Thursday Sprints

Adam still off sick so headed out on my own to the session that started the Hurts running group - 5 by 1.2km sprints along Hickson Road. Watch was working fine today, however it must have dropped the satellite connect somewhere as the overall distance is wrong. Very happy with a consistent 3.35-3.45 km pace today given the 12kms yesterday. Contemplating giving tomorrow a miss and doing a Saturday morning run, just to building a rest day and get something done over the weekend. All the best to everyone running at the Gold Coast this weekend - especially Tom in his first ever marathon. Looking forward to hearing the stories and seeing the results on Monday. Run stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95798307

Garmin Malfunction

Bit of a device problem today - charging fine when I picked it up off the desk and completely unresponsive when I got to the changing rooms. Unfortunately my tech guru Adam was off sick, so not only was I running on my own I didn't have any technical or performance information to hand - how was I going to run? Got to the start point for the long Hurts run and only one guy, Frick (I think), around. Waited for about 5 mins and Mike, Tom and Wildman turned up. Mike and Tom racing on the weekend, 10k Striders and Gold Coast Marathon respectively, so just an easy 10km today. Headed out on normal Monday route and turned at the 5km mark at the overseas passenger terminal - felt strong on the way back and pushed it coming back past the Boy Charlton and Art Gallery for a sub 45 minute finish. A big shout out, as the young kids say, to Wildman who won the City Mile Dash last week in around 4.30 for 1.6kms, with Hurts having 4 of the first 6 runners - a sensational effort. Aiming for the Hickson Road 1.2km sprints tomorrow and will have thr stats back as I know you all missed them.

Back after the man cold

Great to get out today after a week-10 days without a run due to a bad man respiratory infection, to give it the proper medical terminology.Due to a late start this morning as Hamish started pre-school today, I only managed to get out for a short wharf run with Adam instead of the Hurts session. Legs felt strong and we started out around 4.30kms and managed to come down to around 4.10 for the second last km and a sub 4 min pace for the last half a km. Saw the hurts group on Barangaroo and it looked like a big crowd today - aiming for the long run on Wed and Thursday sprints, so will give tomorrow a miss as a rest day. Run stats from today at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95159153

Valuable Lesson About Rest Days

Adam and I learnt a very valuable lesson about rest days today! We've both done 4 days running straight - Adam has clocked up 35odd kms and I've managed just over 40kms since Tuesday.
We headed out with a reduced Hurts pack (Mike and James were the only two I recognised today) due to the one mile dash at Barangaroo and within 10 minutes we were both wishing we had chosen that option.
It was a Cremorne Point run today, so the first thing we hit was the Cahill followed by the bridge and then hills up to Neutral Bay. Made it to the sea pool about 1/2km from the end of the point and had been well dropped by the group so turned back and did all the hills again. Our pace was blistering - we averaged about 5m kms today but 12 kms all up including the run up to the start. no running this weekend I thikn - certainly not tomorrow! Stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92907752 and are pretty embarassing.

Sprint Session

Struggled with motivation for getting out today but managed to get up from the desk and the rest was easy! Almost turned around in the changing rooms after forgetting my top shorts but thought I could get away with just the lycra ones for a session. 2kms out to the start point for the session in 4.30's which felt all right after yesterday. Was only doing 3 of the reps today and managed a 7.40 for the first session, stuffed up the watch for the second but was just behind James who did a 7.35 and finished on an 8.00. Good session and should help with corp cup and C2S. Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92711829.
5th wedding anniversary tomorrow, so will need to do the lunch run to offset dinner with the little lady at night. Also need some points to offset a trip to the Tahs game and the possibility of some pies!

Easy Recovery Run

A 2pm meeting offsite prevented getting out for the long Hurts run today and with the way the legs felt after yesterday, I was quite glad to have the excuse! Adam and I headed out for a very easy run around Glebe - Adam was suffering some problems of his own after the wet t-shirt yesterday did some significant nipple damage! We took it very easy and averaged 4.54kms for the 7.75kms and the rain pretty much managed to hold off. Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92507269. Aiming to get out for the 4x2km sprint session tomorrow.

Very Wet and Windy Tempo Run

Very depressing weather over the long weekend - very wet and windy so no running in at all. So was kind of looking forward to the Hurts session today. Headed out with Adam and while it was a bit breezy the rain had stopped after some pretty heavy showers all morning. Big crowd gathered for the session which was 10, 10, 10, 10, 5 starting slow, then marathon, half marathon, 10km and finally 5km pace. Turning at 23.5 minutes and aiming to come back in 21.5. Knew it was going to be a tough finish when our slow kms were 4.35 pace and that was really trying to keep Adam on a short leash. Rain started about 3 or 4 minutes into the run and just got heavier and windier, with the conditions on the back of Mrs Macquaries not what you wanted for the hardest part of the run. Pretty happy with 10.72kms in 45.34 and a negative split of 1m 30s but need to work on better pacing. Run stats at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92301075. Wish I could have had a weather cam added to the Garmin.

Corp Cup Improvement at Long Last

Well, on a bitterly cold day in Sydney, I have managed to run my fastest corp cup time in at least 2 series with a 24.30 for the 6km course (subject to tag timing confirmation as I forgot to stop my watch when I came over the line). Was all thanks to Simon Rooney who said he was going to do a 24.30 and managed a 24.25 and I just tried to stay with him. dam who pulled out his fastest time in over a year with a 24.35 and caused me a bit of consternation when I saw him about 50 meters behind me coming into the home straight - he hasn't been within under 25 for a while, so a great effort there. Was happy with the result as the legs felt very strong although the cariod was hurting - just not been doing any speed work, so not surprising. Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90940615.

Monday Hit Out

After not getting out due to work on Friday and nothing over the weekend was looking forward to the Hurts session today. Saw Mike at Centennial Park yesterday and he mentioned some great times for the Hurts squad at the NSW 10km State Champs on Saturday morning. Wildman managed a touch over 30 and 5th place overall, Tom did a sub 33 and Mike managed a 36.30 which are all sensational times. A big crowd out today, including Tom, Mike, James, Russell, Wildman, and Adam after being in Perth last week. Pace started off a bit quick - that's the problem with Mike getting faster as he used to keep it down around 4.45ish - at 4.30 and just got quicker. Managed to keep up and legs and cardio felt strong at the halfway point so decided to come back to Circular Quay. Hit the front with Wildman and average pace came down to 4.18 over the last 3kms. Very happy with that as no hip/glut pain after 11kms and 13kms all up. Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90515599.
Adam has managed to miss out on the C2S red pack due to entry tardiness so going to be a lonely run this year - well as lonely as 80,000 people can make a run.

Wednesday - long one and no hip pain

Got out for the long Hurts run today with about 7 of the group including Mike and James. Was the Centennial Park loop today and pace heading out didn't feel that easy although the Garmin only said 5min km average which was worrying as heart rate felt pretty high. Was only planning on getting to the top of Ocean Street or half a lap of the park and back via Oxford Street depending on the hip/glut. Pace up the hills through Potts Point and Elzabeth Bay wasn't that bad but the 4.40's from Rushcutter's, up Ocean Street and into the Park was not that enjoyable. Was quite suruprised that the hip pain hadn't kicked in and legs/cardio felt good even though the pace was picking up a bit. Brendan made a cameo for about 400 meters in the park before Mike decided on a single lap. So we headed back the same way, much to the disappointment of James and myself who fancied an easier run back. So all up 17kms with the run up from and back to the office and the hip felt fine. Longest run in about 7/8 weeks and very happy with 1.13 for just over 15kms.
Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/89371544. Chiro visit tomorrow morning so hopefully can shed some light and relief on the hip/glut problem.