Little Blighters

No ride this morning thanks to Hamish waking up and 12.40 followed by Mackenzie at about 2am and not being able to sleep in between, I didn't really welcome the 5.20 alarm. So it was a run at lunch and had to stop half way due to a very tight and popping feeling in my left calf. Noticed it in the second last run of yesterday's session and got it massaged at the chiro last night but discretion is the better part of valour, so I just did 8kms to Shelly Street. About a dozen out today and the highlight being the return of Tom, who hasn't been bludging and been sick. James and Russell among the crowd. Started off up front with Tom at about 4.30 pace and managed to bring it down about 10 secs for the kms under the bridge and Barangaroo. So despite the calf, pretty happy backing up Wed and Thurs with 36.03 for 8kms. Stats from today at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/148442441. Hoping to get a swim in this weekend if the weather permits.

Tough Session

It was 8 x 3 mins today in Farm Cove and I knew I was going to feel every one today on the run over. Legs felt sluggish after yesterday's corp cup and I just feel really heavy at the moment. Weight is sitting around 77.5-78kgs so maybe that is having a effect but that's been pretty steady since the marathon. A big crowd with the first appearance this week from James and notably absent from all sessions this week has been Tom - perhaps the running evry day in January has finally taken it's toll. The park wardens were after us for the first couple of sets - admirable effort trying to stop 40 odd people running at sub 4 min km pace but he didn't suceed in putting us off. Anyway, very happy with consistent pace in the 3.42-3.48 range but it was tough. Today's stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/148241236  and I did do all 8 just didn't get the garmin set up properly until the end of the first one.
Aiming for a bike ride in the morning with Nick and Chris - Watson's Bay hill route so that will be fun. Not sure if I'll skip the lunch run for a hurts swim session, do 10/11kms or actually have a lunch.

Corp Cup Getting Interesting

Second corp cup of the series before a three week break and managed to take 10 secs off last week's time with a 24.25. Given the course alteration is still in place I suspect I am tantalisingly close to 24 for the normal course, so I'll focus on the speed work for the next couple of weeks. I felt pretty ordinary today as well, so hopefully that is a good sign. I had forgotten to change the workout option on the garmin so it thinks I was cycling. Anyway stats are here http://connect.garmin.com/activity/148036344  and looking forward to Hurts session tomorrow.

Tuesday Ride

Out for a very early La Perouse ride today - 5.30am meet with Chris and Nick. Half the ride was in darkness which is the first time I've done that for a long time. Wind was also up this morning which made for some tougher climbs than necessary. A good hit out and about 30kms all up. Stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/147817883 and looking forward to corp cup again tomorrow!

Monday Long One

After Friday's yum cha lunch and a weekend of looking after the kids and only getting out for a 15 minutes swim on Saturday afternoon, I was feeling good for today's session. Crowd of about a dozen today including MC, Russell, Emma, Laura (great effort at Striders 10km on Sat to finish 2nd) and Charlie. MC's plan to keep the Monday run at 4.40 average pace is working well, so I hung around until the Opera House gates and then headed back to Pitt street for 13kms at 4.38 average pace. Was keen to carry on for the end of the set but a 2pm meeting put paid to that. Out for a La Perouse ride in the morning weather permitting and Corp Cup again on Wed, so will give tomorrow's speed set a miss and back up on Thursday and Friday. Entered the May SMH half marathon today, so will need to ramp up the training if I'm to have a crack at 88mins. Today's stats at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/147592883

Pinnacle of my running career

I've reacched the running summit today it will all be downhill from now on - I was in the same group as Mr Higham for the Hickson Rd sprint session today. This is a man who does a sub 33 for 10km, get's a 2.36 for his first marathon and comes 9th in the 45km 6 Foot Track and now me, a fat scotsman with a pb of 41.42 for 10kms, who can't break 24 for the corp cup is up there with that kind of running calibre. I think I'm retiring. No stats today as I forgot my watch but it's immaterial, I was just behind Tom for most of the session and he only managed 4 repeats.
Won't be out tomorrow or possibly ever again

First Corp Cup of 2012

I'm obviously not in as good shape as I thought as I was certain I would crack 24mins for the corp cup today but alas it was a 24.35 and it hurt. I do have a small excuse in that there was a course deviation for the St George outdoor cinema which I reckon adds 20 secs to the run and I noticed the distance was 5.96kms as opposed to the usal 5.94kms. Due to a late finishing meeting I was out on my own today but did see a  few of the guys on the way around - Adam, Derek, Anthony and Dat putting in fine efforts. Stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/146338598 and a pb for the 5th km but just need to run that 3rd km faster and get better on the stairs. Pretty happy that I managed a couple of sub 4 minute kms so here's hoping the sprint session tomorrow can pay dividends for the next run.