Catch Up

Got in a run home from work on Friday night and from the first step it was painful as the heart just wasn't in it. Left calf was very tight and just didn't feel good the whole way home but sometimes these are the runs that toughen you up mentally. Slow run with a heavy backpack and stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/413909248.
Calf didn't feel right all weekend so got the bike out on Sunday morning for the first time in about 8 months. Did 5 laps of the park, pretty much averaging 30km pace, for 25kms all up. Very happy in that the cardio felt fine - just the use of the bike muscles and lactic build up that was unpleasant. Stats for the ride at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/413909242
Decided to see how the calf was at Monday Hurts and did plenty of stretching before hand. Felt surprisingly all right although easy pace all the way for the 10kms back to CQ with MC, Jit and LF Charlie among the crowd. Stats from that run at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/413909238.
Pilates today for the first time in about 2 months and will be pretty much guaranteed some core pain tomorrow. Meeting Anna and the kids for lunch so aiming to get out for a swim first thing.

Sunday Long Run

Managed to get out on Thursday for the 3 x 2km session and one of the hardest I've done for a while. Was in the second group being led by Jit and Laura and although I'd brought the Garmin in today, forgot to take it out of the bag before heading out. Jit was running like a demon and sitting on 3.34 pace for each 2km,  so I estimate I was doing about 3.40 pace for the three. All up about 9kms including the warm down.
Met up with James, Jit and Paul on Friday night and the conversation turned to doing another marathon - so seriously contemplating Canberra in April. Jit is doing the half and Paul the full, so will at least have a couple of training partners for the next few months, if I do sign up.
Out for the long Sunday run in Centennial, led by Pommy Tim, and boy does he command the respect of the group. Decent crowd with Jit, Paul, Laura, Greta, Eoin, Ben, Kermit and Kanser. First lap was at a reasonable 4.35 pace and then we picked things up to about 4.20 for the second lap. Sat on the front for most of the second lap just to see how the pace felt on no nutrition/hydration and being the first long run since the Blackmores. Couldn't have done another lap at that pace but pretty happy with the effort. Stats for today at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/410636392 and Charlie would be very impressed with a 50km week!

Wednesday not so MLR

Missed the start today so headed it to Farm Cove and picked up the group 400m inside the gates. MC, Charlie, Jonathan among the half dozen or so. Remembered my Garmin today but forgot to start it - think I've got dementia. Nice run at an easy pace and spent most of the time talking with MC and Charlie. Charlie and I peeled off after the first of the Pyrmont wharves and came back to Margaret Street for roughly 10kms. No stats today and looking forward to the speed session tomorrow.

Bondi Run and Monday Hurts

Got out on Saturday morning to do the Clovelly to Bondi run and had forgotten how much I enjoy this route despite the slow pace of around 5.10 average. The steps and hills hurt and I hadn't quite got rid of the man cold so just felt sluggish the whole way. About 11kms all up and enjoyed a 200m dip in Clovelly before heading home.
Out today for my first Hurts session in what felt like ages and good to see a few new faces. Only about 6 of us at the start including MC and Brendan although Jonathan, Elle and Laura all joined on the way round until we had roughly a dozen of us at the halfway point. Finished up at CQ for about 11kms all up. Aiming for Wednesday session as working from home tomorrow.

Very Slack

Been very poor on keeping this up to date over the last three weeks. Had a good run at the JPM this week - forgot the Garmin so no stats unfortunately and I managed a 20.28 which is a new pb but wanted to crack sub 20 so a bit disappointed. Great runs from a few Hurts folk on the night with Laura winning the ladies race again, Mike Race smashing it with 19.40 and Jit hitting 20.00 on the nose.
Got out for the Friday run which was turned into 5 x 1.2k sprints and wasn't really enjoyed by anyone. Still managed to keep them all below 3.47 pace, so pretty happy. Stats for Friday are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/404642453

Big Backlog

Travel over the last few weeks has meant a sever lack of blogging and running although I've managed to sneak in a few runs. Highlight of the last few weeks has been Laura and Elle's performances at the Melbourne Marathon and Jeet's performance at the half - quality runs.
Personal highlight has been a new pb at the Aviemore 10km of 36.30 - I copped quite a bit of flak for the downhill course - only an elevation drop of 120m which is 40 meters less than the C2S - don't see many people querying PB's for that race- just saying! Anyway, stats are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/395400659.
Managed to get a 10km run in Perth earlier in the week and headed out for the last 2 Hurts sessions of the week on Thursday and Friday. Off to Melbourne tomorrow night for a couple of days and in Brisbane Friday, so going to be a poor week again - not ideal prep for the JPM in 2 weeks.

Laura Wins Sydney Half

What a fantastic result for Laura taking out the half today with a new pb. Guess who the drinks are on at the Hurts annual party! Also a great run for Ellie with an 88 and she is going to blitz the Melbourne Marathon in a couple of weeks.
Bad news for Jim today who tore a calf muscle around the 7km mark on Art Gallery Rd - he'll be Happy to have managed another pb by 40 secs today although really wanted an 84 in the number but just didn't have the legs around the hills at Pyrmont and can see from the stats that is where I lost it. Happy to finish strongly though with the last 4kms all sub 4 minute pace. Oh well, next year I all is well!
Stats for today are at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/379238419