Middle Harbour Picnic Star 23/9/2012

A pleasant morning for running on a very picturesque but challenging run.

Just four of us (Tony, Mark & Paul) starting from beside Roseville Bridge then up to the Warringah Plateau. I found a spanner on the road at the top of the hill and carried it for the rest of the run. I was so whacked at the end I left it at the finish. D'oh.

Then it was along the Great Nosh track to Seaforth Oval and down the backstreets to the Spit. Then up Parriwi to Spit Rd, down Awaba to Balmoral, up to Mosman shops, then down the backstreets of Mosman, up and over Military Rd, down the other side and up to Cammeray, then down to Northbridge and up the hill from the bridge, then  finally through the backstreets of Roseville and down the big hill to the start.

It was hard. Much harder then last weeks marathon. Very whacked.

Still I ran OK and the ankle coped with all the uphills but hurt quite a bit in the last 5 k.
Thirty km all up in about 2.25.

Friday & Sat 21/22 Sep

On Friday ran 5k to work then sat in office all day then 5k back
Sat ran Parkrun in 19.02. A slow time as I died in the last k. Picked up several younger runners and was passed by one in the first 3k then ran by myself for the final 2. Afterwards did another slow 5k with Greg L.
Ankle gave a little pain but definitely improving.

Malabar to Kingsford Tempo

Another cracking day in Sydney. Mod NE winds temp 23. The three girls wanted to go to Mama Theresa's our old haunt and I agreed provided I could run there.
Felt great and ran on my toes all the way to get there in 30mins. Slight ankle pain but tolerable.
Sitting in the restaurant now but they haven't even left!

Lapa circuit Wed 19/9/12

Beautiful night. No wind, warm and a sliver of a moon. Ran down the golf course to the NSW golf links then down the road to Lapa.
Bumped into Horrie and Tim at Malabar and then ran back to Little Bay with them.
Then back past Sonny's take away where I bumped into Dave P and had a catch up.
Pleasant run about 15k. I had stabbing pains in the right ankle especially up hills. At least I was able to run on it.
The balls of my feet are very sore from the marathon.

Sydney Marathon 16/9/12

Volunteered as 3.15 pacer. Great conditions. Some problems with kilometer markers in the first 3 kms led to me to going a bit fast early.
Slowed down a bit going through the domain and with Stuart the other pacer we ran to 32k right on target pace of 4.37. Then I dropped back a couple of minutes to encourage those who were dropping off.
As usual the pack thinned out rapidly during the next 10k and by 40k none of the 3.15 hopefuls were left with us.
I had no trouble with the pace. I could feel the right ankle but all the massaging over the last few days had worked.
After finishing I ran back to find Mike who was having a tough run. I found him at 39k and we ran back together. He finished in 3.50.
Had a funny experience on the way to the marathon, I gave Amy and her friend Lara a lift to Redfern station to get to the half marathon start. As we were walking to the station Lara revealed "OMG I don't' have Amy's bib" So then it was a drive back to Maroubra, then Little Bay, then to North Sydney. We made the start of the half marathon with 6 minutes to spare.
Rushed back home after the marathon to fly out to Uncle Mikes funeral at Coffs at 2.40. Busy day.

Parkrun Sat 8/9/12

Looked for every excuse not to go but made it. Ran comfortably in 18.55. Sixth place. Two young guys overtook me after 1k but they both faded and I picked them off.

Sunday 9/9/12. Really tired this morning. So ran from home to Bondi, Bondi JN! Centennial that straight home. About 28k all up. Met a lot of people. Probably walked another 4k. Beautiful day. Ankle a bit sore at the end.

Bogong to Hotham entry

Well for better or worse I have entered. Got some new Salomon XA3D shoes on ebay today. Only $90. Took them for jog to Lapa along the golf course.
I really like the rapid lace system. They ate quite stiff. Reinforced toe pocket is good. And the grip is excellent.

Thursday Intervals

Ran 10 by 500m intervals round lower Pioneer. Felt good. First one in 1.48 and last in 1.35.
No issues with ankle after giving it a good massage before hand.

Marathon entries

Tomorrow is the Bogong to Hothan entry and on Tuesday at 7am the Boston Marathon opens. Looking forward to entering.
Checking the entry requirements I am now 34mins under the cutoff. And I can qualify in the 18-34 category.
Eat that Paul Ryan.
Also thinking of entering the West Wyoming

Fitting it in

No run Monday. Tuesday up at 5am to drive boat to office then run back and get ute before 6.30. Then another run home later in the day.
Wednesday run to work, then in evening run Lapa loop. A wonderful warm night. Ran OK but ankle started hurting after 8k so I walked for a couple of k's.

Avalon to Brookvale

After a lovely visit to Owen and Patti I ran along Pittwater road to Brookvale. Not sure of exact distance probably about 15k. Magnificent afternoon and despite some minor ankle pain felt great.

Best Fathers Day Ever

Honor and Serena surprised me by coming in to get me up at 5.15am and go for a run. Then they had a picnic arranged with Michele on Malabar headland to watch the sunrise.
It was a great sunrise with a full moon setting in the west at the same time.
A really thoughtful gift. Great daughters.

Striders North Head

I was looking for any excuse not to go this morning. But I had none so I fronted up in cold but ideal conditions.
Funny delays at the start, including two fire engines.
Finally underway and I knew I would suffer. All the way I wanted to stop but fortunately nothing was actually hurting.
Ran reasonably consistently to come in at 39.17 which I am quite happy with.
Afterwards went to 45 spin class with Serena then kicked the ball around with Geoffrey Kate and Neil for an hour at Centennial. Great day all in all.
Ankle seems cured touch wood. Now I can start doing intervals again...yahoo!