2P's Running Blog

Another Go

2012-01-24T21:14:00.001+11:00

YTD Foot Powered Total: 50k

Finally gave the Merrells a run - just 5k around the burbs - the Mix Masters have plenty of toe room but a bit tight across the forefoot - the exact opposite to my old (and much loved) Merrell Overdrives. The heels also pinched a bit - hopefully they will stretch a bit with use. The soles were also a but slippy on wet concrete, but again this could be a wearing in issue - jury is out, need another couple of runs.

Chest still a bit crappy - but definitely on the mend.

Tits up

2012-01-23T01:44:00.002+11:00

That's the way the plan went!

Not only did the man-flu come back but the results of my chest x-ray last Monday showed that the middle lobe of my right lung had collapsed!

More antibiotics and physio - yada, yada....

It is time for the tide to turn!

I'm sick & tired of being sick & tired.

On the upside, my new Merrell Mix Masters feel great and I got a real boost reading Whippets GNW report

It is nearing 12 months since I got sick and frankly, that is enough!

Update

2012-01-14T17:02:00.002+11:00

Tuesday 10/01 - 11k walk from Catherine Hill Bay back to Gwandalan through the bush.

Thursday 12/01 - 13k walk (with a few trots) through the bush out and back to the old YMCA camp.

Saturday 14/01 - 6k very ugly run/walk thingy around the lake - still a lot of crap on my lungs from man-flu but at least I've made a start!

All good :)

Oh What A Day

2012-01-08T20:05:00.003+11:00

40 minute paddle
5k walk

Another 40 minute paddle with Carol on the lake today in the kayak - Bec tagged along on the surf ski.

Did a mile of handyman chores which really took it out of me - I'm so soft, my arms and hands are wasted from rehanging doors, sawing, screwing screws into hardwood and working above head height.

Finished it off with a hard 5k walk with Bec including an 800m uphill stretch.

Whole body is sore.

All good :)

And So It Begins

2012-01-07T16:40:00.003+11:00

40 minute paddle
10k bushwalk

With a mini relapse of the arthritis between Christmas and New Year and then a humungus dose of man-flu, it wasn't quite the start to 2012 I had been planning or hoping for. On the bright side at least my decision to have a 3.5 week break from work was a good one.

Over the last couple of days I've started to feel human again, so when it was bright and clear this morning Carol and I went out for a 40 minute paddle on the lake - beautiful.

After some chores Bec and I took off for a 10k jaunt around the bush trails of Crangan Bay (Gwandalan). Feeling a bit tuckered out now, but satisfied.

Hopefully start running again over the next couple of weeks.

All good :)

So Long 2011 - Hello Rest of My Life

2011-12-31T15:37:00.002+11:00

2011 was my annus horriblis - I learned a hell of a lot though so whilst it hurt, it wasn't a waste - how's the old saying go.... The pain is mandatory, the suffering is optional.

I'm not going to regurgitate the detail but the lowlights go like this: a dose of Reactive Arthritis landed me in hospital for 10 days, had me on a zimmer frame for 3 weeks, a walking stick for another 3 months and a long slow recovery that still isn't over; number 2 was my dear old Ma passing away on day 3 of my hospital stay; 3rd was an incredibly difficult work year - not your mucking about difficult work year, but your fair dinkum bastard of a work year.

Finishing off 2011 with a chest infection seems appropriate and I can see the humour in it. It's pretty funny really.

I feel I can take on anything now.

Just as well, because I'm officially fatter and less fit than I've ever been in my life.

I'm not going to make any bold claims about 2012. I'm just going to enjoy the rest of my break, recover and recharge and get ready to finish all the things I've started at work, shake off the last of the arthritis, give back to my family for the support they have given me this year, and get in some good training.

I've known since I was 19 what kind of old man I wanted to become, and at nearly 48 nothing has changed - I still want to be that old man. If I can use the lessons I've learned this last year, I have a chance to really set myself up for the rest of my life, to make a difference and to leave a legacy.

Roll on 2012, you are the beginning of the rest of my life :)

10mg Pain Barrier Take III

2011-04-24T13:35:00.003+10:00

And Action!

Yet again I'm trying to adjust to just 10mgs of Prednisone!

My week back at 15mgs was a comparatively blissful time. A week at 12.5mgs was telling. Now I'm back to 10mgs.

It hurts.

I'll stick with it for a couple of more days, but if my back, knees, ankles and feet don't start to adjust, I'm going back up - I can't see any point in reaching for the analgesics. My back hasn't really been a problem since I got out of hospital, so it is mildly annoying that it has resurfaced.

The good news is that whilst my hands are still sore, I have full range of movement back in my left hand and fingers and almost full range in my right, so I've been able to play guitar again. Not quite back to the standard I was at, but learning two Clapton songs, Layla and Tears in Heaven which are relatively difficult has brightened my spirits no end. I'm not completely useless :)

I look forward to the day I can take a long walk or maybe even a little run.

All good :)

The Good Professor

2011-04-10T20:30:00.003+10:00

Had my first follow up appointment with my rheumotologist on Friday - a few days more than 4 weeks after my discharge from hospital.

Last week I described my ups and downs attempting to wean off the cortisone, well this week was the same. After my brief return to 15mgs for 3 days (I was on 20mgs when I left hospital) and subsequent reduction to 10mgs, every day became increasingly more painful than the day before. By Friday I was again getting close to the end of my tether, so a visit to the Good Professor was indeed timely.

Anecdote and mere feelings aside - the science (read blood tests) revealed that whilst I was improving, the improvement wasn't keeping pace with the weaning. I kind of already knew that but it is good to have corroboration - it ain't just in my head. For the record, the main inflammatory marker had dropped from 81 on the day I left hospital to 60. NB normal range is 0 to 10. 5 days before hospital I was 225 and I maxed out at 440 the morning after I went into hospital.

Anyhoo - the upshot of it all is, that the 15mgs has been restored for a full 7 days and then a gentler weaning using 2.5mg steps down instead of the previously bigger 5mg jumps. The Sulfasalazine dose has also been increased to 1.5gms morning and night.

As I've discovered, it takes a couple of days for both increases and decreases to have an effect, so it has only been today that the pain has settled to a manageable discomfort. Mostly it is more a recognition of impaired mobility than actual pain. Of course moving the wrong way, sitting in the one position for too long, or walking for too long still reminds me that the hurty bits are still hurty. But this is a whole lot better than most of the last 2-3 weeks and it is amazing how much lighter I feel mentally as a result.

Speaking of lighter - I dipped below 96kgs through last week. Probably my muscles atrophying but at least I'm not putting on weight during this period of forced inactivity.

All good :)

Roller Coaster

2011-04-03T14:06:00.003+10:00

Well this week has been a bit tough.... Stepped down to 10mg of Prednisone last Thursday week which meant cutting out my evening dose - the pain gradually grew till I was starting to climb the walls by this Wednesday and I was starting to hammer the analgesics just to get by.

A trip to the GP on Wednesday arvo saw my evening dose of Prednisone reinstated for 3 days and the cut again. By yesterday the pain was back to just a general discomfort so it will be interesting to see how I go over the next few days.

Managed 4 hours each day Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri at work last week with Wednesday off.

I'm due for more blood tests Wednesday and then I'm back to the Specialist on Friday - it will be interesting to see what level my inflammation markers are at.

Reactive Thoughts

2011-03-28T23:41:00.008+11:00

Well it has been exactly a month since I was admitted to hospital for Reactive Arthritis... my left foot is particularly whingy tonight to celebrate the anniversary of the commencement of my treatment.

I went back to work last Tuesday - my GP offered me more time at home, but I was pretty keen to make a start back even if it was only for 4 or 5 hours each day. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this but the condition, due to inflammation, has also sent me mildly aenemic. Anyhoo, so far so good with going back to work - though all the things you might expect, did happen. I found the drive a chore, particularly the home trip. Pain levels especially in my feet were up and I felt pretty much knackered by the time I got home - I'm glad it went as expected - I don't like surprises :)

The condition is improving, I know this because my Prednisone dose continues to reduce and my pain levels are generally manageable with low level doses of analgesics - that would not have been the case 2 weeks ago - ergo I must be improving. The condition is improving, I know this because.... The condition is improving.....

I've got to stop reading stuff on the net - the more I read, the more instances I find where this thing goes longer than the text books generally suggest. My specialist claims that 95% of people make a full recovery within 12 months and this is supported by many sources on the net with relapse figures for a 2nd helping at some point thereafter ranging between 20% to 50% of cases. These are odds that I can work with - they give hope!

Unfortunately a recently published longitudinal study by the US Defense Force of 251 patients between 1997 & 2009 showed that 38% of males were still receiving treatment for active symptoms after 2 years and in my age demographic this rose to a scary 59%. In another study of Canadian Police (in 1984, 432 Police suffered Gastro as a result of food poisoning - same antecedent as me - during a Papal visit, 27 ended up with Reactive Arthritis) 66% were still being treated for recurring symptomology 5 years later! The 2 studies are not inconsistent when you look at the gender & age. These odds offer less hope!

As someone who was an active athlete and part-time adventure sportsperson from the time I was 10 till I was 44 years old I'm no stranger to feeling sore and/or recovering from injury. The kinds of mobility restrictions and the levels of pain that I am currently experiencing, are really no different now to what I've lived with on & off throughout my life. The big difference is that I've never needed such massive doses of NSAIDs (still 1g per day - makes 25mg Voltaren Rapids look a bit lame), with Cortisone (down to 10mg Prednisone per day) & Sulphur (up to 2g per day of Sulfasalazine) and still needed to take the odd Panadeine Forte or Endone to cope. I'm also used to seeing rapid improvement and knowing with relative certainty that the discomfort is temporary. Though I know I am improving, it is much slower than recovery from an injury and the everydayness of it does get a little wearing.

I haven't been going for any walks since I started back at work due to tiredness - but I did get up to 1,200m in around 30 minutes the weekend before last and I'm hoping to reintroduce a walk by this weekend - just have to suck it and see.....

On the upside, I'm finding I can play guitar for around 30 minutes without too much discomfort - though only melody lines and open chords. It hurts my left thumb too much to play barre chords or do bends, but at least I can noodle around - frustrating that I can't do a lot of what I could, but pleasing that I can caress timber and strings once more. I guess I just have to take it one day at a time - I mean Daniel Johns (Silverchair) and Mark St. John (Kiss) both made pretty good recoveries from RA, so I just need to keep channeling guitar playing recovery vibes :)

The condition is improving, I know this because........

Better Than I Thought

2011-03-16T16:34:00.004+11:00

Turns out I was short-changing myself - took Garmy with me and that 400m is actually 800m, so I'm going twice as far and twice as fast than I first thought!

Today's trip was 20.31 - a minute slower than yesterday, but a couple of minutes quicker than the day before. But hey, I'm out and about and mobile, so I'll take it.

Pretty much off the Oxycontin now - though I took 5mg around midday as I had another funeral to attend this afternoon - no one close, but since I'm off work anyway, it was no chore to go and provide some support to a dear family friend who lost their Mum earlier in the week.

The fun starts tomorrow as I begin to wean the Prednisone. At current levels the pain is manageable with a Panadeine Forte every now and then - I'm just hoping it will remain so as the Prednisone comes down - it is a pretty gentle plan with 3 weeks to run from now till I'm down to zero. During the same period the Sulfasalazine goes up ultimately to 1g morning and another 1g night and the 1g of Naproxyn stays constant - so if some of you will please cross your fingers for me (I still can't for myself) it should all be Jake!

Plan is still to return to work 21/3 for at least a few hours per day.

All good :)

Out and About

2011-03-12T16:26:00.003+11:00

Took the walking frame for a spin around the block today - about 400m all up. It went ok albeit slow and I was pretty glad to get home. There is a bit of indignity associated with using the frame but I was really keen to get outside for a while and get moving. Now that I'm out of hospital there are thankfully no more Heparin x 2 injections per day so going for a walk is my best defense against clots forming.

I also started weaning off the narcs and have only had one Panadeine Forte today (of course I'm still using the Oxycontin). I'd be lying if I said I couldn't notice any difference, but the truth is bits I haven't felt for days feel sore again, but it is all manageable and my head is a little clearer as a consequence. Just have to see how I go tonight.

In other news, Mrs 2P was rushed off to hospital yesterday morning - believe that? She is home now and the medicos suspect kidney stones - she is on Maxalon for the vomiting and nausea and we are officially now a "Double Endone" family as that's what she is on for the pain. She has rested quietly most of today and anyone who knows Mrs 2P would understand just how sick she must be, because the last time I saw her lie down during the day was after a major surgery about 10 years ago!

It's been a funny old few weeks that's for sure.

All good :)

Home James

2011-03-10T22:26:00.004+11:00

Well I arrived home from hospital yesterday after 10 days of one the most interesting periods of my life. Made it to 47 without ever being admitted to a hospital and it will be just fine with me if it takes another 47 for the next one!

I have some thoughts on the whole experience and I may post them - I've already shared them with a few close friends but this thing ain't over yet so I might hold on to them in case they should come back and bite me.

So where am I up to.....

Not a lot has changed since my last update - other than things got a bit worse before they started to get better again which resulted in some final tinkering of the cocktail of drugs I'm on (10 in total) to manage this thing. The drugs fall into 3 categories: 1. Things that reduce the inflammation; 2. Things that reduce the pain; 3. Things that deal with the side effects of 1 & 2.

The prognosis is that full recovery is looking like about a 9 to 12 month process. Functionally each day is better and I'm planning to return to work (at least part time) on 21March which whilst the doctors suggest is mildly optimistic it is not unrealistic. The main hurdle is to wean off the cortisone and the narcotic painkillers and be able to cope with the symptoms that will be with me for a long time yet.

In terms of keeping a record - dosages of the main drugs immediately prior to discharge were:

Prednisone 15mg morning, 5mg night (plan to decrease)
Naproxyn 1gram night (plan to decrease)
Sulfasalazine 500gms night (plan to increase)
Oxycontin 15mg morning, 15mg night (plan to decrease)
Panadeine Forte 4 x 2 daily (plan to decrease)
Endone up to 20mg per day taken as required
Temazapem 10mg night taken as required

I've already knocked 5mg per morning & night off the Oxycontin and have increased Sulfasalazine to 500mg morning & night. For the record I haven't taken any Endone since discharge.

In terms of pain, on a 1 to 10 scale the above cocktail results in a 2 to 3 lying perfectly still in a comfortable position. 3 to 5 moving carefully around and spikes to 7/8 if I do dumb shit. With luck I can maintain that as I wean - if I can't it will mean longer off work as I can't function properly in my job or indeed drive till I'm off the narcotic painkillers.

I've have had to abandon any thoughts of doing Hellgate in April, but hopefully I can still turn up in a support role. The other real bugger is it will be sometime before I can play guitar again which has left an enormous hole in my life.

It might not be all good, but it is better :)

A Tribute To Mum

2011-03-07T22:40:00.002+11:00

They gave me a "gate pass" from hospital today so I could attend Mum's funeral. I delivered the following eulogy.

On behalf of Lynne & Grahame, I would like to start by thanking you all for coming today, so that collectively we can celebrate the life of this remarkable woman, our Mum.

Lynne, Grahame and I would also like to thank some people for their help towards the last years of Mums life - Robyn & Graham - Mums Neighbours who were always willing to help out, Rex and Val provided much support before and particularly since Dad's death, and Barry, Sandra & Adam who cared so lovingly for Mum in their own home when it became clear she could no longer live alone.

You may not know this, but Mum was actually born a city slicker! Life started out for Mum in around the Kensington & Canterbury areas - before moving with her Mum & Dad at age 5 to Heath Road at Leppington - an area vastly different then to the Leppington you see today - but a Leppington that would shape the very fundamental core of what and who Mum would become.

Part of this shaping was the life-long relationships that she formed. From her precious "Leppington Girls" from Raby Public School to all the others she met along the way. The circle just grew and grew and when she met Dad that brought in the Cobbity and Camden crowd as well.

It was also an environment without running water, electricity, shopping malls, or for that matter even a corner shop - where needing to go with your Mum & Sister to the clinic in Liverpool meant hooking up the horse and sulky. This environment prepared Mum for dealing with life in a way that many of us here today could never hope to understand.

In short, it was a world where you just had to get on with things.

One example of how Mum herself learned to get on with things, was that from the time she was 12, she rode her push bike three and a half kilometers to the bus stop. From there she got on the bus and took a 45 minute trip to the nearest train station. She then caught an old red-rattler for 40 minutes and then after a walk, she would finally arrive at her destination, the nearest high school to where she lived, Homebush Girls High School. In the depths of winter it would have been dark when she left in the morning and it would have been dark when she got home. Remember this was from when she was just 12!

If that wasn't tough enough, she then had to do an even longer trip, when she landed her dream job at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music near the Sydney Botanical Gardens, as secretary to Sir Eugene Goosens. It was during this time that Mum formed her lifelong passion for music - stories of the Con were very much a part of growing up around Mum and I well remember her proudly showing me one of her most treasured possessions - a telegram of congratulations from Sir Eugene on the birth of her new daughter Lynne.

The Con wasn't Mum's only job with people who went on to become household names - indeed Mums very first job after leaving school was to work directly for Albert Teagle, the founder of Teagles Turkeys.

Many of you here today heard me speak some four and a half years ago about Mum & Dads life together - about their various moves to Aberdeen to run a farm, to Camden to run a dairy, and to then take a real punt and along with Mums brother Barry, start up their own transport business.

Through all of these moves and changes in direction, Mum just got on with things. In the business, Mums main job was as Bookkeeper - it might have been at home, but she was still very much a working Mum. The only way to fit it all in was to start at 4:00AM and using a manual adding machine and a clunky old Corona typewriter she would do the accounts and invoicing on the kitchen table. While other kids were planning to buy their Mums some perfume or flowers for Mothers Day - we conspired to get our Mum a new-fangled (but far more importantly - silent) Sharp Elsi Mate electronic calculator - so at last, we at least, could finally get a sleep in!

Mum loved it - as indeed she loved it whenever any piece of new technology came along - from cassette players to CD's, from VHS to DVD's, to microwave ovens, computers, the Internet and email - you see to Mum, they were all tools to be embraced that enabled her to get on with things.

When Dad died in 2006, we all wondered how Mum would cope - after all - they had been soul mates for well over half a century. Everyone here knows just how special their relationship was. How did Mum cope? Well she got on with things - from 75 years of age plus, she drove the old manual gear shift Ford Telstar that was also without power steering and joined not one, but two Senior Citizens clubs, she drove herself out to Austral to play Bingo every week. Took herself out to the shops and went on whatever trips through the Senior Citz clubs were available. She also embraced computer games and email on the laptop she bought.

Of course she was desperately lonely and missing Dad, but she just made the most out of what was now her new reality.

In January last year Mum had a small stroke and it became clear that she would no longer be able to drive and her capacity to look after herself at home was also diminished. As her kids, we again wondered how she was going to cope? Without complaint, she got on with things and she started to get linked into community transport and the other aged care support available to her and carried on with as much of her old life as she could, gracefully surrendering the things she had to let go.

Due to another hospitalization last September, Mum could no longer live at home alone and her only way to get on with things now was to move in with Barry, Sandra & Adam until another option could be arranged - the need for supplemented oxygen at least 18 hours a day was no problem, Mum just got on with it by purchasing the latest portable machine, which meant she wouldn't be reliant on bottled oxygen and could retain some of her mobility and independence.

In December Mum had a catastrophic incident whilst in Liverpool Hospital where she literally died - the wonderful medical staff there brought her back and we were all blessed to get her for yet another few months. When Mum came out of the hospital this time she moved into Aminya Retirement Village at Baulkham Hills - yet another new reality that she just accepted and got on with.

Though life was now very different, Mum remained very much in control - she had us arrange the sale of the house she had lived in for 48 years, in the process abandoning almost all of her earthly possessions - she did this with a dignity and self possession that had to be witnessed to be believed. I know she also took this time to heal some old wounds and to make sure she made all of her final wishes known. Once again there were no complaints and certainly no regrets.

During this time she made the most of every minute. Any offer for an outing - no matter what it was, was willingly accepted. No phone call could be too short or too long. If there was an activity to do, she was in it. Without ever feeling sorry for herself, if there was a way to really live just one more bit of life - she would be in it!

Accepting the situations that life threw at her and adapting what was needed to overcome them, would never have been a conscious motto of Mum's - but I think you will agree with me that it serves as a fitting epitaph.

Thanks for the lessons Mum and thanks for the love.

Update

2011-03-04T22:38:00.007+11:00

Still in hospital - good news & not so fantastic but i need to just deal with it news.

Good news

Just today they have managed to hit on the secret formula that can consistently manage my pain - so instead of having to take the maximum doses of Panadeine Forte, seriously high doses of Endone (morphine equivalent tablet) and the occasional injection of Morphine - I'm just back to Panadeine Forte and the occasional Endone. They've managed this with a mix of cortisone (Prednisone), anti-inflammatories (Naproxen) and an unusual drug called Sulfasalazine.

Bad news

The medicos don't particularly like the cocktail because of the associated risks they each have are exacerbated by mixing them, but as all of their previous experiments have agonisingly (for me) failed. My symptoms have left them nowhere else to go. Also, the symptoms are presenting in new areas and old areas that have abated have flared again - indicating that I have a version of this thing that is going to be a longer-term proposition to deal with and they are keeping me in hospital till probably next Wednesday or until it stops turning up in new places and reigniting in areas that have previously died down.

They are also subtly managing my expectations now (which I appreciate) from the optimism they first showed (and I shared) to start to get my head around the fact that this might go on for some time, both now and as an outpatient into the future.

The rest

For anyone interested - you have to have the HLA-B27 that roughly 8% of the general population have and a precipitating bacterial infection - in my case Gastro - if you want a good horror story - google Reactive Arthritis. Also whilst I thought I'd never heard of it before - I've been reminded that it is the thing that Daniel Johns from Silverchair got in 2002. Must confess I was skeptical at the time but now have sent him silent apology vibes.

Mum's funeral is on Monday but they are going to give me day release to go.

Here is hoping the symptoms now come under control.

All good :)

Farewell Ma - You Played Hard, Ya Done Good

2011-03-02T20:07:00.002+11:00

Yep - got a call in the hospital this morning to say Mum had passed away.

Not totally unexpected because she has been slowly deteriorating for quite some time - but it still comes as a shock when it happens.

Apart from the smoking - Mum was a model on how to live your life. She faced every new challenge, every set back and every good fortune with the same pragmatic "get on with it attitude" that I could only ever aspire to.

Mum & Dad were soul mates and we were all amazed at how Mum just got on with things when he died. When she lost her mobility, she just got on with it, when she had to sell the house she had lived in for 48 years, she just got on with it. Accept the situation, overcome and adapt may not have been her conscious motto but it may well be her epitaph.

We'll miss ya Ma - see you when the weather breaks :) xo

Hospital

2011-02-28T20:25:00.002+11:00

We'll all these aches and pains have landed the old 2P's in hospital......

Turns out I have Reactive Arthritis - from the Gastro I had from 9-13 Feb - severe back and shoulder pain ensued, then a week later my feet went, now a week later my hands have gone.

All the inflammation markers in my blood tests were sky high - the good news all the rest of the results were pretty good.

The pain is really quite interesting and certainly a new experience - I'm on Endone (morphine) but they might as well be giving me aspirin - for all the good it's doing - doc just doubled the dose a couple of hours ago, but it still hurts like a bitch. Im not convinced it's not a placebo.

Anyhoo they reckon I'm here till at least Thursday till they are sure the treatment is working.

Prognosis is good, they reckon 95% of people make a full recovery albeit it can take some time, so the odds are pretty good. Apparently there is one other thing it could be but I can't remember the name, apparently it is pretty rare but also treatable - the results of the tests they did today should rule that out (or in) - but n any event apparently no biggie if it is.

With a little bit of luck I'll be up and around in no time -Hellgate might be a bit of challenge - but hey - I love challenge.

All good :)

Bad to Worse

2011-02-26T12:34:00.002+11:00

Well the old 2P's has gone from bad to worse......

I'm not given to complaining - but I am in pain and don't know why.

My shoulders still hurt, my feet joined them last week and now my hands are well..... throwing their hand in too.

Doctors don't have a clue - I've been treated for everything from gout to a staph infection and many things in-between. Due to a stuff up the world supply of blood tests didn't get back in time yesterday till after my doctor knocked off so I'll have to wait till Monday to see if there are any answers there?

I've taken gout meds, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, Panadeine forte, Valium - I've tried ice, I've tried difflam. At best they make the pain bearable but it is always there.

Went to work Wednesday night (Board Meeting), Thursday & Friday and each time, by the time I got home - well let's just say I wasn't presenting as a big tough guy....

I'm even finding it almost impossible to play guitar - but I'm persisting.

Anyhoo - as I'm want to quote "pain is mandatory, suffering is optional" - I'm keeping my focus - I really want to do Hellgate in April even if I only walk it.

Hopefully I'll get an answer soon.

Drowning Ducks

2011-02-17T15:16:00.002+11:00

Well by Sunday night the Gastro had abated - all good - except that Monday morning I awoke to an excruciating pain in my left shoulder!

I toughed it out at work but pain turned to spasms..... Some Mersyndol nights and Voltaren 25's got things under control Monday night, but by Tuesday arvo I was having to take silly amounts just to get through the day - Wednesday I had no option but to go to the Doctors as not only were the spasms out of control, they had also spread to the right shoulder and i was literally in screaming agony - WTF?

Having now been poked, prodded and imaged it appears on Sunday night I rolled in my sleep and tore the subscapularis on my left shoulder - sometime Tuesday night whether as a result of spasm or another sleep rolling incident I tore the infraspinatus on my right shoulder!

Today I lay in a Panadeine Forte, Valium & Voltaren induced haze wondering how the f*ck did this happen?

Please, nobody give me a duck to look after!

Crook Guts

2011-02-12T14:48:00.003+11:00

After Sundays recovery walk I haven't done anything since - at first I was in a world of blissful pain and then things just deteriorated from there.

Started to walk up and down stairs without having to bear weight on my arms on Thursday, just in time to get a tummy bug! Bugger! I really wanted to capitalise on the base I've been building and get some good regular running happening.

Today my legs are almost pain free, still just a snitch sore in the shins and calves and I feel my quads just a touch on stairs - my poor old tummy however is a mess. If it doesn't start to clear up by tomorrow I might have to see a quack.

The good news is my weight has dipped well and truly into double digits for the first time since 2008. For the last couple of years I've hovered just over the 100kg mark and had a bit of a roller coaster ride between there and 108kgs. Last Friday before my big day out I was 99kgs - my weight went up after Sunday to 103kgs as I think the shock to my system had me retaining fluid - without doing anything in particular and just eating normally it steadily fell back to 99kgs by Thursday. I'm a bit lighter than that now but it is a bit artificial due to the current churblings and eruptions.

So I've lost about 10kgs since 10 January and more importantly changed shape considerably which I'm pretty happy about - guess I'm just blogging to keep me mentally in the game till I can run again.

All good :)

400% Rule

2011-02-06T20:45:00.002+11:00

Yesterday Total: 31kms
Week Total: 45kms
Month Total: 37kms
Year Total: 102kms

Having done a few run/walk thingees at 7.5k - 8k I thought it was time to ramp it up a bit and also chuck in a bit of a hill - answer - Explorers Tree to Coxs River and return.

After my run in the heat on Tuesday the Right Twin really arced up - walked on Wednesday which only made matters worse so rested up completely Thursday & Friday.

I hadn't planned to do the Coxs River thing but around 9:30pm on Friday night out of nowhere the idea popped into my noggin - why not?

Now I'm not completely stoopid - I knew this would hurt considering my present weight and level of unfitness but I just needed to think it through and plan to look after myself - how excitement.

I did a quick search on my blog to look up all my previous entries containing "Coxs" - after having a read I figured somewhere in the 6-7 hour mark would do it (my PB being 4.02 & previous PW about 6.45). So I planned out the hydration, tucker and electrolyte based on a 7 hour outing. The weather report had me adding in a safety factor.

I was well pleased with myself running by 6:45am - 400m later I was well pissed off when the Right Twin twanged...... After singing "should I go or should I stay na na na na na nah" I hobbled down the stairs, then limped down the steep technical trail to the 4wd track - found I could shuffle along at about a 7.30/8.00 minute pace but any faster was out of the question. Oh well - probably a good thing given I'm fat and unfit.

Long story short - made the river in 2.40 - resupped with water and headed back walking only. Apart from bailing out an NRG runner who was out of water the return trip was relatively uneventful.

I always knew the stairs back up Nellies would hurt - I was right - took me 1.20 to get from the trail head back to the car - took me about 23 mins on the way down!

All up the time on feet was 7.00.22 a new PW but a very satisfied 2P.

Today my chin was fine and even my earlobes seemed pretty good - just about everything else hurts though - managed a slow 5k recovery walk today in just over an hour.

All good :)

Almost Twice The Separation

2011-02-01T22:35:00.002+11:00

Today Total: 6kms
Week Total: 14kms
Month Total: 6kms
Year Total: TBA - I need to recount

The mercury was tipping 41 when I headed out this arvo - so if yesterday I figure I was 6 degrees over what is reasonable - today was 11!

On my run/walk thin gees lately I've headed out pretty much as hard as I can till I bonk and then struggle home any way I can - today I took a different approach given the weather - you can't control the elements but you can work with them and still have a good time. So I headed out soft keeping the first 3kms down to 7:30 each.

It was a pretty good strategy because I was feeling pretty comfy till the right Twin started to bitch and complain and I had to start to walk more. By the end of the 6th k it was all over red rover as the right Twin was threatening a full dummy spit - probably the universe unfolding as it should as the weather was a tad extreme for running. I actually covered 8kms but as I didn't run any of the last 2 I didn't count them in my tally.

It was kind of interesting because the bike track that is normally teaming with people was deserted - only saw 3 bike riders and 1 others jogger in all the time I was out when I'd normally see them in their tens. Massey Park Golf Course looked like the day after a neutron bomb strike - not a single player in sight.

Greet fun though - I had a ball!

All good :)

6 Degrees of Separation

2011-01-31T22:26:00.003+11:00

Today Total: 8kms
Week Total: 8kms
Month Total: 65kms
Year Total: 65kms edited to correct total

Well at 36 degrees C when I started out I reckon there was about 6 degrees of separation from what would make a reasonable running temperature :)

Actually I love training in the heat - as fat and unfit as I am, heat just never seems to be a factor for me. Dunno whether that is a physiological thing or a psychological thing - guess I don't really care as long as I'm not whinging.

Anyhoo the left Twin was a bit grumpy, so only walking on Friday and over the weekend but felt alright when I started out today. Both twins are acting out a bit tonight the bastards so have to see how I pull up tomorrow - could be back to walking - I'm whinging so I must care :) for the record, my chin is just fine.

Today's effort was a little slower but more consistent - 8k in exactly 1:00:00 - couldn't believe I got it bang on when I looked down at Garmy.

All good :)

Back In The Saddle

2011-01-27T23:43:00.002+11:00

Today Total: 8kms
Week Total: 15.5kms
Month Total: 42kms
Year Total: 42kms

Well I've been back at it (finally).

2010 was a massive year with lots happening - some good, some bad.

Lowlights included:

- Mum having a mild stroke in January and a string of incidents since culminating in her collapsing while in hospital in December and stopping breathing - fortunately the crash team revived her but she has had to give up her home where she lived for 47 years and move into a nursing home.

- Missing out on the CEO's job at work after 16 years of blood, sweat & tears.

- Miscellaneous Halfpenny issues requiring heaps of time and emotional (and financial) effort.

Highlights included:

- Seeing Mum happy and relatively well(ish) in the nursing home - she really has an amazingly positive attitude to life and has taken her new reality and the selling of the house in her walker assisted stride!

- Getting a CEO job in another organisation :)

- Got the HP through a Cert IV in Performing Arts at Brent Street

Anyhoo enough of This Is Your Life and back to running..... I've been doing some walk/runs since the New Year started but today I did moe of a run/walk - 8k in just on 58 minutes - so just over 7 minute pace.

The left of the Evil Twins is giving me a bit of gyp tonight - but otherwise all good :)

Another Hot One

2010-01-12T14:27:00.001+11:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 10k
Month Total: 68k
Year Total: 68k

Actually covered 7k today but as I only ran the first 4 that is all I'm counting in my log.

Went out at 1pm in the heat of the day - I was feeling all right as heat usually doesn't effect me unduly - but I had some tightness in my upper back that was also causing tightness across my chest - discretion played the better part of stupidity and I decided to walk the last 3k.

4k in circa 30mins

All good :)

More Gooderer

2010-01-11T19:39:00.001+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 64k
Year Total: 64k

Ran a lot more today and considering this route has a few gentle hills and circa 1k of spongy grass I'm pretty happy with the run.

Weighed myself today and I've dropped precisely 4kgs since New Years Day - also pretty chuffed with that too.

6k in 43.16 @ 7.13av

All in all, I'd say it's all good :)

BD Run

2010-01-10T16:17:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 38k
Month Total: 58k
Year Total: 58k

Nice paddle on the lake this morning then back to Sydney for a run around the bay.

6k in circa 45 minutes.

All good :)

Hot

2010-01-09T17:39:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 32k
Month Total: 52k
Year Total: 52k

Due to other commitments today 4.00pm was my only slot for a run. It was 34 degrees when Mrs 2P dropped me at the corner of Kanangra Drv and the Old Pacific Highway.

I don't usually feel the heat but I did today - felt pretty wrung out by the time I got in.

6k in 44.48

All good :)

Instant Rests

2010-01-08T20:17:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 9k
Week Total: 26k
Month Total: 46k
Year Total: 46k

I got to practice my instant rests today when I took a tumble on a bush track between Gwandalan and Summerland Point - I obviously needed tha practice because I took quite a bit of bark off - no real damage though.

9k around undulating bush tracks, a few back streets and the grassy lake front in 1.10. Pretty slow but done.

All good :)

Undulations

2010-01-07T18:47:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5k
Week Total: 17k
Month Total: 37k
Year Total: 37k

5k around the undulating Gwandalan streets this evening finishing with 1.5k along the grassy foreshore of the lake.

5k in 37.27 so a bit slower than yesterdays pace but I guess some hills will do that to ya when you're unfit.

All good :)

Surf N' Turf

2010-01-06T16:00:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 12k
Month Total: 32k
Year Total: 32k

Well kind of..... Mrs 2P and I took the kayak out for a spin on the lake this morning - nothing strenuous, just a nice little paddle for arounf 30 minutes.

This arvo I did the same run as yesterday but a bit faster :) All up 6k in 42.42.

All good :)

Kanangra Drive

2010-01-05T18:16:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 26k
Year Total: 26k

After mooching around at Wrners Bay, Belmont and Swansea Mrs 2P dropped me at the corner of the Old Pacific Highway and Kanangra Drive.

Poodled my way down on the soft dirt/sand verge for 6k in 44.18.

All good :)

Walkies

2010-01-04T21:04:00.000+11:00

Just a 40 minute walk around the streets of Gwandalan when we arrived back up here this evening.

No running but all good :)

A Bit Faster

2010-01-03T17:17:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 20k
Month Total: 20k
Year Total: 20k

Out and back around the bay with more running today.

6k in 46.50 so a bit better pace than the last couple of days.

Pretty amazed at how well I've been pulling up considering my couch potato ways through 2009 and that I'm at my heaviest - hit just on 107kg between Christmas and New Year.

Oh well it's all good :)

Big Wheel Rollin

2010-01-02T17:42:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 10k
Week Total: 14k
Month Total: 14k
Year Total: 14k

Yes Ewen the Twenty Tenties is going to be my decade :)

After a sweltering soaking mow the lawn recovery session this morning I rehydrated while the Sydney storms did their best.

Jammed for a couple of hours over some Blues backing tracks then headed out for a run/walk

Decided to push out some distance on the flat so headed out around the bay towards Canada Bay.

Plugged away for 10k in 84 minutes. 41/43 5k splits - happy with that.

Got back in just before the second storm front so good timing
.

All good :)

New Years Res 'N All That

2010-01-01T19:15:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 4k

Well it's a start - 4k in 34.30 - walked most of it but trotted bits too.

All good :)

Mighty Torrens

2009-10-25T19:00:00.001+11:00

Today Total: 10kms
Week Total: 14kms
Month Total: 18kms
Year Total: 117kms

Friday I did a mow-the-lawn recovery session with an hour and a half of pruning thrown in - so I felt like I'd had a workout compared to my normal sedentary days. Had an afternoon flight to Adelaide to meet up with Mrs 2P who was there for work.

Saturday we spent a lot of the day walking - not fast but we certainly covered a lot of ground. In the late arvo we went down to the pool and I threw my arms into lactic shock by swimming 200m at my best pace - my arms were so unhappy with me I couldn't lift the towel high enough to dry my hair - what sort of a wimp have I become?

Anyhoo after a lovely (but chilly) day of wandering around and a magnificent lunch Mrs 2P headed off to the airport and I headed off on a run. First I headed East along the mighty Torrens till I got to a suspension bridge over the river (roughly 4k into the run) then headed back past the city to the West and then cut back across the river till I hit the street (Franklyn sp?) I knew would take me back to my digs on Flinders St at the Medina Grand Treasury.

All up 10k in 1.23.42 @ 8.22 average so as you can deduce a fair bit of walking in there but hey I'm happy and my splits were fairly consistent.

Flakey asked about my sleeping - I guess to sum it up "better but not good" - Thursday night was my best result by far - I had one 5hours 50minutes unbroken stint for a total of about 8 hours all up - I felt a million bucks on Friday as a result. The last couple of nights I've managed a couple of 3 hour unbroken stretches and managed about 6 hours total each night - this leaves me feeling a bit ordinary when I get out of bed but I chirp up as the day goes - the good thing is I'm not stressing about it at all - I just take each night as it comes and even if I'm not sleeping I'm happy to be resting and as I said it is definitely better than it was.

Just sittin back with an ice cold beer now (the sun is well and truly out fro the overcast earlier today) on the half-tennis court sized private balcony I have overlooking the courtyard fountain - ahhhh the serenity :)

All good!

Walkies

2009-10-22T19:15:00.000+11:00

7kms in a smidge over 70 minutes. Nice walk around Canada Bay.

All good :)

Didn't Wanna Do It

2009-10-21T19:57:00.002+11:00

Today Total: 4kms
Week Total: 4kms
Month Total: 8kms
Year Total: 107kms

Went back to work today after spending Monday & Tuesday off crook. Both Sunday & Monday night were shockers as far as the aponea is concerned and I was also still a bit chesty.

Had a much better sleep last night but felt shattered when I got home today - I didn't much feel like getting out for some exercise but I'm so sick and tired of feeling sick and tired that I pushed myself out the door.

4km run/walk thingee in 31.14 which was over a full minute faster when I did this circuit last week and I feel much brighter for having made the effort.

Here's hoping tonight will be full of zeds.

All good :)

Heaven & Hell

2009-10-18T09:39:00.000+11:00

Well can't say it hasn't been interesting....

Pulled up pretty shin sore from my little excursion the other day so running again on Tuesday wasn't an option. My aponea was also worsening and with very little sleep I fell over with yet another man-flu - the green, gooey, chesty kind!

Wednesday we headed up to Coffs Harbour for a mini-break. I had mine inside the apartment staring at the ceiling Mrs 2P had a lovely time - I did manage a couple of walks but they left me exhausted.

Finally got on top of the aponea on Friday night - I still have disturbed sleep but for the last 2 nights I've managed 2 & 3 hour stretches between waking (as opposed to 2 or 3 mins). Used a combination of showering and using Fess (to clear the sinus) combined with a herbal (peppermint oil based thingee) and a nose strip. Not sure which bit is making the difference but I don't really care as long as it something works.

Feeling brighter today, just in time to fly back to Sydney :)

Hope to run again through the week.

All good :)

Answering Louise

2009-10-13T12:59:00.003+11:00

Louise asked a good question about weight and the relationship to Aponea so I thought I'd make a post out of my answer.

First of all there is a relationship in my case, but it isn't easily defined as a certain amount of weight change. Though it is true there is a certain extension to the porch that overlooks the playground at the moment - so I won't shoot you Louise.

Following are my observations of my case:

Me

Firstly, my body shape could only ever be described as stocky - or fast twitch as I prefer to call it :) I stand around 5'7" give or take, and in peak condition weigh in at around 87kgs - you can give me all the BMI logic under the sun but I just don't get lighter than that. Typically in training my weight hovers around 92kgs - 94kgs. At this weight Mrs 2P reports I snore softly and appear to sleep soundly. At this weight I generally wake feeling refreshed and looking forward to the day.

History

My first encounter with Aponea was in 2004 after I sustained a serious injury during my assessment for Master in Kung Fu (late 2003). Not training I blew out to around 106kgs and this was when I discovered I am suseptible to Aponea. As it turns out I have allegedly (I never quite trust Dr's) smaller than average airholes and this is also accroding to the quacks a contributing factor. I'm also a little yeast intolerant as well which can at times leave me a bit wheezy.

Weight loss and careful diet i.e. started running and other training again, combined with a low to lowish/lowish carb, no dairy after lunch etc seemed to knock it on the head fairly quickly and I felt a million bucks again.

Since the intial case my weight has been up and down and on some occasions has peaked around the 105kg mark without Aponea becoming a problem - though Mrs 2P reports that my snoring becomes quite raucus once I get over 97kg to 98kg. Generally at this weight I'm slow to get started in the morning but perk up around mid morning.

This case

I've hovered around the 100kg mark for some time now, though with two back to back doses of man-flu my weight got up to over 103kgs. Coming off the second dose of man-flu the Aponea has hit with a vengence.

So to answer your question

From my observations

At sub 94kgs I gently snore

At over 97kgs my snoring progressively worsens to the point Mrs 2P wants to kill me

I've been to 105kgs without Aponea disturbing my sleep (i.e. I don't do the wakey chokey thing)

103kgs on the back of man-flu and Aponea has hit

Conclusion

There seems to be about 3kgs to 5kgs difference from a "healthy sleeping weight" to a "noisy one" and about a 10kgs difference for a "healthy sleeping weight" to a "dangerous one".

As I haven't been training since June I'm guessing that there is a fitness factor, or a muscule to fat ratio type thing happening too, which may have lowered the threshold of where the serious Aponeo kicks in?

Guess I better lose some weight :)

Long Time No Run

2009-10-12T23:09:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 4kms
Week Total: 4kms
Month Total: 4kms
Year Total: 103kms

Well after being a couch potato since mid June I finally took the Titanic out for a spin.

I had to.

I've had a re-emergence of a medical condition I thought I'd seen the last of a number of years ago - Sleep Aponea. It seems to have been reignited by my most recent dose of man-flu.

At fist I thought I was just waking to cough, but it quickly became apparant I was waking to stop myself choking to death and it has been getting progressively worse over the last 2 weeks to the point where over the last 5 or 6 nights I literally wake up hundreds of times a night chocking and coughing. Generally I go straight back to sleep to do it all over again (one annoying thing is I tend to pick up my dream exactly where I left off and as generally your dreams are not that pleasant when your brain is convinved you're about to expire it doesn't add value to the overall experience). Though sometimes it gives me a bit of a fright and as my heartrate (and no doubt my blood pressure) are up it takes me a little while to resettle. It even gets me if I try to take a daytime nap.

The result is I'm knackered!

Anyhoo the last time I had this miserable bastard of an affliction, running and careful diet were the mainstays of my recovery and I will do just about anything to avoid a trip to the sleep clinic so as farked as I felt this arvo I donned the joggers and headed out the door - could be a blessing in disguise!

All up 4kms alternating a jog and a walk in 32.15 for an average of 8.04 per km.

All good :)

Souvenir

2009-06-22T08:11:00.000+10:00

Well the souvenir I picked up for myself in NZ (or maybe it was in Canberra) was a dose of the lurgie.

Had planned to run on Friday morning in Canberra but when the alarm went off I just hit snooze, rolled over and went back to sleep - by the time I landed back in Sydney that night I suspected I was in for a dose - waking up Saturday morning confirmed it.

Hopefully will run again as the week progresses.

All good :)

Mt Vic Again

2009-06-17T16:23:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 9kms
Week Total: 17kms
Month Total: 17kms
Year Total: 99kms

I wasn't going to run.... I was going to walk - so I donned beanie, gloves, Gortex and took the backpack with a thermal in it. Got to the first road crossing and ran.... Kept on running :)

The left of the Evil Twins (calves) has been giving me gyp since Monday and I also pulled up a bit shin sore and a grumpy right groin muscle - hence my decision not to run - but what a hoot - I really enjoyed my run tonight.

Similar route to Monday but as it was a fair bit later than when I ran on Monday I donned my PT 1W headlamp when I hit the top of Mt Victoria - then instead of taking the muddy forest route I stayed on the Southern Trail and descended to the Wellington College.

Had no real idea how to get back to the hotel from there but just ran to the vibe of the thing and managed to get straight back there :)

Whilst I still have a couple of niggles - the really encouraging thing was I had that "I can go forever" feeling tonight - I can sense an ultra coming up.....

All up 9k with a great big hill in 1.14.16 @ 8.15av - happy with that.

All good :)

Windy City

2009-06-15T14:55:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 8kms
Week Total: 8kms
Month Total: 8kms
Year Total: 90kms

Legs were pretty much written off for last week and I felt pretty washed out after the previous weekends exertions but feeling pretty good now.

Arrived in Wellington (NZ) mid afternoon and immediately headed out to explore.

Ran out along the harbour but my left calf started to pull a bit - I foolishly stated on CR yesterday that I was a "former" calf pain sufferer - how freakin stoopid was that???

Anyhoo the wind was giving me gyp so when I saw a path that headed up hill I took it - well it went up alright - straight up all the way to the top of Mt Victoria for stunning 360 degree views. Garmy put it at 200m ASL so a resonable climb.

Headed back down by a less steep forest path which was a bit muddy in spots but an absolute delight till I found suburbia again and then trotted back to the hotel and into an icy cold Wellington bath.

All up 8k in 1.06.26 @ 8.18av - pretty happy with that vonsidering the steep climb.

Now to see how the calf pulls up.

All good :)

Hellgate

2009-06-08T14:36:00.000+10:00

No not as a run - as a two day pack walk.

Little Robbie turned up at my place on Friday night and then we picked up my long-time bushwalking buddy from wayback (Simon & I did some fantastic walks through the 90's) at the airport and drove to the Deviation arriving about 10.30pm.

Up early on Saturday with the plan of driving to the Jenolan Campground to start - low and behold the gate was locked and the campground closed so we headed into Jenolan proper and left the car there.

The pretty doddle back to the campground went by quickly enough. The highlight being seeing a platypus! The amount of water in the Jenolan River meant no dry crossings and so it was with sodden feet we ascended the ridge to Oaky Camp.

Gotta say that ridge is fairly sporting with a 17kg pack on your back, not to mention being unfit.

Anyhoo we hit the top in ok time and as always the section along Blood Filly FT & the first part of the Big M Boss were delightful. The descent as always, tedius and unrelenting - though recent bulldozing has left the surface much more compact than I've ever seen it.

Set up camp on the river and discovered Sassafras Ck is dry, so it was out with the Steri-pen to refill the Camelbaks. Fitful night sleep as it rained nearly the whole night. Long story short the tape seal on my bivy bag is cactus and I got wet.

Up and on our way the long climb back to Blacks Range never disappoints :) By the time we hit the top it was squally showers and windy - even I felt cold which is a real rarity.

Made the Deviation for lunch and the re-shouldered the packs for the final leg. The rain stopped just when we got back to the car - we briefly thought about walking down to the Jenolan Campground but decided to drive back to the deviation.

The Deviation was like Central Station during peak hour so we went to the alternative ground on the other side of the Jenolan Road which we had all to ourselves.

As my sleeping bag & theramrest were wet I elected to sleep in the car and even then I had a pretty uncomfortable first hour or so till things started to warm up. In the end I got a pretty good sleep.

Woke up, breakfasted in the rain and drove back to brilliant sunshine in Sydney - go figure!

It has been a good few years since I last did a pack walk and this was a nice easy one to re-aquaint myself with all the old skills - it was nice, though I'm a twee bit sore now.

All good :)

I Lied

2009-05-25T18:03:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 8kms
Week Total: 8kms
Month Total: 53kms
Year Total: 82kms

Ok so when I got to Canberra my back felt pretty good, the weather was fine and I had time for a sunset run out and back along the lake before my dinner appointment.

I always enjoy running towards the setting sun around the lake, particularly pretty at this time of year with the Autumn colours. Was pretty dark by the time I got back though.

And nothing like a nice icey cold Canberra bath to finish it off - lurvely.

All up 8k in 52.32 @ 6.34 av.

All good :)

CBS News

2009-05-25T11:13:00.000+10:00

The plan had been to do a long slow bush run/walk on Sunday but another bout of Crook Back Syndrome intervened!

I'm a bit busy for the next couple of days so I'm aiming for Wednesday. The CBS is abating, so as long as tonight in a hotel bed doesn't worsen things I should be jake for a run by then.

All good :)

Resistance Training

2009-05-22T17:42:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 8kms
Week Total: 18kms
Month Total: 45kms
Year Total: 74kms

Well that's what it felt like when running into the wind around the bay this evening!

Pretty chuffed to be able to get out there again today - the conditions might have been crap but I'm just happy to be stringing some regular training together.

Call it spin because I'm not presenting this as an excuse - but last year I just had to have other professional and family priorities to training - but it sure feels good to be back in the saddle now :)

All up 8k in 52.51 @ 6.29 av

All good!

Windy City

2009-05-21T18:05:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 6kms
Week Total: 10kms
Month Total: 37kms
Year Total: 66kms

Quads were still a bit sore but I decided to see if I could run it out. Headed off around the bay into the teeth of the wind. It wasn't cold but it sure was strong.

I pushed myself a bit
today and ran the first 4k without walking for a 4k split of 24.58 @ 6.14 av.

Bonked a bit and had to put in a few walks on the hills over the last 2k to finish with a total of 6k in 38.41 @ 6.27 av.

Pretty happy with that.

Splish Splash

2009-05-20T18:45:00.000+10:00

Quads were a bit sore today so just a very brisk walk in the dark and pouring rain. My Outdoor Research Zealot Gortex did the business and only the very bottom of my shorts legs (and shoes of course) got wet.

4k in 35.55 which is a pretty honking walking pace for my short legs :)

Back In The Hunt

2009-05-19T17:54:00.001+10:00

Today Total: 4kms
Week Total: 4kms
Month Total: 31kms
Year Total: 60kms

I seemed to flick the man flu pretty quickly so was back at work today. When I got home I thought I'd go for a walk.

But the leggies were fresh and they wanted a run so I took off tentatively at a trot - between some weight loss and the small base I must have built up in Tassie I surprised myself with how I was traveling and the pace was quicker than anticipated.

The grey matter kicked in though and having been sick and lost just under 3kgs in 6 days I decided to keep it short - good decision me thinks because I pulled up a bit wheezy.

Also I think the Running Gods have forgiven me *touches wood* because the same second I closed the door on my way in it absolutely bucketed down.

All up 4k in 26.52 @ 6.43av - not a lot but at least I'm back in the hunt.

Drowning Ducks

2009-05-18T08:14:00.000+10:00

I reckon if I had a duck the fluffy li'l fella would capsize.

After 3 days off work last week with a gastro bug, I've now got a dose of Man Flu - so I'm pulling the pin on work again today. You would have to go back quite a few years to find a time I had four consecutive work days off sick.

Mentally I associate blogging with running (curiously it was starting my guitar blog that got me back to exercise) so since I had planned to run today I'm posting this morning to keep me interested in exercising when I'm well again. VERY SOON!!!

Trial By Running Gods

2009-05-15T13:16:00.000+10:00

I suspect that with my flurry of activity lately the Running Gods decided to test my fairdinkumness - bastards.

On my last night in Hobart I pushed out a pretty brisk walk in the hills - I don't know what I did but as I cooled down I began to notice some EOCBS (Early Onset Crook Back Syndrome) - which after a night in a hotel bed turned into AMCBS (Agonisingly Miserable Crook Back Syndrome). So I wussed out of running and walking for a bit.

Long story short - I was about to start again this Tuesday just gone but when I woke up I felt decidedly "off" so I hit snooze and went back to sleep for a bit. Went to work but left early and by 4pm I was glued to the dunny - I'll spare the details but I've been home sick for 3 days - pretty unusual for me.

I'm off to Bathurst on the weekend to visit the HP so I might give myself another couple of days to fully recover and start fresh next week.

In other news - I made a corker of an attempt at self-immolation on Mothers Day (long time readers might remember I've a bad habit of this). Another long story short - the hose on a new 8.5kg gas cylinder came loose and started to spew gas into a BBQ - I killed the flame on the burners and then attempted to turn off the bottle but the glow of the plate must have been enough and whooshka up she went.

I was extremely lucky as witnesses say I appeared engulfed in flame - I had my head averted so I avoided any real damage - lost all the hair on my left arm and a significant portion of both eyebrows and some singed head hair. I just had some very minor scorching on my left hand and my left cheek - so minor there was no real visible evidence - just a bit red.

The real conundrum then started because the flame was bouncing off the BBQ back onto the gas bottle making it impossible to turn off - just as I was about to run for the hills and dial 000 Mrs 2P (bless her) appeared with a fire extinguisher which my brother-in-law quickly unwrapped from its plastic covering and passed to me - I pulled the pin, pressed the go button and held it on the gas bottle while I turned the tap shut with my other hand - disaster averted.

So I suppose you could say we had a flaming good Mothers Day :)

PS if ya don't have a fire extinguisher near your barbie - get one!

Headin' For The Hills

2009-05-06T18:29:00.000+10:00

Managed to squeeze in another walk this arvo - given my run this morning sucked I figured I needed to put some pain into the leggies.

The great thing about Hobart is you don't have to go far to find a hill! I just cut through the CBD and took every turn that took me up. Finally a left turn (onto the rather aptly named Hill Road) brought me back towards town.

Covered 6kms in just a smidge over the hour mark.

Glass Half Full

2009-05-06T07:45:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 7kms
Week Total: 17kms
Month Total: 27kms
Year Total: 56km

Had my first frumpy day today - woke up feeling a bit off but decided to head out anyway - never felt physically good and by around the 2k mark started to feel a bit sick on the tum.

The original intention was to go 10k following the same course as Monday - but at 3.5k I cut my losses and turned for home. I had to walk a bit more than I have been but still joggled a fair bit.

Mentally I am up though - I knew this day would come - it always does - but the softer workout will help me recover and at least I was out there burning some fat and keeping the discipline going.

All up 7k in 54.46 @ 7.49 average - slow but I'm ok with it :)

Soldiers Way

2009-05-05T17:56:00.003+10:00

Headed out of the hotel for a walk this afternoon and just randomly wandered the streets until I stumbled on what appeared to be a bit of a trail through some bush - turned out to be "Soldiers Way" a very pleasant memorial to those who fell in the Great War.

The trail leads over a hill that gives good views of the Derwent River and the bridge and eventually comes out adjacent to the Botanical Gardens (which were closed). I did however find another trail that led me to the cycleway that runs into town and ultimately back to the hotel.

A nice gentle-paced walk for 5.5kms in just over an hour.

Runin' On The Dock Of The Bay

2009-05-04T08:05:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 10kms
Week Total: 10kms
Month Total: 20kms
Year Total: 49kms

With apologies to Otis for the title :)

Got up well before dawn and the dock and boat lights in Hobart Harbour beckoned.

Started out with a thermal on but ended up tying it around my waist before I'd even gone 1km. A few sprinkles of unforecast rain and a bit breezy in parts but otherwise good running conditions - probably circa 8 degrees.

Ran out past Wrest Point (I'm satying in the Grand Chancellor opposite the dock area). Mainly fairly flat course with a few undulations and one corker of a short 100m hill that goes virtually straight up.

Still run/walking but felt really strong on the way back to finish 10k in 1.10.56 at an average of 7.06 per k.

The averages are coming down so I must be getting fitter :)

Tassie Update

2009-05-03T17:11:00.000+10:00

Very active 2P :)

Since leaving Launceston on Thursday morning I have been out of email/internet range - but a lot has happened since then....

Arrived in Launceston on Wednesday night and just had time to visit a very dear family friend - who just happens to be in the family way. Amanda & Eddie run a Vietnamese restaurant and if you are ever in 'Lonny' I can heartily recommend the Mekong restaurant in York Square.

Thursday got off to a slow start with a huge buffet breaky which we promptly walked off in the Cataract. Gorge - over an hours walking at a leisurly pace and then it was back in the car the head for St Helens via Scottsdale :)

St Helens is delightful and I just had time to squeeze in a very brisk 30 minute walk before sunset. Dinner in the local pub was one of the best steaks and the most sublime pepper sauce I've ever had MMMmmmm.

Next morning and it was up and off for a quick visit to the Bay of Fires and then full steam ahead to Frecynet - WOW what a spectacular place!!! Fatass territory if ever there was one!

I immediately donned running gear and headed off on the Hazards Beach Track - delightfully much more technical and steeper little ups and sowns than anticipated - I was well and truly in my happy place! After 5k out I stopped at a rock in brilliant sunshine and made friends with one of the locals - a bubby rock wallaby was more than happy to let me scratch him between the ears while I munched on an Atkins Bar. A swig of water and it was time to return as the sun set across the ocean - the smile on my face just got broader and broader :) :) :)

All up 10k of blissful technical trail in 1.34.29 - very, very, happy 2P.

Super Saturday

Awoke to a brilliant day - and after a massive buffet breakfast Mrs 2P and I assaulted the Wine Glass Bay Lookout trail - circa 1.30 walking at Mrs 2P pace and a nice climb up some 300 stairs to some pretty spectacular views.

Then a quick car trip and short walk to take in Cape Tourville - more spectacular views.

After a quick bite of lunch Mrs 2P challenged me to an hours worth of tennis on the resort court and then a sweaty me headed off for a solo attempt on Mt Amos - one of the Hazards Range standing some 465m ASL.

What a blast - this climb is as technical as I'd ever want to do on my lonesome in failing light - but my Merrel Overdrives never skipped a beat - even got to rescue a damsal in distress - a young lass from Denmark had got herself into a spot of bother on the descent and couldn't move up or down on what is the crux of the climb.

I didn't have to do much - I just climbed up under her and with good foot holds let her lower her feet into my hands and then onto a ledge - all good and she and her buddies were on their way again and I on mine.

I was tiring towards the summit but the lack of light left kept my attention and I made it to the top in just over an hour - what an amazing spectacle it is from up there - just sensational - certainly ranks in my top 5 views ever!

A 10 minute break for a drink and photographs and it was time to descend. The failing light had me a little concerned (I packed a headlamp but the track is extremely indistinct over absurdly sloped rock slabs) but I made it down in good time.

Finished in about 2.02 (including breaks) for what has been the biggest physical exercise day for me in a long time - super dooper happy 2P :)

Arrived back in Hobart for some lunch with friends who live here (Simon is my old bushwalking buddy from way back - we've shared some hairy experiences and though we don't see each other much the bond is strong).

After lunch I dropped Mrs 2P off at the airport and headed back into Hobart. A nice brisk 6k walk in 59.29 to loosen up some stiffening legs and round out what has been a brilliant break!

Noice :)

2009-04-29T09:59:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 8kms
Week Total:20kms
Month Total:24kms
Year Total:29km

Pulled up a bit shin sore after yesterday's walk but as I'm off to Tassie for a week I wanted to make sure I got a run in today.

Settled on an 8km circuit around Canada Bay and Mortlake(ish). The goal today was to employ a walk/run routine but to keep every km split under 7.30.

Mission accomplished! Went under 7.30 for every split to finish with 8k in 58.10 @ 7.16 overall average pace.

Very happy with the progress - I'm taking my running gear to Tassie so hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in a few runs there.

Walking The Talk

2009-04-28T10:49:00.000+10:00

Pulled up more leg weary than leg sore after yesterday's 12k - good result.

I decided to just walk today rather than be too risky and so I won't add it to my running total (pardon the pun).

All up 6k walked in glorious sunshine around the bay in just a smidge under an hour.

Setting The Spinnaker

2009-04-27T11:42:00.001+10:00

Today Total: 12kms
Week Total:16kms
Month Total:16kms
Year Total:21kms

I have a few days off work before flying out to Tassie Wednesday arvo so it was time to apply the 300% rule :)

With the stiff Westerly blowing I decided to give the foreshore track around Concord Hospital a whirl as I knew the bush would offer some protection and the run home would put the Westerly at my back - no point being silly about this!

I headed off with a rough goal of keeping all my km splits under 8 minutes - frankly even I thought this was a bit ambitious given how little exercise I've done over the last 18 months and how fat I now am - but hey what the heck - running distance is as much about training your brain as your body.

If I was going to do this discipline was going to be needed at the start and at the end. At the start to walk early (took my first walk at just 250m to ram the lesson home) and at the end to race against the clock.

Well simply put - it was magic! The foreshore trail was stunning as always - I luvs me trails even if they are urban ones.

The first crux on this run is going over Rhodes Station on the way to Bicentennial Park to start the back half of the run. The second crux is going over the railway line at North Strathfield on the run home. Both challenged me a bit and I dipped over the 8 minute mark for the respective splits but I had enough time banked that it didn't matter.

As expected the Westerly was right behind me for the last k and a half - so I just set the spinnaker and cruised home - loverly :)

Official. Stats from Garmy - 12k in 1.34.31 av 7.53.

Tis a well satisfied 2P.

PS for any guitar playing blogger/runners out there I've started a new blog on guitar - you can find it by clicking on my profile. The first post entitled 'The Tale Of Bootstrap' depicts my journey thus far. The subsequent posts are a bit technical so won't be of any interest to non-playing folk. Happy Days :)

Gently, Gently

2009-04-24T20:32:00.000+10:00

Quads were a bit whingy after last night so just a brisk 30min 'recovery' walk tonight

All good :)

Strapping On The Ugly Shoes

2009-04-23T21:12:00.002+10:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total:4k
Month Total:4k
Year Total:9k

Woooohooooo I ran!!!

Got home tonight and was finally motivated to run, so I pulled out my bronze coloured Nimbus (fair dinks they are right up there in the ugly shoe stakes) and took off for a circuit around the streets surrounding Concord Golf Course.

I did the standard "getting back into it" walk/run thingee and finished up with 4k in 31mins 44 secs which is sub 8 min pace - lol good ultra pace for me :) Actually I was pretty happy with it considering this route takes in a couple of moderate hills.

Let's see if I can keep it going! Happy Daze :)

First One Since The Last One

2009-01-06T17:39:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5k
Week Total:5k
Month Total:5k
Year Total:5k

New Year's Resolution and all that - I finally (6 days into '09) got out for a run/walk thingee in the afternoon heat today - it was supoib - I've always enjoyed exercising in the heat - nothing makes me feel more alive.

There were no land speed records in danger of being broken - 5k in 39.38 but hey it's a start!

Happy New Year to all.

Bush Baby

2008-11-02T21:52:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6km
Week Total: 24km
Month Total: 6km
Year Total: 312k

On Friday night I had dinner with my partners in crime of more than 20 years of training - then on Saturday morning Mrs 2P and I headed South to join one of our dearest friends to celebrate their 60th birthday at Bristol Point Camping Ground (near Green Patch but nicer) on Jervis Bay. Di sweety, you are the living image that 60 is the new 40....

Anyhoo apart from walking & walking this weekend I got in a run this morning on pure trails - ahhhh the serenity.....

As for the title of this post - we were camped with some ex-pat South African's who persisted in calling the possoms who came to visit us "bush babies" - gues it is better than the Kiwi's who were with us who saw them as bounty!

Lol - it is all good :)

Another 5

2008-10-31T18:30:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5km
Week Total: 18km
Month Total: 45km
Year Total: 306km

Another 5k around the Concord Golf Course - nothing spectacular in 38ish degree heat at 3.30pm this arvo. The heat wasn't so much the problem - it was more that with the sail squarage I currently have out running into the stiff westerly wind was a bit tough.

All good :)

Keeping The Faith

2008-10-29T20:45:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 8km + Monday: 5km
Week Total: 13km
Month Total: 40km
Year Total: 301km

Well I'm keeping on keeping on - run/walk (3:1 ratio) one day, walk the next.

Monday was a lap of the streets around Concord Golf Course. Today was the same course I did last Thursday night - except this time I did it a minute or so quicker :)

It's all good!

Again Again

2008-10-25T22:38:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 8km
Week Total: 21km
Month Total: 27km
Year Total: 288km

Well this Telly Tubby took off for the same run as on Thursday but I couldn't sustain the 3:1 ration as my legs were too fatigued (I've been walking and doing core strength between runs). So I had to walk a fair bit more over the last part of the course - but it's all good base building and fat burning.

Anyhoo on the positive side - having crept up to a smidge under 110kgs I weighed in at 99.5kgs this morning. Still a big fat bastard but the trend is now in the right direction.

All good :)

3:1

2008-10-23T19:06:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 8km
Week Total: 13km
Month Total: 19km
Year Total: 280km

Set off on a strict 3min run 1min walk schedule. Through the Concord green strip then down to Concord Oval and back along the foreshore via Canada Bay.

8k in 59.06 @ av pace of 7.23 - no land speed records there but it's a solid start. All good :)

Old Stomping Grounds

2008-10-21T20:30:00.001+11:00

Today Total: 5km
Week Total: 5km
Month Total: 11km
Year Total: 272k

Had baby sitting duties for the grandkids tonight so I loaded up the back pack with a towel, fresh clothes, treats for the kids and a book for Pop once they settled.

Ran more than I walked around the foreshore trail behind Concord Hospital through the bush - lots of running memories there I can tell you. Got to the kids place in time to have a quick shower before they left for dinner.

Calves are pretty tight from Sunday but they loosened up once I got going, some other tight bits too but no major dramas.

Kids have now settled - all good :)

Happy Place

2008-10-19T21:05:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6km
Week Total: 6km
Month Total: 6km
Year Total: 267km

Another decent break between drinks - without going into detail, this year I've just had to put family and work above self - it had me exhausted up till last week, but a week off where I did nought but sleep for about 18 hours a day has me now bouncing off the walls again. And touch wood I've just about tamed the tigers at home and work and life can get back to some sort of healthy balance.

Last Sunday I cut my hair, started eating healthily again and took a walk. Everyday through this last week I've walked with a few joggles and also done some core strength work - result - today I was ready (so I thought) to get serious.

So on the way back from Bathurst I stopped off at my favourite short track in the mountains - the Grand Canyon. I made good time getting down into the canyon proper and really enjoyed the section rock-hopping along the creek. I could tell I was out of practice as I had a few stumbles and also went over on both ankles a couple of times but fortunately apart from initial pain no harm done.

I felt every one of the extra 15kg I've put on this year climbing out though and it took a mighty long time to reach the to - but the view over the Grose Valley with the last of the setting sun lighting up the cliffs with a back drop of lightening strikes over the Sydney basin in the background made it all worth while! Spectacular!

Made it back to the car in an hour forty which is a good twenty minutes slower than my previous worst but the memories of that gloomy & damp canyon, with waratahs blooming on the ridges in & out combined with the fact I didn't see another living soul except that of a rock wallaby and a lyre bird had me well and truly in my happy place for the drive home.

Life is good :)

Plod Of The Phoenix

2008-08-05T07:37:00.000+10:00

Yesterday Total: 4km
Week Total: 4km
Month Total: 4km
Year Total: 261k

Well it has been 2 months since I dusted off my old Nimbus size 9's. I won't go into detail but suffice it to say I have had other priorities. Nothing bad - just an intense time that required 100% focus to make some stuff happen.

Anyway - I'm out of excuses, so there was nothing for it but to take a toddle around the roads that surround Concord Golf Course. It is a bit of an undulating route and with the first 700m being uphill I headed off at a nice gentle pace - it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Thankfully.

I chose to alternately walk and shuffle up the hill on the western side - and then broke into a mild trot for the last 1k to end up with 4k in a smidge over 30 minutes - so no land-speed records being set in Concord - but it's a start :)

The Dunston Dash

2008-05-08T09:45:00.001+10:00

Today Total: 6km
Week Total: 13km
Month Total: 54km
Year Total: 257km

When I left home on Sunday night I never intended on going to Adelaide but when a unique opportunity presented itself a detour was in order. The only problem being the people I was going to see couldn't give me a firm time to meet, so I felt a bit rude standing fellow blogger Simlin up when he kindly offered to meet me for a run. Sorry mate.

Anyhoo when I got to my apartment at 10pm there was a message saying they would pick me up at 10.30am - so game on for a run. Headed South out of the CBD till I found a road (possibly the only one in Adelaide) that had slightly less than a hundred sets of traffic lights and turned West down to West Terrace, North to North Terrace (how could anyone get lost in Adelaide :) )

Turning right along the railyards I smiled as I found a short dirt road to run on for a few hundred meters - even in the heart of the city the old Toops can still sniff out a trail :)

Rather pleasant up along the museum and uni and then another couple of rights to make may way back to the apartments - very nice.

Western Sunsets

2008-05-07T08:40:00.001+10:00

Yesterday Total: 7km
Week Total: 7km
Month Total: 48km
Year Total: 251km

Flew into Perth on Sunday night to investigate ways of expanding my salt mine empire. I've spent the last 2 days with an absolute gem - L is the guy who came up with the concept of the Champaign & Cognac Brown Stone Diamond promotion (complete with Faberge egg) that rocketed Argyle onto the worldwide diamond scene. Retired now he works for a disabilty organisation over here and is doing some pretty cool stuff.

But I digress - staying at Scarborough overlooking the Indian Ocean I trotted North along th bicycle track for 3.5kms absolutely mesmerised by the exquisitly pink sunset - all along the shore people were just stopping and staring at Mother Nature's awesome display - real 2P happy place stuff. Turned around as night descended and shuffled back to the apartment.

A few more chores to do here in Perth today and then it is off to Adelaide tonight where I'm hoping to explore the upper reaches of the mighty River Torrens tomorrow morning :)

Dress Rehearsal

2008-05-04T11:20:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 31km
Week Total: 41km
Month Total: 41km
Year Total: 244km

31kms of bushy, hilly, muddy trails in 5.03 - I'll have to go a bit slower if I want to survive TNF :)

Undoubtably toted the biggest load I've ever carried on a run/walk thingee - between my pack, bum bag & handheld I had just over 8kgs worth of kit, tucker & water.

That is heavier than I plan to start TNF if I enter - with only 13k to the first checkpoint I won't have to carry much water at all so with a bit of luck it will be a bit easier.

As slow as this morning was - I'm serious - it is too fast - that pace would put me on a 16 hour finish which I can't do - I'd bonk. If I do start the plan is to get to CP2 (49k) in around 10 - 11 hours and then taper from there.

It was a perfect morning out there today - I can't remember a clearer day - lots of happy place time. Beautiful! :-)

Making Progress

2008-05-02T20:19:00.001+10:00

Today Total: 10km
Week Total: 10km
Month Total: 10km
Year Total: 213km

First weekday run for a long time though I did some other training on Monday and Wednesday.

Switched back to carbs late Wednesday night for a net loss of just over 5kgs in 12 days - actually lost over 7kgs but I've taken the balance on in water as my muscles glycogened up. Pretty happy with that - my clothes fit much more comfy and it has kick started me back to a healthier lifestyle. Still got about another 6kgs to lose to get back to an acceptable level of fatness - but no rush - it will happen as consistency of training picks up.

Got out for a very cruisy 10k tonight - conditions were perfect around the forehore and I just concentrated on being economical jogging all the way to finish in just under 72 minutes. At that pace I just felt like I could go forever - noice.

Been doing some mega retail therapy and am over the moon with my new Outdoor Research Zealot Goretex jacket. At 210 grams it is the lightest jacket with hood on the market. I found out purchasing it that wasabe is a colour - go figure! Also picked up 2 pair of brick red Merrell Overdrive trail shoes for $136.00 - life is good :-)

I'm going to do a long bush run/walk thingee up the lake on Sunday and then make my final decision on The North Face 100k for the 17th of May. I'm not really fit enough for it - but hey that has never stopped me doing anything before :-) And you get 30 hours - how hard can that be? Right?

Struggle Street & A Sekrit Mission

2008-04-27T00:12:00.001+10:00

Yesterday's Total: 25km
Week Total: 25km
Month Total: 109km
Year Total: 203km

Just got home after running Narrowneck as an out and back.

Pulled up great after Hellgate - amazed the legs were not that sore at all. Came down with an horrendous crook throat combined with a mild cold though.

I also decided to capitalise on the fat burn and went Atkins as of Monday (just for 2 weeks) - immediate effect on the scales due to fluid loss (if you don't store glycogen then you don't store water either).

Anyhoo CR Mr G is the RD for the Wild Endurance 100k and he needed some last minute intel so I agreed to go fetch.

Well kids - I learned one very hard lesson - you can't do hard runs carrying a 6kg pack and hope for it to be a happy thing on a diet of less than 10gms of carb per day. I struggled. I struggled big time.

Always one to make the most of things I convinced myself it was good practice in hitting the wall :-)

Made it down to the end of Narrowneck with the wind absolutely howling and I clambered my way down to the top of Tarros Ladder where I conducted my experiment for Mr G - nope no mobile reception there, zip, nada, nix, nuffin. Briefly thought about a descent for old times sake but with the wind howling, in the dark, on my own I figured I didn't have to so why risk it? Besides I've done it before alone at night in worse conditions with a bigger pack - nothing to prove - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it :-)

Climbed back up the track for part 2 of my mission a photograph of the top rung of the steel stairs/ladder thingee before Tarros - don't ask.

Mission accomplished all I had to do was get back - ugh - it hurt - it hurt a lot. Having cruised around Hellgate last week I was now in my own private Hell.

To add insult to injury - I thought the batteries in my Apex Pro were fresher than they must have been - and copped the warning flashes that I was down to less than 40% battery life while I was still stuffing around on Tarros.

Without whinging too much to you dear reader suffice it to say I made it back to the car in about 4.15 - I am an ultra runner after all - ultra slow that is!

Drove home feeling extremely nauseous but typing this I'm starting to brighten a little.

Nah nigh time :-)

Hellgate Hilarity

2008-04-20T16:09:00.001+10:00

Yesterday's Total: 46k
Week Total: 46k
Month Total: 84k
Year Total: 178k

Due to the fog putting out the water drops took much longer than I had planned - anyone who has driven through the Jenolan Gorge or down to Kanangra Walls might be able to appreciate what it is like in drizzle and absolute pea-souper fog.

One funny thing happened though as I was walking in the 700m from the Kanangra Rd to put down one of the drops for Paul. Switching on the PT Apex Pro was all but useless in the dense fog so I decided to take my Garmin PDA (loaded with topo's) so I didn't miss the right spot. Concentrating hard on where I put my feet and fumbling my way along the soaked track with the wind blowing rain into my face - when suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere a disembodied voice said "lost satellite reception" - fair dinkum I hit my head on an overhanging tree branch I jumped so high!

Anyhoo after my heartrate got down below 180 I carried on. Didn't much feel like putting out the last drop on Blacks Range but knew if I didn't do it, it would put me under pressure in the morning.

When I got back to the Deviation I was so wired from concentrating that I needed to read for an hour to wind down, so lights out wasn't till 1.00am - I slept like a baby.

Waking up at 6.30 I still managed to fluff about and had to rush my preparation - I didn't even count how many people were there (will have to wait for someone to post a start photo).

Horrie gave us a "ready-set-go"and we were away with Belinda, Lynda & I all trying to out-do each other with what we had forgotten to do and pulling up to set things right. In my case I'd forgotten to lube up, but once I'd done the decent with a finger tip of Vas I got going proper, promising the girls I wouldn't leave the Caves without them.

Really super-pleased with my run down to Caves considering I'm 10kg overweight and have only run 130k's this year -arrived bang on 1.30 and had a natter with Martin, Run Bare and Craig (?) till they took off.

Then Horrie and Tim turned up - I'd been idling for about 15mins and was starting to get seriously cold and told Horrie to tell the girls I'd meet them at the gate before the climb - just as I was about to set off the girls arrived.

I knew they would fiddle about for a bit so I just walked the 2.5k down to the gate - the girls arriving about 5 mins after I got there. "What up there"? "Yep":-)

I swear Lynda is part Mountain Goat she just took off like there was no tomorrow. I had a bit of a chuckle when Belinda said "dare I ask - is it much further"? "No not really - we are about a third of the way up".

We made good time up the hill as it is much easier wet than dry. Finally hit the Kanangra Rd and cruised up to where Horrie and Tim were waiting - a quick resup and we were on our way into Hellgate Country. I've said it before - I'll say it again - it's the most fun you can have standing up.

Played leapfrog with Belinda and Lynda as they were both stronger on the ups than me and eventually they got away when I had a pit stop.

The descent was a bit of an anti-climax with the surface being nowhere near as treacherous as when it is dry - still gave the quads a good pounding though!
Gravity took me past the girls about halfway down and I mosied on down to the river.

After a bit the girls turned up and I just pointed them in the right direction and said "adios" - I had no intention of even trying to keep up with them. With my lack of training I knew to push was just to invite a cramp so I just ambled up that mighty hill. Suffered a bit of heartbreak when intuition made me turn and I saw my cap on the ground about 60m back. I briefly thought of leaving it but it was a Six Foot cap dang nabbit so I had to go back. A bit later I took the "deadmans" suck on the Camelbak and ruefully looked at my handheld which was about a third full...

Eventually got to Blacks Range and headed for home. I could still walk strongly but could only raise a shuffle run on the downs. "Ahoy" from behind me and there is Paul informing me of Martin & Runbare's" tale of woe.

It got dark but I couldn't be bothered to get my headlamp out and just doddled on the best I could passing Slow Maniac in his car as he was riding to the rescue. (BTW thanks for picking up the water drop - saved me a trip this morning).

Shortly after everyone left it started to rain quite heavily and I reflected what a different place the Deviation was now compared to the bustle of runners and bushwalkers earlier in the day.

The hardest thing I did that day was strip off and pour cold water all over myself to have a tubs (I had to - I smelled like a polecat). Skins on rugged up and cooked dinner - it was no use though - my core temp had dropped - so warming up a cup of water I went and got horizontal in the old MKI fartbag and concentrated on getting some feeling back in my hands and feet.

Had an ordinary nights sleep as I had to pee about 83 times - when I wasn't peeing I was trying to convince myself I didn't need to. Blah - morning came about 30 hours after I went to bed and drizzle had become steady rain. Breakfasted with the local kangaroos and headed into Oberon for some petrol.

Reverse trip to pick up the rest of the empties (and fullies - the coldness of the day meant people used very little water) and headed home. Done.

Thanks for the company everyone - especially Belinda & Lynda - you are two very cheerful trail buddies.

Oh yeah - and Milov - I dips me lid!

Covering Ground

2008-04-13T13:25:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 23k
Week Total: 27k
Month Total: 38k
Year Total: 131k

Run a bit, walk a bit. Run a bit, walk a bit. Run a bit, walk a bit.... Galloway would be proud.

I had hoped to head up Kanangra way and do the recce for the "Bouncing Off The Walls" section of Hellgate but circumstances had me up at the lake house. So instead I made my way over the hilly trails around Gwandalan and Munmorah.

Beautiful morning up this way - I'd like to say I was in my happy place all the time but I dunno, I just didn't feel like it when I woke up and the first 6k were just plain ugly. Eventually things started to feel better and I got into the groove and started to enjoy myself.

By the time I could see the ocean I had a big smile on my dial and the back half of the trip just seemed to glide by. The walk a bit, run a bit strategy meant it was slow but I finished feeling pretty good in about 3 hours 20 minutes.

Let's see if I can do it for 9 or 10 hours next week?

Done

2008-04-08T08:09:00.000+10:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 15k
Year Total: 108k

I put in a solid hour of training last night and on top of Sunday's effort it was a pretty frumpy 2P that hit the streets of Concord this morning.

Shuffled fatigued muscles through 4 ugly k's in a kind of gait that possibly, but not quite, resembled running. Rest day tomorrow.

Twilight Zone

2008-04-06T18:42:00.001+10:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 11k
Month Total: 11k
Year Total: 104k

The good thing about the HP not doing Rock Eisteddfod this year is I get to see more of her. The downside is I miss my long bush runs I've become accustomed to every third Sunday over the last few years during "dance season".

The end of Daylight Savings also compromises things a bit too - well until I thought about my PT Apex Pro that is :-) Hmmm Grand Canyon in the dark - sounds great!

Got to the car park a bit earlier than expected and got running shortly after 5pm. Still plenty of light about but knowing parts of the canyon are gloomy at the best of times knew it wouldn't last.

Sure enough with a very light misty drizzle and heavy overcast conditions I was soon glad of the lamp as I entered the canyon proper. I turned it off again as the canyon opened out a bit and the trail skirts along the Western wall.

I've never seen inside the short tunnel section before as I usually grope my way through here blind. Some things are better left unseen as all sorts of scary looking things inhabit the roof.

Used the lamp on and off as I made my way down the last tricky steep bits to the creek level.

Navigating the creek section efficiently is hard enough in good light so I decided to play it safe and turned the lamp on at about ten to six.

By the time I got through the creek section and commenced the ascent it was truly dark in the canyon and I took the opportunity to savour it - I was very much in my happy place.

As I ascended and the canyon opened out there was just enough ambient light to navigate by for a while but soon it was back to the lamp for the final 15 minutes back to the car.

Made it round in a very comfortable 1.20 - very satisfied.

Still Moving Forward

2008-04-01T18:41:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5k
Week Total: 5k
Month Total: 5k
Year Total: 98k

Well another 5k done as a lap of the roads around Concord Golf Course - and about 30 minutes of other training last night.

So far, so good :-)

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2008-03-30T12:58:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 12k
Week Total: 20k
Month Total: 28k
Year Total: 93k

Well happy, happy, joy, joy, and not just because I got through 12k today - but because my beloved foreshore trail has been re-opened. I'm not sure how long it has been open again because I haven't been down there since mid last year but frabjuous day calloo callay he chortled in his joy.

It isn't quite like it used to be as the new buildings in the back of Concord Hospital don't have the same character as the WWII vintage ones they replaced but at least they didn't take out the rough hewn sandstone stairs and little cliff face that was a real landmark for those of us who used to frequent there.

If I am any chance at all of doing Hellgate in 3 weeks time I really need to get some time on feet happening so I set off today with the goal of covering 12k in a run/walk in under 8 min k's.

Finished bang on 1 hour 30 mins which is about a 7.40 av so I'm pretty content with that.

Distance never scares me - for me it is more an equation of available time and fuel - unless something physically breaks you just keep moving and eventually you get to where you are headed. Just have to see how I go from here.

Again, Again

2008-03-25T21:05:00.001+11:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 8k
Month Total: 16k
Year Total: 81k

Probably more womble than tele-tubby but another 4 in the bank.

Legs were not sore at all today but when I started to run my calves really bound up - with a history of compartment syndrome I played it safe and covered the distance mixing up running and walking - so it took me 30 minutes - slow but done.

Will probably rest the pins tomorrow.

Four More With Some Old Friends

2008-03-24T11:57:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 12k
Year Total: 77k

I dug around in my cupboard this morning till I uncovered my old Landreths that I wore when I did the twelve hour back in '06 that I save for special occasions - If running two days in a row isn't special for me these days then I don't know what is :-)

They carried me for a smidge over 94k that night and I guess I used that as motivation to get out the door. You can't live on past glories, you're only as good as your last run and my last run (yesterday) was about as glorious as a three-legged labrador running on a forty degree day.

You can't live on past glories, but you can use them for motivation - another four done.

Another Four

2008-03-23T23:09:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 8k
Month Total: 8k
Year Total: 73k

Another 4k today - managed some cross training on Wednesday so slowly clawing my way back.

Still fat n unfit but.

2008-03-17T19:36:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 69k

Well it has been exactly a month since my last sporadic effort - I wonder how long to the next?

Fat and unfit with a modicum of motivation....

Another Lap

2008-02-17T19:03:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 30k
Year Total: 65k

Stopped off for a lap of the Grand Canyon again this evening on the way back from visiting the Halfpenny.

Set off in light misty rain - it was good and gloomy in the canyon and plenty of water about. Didn't see another soul but that's just the way I like it.

Bewdiful :)

Megalong Mega (Mini Version)

2008-02-04T11:09:00.000+11:00

Yesterday Total: 24k
Last Week Total: 24k
Month Total: 59k
Year Total: 59k

The lure of my mistress dragged me out again this morning......

And so it was that I found myself plodding down to the Coxs River behind 140 or so happy punters out to do the Megalong Mega Fat Ass run by Kevin Tiller. The exception being I knew I was not going to do the full monty.

Recent hydration therapy has given my mistress a real make over and she is looking better than ever and she had me hot to trot - well trot and walk - I crossed the river in about an hour flat and then walked my way to the top of Mini Mini Saddle where the 20k/25k sign is in an hour and 4 minutes to give me an out time of 2.04 (including a break to refill the water bottle and have a feed at the river).

Running back down the hill to the river as always was a hoot though for me I was very conservative taking a smidge under 40 minutes and then it was the long grind home back up the single trail to Megalong Road. Actually I was pretty happy with this bit as I was able to run the downs and flats and I walked all the ups without a break except for one stop at the little stream at the limestone outcrop in halfway up the stairs to refill my bottle. Made it back to the start in 4.14 feeling good which I was very happy with.

Not fast enough to do Six Foot in 7 hours yet but I'm certain I could go the distance.

It was great catching up with so many mates and making a few new ones. Oh ye band of brothers (and sisters) "thanks for that Reg" <----- sorry obtuse Python quote.

A Grand Run

2008-01-27T23:09:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 35k
Year Total: 35k

I was still a bit sore today after last Saturday's silliness - until yesterday I've been treating stairs like they were a ladder ie use the handrail on the way up and head out bum first on the way down.

So today a bit pressed for time after visiting the Halfpenny in Bathurst I decided to visit my favourite 6k on the planet on the way home - the Grand Canyon out from Blackheath. It is simply gorgeous.

Lots of water about but that's just the way I like it - my only grumble is that the commercial operators have put stainless steel bolts and chains into the abseil point for the canyon proper for their own version of environmental terrorism for profit - I guess it is no worse than the NPWS putting up handrails all over the shop but it just galls me - I mean if you can't rig a pitch without aid then you shouldn't be there. OK I'll stop whinging now.

Anyhoo the leggies were a bit stiff to start off with but soon loosened up - I finished the distance in 1:14:40 - when I'm fit I normally run mid 50's so a bit of work to do yet but at least I'm on the right track :)

Plus you gotta love that view of the Gross Valley when you reach Evans Lookout - poifikt!

Tree to Coxs

2008-01-19T16:28:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 29k
Week Total: 29k
Month Total: 29k
Year Total: 29k

Too stuffed to think up anything new - below is a cut & paste from Cool Running.

I suppose conventional wisdom from a zero base of training is to build up to a 29k jaunt through the mountains.... Well someone has to test out alternative methods don't they?

Took me over an hour from the trail head back up the stairs to finish in 6.43.

I hared off at the start like a primary school kid doing his first 5k fun run - it was great fun till at one of the creek crossings the water was deeper than expected and I crushed my big toe under a rock (cutting through the protective strip on my Merrels) - from then on it was still fun, it just hurt a lot on the downs - probably a blessing in disguise.

I let the world go by at the trail head and just pretty much walked with some shuffles to Megalong Rd. I had planned to turn back there but the siren call of the Coxs Rv with some water in it beckoned me on. By now my toe was numb enough for me to shuffle more regularly and I enjoyed the wet and how green it was.

Got to the swing bridge and headed home. The rain increased in intensity on the way back and the big creek past Nellies was close to being uncrossable - the track itself was a stream in many places and I wanted to trade the Merrels for flippers.

Anyhoo I'm glad I didn't run much on the way down as my legs were shot on the stairs. I felt alright on the inside but there was some kind of short circuit between the inside bits and the outside bits and it was a very sloooow ascent.

Really enjoyed it though and it was great to catch up with some old friends and also meet some new ones.

And yes Ewen - that only leaves me 16 minutes and 59 seconds for the last 16k!

Lakeside

2007-12-30T14:43:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 9k
Month Total: 32k
Year Total: 959k

Still chesty but when the family said they were heading over to Summerland Point I detected a running opportunity and said I'd meet them there.

It was a slow, hot run (with a few walks) but it was nice to be out running on a combination of trails and grassy lakefront.

I certainly enjoyed cooling off in the lake afterwards - kids, grandkids and Mrs 2P all seemed to be enjoying themselves too so everyone was a winner :-)

Life's A Beach

2007-12-29T23:04:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 3k
Week Total: 3k
Month Total: 26k
Year Total: 953k

Well I might have really enjoyed my Quarry Rd pre-Chrissy experience but it may have been a boo boo - having gone in unfit I pulled up really sore and having a mild chest cold on the day things were set to get worse.

Chrissy Eve me and Mrs 2P worked till 3.00am getting everything ready for the big day and then a few short hours later it was up and about to celebrate. The celebration lasted till 2:00am the next morning - ugh - Boxing Day I was crook as a dog with sore throat and chest infection.

And up till today it only got worse from there - this morning however I felt much more chipper. Though still a bit chesty I was in the mood for a run when we got to Catherine Hill Bay and so I did!

A bare foot lap of the beach at an easy pace followed by a swim - noice - hopefully it will only continue to get better.....

Rolls Royce Morning

2007-12-23T11:09:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 13k
Week Total: 23k
Month Total: 23k
Year Total: 950k

More like a Rolls Canardly! I rolled down the hills ok but could hardly get up em :)

Despite being fat, unfit and suffering from a chest cold/sore throat thingee I just couldn't resist the 3rd annual Quarry Rd Chrissy training run.

Recorded my slowest ever lap of 1.50 but I loved it! So good to be out on a steep hilly trail again - and my Merrels finally got used for their designed purpose - about bloody time too :)

Lots of familiar faces and some new ones as well. The food at the end thanks to Horrie was great, but the piece de resistance was when Colin pulled a keg of home brew out of his boot - chilled to perfection it really hit the spot.

Nice way to spend a morning. La, la, la.

Again, Again

2007-12-20T07:26:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5k
Week Total: 10k
Month Total: 10k
Year Total: TBA

Telly Tubby Trudges Around Town.

Well another 5k and a bit of a pleasant surprise as I pretty much joggled all the way except for 2 short walks up the 400m hill behind Concord Golf Course.

Finished in 34.05 @ 6.50 av - lol that is 5.34 quicker than Tuesday - if only all our gains could be that big.

I'll need to be careful though as I'm a little shin sore - not surprising given the tonnage I'm hauling at the moment.

Oh yeah - in my last post I forgot to say thanks to all those folks (including a surprising number of blog lurkers) who either emailed, PM'd or posted enquiries after my whereabouts. Every one of those contacts contributed to me finally getting my fat arse out on the pavement - so thank you very much team it is deeply appreciated.

Onwards & Upwards :)

The Force

2007-12-18T07:11:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5k
Week Total: 5k
Month Total: 5k
Year Total: 932k

F = MxA

Well there might have been a helluva lot of force waddling around Concord this morning but their was bugger all acceleration.

5k walk/jog thingee in 39.38.

Oh well - it's a start (another one).

5k

2007-11-06T18:06:00.000+11:00

Today Total: 5k
Week Total: 5k
Month Total: 5k
Year Total: 927k

5k in 31.21 without stopping or walking @ a fairly consistent 6.16av.

Pinch & A Punch

2007-11-01T07:58:00.000+11:00

And a really nasty Chinese burn too - not because it is the first of the month but because I've been such a lazy bastard.

Yes life has been hectic but that is no excuse. When I'm motivated I can move heaven and earth to fit in a training session no matter how busy I am. Fact is I'm not motivated.

This is a bit weird for me because I've always been a fairly consistent trainer (if not runner) whether I have a goal or not - just staying healthy and the feeling and stink of dripping sweat(sorry ladies I'm taken) was all I needed. But I haven't been doing anything lately, no running, no kung fu - I even contemplated driving the car 5m to the end of the driveway to get the mail out of the box the other day. - ok that bit is an exaggeration but you get the point.

Maybe it's a mid-life thing (hmmm does that mean I live to be 86?). I dunno.

Anyhoo working on the concept of even the longest journey can start with the smallest step I did some core strength work last night. Some push-ups, crunchers, reverse leg raises, quad lunges, calf raisers and hamstring drops. Then went for a 5 minute run just to shake everything out and followed it up with some stretching.

Twee bit sore this morning so it will be interesting to see if I get any DOMS as the day goes on.

Happy Landings

2007-10-24T06:47:00.000+10:00

Home again after a fairly exhausting trip - touched down at about 0650 on Monday morning and straight off to work and it has been full-on ever since.

The trip was a nice break from routine but more intense than I expected. After we left Akaroa we headed South to Oamaru a nice little seaside town and home to blue and yellow eyed penguins - we stayed in a brilliant B&B called The Gecko.

The next morning we mosied on down to Moeraki for lunch at Fluers - NZ best cafe 2007 - and it is too! It would be impossible to describe this place so I won't - suffice it to say if you are ever in the South go there.

From there it was of to Dunedin to commence work starting with a working dinner on the Sunday evening - then 2 days of conference. We stayed at the Southern Cross Hotel (without doubt NZ's WORST value for money hotel). The conference dinner was at Lonarch Castle and was a complete hoot - the floor show and the music matching the supurb surrounds.

Thursday and the study tour commenced ai, ai, ai, 3 visits in Dunedin then off to Invercargill where we were treated to a dinner hosted by Mayor Tim Shadbolt (NZ's answer to Sir Les Patterson) talk about un-PC - we loved it!

Visits to the Rio Tinto Aluminium Smelter (who provide employment for lots of folks with a disability), Stadium Southland and a colleague organisation followed the next day.

Late in the afternoon we headed by boat to Stewart Island - ha! Everyone we spoke to warned us about the trip but when we headed over it was like a millpond - I've had rougher crossings on the Manly Ferry - what a pack of softies these Kiwi's are...

Ugh - the trip back was like the prawn trawler scene from Forrest Gump! I have some video clips that I might put on Facebook later. Mrs 2P (a pretty hardened sailor) lost her breaky as did quite a few others and one poor lady on our tour also lost her false teeth as well. I was surprisingly fine and spent my time lurching from spot to spot trying to stay upwind from the vomit smells whilst handing out sickbags. I also played an amusing game of "chase the chompers" - easier said than done on a violently pitching and wet steel deck - however between me and the decky we finally returned the errant dentures to their rather green but grateful owner.

Had to laugh at the looks on the faces of the people booked for the return journey as they watched us disembark :-)

Full steam ahead to Queenstown on Saturday for our final night as a group and we had a nice dinner with spectacular views from our lofty perch at the Gondola Restaurant. Sunday morning we all gathered to watch the Boks spank the Poms and at 10AM we all headed our separate ways. Mrs 2P and I hitching a ride with my boss and his wife back to Christchurch - a long but scenic days travel via Lake Tekapo and the Lindiss Pass.

We were all pretty weary little vegemites and decided to eat in at the Sudima (Airport) Hotel at Christchurch where we were staying which completely exceeded expectations and gave us one final nice experience to conclude our trip.

Absolutely jam-packed but I could have probably squeezed in a run or two if I'd woken uber-early or taken advantage of the free time before dinner each day, but it was mostly cold, windy and rainy (3 to 11 degrees most days) and I was just too stuffed to bother.

Now to find some motivation to lose the 2kgs I found whilst over the ditch.

And hopefully find some time to catch up on some blog reading too :-)