Wednesday HuRTS

Another hot day for a HuRTS session. Not as humid today but pretty windy which made for a hard slog around Centennial Park. Got down to the corner of Bent and Macquarie for 12:10:30 to find that Mike C et al had all long gone. Must have went well before the usual 12:10pm as I didn't catch up with them until the navy base, putting in 3:50s per km for the first 1,500m. It set me up for a tough run. I think Tom needs to get back for the Wednesday runs as he always ensures we start late.

Was joined by the Wednesday regulars Mike C, Anna, Indrajeet, Ben and Jonathan W. Also had James and Alex, a gun two thirtysomething marathon runner from Sean Williams' group join us. Mike C was up to his usual car dodging tricks with a few close calls for the rest of us. I think someone needs to teach him the Safe Cross Code. Finished the 19kms in 1:26. 20km all up in 1:30.

Tuesday fartlek

Coach Chris won't be happy. The HuRTS session for today was a 45 minute fartlek with 1 minute on and 30 seconds off. Chris suggested that I do a 3/2/1 session instead. It was pretty hot today and I find it harder to motivate myself for intervals alone so I opted for the 1 minute on 30 seconds off. Took off at a decent pace with John Bowe doing his usual 'hare out of the traps' run. got chatting to Richie High on the way out. Well, he did most of the chatting as he was on an 'easy' run while I was clearly not. JC caught up with us and I think Richie was relieved to have someone who would converse properly with. Turned at the first flyover after the Harbour Bridge and held onto the coattails of Richie and JC until the Botanic Gardens. Was on track for finishing under 45 minutes until the last 2kms where I struggled with the hills and heat. Still, John Bowe, in typical fashion,  faded in the distance. Plus, not many of the faster guys had passed me by the time I got to the finish so not a bad session. 11.1kms in 45:28.

 

Good to see Todd and Laura back into the full swing of training after a long time out with respective injuries. Also, Enda has a weird slochy style when running uphill. Never noticed it before but he passed me at the hill beside the Boy Charlton Pool bent forward like an auld fella. maybe that's why he sticks to pan flat IMs.

 

Post run, Mike C suggested that some of the Tuesday session will now move to Rushcutters. I have to say, I'm not keen on this. I like the Rushcutter sessions and think that the Thursday sessions (where there is also an alternative) are perfect for it. But having longer sessions down there, added to the time it takes to get there and back, is asking a lot, particularly of people working west of the CBD.

 

Elaine text me this morning to say that our new running buggy has arrived. Looking forward to giving it a test run with Charlie this evening. It may well be one of the best buys yet for our family. Run time for me, motion and outdoors for Charlie and free time for Elaine.

 

2013 Race Plan

I've been having a look at my race plan for 2013 over the last few days. I typically do two major races in a year, an ultra in May/June and a road marathon in 2013. This year may be slightly different as we'll be home for most of the time. I'll miss out on TNF100 for the first time in four years but I've found an alternative race in Italy. http://www.ultratrail.it/en/ I've already started planning a holiday around this where Elaine, Charlie and I will fly to Venice and spend 10 days to 2 weeks in northern Italy and southern France taking in some beautiful cities, lake regions, wine regions and the Tour de France. The HuRTS boys are planning an inaugural trip abroad for the Berlin marathon (http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en) so I will make sure to be at that. It's the 40th anniversary of the race and probably the fastest course in the world so ideal for a PB. We may even sneak in a few steins at Oktoberfest afterward to celebrate.

Six Foot track is also on the cards for March. http://www.sixfoot.com/. I've some unfinished business at this race. I missed out in 2012 with the cancellation and my debut in 2011 was a disaster with my worst blow up in a run for a long time. I'll be gunning for a sub 4:15 this time, a shot at the team title with HuRTS and the famous Beer Bet Golden Stubbie. I'm also in for the Western State 100 mile lottery. I've a one in six chance of getting in so I'm not holding out hope but if I do, that will change my Italy plans as it's in June. Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc is also on my to do list but will probably leave this one until 2014. So here's how things are shaping up:

2013 Race Plan
January - Tom Brennan New Year's Day 5k, Dublin
February - a Striders 10k and possibly the Equaliser, Sydney
March - Six Foot Track, Blue Mountains
April - Great Ireland run 10k, Dublin
June - The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Italy
June to August - Dublin marathon race series - 5 mile, 10 mile, half marathon
September - Berlin marathon, Germany
October - Dublin marathon, Ireland

Monday HuRTS

I've been running with the Hickson Road Training Squad (HuRTS) for three years now. It's a motley crew of road runners, track runners, trail/ultra runners and triathletes. I guess I fit into most of them, except triathlon, although I have done a half Ironman, sort of. Anyway, it's a bloody fast group, especially at the pointy end, and most of my training posts will involve runs with this crew.

Today was a 16km easy run around the harbour. A relatively flat route from the Domain through to the end of Barangaroo and back. It was a rainy one so it suited the Irish when compared to the stinking hot days we've been having lately. Felt good and was able to push out some fast kms. Low turnout today with Conway away and people shying away from the rain, or maybe it was the weekend of energy sapping heat? Ran with Craig W, Scottish Richie, Jonathan W, Indrajeet and a few others. Only JW and myself covered the full 16kms and he kept me honest, surging for the last 3-4kms. 4:25 per km. Felt solid.

It's back

I've decided to resurrect this old blog to keep track of my running training and maybe provide insights or a bit of a laugh for those interested in reading it. Well, it's been almost five years since I last blogged here and a lot has happened since then. I now have a wonderful wife, a beautiful baby boy, I live in Sydney, Australia and I still run, a little faster than before. So enjoy my ramblings and feel free to post comments/remarks/abuse.