MLR Sunday 27th Jan

Planned to run the Star but the rain was beating down at 5am so I decided to run locally. I was very stiff and heavy after the week on the boat, so I only managed 15k to Cape Solander and back at a slow pace. It rained all day.
The good news is I had almost no trouble with my ankles.

Run sail run sail

I have spent the week sailing the James Bourke down the coast. I have had some great impromptu runs At our stops.
Run 1 on Monday 21st Jan was 10k from Port Macquarie marina to Findleys beach and back. Started slowly as the sea legs wore off and was able to come home strongly
Run 2 on Tue 22nd. We arrived Forster at 6pm and I ran straight out of town and up to the top of Cape Hawke. Very surprised that I found the energy to make it. A magnificent run arriving at the top of the steep climb right on sunset. Then ran down and did shopping a Woolies and carried it 2k back to boat. 20k all up.
Wed 23rd found us in Forster all day with mechanical and weather issues. Did a 10k circuit around Forster/Tuncurry going from one shop to the next for parts.
Thu 24th no run. Spent the first half of the day recovering from the thunderstorm and gale we encountered off Boomerang Beach. Sheltered in Seal Rocks till. 1pm when we set off for the 24 hour run to Long Bay.
Now finally reaching sydney on Friday.

At Sea

No running today as Neil and I head down the coast in the lifeboat "james Bourke". Running on autopilot straight into southerly so we are braced against the gunwhales. Its a bumpy ride.

Abandoned run Wed 16-1-13

The long run on Tue caught up with me today. Just felt dead, and when I finally ventured out at 8pm I couldn't run. So I had a pleasant walk and surprised the family by coming in early and NOT covered in sweat as usual.

Malabar-Cape Banks-Lapa Tue 15/1/13

I started out to do just 10k but it was so pleasant I took the long route. Didn't start till 8pm, just a s the sun was setting maginificantly. It just became dark as I reached Lapa. Surprised legs felt OK.

Cycle and run Mon 14/1/12

One hour cycle class then 5k at 4min/k on treadmill

Tourist Trot Star Sun 13th Jan

Just missed 6.20 group and almost caught them then had to make emergency stop at the loo. By the time I restarted the 6.30 group were in sight behind me. Eventually the caught me at Crown St. Took a short cut with a few others and found Mike on the other side of the bridge. Had a nice catchup until the 6.20 group caught us at Luna Park and I joined in with them to the end. A bit stiff walking to the car but otherwise OK.

Malabar to Maroubra Gym and Back Sat 12th Jan

Had planned to run at Quarry Rd but Nat parks closed all parks due to fire risk. It was a very warm morning Left the 5k run to the last minute but did it in 18mins then did 45min cycle class and then run back via Maroubra Beach. My ankles have greatly improved.
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Malabar to Little Bay and Back Fri 11th Jan

Just a short run on dead legs Helicopter Base and back then great swim at Bondi with Neil and some terrific body surfing. In the water so long that I cramped up.
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Malabar-Cape Banks-Congwong Beach-Lapa Loop

I ran this loop on Wed 9th and Thu 10th. Both times without struggling or too much ankle pain. so things are looking up.

Ryders Ridge Loop Mon 7th Jan

I had a great run/walk/crawl by following the fire trail called Ryders Ridge Rd directly up the hill behind the guest house in Tawonga. It eventually emerges at O'Sullivans lookout after a very steep climp which saw me on all fours at times. Then a great run down the hill to the house. Felt pretty good

Pre Hotham

I was very uncertain whether I would front the start line at B2H so I was pleased when it was called off. My achilles on both legs have been so sore. Two days before I had a great run though from Tawonga to Dams Road the up to Mt Beauty and back to Tawonga with no real issues so I had decided to start.

Bogong to Hotham 6-1-13

The event was cancelled due to the heat wave. Phew, that was a good decision as it was hot, damned hot! I was staying in Tawonga with the family and the temperature in the valleys went to over 42 degrees.

On the day Honor and I set off at 4am to hike to the top of Mt Bogong. It was against Honor's better judgement but it was cool weather on the summit and spectacular views as the sun rose.

Honor got runner's high and we ran down the last half of the descent. Cool Day!

Claustral Canyon Revisited Sunday 30th Dec 2012

The path we followed

 

A step back in time as Ed and I went back to Claustral which we had first visited in 1985 and now his son Rowan was joining us.
We did some last minute research about the new entry track, and called into Springwood police to log a walk notification and pick up an EPIRB (because I couldn't find mine)
So we didn't start till midday. Then we missed the entry track and spent an hour and a half bush bashing till we found the well worn entry track.
After that it was plain sailing. Through the three abseils and up under and around the many obstacles to the exit point.
We had a brief rest and refuel at the exit point and then powered up to the Camel's hump. I remember in 1985 this hill was a killer but today it was stiff climb but OK. After a few photos and a Chocolate on top we crossed the saddle and descended back into the canyon.



Ed with Yabbysaurus

We noticed the exit point for Dismal Dingle marked by a stone cairn but we pushed on to our exit point that would go up to the base of Mt Bell.
It was nearly dark in the canyon so we were pushing on.

Ed and Rowan on the Camels Hump

We had a couple of swims to do but didn't worry about wetsuits. We found our exit and started up. It was a trouble free hike up and we made the car at 8.15pm.
We noticed on this trip a lot more yabbies including a few monsters, also the tracks were quite overgrown and leaves covered all surfaces. The rocks in the creeks were also very mossy. We put all this down to the lower numbers since the entrance was closed.
It was a great day.

Update before B2H

My ankes! I never really imagined that I would ever be so troubled by my damned ankles. The achilles in both feet are so sore. Over the last month I have been resting them but as soon as I head out for a run the pain comes right back. I have been doing everything that the physio has recommended, stretching, icing, cross training (biking) but not really any improvement.

But I have found that if I grit my teeth then after 6km the pain disappears. I have manged to run a few good 30k runs this way but then I pay the price next day.

So with B2H almost here, I have decided to just do the best I can and not stress about it. If I can run it I will, if not, then no worries. I have rented the house in Mt Beauty anyway so I will be there either as a competitor or a spectator.

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.