The Super Hot Week ending Sun 6/2/2011

This was the hottest weather ever in Sydney with the temp upto 42 degrees and over 25 deg at night. Combined with high humidity it was very tiring. The trip last week hungover and I had a slow run Monday, intervals Tue and MLR Tue night. At work early Wed so no run.

Weather continued over 40 deg, so got out early for runs. Worst was Sat. Had planned to run Striders 10k but ran around Mutch park for 10k. A real challenge in the heat.

Sunday was the Meg Mega but I gave it a miss and ran the 15k Malabar circuit twice including down to Browns Rock. Took it easy. Felt pretty good. Time around 3.10.

Southerly change finally came through at 2pm Sunday and broke the hot spell.

OZ Downunder Race - Australia Day

Neil's first "proper" wheelchair race around the Rocks. We all went in to see him. The standard was very high. Ran the back part of the course with him. Then after eating at Rock's market ran home. Very hot.

Next day flew to Ballina with Kate and dropped her at Anthony's. Drove to Surfers and ran some intervals on a super hot day then went for a swim in the surf. Caught plane to Gladstone and stayed night with M & B.

Next day, Friday sorted out long boat and drove south. Slept at Scarrabolloti's lookout above Byron then spent day with Anthony and Keri. Then drove to Taree and slept in at a Motel till 11am. Has best of intentions of running but was exhausted. Continued on to Sydney. No run. Arrived Sunday 4pm.

Warriewood to Mona Vale Swim 23/1/11

Joined Mike, Judy, Judy's brother and Alex for the annual swim. Nice conditions but lots of blue bottles with a 10 knot NE breeze. Very hot and I got sunburnt during the swim and the run back. Great afternoon at M&S's as usual.

Claire's Calamity Run 22/1/2011

Very tired all week. Made it out for just one 10k run to office and back and one set of hill repeats. On Sat ran the Striders Calamity run at Bobbin Head. The course was very scenic and featured plenty of hills. Felt great until I got to the T-intersection for the final descent. That was hard on my knees and I twisted my ankle. Also got lost a couple of times. By the time I arrived at the big climb from the Marina I was stuffed. Ran about 2/3s of the hill but zonked and had to walk/run the last 2k to the finish. Overall pretty happy to finish the 32k in 3.40.

Tiring Weekend 15-16 Jan

After B2H I only had a couple of light runs this week and my legs were sore till Wed. On Sat went with Neil early to the Rocks where he practised for the Oz downunder race. It was hard work keeping up with the wheelchairs over such a flat course. After an hour of sprinting we went home and I did the Malabar/Cape Solander loop. I ran much stronger than any time in the last six months.
Then Sunday I somehow dragged myself out of bed for the Pymble Pushover Star with the 6.10 group. I was tired but was able to run all the hills easily, this course isn't as hard as I remembered from last time. Later that day though I was zonked and had to nap.

Bogong to Hotham 2011 - Jan 9th

Picture - Mt Bogong from Mt Beauty Township

After being overseas and interstate for three months, I arrived back in December keen to get fitness back. So when Mike suggested that he and Stef were going to run the B2H I thought why not? So with three weeks of training I found myself flying down to Albury with Ed en route to Tawonga for the race briefing. Two days earlier I had read the previous race reports and I knew I was in trouble. I had never run more than 45k and this was 64k over mountains.

The reports from 2010 were brutal. It was a very hot year and even experienced runners fell by the wayside and missed the 5h.30 cut at Langfords Gap. How would I be able to cope on so little preparation? So I went to bed at the camp ground resigned to my fate. I made sure I ate well, had my gear checked, and opted for the early start, and planned to try and make the 5h.30 cut at Langfords and then plod the second half to come in at 10 hours.



The next day was cool, with a forecast of showers, fresh winds and 12 degrees on the mountains. About half the field started at 5.30am to give themselves an extra hour before the cut off. The initial pace to the Staircase was easy. Once on the Staircase to the top of Mt Bogong it was just a matter of plodding up. I arrived on the top in 1hr 50min and felt fine. But I was cold so I donned the thermal top and beanie. I think there were about 4 runners in front of me. It was total cloud cover and I was worried that I would get lost. This was avery common problem in previous race reports. The run to Cleve Cole hut was pleasant and just past the hut I stopped to look at the map, when a group of four runners caught me up, so I joined with them. One of them was Spud who would keep reappearing through the run.

The descent down to Big River was super steep and loose so I took it easy. The group of four pulled away down the hill, I wanted to conserve my knees. Arrived at the bottom at 3h.10. The eventual winner passed me here as I filled my water bottle. (Stu Gibson in 6.59.Great performance.)

The climb up from Big River was my favourite part of the day as I overtook about six people, and we passed through different terrain as we gained altitude. Just kept plodding up but felt strong all the way. At the top of the climb two more leaders overtook me. When we broke out onto the road the American runner Nate came past with a cheerful greeting. He said that the Big River hill had "kicked him in the keyster". I could see two 5.30am start runners about 100m ahead and tried to catch them but they slowly pulled away out of sight into the fog.

Fog rolled in and out so I was quite worried about navigation now that I was alone. Fortunately I didn't get lost, but I was never completely sure that I was on course as there are very few signs, and nobody about. Coming down to Langfords I took a big tumble in the mud when I was surprised to see a lady hidden in the bushes filming me! (She was a competitor's wife and I saw her another two times along the course) When I arrived at the bridge over the Aqueduct the fog cover limited visibility to 10 metres. Left or right?

After consulting the map I decided right but I wasn't 100% sure. After jogging 50m I saw a ghostly figure, when I called out "Is this the way to Langfords Gap?" the spectral figure said "Mmm, maybe" It was Ed! I saw the time was just going on to 5.30 so I sprinted to the checkpoint arriving at 5h.37 (I had till 6h.30 because of my early start)

I felt good so I was confident about making the 64k. After spending 15 mins at Langfords to refuel, I set off at a steady plod and arrived at Bogong High Plains Road at 5h.55 elapsed time. Coming up to this point I had run with a guy called Tim who had running poles, something I hadn't seen before.

After the road the track continues across the featureless high plains for another 10k before descending down to Dibbens Hut and up Swindlers Spur to Mt Hotham. This was the most challenging part of the course as the ground is strewn with nasty ankle twisting, foot bruising stones. It was hard to stay motivated and I tried to loudly count the snow poles as I passed them. At times I walk/ran as I was becoming tired. The cloud cover was heavy and mostly visibility was about 100m. I was all by myself for this whole period except for one 6.30am runner called Toby who slowly went past me. We had a brief chat and he pulled away.

At Pole 267 the track splits and surprisingly there was no signs posted. The cloud had cleared somewhat and I was surprised that I could not see Toby in the distance.

From Pole 267 the track makes its long descent down to Dibbens Hut. Soon after beginning the descent Tim reappeared and overtook me. The click clack of his sticks was quite disconcerting. He was really moving down the hill. Then Spud reappeared and overtook me powering down the hill. Then Toby overtook me again. He had missed the turn at Pole 267 and was loudly cursing as a rocketed down the hill. He was moving at an incredible rate. Near the bottom of the hill another 6.30am runner also flew passed me.

I took the down hill slowly as my knees hurt, and I definitely did not want to get injured. After getting water at the Cobungra river bridge I set off up Swindlers Spur. Its steep. Very steep. In fact the course now goes up for the next 10k to the finish apart from a few brief dips.

It was hard work climbing the hill but I started to get quite excited that I was going to finish soon. I made sure that I crammed in more space food sticks and a trail bar to keep up my energy level. I overtook Tim up the hill and then Spud. When we arrived at Derrick Hut (which was beautifully situated in a grassy field full of wildflowers), Spud was about 100m behind. By now I was dog tired and I was willing myself to run two poles and walk one. Finally we broke through the tree line and I could see the first ski lift at Mt Hotham. Eventually I could see cars parked near a summit and I guessed that must be the end. Spud had closed the gap a bit on some of the downhills and was probably only 20 metres behind when we commenced the final climb up the bitumen to the summit.

As usual the finish gives you a second wind, and I was able run most of the bitumen and then "sprint" to the cairn on the summit. Came in at 9hrs 57mins. It felt great to be there and we were rewarded with great views as the fog had finally lifted.

So my first ultra was over, and I survived without injury. Would I do it again? I hope not but never say never.

Striders Lane Cove 10k 31/7/10

Ran Hard. Hurt like hell. 38m 35s.

Sutherland to Surf 2010

Honor couldn't make this run due to tonsilitis so Caryn took her place. It was Caryn's first competitive run and she was a little nervous.
This was my first run in a week as the "week from hell" at work meant that I was committed from dawn till midnight everyday.
I was interested to see if I could hold the good form from last week. It turns out I could. Conditions were perfect, no wind and 12 degrees.
I got off to a quick start which is easy as the first 5k is all down hill. Went through 4k in 14.35. Then held a steady pace to the end. Was only overtaken by a couple of people and managed to pull most of them back on the run up to the surf club.
Time for the 11k 41.40. Av pace 3.48.
Caryn ran a lot faster than she thought she would in 63.47.

Surprising Improvement

Since the mini-mos I have continued running the planned training schedule with Honor and I have had some surprising results.
The programme calls for intervals on Tuesday and Thursday and a longer run Sunday. We have stuck to it. Prior to starting the intervals we begin with 2k warm up then 8x50m drills. The intervals total 5k, then a 2-3k run home.

We mix the intervals up 500m one day, and 900m the next around Pioneer Park. But we alternate with Howe St hill repeats (700m), and the Malabar circuit (5.3k) as a tempo run. Its working. I am going a lot faster. And so is she.

I have now broken 21mins for the Malabar circuit, 20.42! All the intervals times I have slashed. Not bad considering my doctor told me I had to stop running forever in January.

The remarkable thing is that my 10k time has just kept improving. The Striders 10k at Homebush I ran a PB of 38.59. And today I did the chip-timed 10k Cooks river run in 37.37! How could I suddenly take almost a minute and a half off? Strider Ben pushed me in the last 3k so that was a help.

Was the course too short? Well if it was I am not complaining about it.

But the best run I have done lately was running with Honor in the 10k Sri Chinmoy event at Dolls Point. This was her longest race run and I agreed to pace her the whole way. She struggled between 5 and 7 k but then came good and we ran over the line together in 60mins exactly. Here is a photo of Honor and I at the finish.(courtesy of Sri Chinmoy)

Yes I was a little bit proud. She really has stuck to her guns and I think she will make the distance in the C2S.

Mini-Mosmarathon 20/6/10 - PB

Felt really crappy before the start. Very upset tummy. But on the back of the PB on Thu I thought I should enter. Decided to start back in the field a bit to get the psycological benefit of overtaking. After 5k I was 30s up on sub 40 so I concentrated on holding that. The hills were a challenge but not being overtaken and passing others was a big lift. The final hill was just pain, but I still had enough for a sprint against another runner down the long finish straight. Final time 39.30. About 2 mins better than previously here.

Tempo Thu 17/6/10

Two circuits of Malabar 5.3k course. First lap with Honor. Then after being inspired by Honor's big effort, I ran another lap at maximum effort. Very surprised to do it in 20m 57s which is a personal best.

Hill Repeats Tue 15/6/10

Ran ten repeats of Howe St hill with Honor. It was surpriingly easy

Mountains Long Weekend

Took seven kids camping in the middle of winter to Dunphy's Camp Ground. Temp dropped to about -6C. But there wasn't one complaint. The kids were great. My brother in law Carl was really well prepared, so we had spares for everything. Played war games with the kids. What a perfect place for it. Their imaginations ran wild. It culminated in an ambush on Grandma when she arrived with Alison and Janet. She put up a good fight with her "six guns"
On Monday morning I went for a 15k run along the base of Narrowneck. Great road for running but bitterly cold. My fingers were burning and I wore a long sleeve thermal, a fleece vest and a beany, and I was still cold. It was a slow but pleasant run. Saw several lyre birds.

Last Night at the proms -11/6/2010

Enjoyable night out for Mum's birthday with Michel and Serena. The Poms have stirring anthems

Cold tired but plodding along

Mon - 5k arounf Malabar circuit with Honor
Tue - Intervals around Pioneer Top with Honor. Only did 4 because of strained right quad muscle and fatigue. Fastest 3:19.
Wed - No run. rest
Thu 10th. 10 intervals around Pioneer Bottom. Last one in 1.45. The leg was much better for the rest. Hon ran 2.25.

Great NOSH Slushfest 15k

Ran this on spur of the moment. Started in middle of the pack and followed a Conga line to Roseville bridge. Enjoyed chatting to Mike to the bridge. Happy to cruise along because the ground was treacherous after all the rain. Mud mud mud. Was able to sprint over the bridge but then had to work my way past dozens of runners on the single file track. Very worried I would trip or slip.
Once we crested the last hill and were on the fire trail I gave it everthing and really enjoyed it. Spent the last k running behind the second female who was making some spectacular jumps from rock to rock. She tired at the last corner but I refused to overtake because she had put in such a gutsy effort, so I gave her a gentle push in the back and said get going, and she did, sprinting to the line.
I ran back to find Mike and then Stef who came in looking a bit worse for wear after staying up all night watching the tennis.
Mike and I ran back to the car along the road at a leisurely pace.
My time was 80 minutes of thereabouts for the 15k.

The Missing Year

Before I lose track I thought I would put down the saga of my "running life" since the Mt WIlson to Bilpin event in August last year. The big gap in this blog from May 10th 2009 till April 2010 was created by staring work on the huge Desalination Project. I did manage to run the King of the Mountain 2.30, C2S 56.30, Willy to Billy 2.48.
It was at the Willy to Billy that I hit a big hurdle. Flying down the hill to the bridge I caught up with two guys running together. Suddenly one of them collapsed right in front of me. I jumped over him but I landed in a ditch an "crunched" my ankle. It hurt. I hobbled on to the finish but I knew it was bad.
That was the end of running for at least a month and therefore no Sydney marathon. In mid September I was riding my bike around Centennial park to train for the Gong ride. About half an hour after finishing I had terrible back pain, and for the next month I could only hobble around as I let it recover. Was it related to the ankle? I suspect so. Anyway, by late December I had started slow running again.
But then in early Jan I was holidaying with the family at Bendalong. Feeling fine I played touch footy with the kids on the beach. Something went crunch in my right knee and that was that. For the next two months the knee ached terribly and was very tender. I could barely walk on it. I went to a physio, she didn't know what the problem was, I went to the GP who arranged an X-ray and declared I have arthritis and must stop running, then I saw a knee specialist who said that I had bruised a fat pad behind the knee cap and that the best thing for it was slow running.
To keep my fitness up i began swimming each day and swam in the Warriewood Swim,Palm Bach to Whale Beach Swim, The Bondi Classic, and the Long Bay to Little Bay.
By coincidence my daughter Honor had begun the Couch to 5k, and so I started running with her at about 6.5min/km. Gradually we built up the number of k's until she could run 5k. Something I never thought i would see.
Anyway now 10 months after twisting my ankle I think I can call myself injury free and back to close to full fitness.
By the way, the desalination plant came up to full speed this week.

Striders 10k North Head

Perfect weather after a week of heavy rain and wind. Tried to just improve on last week. Had a few mental trials keeping up the pace on the the run from the roundabout to the crest, but overall ran comfortably for 39.27.

Hidden 10k 30/5/2010

The rain magically stopped for this run round Lake Gillawarna for the Western Districts 10k. Just aimed to stayed under 40 mins and did that OK in 39.57
Afterwards went for a slow run with Caryn and Honor twice round Centennial Park.

Intervals at Pioneer

Ran 10 intervals of 500m circuit road footy field. Slowly as legs are very stiff. Times 2.05 to 1.51.Then ran on to office. 10k all up.

Run Home

After two days of heavy rain, I ran home via nine ways and Maroubra beach. Beautiful evening. Strangely my knee didn't hurt at all.

SMH Half Marathon

Minimum training. Only two runs of 20k and some intervals. But still felt OK and ran 87.15. Some shooting pains in my knee. Oh well, its good to run again after eight months

Wow, its been a year!

So much has happened and its only in the last week that I have begun to emerge from the fog of the last year. So much pressure but I am still alive and some wonderful things have happened and the bad things by comparison are minor.

Now where to begin.. I know, I will wait for another post...

Wipeout - The week of no running

Its a good thing I am so well trained for a marathon, because this week I had a seven day marathon at work with the commencement of the Desalination Pipelay Project and the TBM recovery. So for the first time in a long time I had a full seven days of no running.

Fortunately it was a successful week, and now I can look forward to some easier time, which should include time for running.

Key goals will be
SMH Half this weekend
Woodford to Glenbrook
Gold Coast maybe?
King of Mountain Mt Scarzi run
City to Surf
Mt Wilson to Bilpin
Sydney Marathon

New 10k PB

Since Canberra I have been feeeling terrific. I have kept up the fast 10k runs to Lapa and back and on the follwong weekend I ran a long run Saturday and 2 * 10k cuicuits of Lane Cove 10k course. This week again did the 10k sprints and then ran the Striders Homebush 10k in 38.59. I am getting better at judging pace. That's what I aimed for, so it was pleasing. Then ran the Tourist Trot Star on Sunday in 2hr 20. All good. Plenty of energy left. Went straight to work and dived all day. Still had energy left.

Canberra Marathon 19/4/09

We had planned a full weekend at Canberra but unfortunately I had to rush to a job at Tallowa Dam. Fortunately I still made it to Canberra by 4pm to see Monica and Greg and Heidi run in the 10k. Monica and Heidi struggled a bit and later that night Monica had a few fainting spells.

We had a very pleasant dinner with the Leamons on Saturday night, eating Thai take away. I slept very soundly. Got up at 5.45am and dressed, ate some porridge, guzzled some water and went back to bed for another precious 10 minutes sleep.

Ran down at 6.30 to the start and met up with Mike K who looked in good shape. Weather was perfect. Cool but clear and calm. Soon after the start I was able to settle in to 4.10 pace and as usual the first 10k I felt like a slug. I did the first 10k in 41.xx and the the half in 87. 30. All felt good.

I took a gu at 10k and 20k and sucked glucoden all the way. At the 25k mark Wayne Gregory caught me up and I ran on his heels until Cowbell corner where he kicked away. During the next 5k quite a few people overtook me which I thought was odd as I had maintained the same pace, getting to 30k in 2h 6min. That left me 54 minutes to do 12k if I wanted to go under 3 hours. MMMM....4.5min/k I should be able to do that shouldn't I?

Yes i should have. But in the end I came in at 3.03.xx. I came in with way too much energy. I clearly needed a little more moral fortitude and better pacing in the last 12k's. On the positive side it was a one minute PB and I never felt that i was going to hit the wall like at Gold Coast last July. Note for next time, don't fear the wall so much that you fail to challenge yourself in the last 12k.

After saying Hi to the family I ran back 4k to find Mike who surprisingly was suffering badly. I jogged back to the finish with him, hoping that my encouragement was a help, but he was in a bad way. Disappointing for him as he had put in a lot of training, and seemed very well prepared..

After the marathon I didn't feel particularly tired and so we all went to the markets at Kingston for a few hours. I must have walked another 42k! We had a great lunch with the Leamons including prawns and dips from the markets and an excellent dessert wine from the Snowy Mountains with some Baklava. Then I had a nap for a couple of hours and had to drive home.

Next day the DOMS was minor and on Tuesday morning I was able to go for a brisk 10k Golf course run with Heidi. By Wednesday all soreness was gone. I had a very fast 10k on the Golf Course Thusday, and finally on Saturday morning I ran a very satisfying Anzac Day special. From Home to Cape Banks, Henry Head, Browns Rock, Congwong Beach, Lap circuit, Up Anzac to Bueachamp (taking the line challenge along Anzac) and then my best ever run up Broome St, along the bay up Howe St and home. Very pleasing effort. All up 1hr 50min.

Lead up to Canberra Marathon

I managed to keep the interval sessions up and ran the shortened Vaucluse Variation star on 12th April. This is a fantastic course, hilly but very scenic. I also had what I rate as my worst run ever on the Friday before. I went to run down to Cape Banks, but after a promising first k, all I could do is stumble along and often walk. Oh well. So in the week before the marathon I decided to eat red meat which I did each night. I also rested with just a few light runs.

Ten Bridges Classic Star Sun 4/4/09

Lapa intervals and tempo runs throught the week plus a couple of good bike sprints with Graeme through the week.
On Sat 3rd it was Striders 10k at Lane Cove, which I was able to run comfortably in 39m26s which is a course PB of 10 secs and 46secs faster than 2 months ago.
Sun 4th was the 10 Bridges Star, which I started out slowly behinf the pack but was able to hold on to finish with the faster runners and still fell comfortable. Time overall 2h 12 min. Distanc3 29.5k.

Tallowa Weekend 28/29 March

On Tuesday I ran intervals solo at Pioneer Park and Wednesday it was a MLR of Lapa circuit. Thu 10 intervals at Laperouse with Heidi.
Then on Friday it was off for an emergency job at Tallowa Dam. This meant staying at the Golf club 19k from the dam. So next morning I got away at 5.40am in the absolute pitch dark. It was very still and quiet. The road is lined with tall forest and the only light came from the brilliance of the Milky Way.
I had no torch but I could just make out the white lines down the centre of the road. So I figured, what could be on the middle of the road, and just started running into the darkness. It was like some sort of boundless isolation booth. Gradually I settled into a quick pace, and soon the rhythm of my feet became all I was aware of until... something very very close by let out a tremendous GROWL. It felt like it came from just metres away.
Whoa, I have never stopped so suddenly in my life. Cluthching my penis to stop from wetting myself, I stood very, very still. What the hell was that! Not a dog, not a bull, ...I couldn't see anything just blackness. In my imagination I saw shapes all about me...was that a big roo standing in front of me? I thought about the old saying "a man alone is in bad company"
After several minutes of total stillness, I started to walk, then run. I never did find out what it was, but it was not happy!
The sky did not lighten till about 6.15, by which time I was up on the plateau and could see the peaks on the other side of the valley starting to appear. I let out a Coo-ee and was rewarded with a sensational echo from many kilometres away. This was turning into a great run. Then as the stars were beginning to fade a very bright meteor came down across the sky.
Eventually in full daylight I made it to the final steep 2.5k descent to the dam and ran down it flat out. At this point I noticed that my left foot was hurting. Arrived at the dam feeling pretty good overall at 7.03. Average pace 4.3min/km.

In the afternoon, I ran up Mt Scanzi which has the most wonderful views. My left foot had become very sore so I took it very slowly.

No run on Sunday as I decided to give the foot a rest, plus I had to go to work all day.

Jenolan Weekend 21/22 March 2009

Ron's 60th birthday! Yvette organised a great weekend at the Jenolan cottages. Arrived about 10pm on Friday night. Up about 6.30 and went for a pleasant 10k run down Kanangra road. Very peaceful, many Lyrebirds leapt out of the bush and scurried across the road as I passed by. Ran up the Oakey camp road and checked it out for a bushwalk later in the day.
About midday we drove to the Oakey camp road and with a whole mob we walked down the ridge from Oakey Camp to Jenolan. Navigation wasn't a high priority and we came down the wrong ridge, but it turned out very well, because we ended up coming over the ridge on top of the Grand Arch. Something I have always wanted to do.
Afterwards I took the Pepsi Cola challenge and ran from Caves house back up the hill 6k to the cabins. Its a big hill and I was please to be able to run it without stopping, and sprint when I got to the plateau.
Later I played a very feisty game of touch with Rohan, Geoffery and Alana. This was followed by a magnificent BBQ where we celebrated Ron's birthday.
Enjoyed an extraordinary sunset from the cabins. The view looked straight back to Narrowneck and the Six Foot Track.
Next morning I ran through the pine plantation to the west of the cabins. There were many special moments on this run. Including the encounter with a tame wallaby and its joey, and then the eerie run through the pine plantation with its total silence, before emerging into a big clear felled area around a creek bed.
When we drove home we unfortunately hit a huge traffic jam from Katoomba to Lawson. One very funny thing happened on the weekend. After I got back from the walk to Oakey Camp, I realised the car key wasn't in my camel back. Uh Oh. So what followed was a series of phone calls to Honor in Sydney to try and arrange a spare key, or a hire car. That turned out to be very difficult. So on Sunday morning I went to have a look for it, not thinking that I had much hope....but I found it immediately, sitting on the drivers seat of the unlocked car! D'OH.

Post Six Foot Runs

Rested on Sunday and Monday.
Tuesday ran 10 intervals around Laperouse. A little slower than usual but I was surprised how good I felt.
No run Wednesday.
Thursday ran three laps of the Heatbreak Hill circuit (3.6k) which is up the C2S hill from Rose Bay, then down the back streets to the shops again. The first was 18min, the second 16min and the last was 14min. A great workout on a beautiful morning.

Six Foot Track Sat March 14th 2009

I had been away in Fremantle for work all week, which included a cramped night at sea on a tug boat. But I also had some very pleasant runs including one around Fremantle cemetery (Final home of Bon Scott and Heath Ledger). The week wasn’t hectic but I ended up getting into Sydney airport at 7.15pm after a 4 1/2 hour flight and then to Blackheath at 10pm. So I was a bit tired. Pre race dinner of chocolate ice cream and chocolate. Mmmm.
In the morning I travelled with Mike and Stef to the start. It was ideal conditions. 13 degrees, light breeze and damp ground. I had an overwhelming feeling of sleepiness.
I joined the wave 2 start about three or four rows back. There was a big rush to the stairs. I had already made up my mind that I would run steadily to the river to save energy. Even so I managed to have my first of two race falls on the treacherous path down to the stairs. It was nothing, I rolled and bounced back onto my feet fortunately without a scratch.
At the top of the stairs the flying pack came to a sudden halt. Then it was a single file plod to the bottom. Why so slow? The stairs were wet and slippery, but I think it was mainly one woman who must be a good sprinter and made it to the stairs early, but who I later saw hobbling down the path like a fledgling chook, her arms out wide and tottering all over the place.
The trip down Nellie’s Glen was pleasant, except for a long toilet stop in the bushes. Across the road I still had a great feeling of sleepiness, and I kept thinking how will I ever make 45k’s.
Past the road we arrived at the first hill before the bush. A single file grassy knoll which brought many runners to a sudden walk after the easy downhill of Nellie’s Glen. The hill woke me up, and I quite enjoyed it. Into the bush on the way down to the river I fell in behind a very fit looking woman and decided to stay behind her. Several times she offered for me to overtake, but she was an excellent pacer and I refused. Conditions were excellent, with low fog banks in the river valley keeping conditions cool and moist.
We arrived at the river in 1h 25m. The river level was low, and as I waded through the cold water it felt great on my legs. All sleepiness was now gone and I was feeling good. So up the Mini Mini Saddle I went. I knew it was a long haul so I adopted the little engine approach “I think I can…” and just tried to hold a run which I felt comfortable with. I assumed at some point I would have to walk. After all, everyone else was walking! But I kept going, and going. I overtook ten runners, then twenty, then thirty. All of them wished me well as I overtook them. Finally I got to the cattle yards and the downhill section before the saddle. That was a nice break before going up again. But I was able to keep it going. The last pinch was hard but I knew I would make it by then. Once on top I coasted down to Alum creek and a few runners flew past me. “Let em go” I thought, there is only one person I am running against in this race, and that is me.
I still felt strong as I ran through the creeks in the valley passing the halfway mark and onto the Pluviometer hill. I knew this would be tough, and I was already planning a walk run strategy. And that’s how it was. I ran about two thirds of it, and walked the steeper pinches. Again I passed a lot of people including all those that passed me after the Mini Mini. I never saw those runners again.
I arrived at the top of the Pluvi at 2h.43min, and it was satisfying to reach it running. This is a false summit because the next 12k of the Black Range is uphill almost to the campground. I had hoped that I would be able to run the whole Black Range, but I wasn’t sure. It is a tree lined corridor of pain and disappointment In my previous two runs this is where cramping had stopped me in my tracks.
So off I went along the Black Range. The weather remained perfect, cool with light northerly breezes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could still run quite well and that the hills were no obstacle. I was overtaking many people, and during the whole Black Range just two people passed me, who I would later reel in. Some Wave 1 runners now started appearing. On and on the Black range continued, winding through the bush like a road to now where.
Finally I started to glimpse pine trees and I knew that I was nearing the campground. 10k to go. Still I was feeling strong.
Onto the Deviation and I knew the bastard rock strewn hills awaited me. It was on the first of these that trouble struck when my right quad suddenly cramped. I had to walk and massage it at the same time and after five minutes it had passed, but I could feel it lurking, so I slowed down a little to keep it under control. Still I was passing people and not being overtaken. I had to walk up the steepest of the deviation hills and arrived at the road at 12pm, or 3h 55m from the start. 7.1k to go. Here fortunately I was able to get some salt, as I could feel my calves starting to cramp.
Two year ago cramps had caused me to walk most of the Black Range, so I was determined to run at a pace that didn’t bring them on. Strider Andrew fell in behind me as we ran down to the cottages. Along here I had my second fall, which fortunately again left me unscathed, and I bounced back on to my feet. When I arrived at the cabins with 4 k to go I was no longer strong, but just hanging in there. I was balancing fatigue, cramping and pain with my desire to get to the finish line.
Three people overtook me in the last 4 k. One was a fresh looking young man in a yellow shirt, the other a solid 30 year old who was walking the hills and then sprinting the flats, and the other was the woman who paced me to the river. She had run a great race and in the end beat me by 30secs.
Finally I arrived at the long downhill two 2k from the finish. A sharp pain had developed in my right side which was agony on the downhill but I knew there was just 10 minutes of pain left, so I told myself to suck it up.
In previous years, I had become very emotional as I caught my first glimpse of Caves House through the trees, but this year I simply had a quiet feeling of satisfaction, which came from doing something better than I had before. I crossed the line in 4h 39 m 08s which is 21m 10s improvement on last time and I felt far better afterwards then last time.
Mike also ran an excellent race to get a 15 minute PB of 5hr 58min.
I know I will go another 20min faster next time. The key things I did right this time were:
-Consistent long runs with lots of hills
-Good carbo loading before hand
-A reasonable taper
-Kept a steady pace early
-Kept sucking Minties all the way

To go faster I will need to run all the Pluviometer. Train longer to avoid fading in the final 10k.

One Week before Six Foot Track, Sun 8/3/09

Here is an update one week before Six Foot.
I was able to maintain momentum after the Equalizer but I cant remember the individual days very well. I do remember that I ran Heidi's secret hill course. Its up C2S heartbreak hill then down a back road to Rushcutter's. All up a 1.6km circuit. Run three of them in a row and you know about it.
My work has got in the way as always. And despite the GFC we have never been more in demand. I enjoy working as a Diver but its tiring. last Saturday I had to work all day and just got out for a light run in the evening. Next morning I was up bright and early for the Pymble Pushover, but as usual I had trouble finding the start in the dark (ie. I was running late). So instead I ran three circuits of the nearby Striders Lane Cove 10k course, starting at the top. The first circuit was fine, the second misery and the third was runners high, pure pleasure. One of the nice things about running here is all the others runners and cyclists. There is always someone to pace you. Afterwards I rode circuits of Centennial Park with Graeme. I rode one hard with him slip streaming, then vica versa.
This week i didn't get many runs in mid-week, and I ran late for the Striders 10k on Saturday. So I gave up and turned back to run 5k round Heffron. Then 10k later in afternoon with Heidi, who is sick, so it was a slow run.
Today I left the house at six am and ran two 15k laps of the hilly Malabar/Laperouse/Maroubra circuit which features my old friends Broome St, Howe St, and Bilga Cres. It was hard. First lap took 1hr 20, the second 1 hr 15. I had one good sprint on lap 1 against some bikes up Howe St.
All in all, I feel I am as well prepared for Six Foot as ever, and I am confident of breaking my PB of 5Hr 18s.
This week I am away in Perth till Friday attending a course. Hopefully I will have a restful week there.

The Equaliser 22/2/09

First time at this course, heavy rain meant the creeks were in flood , but it stopped in time for the event. The rain also washed away most of the flour markers. Its a long downhill first and I certainly felt stiff to the creek. But on the uphill I felt I was going pretty well.
Along the bitumen I lost sight of the leaders and could not see the turn off. So I slowed down and checked with the runner behind me called Nick. After a short delay, we found the turn off, and headed back into the bush. After another 2k we came to the "Pump house" turnoff, and could not see any arrows. Nick thought we should go straight up the hill, so up we went. After a k or so I noticed that there were no other footprints...mmmm....wrong way!
We turned around, and after a 4 or 5min delay we were back at the pump house. It turned out that after the event, we weren't alone. A lot of others got lost. the remainder of the run was quite pleasant. I was psyching myself up for the hill but in fact the crest came much faster than I expected. All up time 71mins.

Oh my god this is a hard sport

I didn't run Wed/Thu/Fri due to work and social commitments. The main social commitments was my 20th wedding anniversary!!! Wow, that a long time. Thank you Michele. Celebrated by going to Honor's HSC briefing at her school. No, no, we went out the night after the anniversary to dinner and saw Grand Torino at the Greater Union Gold Star. That is a great movie, Clint Eastwood draws together so many elements of the decline of the USA, and says it with such tight dialogue. The ending was a little corny and convenient, but it is fiction after all. His character reminded me so much of my recently deceased uncle Noel.

But back to running, which is the cause for the title. I felt like I had risen from the dead when I got up at 5am this morning. I had gone to bed at 7pm, never having felt more exhausted. I knew that I had to get out for the long run, but it would be a job of work. I headed up along the coast to Dover heights about 17 km away, and very hilly. The first five k's I was just a dead man jogging, then bit by bit I started to come good. When I got to Coogee a girl started following me and started gaining, so I put in an extra sprint through the Waverly graveyard but still she was gaining. Just past Bronte she overtook me, thanks I thought just the incentive I need, and I hung onto her heels. She started slowing down at one point, so I said "Don't slow down now!" and she picked it up again. Finally she turned off at South Bondi, I think we both appreciated the push we gave each other.

So I carried on up to Dover heights with a new burst of energy. At the shop on top of the hill I bought a banana and orange juice. The proprietor insisted on giving me a croissant, no charge. It went straight down.

The return trip was back along the coast to Tamarama then I went up the stairs to the Telstra tower at Waverly. These were the stairs that I had almost passed out on two weeks ago. A large group of Can-Too runners were making their way up the hill, which I am please to record I was able to run without difficulty despite the 25k in my legs.

At Waverly I went down Carrington Rd through the back of Coogee and up the hill to Higgs St and onto Malabar road at the graveyard. Then down Torrinton along Maroubra and up Broome st , then finally up Howe st and home. Plenty of hills and only the one stop at Dover heights.

All up time 3hr 20mins. Felt absolutely buggered afterwards. The last 10k from Carrington Rd hill I just kept thinking, "this is so hard", "boy am I hurting", and "death can't come soon enough" but I made it. It was the dread of those 6ft Track hills that kept me going.

Hot then cold

Sat 7/2/08
Striders 10k I just didn't have a lot of puff, or possibly enthusiasm, and ran only 40.07. Pretty poor effort but not a disaster. Heidi on the other hand beat me for the first time with a 1.5 minute PB to record 39m28s to be third female. Wow, that is a 5 1/2 minute improvement in six months! Afterwards I went to work with Honor, install a sonar blank on a ship at GI, and then went out in the company's new boat. Exhausting day. It was stinking hot. 40+

Next day I intending to get to the Hornsby Hurricane star but I just couldn't get out of bed early enough. When I realised I wasn't going to make it I stopped at the Lane Cove course which was on the way and ran two laps and bit extra. All up 25k. It was really hot, and as it turned out this was the day of the Victorian bushfire disaster.Over 1800 homes destroyed and 190+ dead. That puts running into perspective.

I had Monday and Tue off with work commitments and then had two good runs on Wed and Thu nights. I ran the 14 km from home to Lapa and then up to Maroubra beach, up Broome st and home. Ran quite hard. On Fri morning could only manage early morning drills for half an hour.

Sat 14/2/08
It poured rain on Friday and Saturday morning so I gave the Roseville Ripsnorter a miss and ran the reverse Clovelly Canter again. Fortunately this time I had a bit more energy and was able to run the whole thing with only drink breaks including the Tamarama steps!!!! All up exactly three hours for 33k or so. (I had a few scenic long cuts around Waverly cemetery)

On Sunday It once again poured rain and I had a big sleep in till about 10am. I don't remember the last time I did that! Later I went out for a moderate 6k run.

Monday I was up early and ran 12k loop to the Cathedral. I had a 10k run in the evening in beautiful conditions. Big cumulus clouds and very still.

Tues I ran 8 intervals around Lap with Heidi and about 4k of warmup. She goes to the Masters games on Wed to compete in the 8k cross country. She should go well.

Then work got in the way...

After the three really positive 30k days, I was sidelined by work and couldn't get out for another run till Sat morning. I ran the reverse Clovelly Canter again with Ken W and his girlfriend Milly. They are training for the full iron man at Port Macquarie.
Milly is an impressive woman, her schedule is crazy but organised. I asked her my usual small talk question "what would you like on your tombstone?" and she gave the best answer I have ever heard , she said "Kick it to me!"
The run was at a slow pace to the half way mark at Malabar when I suddenly felt ill had to make an urgent visit to the bushes!!! I got going again, and caught them at Maroubra.
Ken and I then picked up the pace and ran at 4.2k/min to Bronte where Ken turned off, and I continued on up the Tamarama steps. Half way up I felt giddy and exhausted and just had to sit down. I was done. Made it back to the car at a slow jog, all up 30.7k in 2h 50min.
No runs till Tuesday morning when I had my first run with Heidi for the year. We ran 10 rolling intervals of Laperouse loop. Very humid and tiring but both of us seemed strong. See how we go at Striders Lane Cove on Saturday.

Megalong Return

View from the top of Carlons Head towards the Black Range


I spent Mon to Fri working intensively at North Head STP from 5am to late. So I had to pass on running. Fortunately I was able to get away Friday evening for a return trip to Carlons Farm at Megalong Valley with Neil Kate, Geoff, Michele and Serena. The forecast for Sydney was for over 40 deg so I hoped the Mountains would be a bit cooler. In the morning I was very tired and we hung around the campsite while the girls danced and Geoffrey threw his boomerang. Then after poking around Blackheath antique stores in the morning, Michele dropped me off at the Explorer's Tree at 1pm for what proved to be an epic adventure.



View to the Campground from Carlons Head - 450m below



It was hot, over 31 degrees but humidity only 73% and a fresh westerly wind. I ran down Nellies Glen to the Megalong road and turned left to Carlons Farm. I plodded along feeling quite comfortable, but I was careful to keep sipping water. I arrived at Carlons Farm just as Michele and Serena turned up in the car. Serena had stubbed her toe, so I carried on up to Bellbird Point which had incredible views of the Cox's river and Breakfast Creek. then on a whim I ran up to the Medlow Gap road and looked for the Carlons Head track. I couldn't find a track so I bush bashed straight up the hill until I came to the cliffs...I really should have told Michele about this beforehand, but I couldn't resist...I scaled the cliff using the chains and hand holds...it was a bit exposed and the wind was gusting over 20knots straight at the cliff... but the climb wasn't hard and the next thing I know I was on top. That was a change in elevation of 450 metres in 2k or a gradient of 25% overall. So I called Michele from the top, and we arranged to meet in Katoomba at the Golden stairs. I ran along Narrowneck at a steady pace enjoying the most wonderful views in the afternoon sun. It was hot, and I had run out of water but the exhilaration of being on top kept me going. It was about 32k all up with some very big hills.
View back to campground from Bellbird Point

Afterwards we had a delicious Indian meal at the Arjuna restaurant in Katoomba before returning to our collapsed tents at Carlons farm. (the wind had blown the over)
I was up at 6am on Sunday to a beautiful cool morning with light drizzle and moderate southerly wind. The tent was surrounded by kangaroos, some with joeys and two big males who were duking it out on their hind legs. This time I ran up to the Medlow Gap road and then 9k round to Taro's Ladder. The climb was taxing and it was hard to keep running afterwards, but I eventually perked up and ran to the coffee shop near the Katoomba oval. All up 25k with a 340m change in elevation overall.
Michele and Serena met me at the coffee shop, and after breakfast we had a great visit to the Scenic Railway. They really have done a great job with the boardwalk through the rainforest. It was interesting to see the use of lightweight galvanised channels to make the supports.
In the afternoon we had a disappointing meal at the Alexandra pub at Leura (that place has gone downhill quickly), dropped in at the Castros and got home about 6.
Next morning was Australia Day and I dragged myself out to run the Clovelly Star in reverse. I plodded along in ideal conditions to cover the 32k (with my extra bits) in 3 hours, Fairly slow but the hills of the previous days were holding me.

Narrabeen 32k and Clovelly Star 30k

I recovered from the flu suddenly and went to the Six Foot track training group 32k run across Narrabeen plateau. I thought the pace might be slower which would suit my flu recovery, and also I really wanted to see this area. It was a very pleasant morning, overcast and cool. About 30 runners. The organisers were just that, super organised with water drops everywhere. Due to the nature of the trails and the many turnoffs, it was a slow pace as we kept regrouping and going single file through the bush. I had quite a few good conversations along the way. The last seven k's or so we were able to sprint out along the excellent track around Narrabeen lake. I felt good and really enjoyed it.
Clovelly Star - Hmmm, should I do another thirty k on Sunday? Well I felt OK and it was local, so I joined the 6.20 group and off we went. I was tired but I didn't have any trouble keeping up along the hilly course along the coast to Malabar. After the hills the pace quickened (or I slowed) and the group started to break up. I stayed in contact until Kensington and the front four slowly pulled away. I came in about 500m behind, and felt pretty good. Tired but no injuries.

Then went off the Mike and Stefs' for the Warriewood swim. I missed that but had a great day and spent a couple of hours in the small surf with the kids. A great day.

The Flu returns.

I thought I had kicked the flu but it kicked back in with a vengeance and I had to lie low from Monday to Thur.
Finally got out for a run to the office and back on Friday.

Megalong Weekend Jan 10/11

Cricket at the Campground

Drove up to Carlons Farm camp ground with Neil, Geoff, Kate Serena, Michele and Honor. I made a silly error and we wasted an hour going up the Shipley Plateau. Finally got to the campsite and we had it all to ourselves, which was just as well as it was midnight and we made a lot of noise.
I slept very soundly after a week of flu, and we had a quiet morning exploring the area. Michele and Honor weren't into camping this weekend and went back to Sydney.
I took Geoff, Kate and Serena on a great hike from the Megalong road up the Six foot track to the Nellies Glen Turnoff, then up to the Narrowneck tunnel (Rennies). The kids were troopers and we had fun finding our way through the pitch black tunnel, and getting thoroughly filthy. We emerged onto the Federal pathway and followed it back to the Golden Stairs. I saw several Lyrebirds and found someones hidden lunch which animals had pulled apart. It included some Full O Fruit biscuits which I greedily ate.

Inside Rennie's Tunnel

We met Neil at the mountain top and then had a meal at the Blackheath pub, before going back to the tents at Carlons.
Saturday night was one of the most beautiful that I remember. A full moon came up through a misty sky about 10pm. It was dead still. All the bush was lit up by the moon as if it were a dream, the cliff of Narrowneck could be clearly seen. The weather was perfect, and I left the tent flap open. About 1 am I woke up to see the enormous moon filling the tent door.
At 5.30am I dragged myself out for a run. On the way back I had noted the didtasnces from ther campsite. So I ran with the sunrise, kangaroos and wombats along the beautioful Megalong valley to the Coffee shop and back. The outward trip was a struggle with the flu setting in, but I recovered on the return trip and ran along happily, at about 4.3min/k. 30k all up
Afterwards we had a fun game of cricket with our kids and some fellow campers Carol and Geraldine and their boys.
Later we hoked up the nearby hill and claimed it with a cairn of rocks, and the drove down through Biolpin to visit Catherine and Michaels Arabian stud. We learned a lot about Arabs, and I have to agree they are beautiful animals.

The Flu

Aaargh... the kids had now I got it. For a week as it turned out. This flu hung around for a week and I lost my voice for three days. Nio running for five days. Fortunately it went away very suddenly on Thursday.

Tuesday Sprints

Mon 5/1/08 Ran to work and later walked home. Very hot. Cycled to Airport and back to farewell Fred and Cindy.
Tue 6/1/08 Early meeting at Manly. Ran home at 7pm and stopped for 10*400m sprints at Pioneer. Pretty stiff after the weekend, ran them between 1.44 and 1.57.

Dee Why Dash 4/1/09

27k from Dee Why Surf club up to Oxford Falls then to Allambie Heights, Manly and along the coat to Dee Why. There were some big hills and one big down hill. I felt pretty good getting through it in 2:25. Mentally the hills were tough especially the last one at the end.
Yesterday I went on a 5 hour bike ride (in the saddle) from Malabar to Lillyfield where I met Graham, then all around Homebush Park, then on to Enfield for coffee with the Castros, then back along Cooks River and Foreshore drive. Left knee sore afterwards so I iced it and took Voltaren.
Last weekend I ran in the CR 5k in 18.53. Heidi ran 19.44. In the last week I also ran Heidi's secret Coogee Hill course, and we ran downhill intervals at Lapa. Numerous other runs, around Lapa/Malabar.

Christmas Day 10k 2008

Dragged myself out for 10.2k around Heffron oval. Averaged 4.16 mins a k. Then ran to office and carried a Playstaion 3 back home (they are heavy!). Arrived at 9am for presents, then to Neil's for a huge feed and big water pistol fight.
Boxing Day had pleasant 1 hour run with Heidi to the end of Prince of Wales drive on the breakwater and back. She was really fatigued and kept falling back. I felt pretty good.

SMC 10k 21-12-08

Good morning for running. Cool no wind. Big turnout for the first running of the 10k teams event. Ran OK but with no zip. Came in about 40.03. Could have done better. I blame the intense week of stress trying to get work finished for the year. Remarkable run by Blue Dog backing up from C2K the previous weekend and overtaking me at 39k and powering ahead. Tough dude. Heidi ran 40.44.

Sri Chimnoy 23/11/08 Half Marathon

Perfect day for running. Light rain and unseasonably cool. The half marathon was three windy loops of the inside of Centennial Park. I was running well and feeling likely to run 86.?? when on the last lap I ran straight ahead where I was supposed to turn. I ended up running about 1.2kms out of my way. The other runners were calling out to me (they told me afterwards) but I was in my own little world just ahead of them. After getting back on course I was not too fazed and started reeling in the runners I had overtaken earlier. I felt really good in the last two k's and gave it everything finally finishing in 90.33. Heidi ran in the 10k event in 40.3? She keeps improving

SMC 10km Sun 16/11/08

Travelled with Heidi to Smithfield. Great conditions cool and light winds. I ran 30m 53s which was the usual, and Heidi was first lady home in 40m55s which is a new PB.
This week had a good interval run on tue 10 * 500 in 1m42s to 1m 46s and a good run down to the Cathedral. Some other runs in there too but lifes just too hectic to remember.
On Sunday it was Serena and Kate's dance recital. A fun time was had by all. Serena fell on one of the gym exercises but got back up again. After the show she was laughing about it .... she must be growing up.

Buffalo Creek Star - Sun 9/11/08

On Monday I was dead tired from the ride and its aftermath, so much so that I kept forgetting everything. I even managed to lock myself out of the office for 2 hours when I couldn't find my keys!
So I was surprised that on Tue morning Heidi and I ran the 10*500m intervals faster than ever. Maybe it was the freshly mown grass, or maybe we are just getting better. Heidi ran all the intervals sub 1m50s with a PB of 1m46s and I ran all mine 1m46s or less and on the final one I ran 1m39s.
No runs until Saturday due to work and exhaustion. On Friday night I flew to Melbourne for a work function at Rippon Lea house. In the morning I dragged myself out for a 15k run from the motel in Lygon St to Federation Square and then east along the Yarra Trail. It was a very enjoyable run. The weather was cool and the rowers were out in force along the river. It was fun to see if I could keep ahead of the eights. I ran along the river for 6.5k's according to the signs and then crossed the river for the return trip. This time there was an eight starting off just as I hit crossed the bridge so I really tried to put in an effort. Managed to hold maximum pace to just before the rowing sheds opposite Federation Square, so I was pleased with that effort. Then cruised back to Lygon Street.
Afterwards we visited my old friend Clare Mc. and we returned to Rippon Lea for the full tour followed by a great meal at the Ciccolina restaurant in St Kilda. (Highly recommended). Eventually got home about 10pm and fell into bed.
Next morning it was hard getting out of bed at 5.30am for the Buffalo Creek Star. Little voices were telling me "Its too late you won't make it", "Relax, enjoy some sleep" "Have a rest". Some how I did make it. The 6.20am group were just leaving as I pulled up. I managed to catch them at the first drink stop and then ran with two Action Jackson and Cameron till the 23k mark where I caught up with Mike K. and slowed down for a chat for a k or two. Also met Coly who had recently swum the English channel. He had a very inspirational story. 16 hours in 14 degree water. Wow, that is hard core. I ran on from Mike at the 25k mark and soon found Stefica and had a chat to her for a few hundred metres. I left her at the 26k mark and ran to the finish alone.
I felt strong over the final 4 k but the rough trail was not good for striding out. All up a slow Star of 2h40m.

Gong Ride 08

This turned out to be a super day. My company sponsored the local community at Malabar to ride in the Gong ride. We supplied a coach, a marquee, t-shirts, BBQ and organisation. The community got behind it and raised over $7000. Also four children including my 12 year old daughter Serena rode the 56kms from Heathcote to Wollongong. They were all troopers, well done Serena, Haylee, Josh and Tristan.

The weather was very kind to us with cool cloudy conditions but no rain and a tailwind.

We were inspired by Annette B, who suffers from MS and whose daughter Haylee also rode in the event. Some people inspire you with their quiet determination. Annette and Haylee are two such people and today my daughter Serena was too. She guts her way up the hills, and never complained or gave up.

Annette and her parents came down on the coach and welcomed us at the finish. That gave the ride a new meaning for all of us.
Special thanks go to Sarah B. for her great organisation, the Normandie Motel for catering and to everyone who came on the bus as riders and helpers. It was a privilege to be involved. Thank you.

Striders Lane Cove 10k

Travelled to race with Heidi, Greg and Suzanne. Humid day with light rain. Ran 39min 52 which I was happy with. I had to leave the event immediately after finishing to race down to Mittagong with a spare wheel for Dave who had spent the night by the roadside.
Earlier in week had good 10*500 reps at Pioneer park with Heidi. All below 1m50s the fastest 1m41s and also 10k on Thu.
Lots of cross training at work with diving and lifting all sorts of things.
Tomorrow is the Gong ride which my company has sponsored. So far our group "Annnettes Army" has raised over $7000. Its a wonderful cause. MS sucks.

Sunday 26th Oct

No run Friday due to late finish docking ships at Garden Island. Saturday morning CR 5k at Iron Cove. Ran off 20min but came in at 18m48s. Robert G and Suzanne L also came along.

Then took a group for Gong ride training at Heffron for two hours. Afterwards we had an all day party for Serena's 12th birthday including taking the 10 kids for a hike to the Coast graveyard to take rubbings of the tombstones.

Sunday morning went for 1 hour ride around Centennial with Monica. First half hour was easy then I went all out until I managed to lap Monica.

Thu 23/10/08

Rested my knee till Tue. Ran 10 * 500m intervals. Stated at 1m 51s and built up to 1m 40s. No pain in the knee but I could still "feel" it. No run Wed. Then Thursday ran 2 * 5.3km quick circuits of Malabar. No knee pain at all.

Maroubra Fun Run Sun 19-10-08

I was looking forward to this event. But on Thu I was running 1k intervals with Heidi J. when I got a sharp pain behind my right kneecap. I could still run on it but not flat out. So I have rested it since then and so no Fun Run.

Instead I watched from the side line. A lovely day but hot with very little wind.

Heidi ran in 33.09, Greg L. in 42, Neil agsin won the wheelchair, and Serena, Michele, Monica, Ricky Lilly and Elke, Kate and Geoffery all walked the 4k.

Brighton Beach Dash 12-10-08

Inaugural running of this 10km race along Brighton beach promenade. Bit of a dodgy surface but it was well organised and I had a comfortable run in 39.13. Please with that, only have to improve just over a second/km to go under 39.

Heidi J. ran a modern PB of 41.09. Her folks kindly gave me a lift out there. We were going to run back to Malabar but Heidi had a spectacular fall into the gravel after the race and took some bark off. So after doing an extra 10k we caught a cab.

Also this week I did 10*400m intervals Tuesday and 10k tempo on Thursday. I also dived twice a day which was fun but very tiring. Great weather though, we saw all sorts of marine life, the highlight being the first of the Humpbacks going south.

Jervis Bay 5-10-08

A day trip with my daughter Honor to Jervis Bay. We met up with Michael and Jessie at Callala and then Mark W. met us in his boat with Ian and Ray.

The weather was overcast but the sea was dead calm, so we were able to anchor right under Point Perpendicular. I have many happy memories of this site. It is big. The bottom is made of huge boulders stacked on top of each. Honor and I dived to 32 metres cruising in and out of the passages between the huge stone monoliths. We spent the dive photographing sea tulips (Below) and anemones (above). The water was cold and there was a green tinge due to algal bloom, but it was worth it. There is something special about the the heads at Jervis Bay. Diving anywhere round here is memorable.

Honor also found a super cute baby Port Jackson shark which sucked on to any thing that came near its mouth.

Afterwards we dived the Fairey Firefly wreck off Callala. This plane crash landed after a mid air collision in 1956. The details are here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VX381_Fairey_Firefly_wreck . The photo below shows a restored Firefly in RAN Air Wing colours.


The plane is virtually fully intact and there are few signs of "ratting". The parachute and compass binnacle are still in place.


By coincidence I am named after a sailor who was stationed at HMAS Albatross at the time of the wreck, and who was later killed in a car crash on the HMAS Albatross Road in 1958. He was my Uncle Alan and he is buried in the Service Graveyard at Nowra. I wonder if he worked on this plane?

When I was talking to my Uncle Noel a couple of months ago, he remembered Alan lovingly. They had served in Korea together. Alan was on board the carrier HMAS Sydney as an Aircraft Artificer, and Noel was a foot soldier at the front line. Noel was seriously injured by a Chinese grenade and spent two years convalescing.

In the meantime Alan had gone to Scotland to train as a diver with the Royal Navy, and while there he was selected for "special operations". He later enrolled in the military foreign language school at Point Cook, Victoria. Alan learned Russian and it was at his suggestion that Noel followed in his footsteps and applied to study Indonesian. They were also trained in interrogation techniques, and survival skills.

After Alan died, Noel completed Officer training and had a long career as an Indonesian intelligence expert.

Two months after I visited with Noel in his nursing home, and he told me all about Alan, he passed away aged 83. I hope the brothers have reunited in death. As Noel said to me tearfully "Alan was my best mate" That was 50 years after his brother's death.

The words of the poem "For the Fallen" rang very true as Noel remembered his brother so vividly and his comrades who fell in Korea.

There are many roads that we travel in life, and they have a way of converging as we get older. I wonder if this plane is a crossroads between my Uncle and I? Were his hands the last to touch the wings before it took off? Did he give the pilot a thumbs up as he taxied away?

PS... Speaking of roads converging, who should be sitting at the table at the Berry doughnut van when we pulled up but my sister-in-law Karen and my niece Emma. Karen kindly sprang for the donut and coffee and saved me a sprint to the ATM. Thanks Karen! The planets aligned for me that day.

Striders 10k - October 4th 2008

Striders 10k Homebush - 39.50 felt good. Bit of a strain in the last half but never felt like I wanted to quit. Light rain and muddy track.

Light week of running this week. Started running intervals with Heidi J.at Pioneer. Ran 10 * 400m on Tuesday and 5 * 300m Thursday.

Heavy diving week. Two dives a day every day. Great weather. Cuttlefish have gone beserk laying eggs on everything in sight.

Also saw some spectacular Blue Devil Fish

And Sea Dragons with berries.

Running since the Marathon

I felt very fresh after the marathon and very little muscle soreness. There was no time for recovery runs as I was at sea all week and diving most days.
I made it out on Friday evening for a brisk 5k run. Then on Saturday I went to the Coolrunners 5k handicap time trial at Iron Cove. Very civilised. I ran faily comfortably in 19.15 and then 21mins on the return. Very pleasant coffee with the CR people afterwards.

Today ran the Airport Star. Very lethargic. Very warm day forecast is 33deg. Took the short option of 26.4k and glad I did. Not much left in the tank at the end.

Low Iron

I am a regular blood donor and was surprised this week when I was rejected for donation because of low haemoglobin. So I went to see the Doctor Chris who advised that this is not uncommon in marathon runners! Who new? Not me. Looks like the diet missed out on a few vital minerals...like iron...Dohhhh!
So Chris is testing me for other possible causes of low iron like cancer, but the most likely explanation is that I haven't eaten enough iron rich foods like red meat, combined with endurance running which tends to deplete the body of iron.
The bonus is after I increase my iron/haemoglobin levels back up again I should have a lot more energy.

Sydney Marathon - 21-09-08

Decided not to run with the 3hr pacers but run according to how I felt. Made it to 21.1k at 90mins and then 30k at 2.10. I was expecting to hit the wall, so I tried to hold back but as I passed the turnaround on the City West link I felt better and better. I kept passing people and no one was passing me. That was unusual and also motivating. As I passed over the Glebe Island bridge for the second time I remembered last year that the 3.15 group passed me here, and I suffered terribly to the finish line. I also remebered that at the Gold Coast 2 months ago when I came to a complete halt at 39k with dizziness and fatigue. But today I was feeling good. I actually started to feel better than in the first half. But I new I had at least 7k to go so I was determined to hold back.
Then I was into Hickson Road, a long desolate straight. One runner was a long way front of me. I decided to increase speed just enough to catch him before the bend. I did! So I came up to the Wharf theatre and overtook a couple more runners. Then coming around Dawes Point I ran past the seawall that I had rebuilt and remebered how hard it had been working there. Only two k' to go so I let it rip, and somehow managed to run the last two k sub 4 mins. Time 3.04.?? Two minute PB and an 8 minute course PB.
I had so much extra energy that I ran back to Hickson Rd to find Mike and pace him home. He was suffering but hung on to run 3.50 which was 19 minutes better than last year.
What was the difference?
-1) I force fed myself carbs (pasta, bannanas, bread, honey, rice) for three days before hand.
-2) I filled myself with V8 juice and gatorade.
-3) I had easy days before the race
-4) During the race I had a GU before the start and at every 10k (even though I wasn't hungry)
-5) I sucked Glycogen pills the whole race
-6) My training while missing afew days due to flu and work has been consitent over the last 7 months.

Sydney Marathon Eve - 20-9-08

Its the eve of the Marathon and I can't say that I am confident. I have concentrated on 5k runs in the last two weeks. No long run last Sunday. Instead I managed just one sprint around Centennial Park after which I was stuffed, then a slow jog/walk home. I put this fatigue down to the flu hangover and a big day at sea working on Saturday.
Overall I think I am as fit as I ever have been but the Sydney course is not easy with hills at the Domain, Alison Rd, Darling harbour and City West Link. If I can crack 3.10 I will be very happy, and I will be content with anything under 3.15.

Flu

Best of Intentions to run in the Striders Sneek Peek 35k but the Flu took hold on Saturday night. Only ran a couple of 10k slow jogs through the week. On Sunday 7th ran the Willoughby winder which ended up being 32k with rain extensions. Felt pretty good.

New Diet Part 2 - Sat 30/8/08

Broke the diet on Tue night when I attended the wedding party for Gina and Toby. It was bring a plate and Toby being a chef, everyone brought something good! Had some chocolate, had some sausages, but also ate lots of great salad. Took Wednesday and Thursday off as I was so tired and sore. Friday ran home from work 12km. Saturday morning 10 hill repeats from the Sea rescue to the top of Howe St. Hard work. Have stuck to the diet. Lost 3kg this week.

New Diet

This week started new diet to get rid of lazy fat before the Sydney Marathon. My weight has gone up to 74kg. So I have sworn off fat, bread, tea and coffee, lollies, chocolate,cake... for the next 4 weeks. Target weight 69kg.
Ran 12k home from work via Lapa on Monday at 5min/k. It was murder. Legs very sore. Tuesday ran 5k to work and 12km back home. Legs still sore.

Mt Wilson to Bilpin August 24th 2008

Stayed in Blackheath with Mike and Stef, Michele and Serena. Very cold in the morning with a heavy frost but by start time of 10am it was cold but perfect for running, with clear skies and low wind.
I decided to hold back this year and was pleased to let people overtake me early on. I tried to hold 4.2m/k until the bridge. After the 5k drink break I pretty well ran by myself the whole way. Coming onto the bitumen I came upon a group of three and slowly I came up on them and went past. Then a short way down towards the river I picked up another. I had a very enjoyable run to the river, I could see an NRG runner in the distance on the long straights. He stopped at the drinks station and I continued up the hill. The hill! Boy it goes on forever, well 7k I think. The runner who stopped powered up and soon overtook me. I plodded up, and up, and up. Finally got the the Bells line road and had 1.5k to run. But I was pretty buggered. Got home in 2.49.40 which is a minute faster than last year.
Mike had a great run coming in at 3.12 which was much better than he expected.
In the afternoon Neil/Kath/Kate/Geoff /Drew and the Castros came up to Blackheath. On Sunday we all watched the Olympic Marathon and went on a bushwalk through Centennial Glen. The kids practised abseiling by the creek.
I also got in 5k of slow recovery run with Kath on Sunday morning and another 5k in the evening.

Clovelly Canter Sun 17-8-08

30k around the eastern suburbs. 2hr 20. No dramas. Also this week two interval sessions and one swim session.

City to Surf 10-8-08

Cold with light westerly blowing. Great conditions. Last year ran 57.50 and planned to run 1 minute faster this year. Twenty nine minutes at 7k, and 56.40 across the line. Its always hard to get going after standing for an hour at the start and the first three k's were a struggle, but then I just sat on 4min/k pace. By luck or experience I came in exactly as planned and feeling well. Then ran back to Rose Bay and walked with Michele and Serena to the finish.

Sun 3/8/08

Pymble Pushover Star - ran with the 3.20 group at a good pace. very hilly course with some steep hills that were a challenge. Legs a bit sore towards the end but did not slow down.

Through the week had a couple of 10 k runs and ran 10 intervals on Wednesday at Wollongong lighthouse

Sun 27/7/08 - Tourist trot star, well named as it winds from Centennial Park over the Bridge to North Sydney and then back again via the Opera House. I started with the 6.20 group but it quickly broke up and I ran by myself for some time, and ran quite a bit extra as I made a few wrong turns. Ran the last 5k's with Mike K.