Last Long Run

Managed to get in a 7km run in Brissie during the week - Garmin seems to think I did it a lot quicker than I did for some reason. Stats at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/375803094.
A team event on Friday stopped me getting out, but managed to head out this morning for a longer one with Enda, James, Ronan, Owen and a couple of others. The National 50km race was on in Centennial and Andy Heyden passed us on his way to an impressive 2nd place with a 3.18 effort - just 7 minutes quicker than my marathon effort and 8kms longer! Anyway, 16kms all up at 4.25 pace and felt strong today, especially on the hills. Stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/375803082.
Will be an easyish week in the lead up to the half on Sunday, with a day trip to Hobart on Tuesday and corp cup on Wednesday keeping the kms down, so hopefully a good taper.

Monday Hurts

Decent crowd out today and some good performances at Striders on the weekend as well as some long efforts from the marathon trainers. This was going to be my main run this week as off to Brisbane tomorrow until Thursday - will take the kit with me, but it's not the same as running with Hurts! All up about 13kms and managed to pick up the pace on the last few although I think the 3.36 might be a Garmin aberration. Stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/372948357

Hickson Rd

Three days of speed work on the trot and the legs were not happy on the run up although I ended up feeling ok for the set. Big crowd out today and we all started off together before the natural order of things settled down. Good to see Mike Race and Emma back out and Laura, Ellie, Big Sam, Brendan and Tom among the other regulars. Had also forgotten the Garmin so had no timing available and just paced myself off Brenda for the first couple and Mike for the last three. Seemed to be holding around 4.15 for the 1.2kms and a average pace of roughly 3.30 - good target for 5km TT. All up probably about 9kms today with the run there and back. Anna off to Melbourne tomorrow for an overnight, so hoping that I will get out for the long Sunday session.

5km TT and Corp Cup

Another hard 5km TT last night and should have done better than a 3 second improvement on last month, with an 18.43. Forgot the Garmin so was running blind, which was quite pleasant for a change, with just the time being called each 400m by Clyde. Started off too hard with an 85 lap and then just managed to hold 90 sec laps for the rest of the set. Only 7 of us out last night, so second last again with a fellow Scotsman from Wick doing a sub 16.
Wasn't entirely happy about backing up for the Corp Cup today and the legs felt tired on the run up so wasn't looking forward to it at all. Saw Derek at the start, so all hopes of a an easy-ish one went out the window. Felt ok on the first couple of kms but dropped off a bit on the last two while still trying to hold on to Derek and Pete Walker. Very surprised to come home with a 23.15, second fastest time ever, although a slightly shorter course. Stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/370381408. Not really looking forward to another speed set tomorrow but won't be out Friday or Saturday as Anna off to Melbourne for a 25 year school reunion.

Monday Hurts

Another stunning Sydney day - cannot believe how good the weather has been for the last 3-4 weeks - and a decent turn out for the Monday recovery run. Kind of wishing I was training for a marathon again as that is all the talk at the moment and it's making me think seriously about another one. Usual suspects out including MC, LF Charlie, Laura, Ellie, Russell, Big Sam and Ray. Garmin didn't get a lock on until after the ABC so I think I was about 13kms all up having come back to the opera house and roughly 4.20 ish pace, which felt all right. Stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/369227468

Sluggish Saturday

Seriously lacking motivation and enthusiasm this morning but managed to drag myself out for 13kms around the park. Another decent group with Laura, Enda, Russell, Renaud, Fast Charlie and a couple of others at the start and aim for the group was for two laps at 4.30 pace then marathon pace for the last 10kms - lucky I was only aiming for 20kms tops! Felt crap from the get go but managed to stay on the front for the first lap and keep the pace up for the 8km hill. Timmy joined us after the first lap and I could only manage a lap of the park before nature called in an urgent manner and I had to make use of the best toilet block in the park. All up 13kms at 4.29 pace, so not bad but would have liked to have done closer to 20 today. Almost 50kms for the week. Stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/367784921

Friday with Jim

A very pleasant run with Jim today over to Lavender Bay and back. Felt more like summer than the last day of winter with a temp supposed to be around 26-28. Jim is looking fit and well underestimating his ability for the Blackmores half - he should be hitting around 95 and not settling for a sub 100. Hoping to get out for the long run tomorrow although negotiations around Father's Day breakfast in bed (Anna's request) and getting out tomorrow (my preference) aren't going quite in my favour. All up about 8 kms today although garmin wasn't playing ball for some reason, so no stats.