clue about the market at the moment or why they only had one interested party at an auction! Anyway that's my rant over with.
The BRW on Sunday was a great event- we went one better than last year and came third in the Corporate Mixed category out of 620 teams. All three of us did pb's this year and we were only 20 seconds off the second place team. Managed a 31.46 myself and very happy with a 10.12 run time for what is more like a 3km than 4km run. Unfortuately no garmin splits as I couldn't work my watch - which is a bit embarrassing! No running yesterday or today but hoping to get out for 10kms or so with Hurts tomorrow before two days in Melbourne at the end of the week.

Friday

Just an easy session with Hurts yesterday prior to the BRW on Sunday morning. Only 4 or 5 of us out including Mike and Laura and we headed across the bridge for Cremorne. Laura and I only fancied 30-40 minutes today (Laura tapering for Canberra marathon next weekend) and it was very easy - first 3 kms were around 5 min pace. Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76438679.
Looking forward to BRW tomorrow after a slightly stressful day trying to buy a house at auction - we were only bidders, place was passed in and negotiations continue, so could be a big week if all's well.