Lonesome Friday

Out on my own tyoday due a 12-12.30 meeting. Headed out around Pyrmont and ended up doing just over 8kms. Not sure the garmin was checking in with the satellites that accurately as it said my first km was a 4.05 which was just wrong. Hip and legs felt good to start with, after yesterday's set, but hip wasn't feeling great by the time finished - bit concerend for the half so will see how I go through next week.
Run stats are here http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83749267.
Not sure if I will get out tomorrow as I have a few housey things to do, given we bought a new house today and have to get ours on the market, and with mother's day on Sunday I won't be getting away for anything!

Thursday Fartlek

Well I've done my first Hurts Mona Fartlek after about 12 months of running with the group and to be honest I don't really care if I never do one again! The set is only 20 minutes long but you get through close to 5 kms, which when half the set is a float, gives some indication of the pace and pain. Set is basically 4 x 90 secs, 8 x 60 secs and 8 x 30 secs. Starting on a hard run you alternate between hard and easy for the set and turn at 10 minutes. The route is around Farm Cove and Mrs Macquaries, so not exactly flat either. Anyway, decent crowd out today including, Ray,Tom, Brendan and Wildman. Stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83554839. Decided to run back via the Rocks and Hickson Road with Brendan who wanted to do the last km at half marathon pace of around 4.15 - just what I needed so you can view the stats for that run at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83554830.
So all up about 9 kms today and hoping to get 10kms in tomorrow on part of the half route just to get a feel for the course.
New Brooks Glycerin 8 are doing well - right heel is feeling good but getting some pain in my left hip and ankle which I suspect is just the body settling in to running in neutral shoes after 5/6 years in shoes designed for over-pronation.

Wednesday

Was hoping to get to the long hurts run today but work transpired against me, so headed out for the Corp Cup presentation to provide a cheer squad for Anthony Donnelly who notched up 200 runs last series. Anthony, Derek, Adam and I headed out for a wee run to the Domain and managed just on 7 1/2 kms in 34.50. Adam left us at the opera house - bless him - as he had already done 3 kms into the office from home. Pace picked up inthe the last couple of kms and while not getting any long runs in prior to the half, still feeling comfortable running 7kms in 32-33 minutes, so hope to be able to manage that on race day and bring the pace down as the race wears on. Run stats for yesterday are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83370698.

Mona Fartlek is Hurts session today, so aiming to get out for that.

Hurts hurt

Well hallelujah I managed a run although this one was nothing to write home about. Adam and I headed out for the Monday hurts session and within 2kms most of the grouo knew we hadn't been around for a few weeks! When we noticed the first couple of kms were at 4.25-4.30 pace we knew it was going to be a hard slog. Chest was still feeling a bit iffy from the head cold last week so by the time we got to the harbour bridge we had both decided it was a half course effort. Must admit that seeing some of the models for fashion week at circular quay was some temptation to come back but we may have embarrased ourselves by that stage.
Not a bad turn out today - about 10 of us including Mike, Ray and Wildman.
Run stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82936286 and this was the first hit out for the Brooks Glycerin runners and happy to say no adverse effects on the feet or legs. Working from home tomorrow so no session and will aim for the long hurts run on Wednesday.

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!