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!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Tree to Coxs
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!
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!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Lakeside
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 :-)
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 :-)
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Life's A Beach
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.....
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.....
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Rolls Royce Morning
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.
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.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Again, Again
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 :)
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 :)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Force
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).
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).
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
5k
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.
Week Total: 5k
Month Total: 5k
Year Total: 927k
5k in 31.21 without stopping or walking @ a fairly consistent 6.16av.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Pinch & A Punch
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Happy Landings
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 :-)
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 :-)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Akaroa
Well after one of those flights/airport experiences where everything that can go wrong does and you finally get into a hire car 3 hours later than planned Mrs 2P and I made our way from Christchurch to Akaroa yesterday.
No running today but we spent about 3 hours walking and exploring so that accounts for something I suppose.
In terms of the blahs I seem to have some kind of breathing disorder - I dunno??? I've never been a smoker or asthmatic etc but I constantly find myself wheezing even after walking up a short hill - looks like a trip to the quacks when I get home.
I also boo booed big time terrifying Mrs 2P this arvo - switching to the car we drove up a hill to explore (a NZ hill you understand) the road was dirt and narrow and VERY steep with massive drop offs over the edge and a bit short of the summit Mrs 2P had had enough burst into tears and demanded I stop and let her out.
No manner of persuasion would get her back in the car so I slowly drove behind her as she walked the 4k back down - go figure!
Anyhoo I felt pretty bad that I had inadvertantly terrorised her in such a way - I certainly didn't mean to.
Heading South tomorrow.
No running today but we spent about 3 hours walking and exploring so that accounts for something I suppose.
In terms of the blahs I seem to have some kind of breathing disorder - I dunno??? I've never been a smoker or asthmatic etc but I constantly find myself wheezing even after walking up a short hill - looks like a trip to the quacks when I get home.
I also boo booed big time terrifying Mrs 2P this arvo - switching to the car we drove up a hill to explore (a NZ hill you understand) the road was dirt and narrow and VERY steep with massive drop offs over the edge and a bit short of the summit Mrs 2P had had enough burst into tears and demanded I stop and let her out.
No manner of persuasion would get her back in the car so I slowly drove behind her as she walked the 4k back down - go figure!
Anyhoo I felt pretty bad that I had inadvertantly terrorised her in such a way - I certainly didn't mean to.
Heading South tomorrow.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Geez Somethin Aint Right
Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 8k
Month Total: 8k
Year Total: 922k
I don't think I whinge much but I'm whinging now - I dunno what's up. Went for a run tonight and all was going great guns through 2k then my breathing got out of shape and I felt crap all over - seems the blahs haven't quite left me yet!
Made my way home with my tail between my legs and a couple of walk breaks.
On the upside I'm crossing the ditch tomorrow for a 10 day work/pleasure trip to the deep South of the South Island - can't wait :-)
Oh yeah - does anyone have any cheese to go with my whine?
Week Total: 8k
Month Total: 8k
Year Total: 922k
I don't think I whinge much but I'm whinging now - I dunno what's up. Went for a run tonight and all was going great guns through 2k then my breathing got out of shape and I felt crap all over - seems the blahs haven't quite left me yet!
Made my way home with my tail between my legs and a couple of walk breaks.
On the upside I'm crossing the ditch tomorrow for a 10 day work/pleasure trip to the deep South of the South Island - can't wait :-)
Oh yeah - does anyone have any cheese to go with my whine?
Monday, October 08, 2007
Back On Track
Today Total: 4k
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 918k
Just a shorty to ease back into it after a week and a bit off due to an attack of the blahs.
Also got to try out the new Merrel Overdrives - noice! So grippy they slowed me down ;-)
4k in 23.38 @ 5.55 average
Week Total: 4k
Month Total: 4k
Year Total: 918k
Just a shorty to ease back into it after a week and a bit off due to an attack of the blahs.
Also got to try out the new Merrel Overdrives - noice! So grippy they slowed me down ;-)
4k in 23.38 @ 5.55 average
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Slow Six
Today Total: 6k
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 131k
Year Total: 907k
Felt a bit iffy all week - you know - that feeling where you think you are about to come down with the flu but it doesn't quite develop.
Anyhoo after getting home late after a busy day I headed out for a run - I didn't particularly feel like running and I felt even less like it after the first kilometer. I perservered but it was crap.
Week Total: 6k
Month Total: 131k
Year Total: 907k
Felt a bit iffy all week - you know - that feeling where you think you are about to come down with the flu but it doesn't quite develop.
Anyhoo after getting home late after a busy day I headed out for a run - I didn't particularly feel like running and I felt even less like it after the first kilometer. I perservered but it was crap.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Night Assault - Mt Panorama
Today Total: 13k
Week Total: 47k
Month Total: 125k
Year Total: 901k
I'm up in Bathurst to visit the Halfpenny. When I got here she informed me she had a party to go to tonight and as eisteddfod commitments are over there will be no early trip home tomorrow which means no mountains run.
So I took the opportunity to do a lap of The Mountain. I wasn't really prepared for a night run up here ie I just had shorts and a t-shirt but I did have the PT Apex so what the hey?
I parked up right outside the entrance to the gaol at about 7.40pm with the ambient temperature at 9 degrees (which was only going to drop). I headed off past the Bathurst Golf Course to the cemetery where I fanged a left and then headed up the roller coaster that is Boundary Road.
Another left and I was on my way down towards the race track proper. Turning right onto the track at the bottom of Pit Straight the Southerly breeze hit me and I started to wonder about the wisdom of this run.
I managed to run all the way up to the winery (where it gets really steep) and then elected to walk to the top. The one benefit of the steep bit was at least I was a bit protected from the wind.
Once on top it was bitterly cold and my fingers quickly went numb and my ears started to ache - I needed to move. I did stop briefly in the lee of one of the crash barrier revetments to say g'day to a couple of wallabies who couldn't give a toss that I was only 5m away. This small break also gave me the chance to take in the pretty city lights and then to look up and take in the best that mother nature had to offer in the crystal clear skies - I was deep in my happy place :-)
Getting moving again I started the descent which was quite a hoot and once I took the final left onto Conrod Straight I was out of the wind and conditions improved considerably.
The rest of the run was pretty uneventful and except that every little hill had my hammies squawking - the long drag up past the Department of Lands and the TAFE seemingly taking forever.
A final trot down past the prison and I was back to the car in 1.38.15 @ 7.33 average. Not real fast but very satisfying as I've always wanted to do this run - to do it at night was just the icing on the cake.
Happy 2P :-)
Week Total: 47k
Month Total: 125k
Year Total: 901k
I'm up in Bathurst to visit the Halfpenny. When I got here she informed me she had a party to go to tonight and as eisteddfod commitments are over there will be no early trip home tomorrow which means no mountains run.
So I took the opportunity to do a lap of The Mountain. I wasn't really prepared for a night run up here ie I just had shorts and a t-shirt but I did have the PT Apex so what the hey?
I parked up right outside the entrance to the gaol at about 7.40pm with the ambient temperature at 9 degrees (which was only going to drop). I headed off past the Bathurst Golf Course to the cemetery where I fanged a left and then headed up the roller coaster that is Boundary Road.
Another left and I was on my way down towards the race track proper. Turning right onto the track at the bottom of Pit Straight the Southerly breeze hit me and I started to wonder about the wisdom of this run.
I managed to run all the way up to the winery (where it gets really steep) and then elected to walk to the top. The one benefit of the steep bit was at least I was a bit protected from the wind.
Once on top it was bitterly cold and my fingers quickly went numb and my ears started to ache - I needed to move. I did stop briefly in the lee of one of the crash barrier revetments to say g'day to a couple of wallabies who couldn't give a toss that I was only 5m away. This small break also gave me the chance to take in the pretty city lights and then to look up and take in the best that mother nature had to offer in the crystal clear skies - I was deep in my happy place :-)
Getting moving again I started the descent which was quite a hoot and once I took the final left onto Conrod Straight I was out of the wind and conditions improved considerably.
The rest of the run was pretty uneventful and except that every little hill had my hammies squawking - the long drag up past the Department of Lands and the TAFE seemingly taking forever.
A final trot down past the prison and I was back to the car in 1.38.15 @ 7.33 average. Not real fast but very satisfying as I've always wanted to do this run - to do it at night was just the icing on the cake.
Happy 2P :-)
Concrete Progress
What goes up MUST come down!
Five Saturdays ago I was apalled when I jumped on the scales to find my weight had ballooned to 99.5kgs during the hiatus.
This morning I was much happier to discover I was 93.1kgs - much more acceptable :-)
I got there by a rigid weekday regemin and a more flexible but still careful weekend one.
Weekdays
Breakie: 1 x apple, 1 x banana
Lunch: wholemeal roll or sandwich with either salmon or tuna with salad & mayo
Arvo Tea: 1 x apple
Din dins: brown rice, some kind of meat or fish and a mix of green vegies
Dessert: 1 x Uncle Toby's Crunchie Apricot muesli bar
Zero alcohol (funny having been a non-drinker for years I somehow got back into the habit of drinking most days).
GALLONS of camomile tea - whenever I felt unbearably hungry of an evening or felt like a drink
Weekends
I chilled out a bit eg couple of drinks, some takeaway like Chinese or Thai and something different for lunch than the weekday regemin.
Mix with running and some other exercise and hey presto!
I'm pretty happy with this as my normal weight usually hovers pretty naturally at the 92/93kg range (as long as I keep training) and all my clothes now fit again :-)
Now all I have to do is get all of my fitness back - did anyone see where it went?
Five Saturdays ago I was apalled when I jumped on the scales to find my weight had ballooned to 99.5kgs during the hiatus.
This morning I was much happier to discover I was 93.1kgs - much more acceptable :-)
I got there by a rigid weekday regemin and a more flexible but still careful weekend one.
Weekdays
Breakie: 1 x apple, 1 x banana
Lunch: wholemeal roll or sandwich with either salmon or tuna with salad & mayo
Arvo Tea: 1 x apple
Din dins: brown rice, some kind of meat or fish and a mix of green vegies
Dessert: 1 x Uncle Toby's Crunchie Apricot muesli bar
Zero alcohol (funny having been a non-drinker for years I somehow got back into the habit of drinking most days).
GALLONS of camomile tea - whenever I felt unbearably hungry of an evening or felt like a drink
Weekends
I chilled out a bit eg couple of drinks, some takeaway like Chinese or Thai and something different for lunch than the weekday regemin.
Mix with running and some other exercise and hey presto!
I'm pretty happy with this as my normal weight usually hovers pretty naturally at the 92/93kg range (as long as I keep training) and all my clothes now fit again :-)
Now all I have to do is get all of my fitness back - did anyone see where it went?
Friday, September 21, 2007
Play It Again Sam
Today Total: 10k
Week Total: 34k
Month Total: 112k
Year Total: 888k
Exactly the same run as Wednesday but the leggies felt very tired and heavy as I did a 60 minute cross training session on Wednesday night as well which left me with toasted pins.
It was nice to get out early and enjoy the sun this afternoon. I wore a singlet for the first time since the comeback and alternated between being hot running with the breeze and slightly chill running into it.
Oh yeah - the reason I got out early was because I gave myself an early mark after attending the Australian Marketing Institute Annual Awards luncheon at Pier One (tough life) where my organisation picked up the gong for Social Marketing - noice :-)
Week Total: 34k
Month Total: 112k
Year Total: 888k
Exactly the same run as Wednesday but the leggies felt very tired and heavy as I did a 60 minute cross training session on Wednesday night as well which left me with toasted pins.
It was nice to get out early and enjoy the sun this afternoon. I wore a singlet for the first time since the comeback and alternated between being hot running with the breeze and slightly chill running into it.
Oh yeah - the reason I got out early was because I gave myself an early mark after attending the Australian Marketing Institute Annual Awards luncheon at Pier One (tough life) where my organisation picked up the gong for Social Marketing - noice :-)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Bit Further
Today Total: 10k
Week Total: 24k
Month Total: 102k
Year Total: 878k
The leggies felt a little weary after the quicker effort last night so I decided on something a little slower but hopefully a bit longer tonight.
I set off with the intention of running 10k in sub 62mins which is what I did. All up 10k in 61.31 @ 6.09 average.
It was a very even paced run but I did struggle a touch on the hilly(ish) 9th k - it sure doesn't take much to get my breathing all out of shape.
I'm pretty pleased with my progress to date but I could live without all the bugs I collected and swallowed tonight - it isn't just Spring in the air! Fortunately I'm not vegetarian.
Ouch factor on the war wound even higher today but no puss to report sorry Ewen :-)
Week Total: 24k
Month Total: 102k
Year Total: 878k
The leggies felt a little weary after the quicker effort last night so I decided on something a little slower but hopefully a bit longer tonight.
I set off with the intention of running 10k in sub 62mins which is what I did. All up 10k in 61.31 @ 6.09 average.
It was a very even paced run but I did struggle a touch on the hilly(ish) 9th k - it sure doesn't take much to get my breathing all out of shape.
I'm pretty pleased with my progress to date but I could live without all the bugs I collected and swallowed tonight - it isn't just Spring in the air! Fortunately I'm not vegetarian.
Ouch factor on the war wound even higher today but no puss to report sorry Ewen :-)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A Bit Quicker
Today Total: 8k
Week Total: 14k
Month Total: 92k
Year Total: 868k
Went through the first 2k tonight at just under sub 6min pace and I realised that finally I had legs that felt like they wanted to run. So I picked up the pace a bit on each of the successive k's with the final k in probably what is my current tempo pace of 5.34.
Finished 6k in 34.39 @ 5.47 average and then just jogged another 2k as a warm down.
The battle scar is healing well but as it is scabbing up and drying out it was much more ouchier today - should start to get easier to pull on the work strides from tomorrow :-)
Week Total: 14k
Month Total: 92k
Year Total: 868k
Went through the first 2k tonight at just under sub 6min pace and I realised that finally I had legs that felt like they wanted to run. So I picked up the pace a bit on each of the successive k's with the final k in probably what is my current tempo pace of 5.34.
Finished 6k in 34.39 @ 5.47 average and then just jogged another 2k as a warm down.
The battle scar is healing well but as it is scabbing up and drying out it was much more ouchier today - should start to get easier to pull on the work strides from tomorrow :-)
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