Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Thank you for all your encouragement and support in 2005. I am looking forward to 2006 with great anticipation. I am excited about going to Canberra again and meeting up with many in the CoolRunning community.

Happy Running and Happy Blogging for 2006.

Eddie

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

What do they say about mad dogs and Englishmen? Well the guy I saw at 11:00 this morning must have been an Enghlishman as he was running, no shirt, no hat, no water, no shade and on a concrete path. I just couldn't do that. I did my 12K early (5:00) this morning and it was cloudy.

Today's 12K 58:48. Yesterday 58:54.

A Birthday Present

My birthday is not until January 19 but Robyn, my wife, has insisted I have my birthday present early..... return fares to Canberra and 2 nights accommodation at the Telopea Inn. When? 8 & 9 April of course. Yahoo!!!!

Thursday 12K'er

I didn't even hesitate this morning. I just got up and out there. There wasn't even any question about whether I would do my 12K circuit. It is a good feeling when you can just set off and you don't feel as if you have to psych yourself up to do the distance.

Last week I did 12K in 58:32, yesterday in 58:56, today I was pleased with 56:48.

While I was running I thinking of my friends in Pat Carroll's group and hoping they were having a good time doing there Christmas run. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Last night I went with my Daughter and Grandchildren to check out the Christmas Lights at Collingwood Park. They are quite spectacular. At one house there was even a concert in which a group of children danced and sang a story about Santa. It was very good. The kids loved it. I am amazed at the extraordinary time, energy and expense which must go into these displays. Whole streets of them.

Taking it easy

After a steady 15K run on Sunday from Park Road with my buddies I have had Monday and Tuesday off...... well I am on holidays and I just couldn't get out of bed. This morning I exercised some will power and managed 12K in 58:56, still taking it easy. After a few stretches I decided to have a crack at The Hill again. It took some will power to keep going to the top in 1:59 and with a lot of gasping. I didn't even think about doing it a second time.

The Hill again

This morning I did my 7.65K circuit in 37:21 ( Monday was 35:27). On the home stretch I run a steady climb which takes me from altitude 11m to 72m in 1.5K ie a gradiant of 1m in 24m. I thought, as I neared home, that since I was wearing my Garmin I would mearsure the hill that I ran on Tuesday (Gasping).

I am not much of a judge of distance because where I estimated 200m it was actually 270m. The altitude at the bottom is 22m and 60m at the top, a rise of 38m ie is a gradiant 1 m in 7.1 m. Fairly steep. Enough to get me gasping in the 1:58 it took me to get to the top. I only did it the once this morning. My son, so I have been informed, used to, in his early teens, descend this hill whilst sitting upon a roller skate, not a skate board, a roller skate.

As for Canberra in 2006. I probably won't make it so will set my sights on the Brisbane Marathon on April 30. I haven't ruled Canberra out though as I would love to be there.

Gasping

This morning I decided to try something different. Very near my home is a very serious hill which I avoid like the plague. I thought it was about time I tackled it. So down the hill I went. I might mention that cars struggle up this hill and some people can't walk it. It's about 200 metres to the bottom. Up I went, it gradually gets steeper towards the top, breathing got harder and I felt like my lungs were going to explode and i was getting enough oxygen. I made it to the top gasping for breath.

After getting my breath back I headed down the hill again. Up I went. Having warmed up a litlle and having expanded my lungs the gasping din't start as early but it did get just as bad by the time I reached the top. This time, however, my legs were starting to object as well so I called it quits and had a bit of a run and went home. Next time I will try to get to three.

Wednesday already!

Boy oh boy! I can't believe it is Wednesday already. Time sure gets away from me.

I missed my long run on Sunday. I managed to squeeze in a 10K before heading up to Bribie Island to meet some friends for a Barby after they had finished the Triathlon there. It was good to see Puntermat and MJ who were have a nice cool dip after there big efforts.

Monday I ran a reasonable 7.65K and today I slept in and had to cut my run down to 5.8K. I don't seem to be doing a lot in the way of distance.

Upsen Downs

On Sunday I managed 3k before having to stop and walk back. On Wednesday I did my 7.65 circuit in 39:08 (av 5:06). I had to stop and stretch my right calf through the run. Today I had another go at my 7.65 and felt good all the way.... 35:27 ( av 4:38). My calf must be on the mend.

Injury

After the wonderful 500K Relay I had a bad week. I went out on Wednesday morning, feeling good but taking it easy. About 10 metres from my front gate after doing my 7.65K circuit I was pulled up quite dramatically by a severe pain in my right calf. I hobbled inside and went straight to the freezer for the ice pack. Ice and linament have helped. It was feeling better by Friday morning an I thouht I would try a run. I got 100m along the street and had to stop an dn walk home. Bugger!

Sunday morning! I look forward to Sunday morning s so much. I love my long runs or Club runs. Yesterday I opted for a longer slow run rather than the 5K championship at the club. I was running very slowly but even than the pain began to build and after 3k I quit and walked back to the start.

I envied the other runners like Tesso, Lizzle, Hannah, Chunderchick and Rith, all of whom I saw out there, running and sweating and generally having a great time.

What a Weekend!!

The 500K Relay is over. Now to get ready for the next one. It is such a fantastic event. I ran with the Brisbane Road Runners and we came 5th out of 17 teams. We are pretty pleased with that. Over the three days I ran 6 times - 2 on Friday, 3 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. Each leg of the relay is an about 5k on average.

The heat and flies will not deter me from doing the event again. I have done it three times now so am comparatively new at it. There are runners of all standards taking part and they all give the utmost for their team. It's awsome. I get quite emotional when I see the effort some put in. I wonder whether and when I will be able to give to that degree. If ever you want to be inspired and exhilerated and absolutely exhausted then the 500K Relay is the place to do it.

Relay Ready

I am as ready for the 500K Relay as I am going to be at this stage. I slept in this morning and thought I might have to miss my run. When I looked out the window and saw what a perfect day for running it was I just had to get out there, even if for a reduced time. Once out on the footpath I decide to do a 5k Circuit I haven't done for a very long time. What a blast! it was great. Here are my splits; 4:13, 3:58, 3:58, 4:31 (long incline), 4:02, Total 20:44.

I am feeling good and rearing to go. Yahoo!

The Relay Team bus is collecting me at 2:00AM on Friday morning. Hmmmm.

It's over a week since I last Blogged

All is well Robert Song, I have been a bit snowed under. Early starts at work have been keeping me off the road and the key board.

4 November 2005
Ran 7.65 in 37 mins. I didn't do my usual circuit but decided on a doing some exploration and found a very challenging hill which I had a couple of cracks at and then ran around a few more streets to make up some distance.

6 November 2005
Ran with some buddies from Park Road. We covered 15K in about 1:20. A nice easy run that one.

9 November 2005
Cool Night Classic. This was my 5th Cool Night Classic. It marked the 4th aniversary of my first ever Fun Run...a run which literally changed my life. I have not stopped running since (except for injury). the 2005 CNC was run on exactly the same course as last year so it was good to compare the time. I have been concerned that I have not been performing as well as I was at this time last year. Last year my time for the CNC was 21:04 for the 5.13K course. This year, after losing my race number and stopping to retrieve it (random draw prizes in mind) I finished in 21:08. A result which truly cheered me, especially with the 500K relay coming up this weekend.

11 November 2005
A return to my 7.65K circuit which I completed in 35:25.

13 November 2005
Race Director duties at West End for the Club. 10K and 5K events. It was great to see Hannah, Tesso, Rith and Spot all competing.
It was our club AGM yesterday and I was glad to step down from the Treasurer's job. I have to say that I am really disappointed that so few turned out for this meeting.

Today 14 November 2005
Ran an out and back today, total 10K in 47:17. I am feeling good for the big relay.

A Slow(er) Day

I missed my run yetserday as I had an early start at work. It was another glorious morning this morning and I thoroughly enjoyed my run. I had to stop for traffic for 6 seconds... I hate that. I felt like I was struggling on the uphhill home stretch but was pleasantly surprised that my time was 34:11....6 seconds slower than Tuesday.

I can't explain it

I don't know what happened this morning. I must have thought I was riding a winner. My previous best on my 7.65 circuit was 35:35. Today 34:05. It sounds a bit extreme. Ah! Isn't Extreme running in the Melbourne cup today. I must back that one. My wife reckons it is going to win. It's a sure thing then.

Goodna Jacaranda Festival Fun Run

I have wanted to do this fun run for a long while and for various reasons have missed it. One of the reasons I have missed it is that the organisers don't advertise. This year I rang them and was directed to their web site which turned out to be a good and informative site. The trouble is nobody knows about it.
I knew this wasn't going to be like other fun runs as far as organisation went. The web site said the 10k run would start at 7:00 AM and that the sign on and paymnet of the $5 entry fee would take place between 5:30 and 6:55. I arrived at 6:00 and found one of the organisers who was waiting on others so that they could begin setting up. Hmmmm!

The run started at 7:05 with an invitaion (jokingly) to the elite runners to start at the front. 30 of us set off, a few walking, a young 16 year old, Darryl Crooke, took the lead and disappeared out of sight. Their were no K markers and no marshalls. There was a police car patrolling and a sedan from the Qld Ambulance. There were some arrows to point the way along a very good undulating course. Though the winner was out of sight I managed to keep the 2nd & 3rd runners in view. Young Darryl won in 34 mins and I came in 4th in 42:04. The mother of the 15 year old girl who came second proudly told us that her daughter had not run 10K before. Unfortunately I didn't get her name.

All in all it was a good event on a good course. It was a fun run.

A Snail Passed Me

I am sure it was a snail that passed me this morning. It was just a blur. I felt like I was just lumbering along today. There was none of the magic of Tuesday but I was still glad to be out there. Just doing it does me a much good mentally as physically.

7.65K in 37:07

Glorious Rain

A 7.65K run in the rain today. I enjoyed the drenching and finished in 36:25.

A Magic Morning

I woke this morning feeling a bit down in the dumps and knew a run would give me a lift. I set out, planning to do my 7.65K circuit but was overwhelmed by the fresh cool morning after last night's storm. I decided it was time to do my 12K circuit agian after not having run it for ages.

It was an exhilarating run capped off with a surprising time of 57:07.

Sunday Long Run

I continue to be amazed at my recovery after the Toowoomba Marathon. On Sunday morning I met some buddies and we did 21k. With water stops and chatting along the way it took us 1:50. The coffee and the company back at Park Road was great.

Steady Eddie

Another 7.65k under my belt today in 36:25, a nice steady pace. I didn't get to bed until midnight and thought as my head hit the pillow that I would probably be too tired to run in the morning. I hadn't reset the alarm to a later time so it it woke me as usual at 4:50. Once awake I thouught I may as well make the most of a beautiful morning so off I went.

I love running.

Toowoomba Splits

Just for the record, Toowoomba Marathon being a 4 lap course, here are my splits:


Lap 1 52:47
Lap 2 51:43
Lap 3 51:30
Lap 4 54:29

Total 3:30:29

Whoops I didn't realise...I've been tagged!

I've been tagged....

CR Blog game:

Here are the rules:
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag five other people.

My sentence;
I have to accept that I simply don't perform at my best in these humid conditions.

I posted that on 24 December 2004, Christmas Eve. Remember how much I used to whinge about the humidity. I still whinge about it ... just not in my blog.

I now tag Jen_runs, Lucky Legs, Horrie, Plu, Superflake

A Good Recovery

Today I went out on my 7.65k circuit and finished it in 36:18. I was very happy with that considering I ran the Toowoomba Marathon on Sunday. I am very pleased with my recovery. When I think back to my recovery from the Gold Coast and how I struggled to get going again. it was getting on for 6 weeks before I felt i could enjoy a run.

Toowoomba was never really in me diary and so I hadn't done the long runs. My weekly average has been very low. I am, therefore very pleased with my effort of 3:30:30 and winning my age category to boot. The conditions were not ideal but I would rather the cold and wet than sweltering heat. It was good to maintain an average of 5mins per k for 42.2 k's and now to be recovering so well is an added bonus.

Yes!!!!

After a very lazy weekend I headed out this morning feeling good. Again, not pushing myself and just running as my legs took me I did my 7.65K circuit in 35:35. That is another 20 seconds off. Little by little, the improvement comes.

2 Seconds

Yes 2 Seconds. Tuesday 7.65K in 35:57. Thursday 7.65K in 35:55. An improvement all the same and it still surprised me.

Unbelievable

After a good work out in the 10K on Sunday I decided to take it easy this morning on the 7.65K circuit i.e. I was not going to make any real effort. After having improved my time last week from 37:49 to 36:49 I would have been happy with something in between. I felt good in the down hill sections, my left knee having improved somewhat. My quads felt heavy and tired in the uphill home stetch, 6m to 70m elevation in about 1.6K. I couldn't believe my time...35:57. Unbelievable!

10K Handicap Race

It was a 10K Handicap race at West End on Sunday 2/10/2005. My handicap was set at 24 mins 30 Secs. I thought the first people to start must be pretty slow for me to have that sort of handicap. However, the Handicaper did a pretty good job because the majority of runners came in within a period of 5 mins. The guy who set off after me was 30 secs behind me. When we finished he was 29 secs behind me. I finished in 42:17, an average of 4:15 per K. I don't believe I could have gone any faster at the time. I am, however, slower than I was at this time last year.

I would like to be a bit faster over short distances but I have only 6 weeks until the 500K relay. So I don't think I will be picking up very much speed in that space of time.

IncreMENTAL

I've been preaching about incremental improvement and believe that without super efforts, consistant training can gradully reap rewards, if you are patient. This doesn't suit a lot of people because they are keen to see more rapid gains and reap their rewards sooner.

I went out on my slightly changed circuit this morning feeling very slow. Last might I finished moving furniture and lugged cartons of tiles and bags of adhesive down the front yard to the house in preparation for the tiler to start this morning. I was thinking while I was running that having don the circiuit in 37:49 yeaterday, I would not be disappointed with 40 mins today considering how I felt. So I when I arrived home in a lather of sweat, the humidity already rising, I was shocked by my time of 36:49. These are the moments I enjoy because they really give me a boost.

Wednesday 28/9/2005

7.65K in 37:49 today. I changed my course slightly in order to avoid a steep down hill run which was giving my knees some grief.

Sunday 25/9/2005

Due other committments I ran from home this morning instead of going in to Park Road. I ran a circuit I haven't run for a very long time. From my home in Bellbird Park I ran out along the Augusta Parkway, Past the Brookwater Golf Course to Springfield then through to Camira and Gailes, down to the Ipswich Motorway, along to Goodna and then up the hill to Bellbird Park and home. 20K's all up in 1:50. A nice steady enjoyable run. I carried a water bottle and had a Gu at about 10K. I wasn't bothered by any Magpies I am pleased to say.

A lot of the bush areas that I run through are gradually being tken over by housing estates. Springfield is the fastest growing residential area in Australia. Though it is part of the Ipswich City, I don't think it will be long before it is classified as a city in its own right. Already it boasts a University Campus (University of Southern Queensland) and construction of a large town centre, including a high rise Office building has commenced.

Wednesday 21/9/2005

I did something radical today. I didn't wear my watch. So it was 6.8K in 'who knows what' time. I love these mornings. The weather is perfect. The magpies are behaving themselves. I just have to remember to stop running when I get back home.

Tuesday 20/9/2005

It's those incremental improvements that count. They are what I get excited about. My idea is that you don't go out there and bust your gut trying to do better and better. You allow your gradual fitness improvement to dictate your performance. So without trying to improve you find that your gradually, bit by bit, you do improve. My 30:59 today for my 6.8k circuit was eciting to me because I didn't go out saying I am going to reduce my time, i just ran the way I normally do and the improvement was there.

Well anyway as Robert Song commented, it seems to work for me (Eddie).

Monday 19/9/2005

My running buddy rang on Saturday and said she was too sick to do a long run so I opted to go to West End after all and do the 14K Championship with the club. Thinking that the race started at 6:30 I thought I would get there about 6:00 and warm up. As I was parking the car I saw a crowd at the starting line and thought Uh Oh! As I was signing in the strating gun went I had to sprint to catch up.

Gold! Gold! Gold! I won my age category (50-54). I had such a good run after a year Horribilus. 1:00:30 av 4:19 per K. I was happy with that. It must have been the sprint start.

Friday 16/9/2005

I didn't run this morning or yesterday. My knees are a bit saw and i don't want to aggravate them for my long run on Sunday. We are hoping to make 32K from Park Road . I will be missing the 14k at West End and the the 10K River Run.

Wednesday 14/9/2005

6.8K today in 31:52. Two consectutive days sub 32 mins. That's an improvement on last week. It is these sort of incremental improvements I am always looking for in my training. I find that they are good indicators of my general fitness.

Tuesday 13/09/2005

This morning when the alarm went off I almost convinced myself that another rest day would do me good, but eventually decided that I would feel much better if I just got out there on the road. I did the 6.8K circuit in 31:28 and felt good. I am resisting the tempation to increase that distance at the moment. I think I will stick with the 6.8 for a while.

On Sunday at Glasshouse, Roger Guard, the 100 Miler, handed me an entry form for the Toowoomba Marathon to be run in October. I sure am tempted.

Monday 12/9/2005

What a great weekend! on Saturday I ran 21K from Park Road. It took 1:53 but felt good all the way. On Sunday I did the 12K at Glasshouse in 1:04:38. I was very pleased with that. The highlight of the weekend was being a the finish line to see Boonarga and Mr G come in. Spud was there to greet them as well. He had run the 100 miles in 21:45 and looked as fresh as a daisy. These 100 milers are incredible people.

Lady Jove impressed me with her 50k on Saturday and then doing 12k on Sunday...and she looked like she could go out and do it again.

Friday 9/9/2005

Another beautiful run this morning. What glorious running weather. 6.8K in 32:37 today.

Tomorrow I will be doing 21K from Park Road and on Sunday the baby run (12K) at Glasshouse.
All up, it should be a good weekend.

I would love to be in Sydney this wekend. Of the my 4 marathons, Sydney is my favourite (and my fastest).

Wednesday 7/9/2005

Another pleasant run today. That means, of course, that I am not training hard enough. This is bourne out by the fact that I ran the same circuit as yesterday but in 33:45. I will just have to stop enjoying myself so much. No pain..no gain.

My son's graduation went well yesterday. I was bursting with pride.

6/9/2005

I ran from home this morning. 6.8K in 31:56. I felt really good and enjoyed the run.

A special day today. My son Anthony who is 31 years old and is a Diesel Fitter by trade is graduating from the Griffith University with a Commerce degree. Even before he had received his final results he had commenced work with Rio Tinto at their Tarong Coal mine, about 3hrs NW of Brisbane, as a Health & Safety Adviser. I am very proud of his achievement.

Monday 5/9/2005

I didn't end up doing 35k on Sunday. We cut the run short and only did 28K which suited me fine. My Grandchildren were waiting at home with presents for me, it being Father's Day and me being their stand-in Dad.

On Friday, 2/9 I did the two bridges again and this time wore my Garmin 201. It measured the distance as 6.7k and tool me 32 minutes, a slightly longer time than I did on Tuesday. So much for my gradually reducing the time.

Wednesday 31/8/2005

I went for run in my lunch break today. I did the Goodwill Bridge - Story Bridge circuit from the City Gardens. I am not sure of the distance but it took me 31:45. I am hoping to steadily improve on that over the coming weeks as I prepare for the PwC Coolnight Classic and the Endeavour 500k Relay.

Monday 29/8/2005

I had a very pleasant run with with friends yesterday. We left Park Road at 5:30 and did a 21k circuit. It took a bit longer than my half at Noosa the week before but it was time on legs. One of my friends is training to do the Victoria marathon in Canada in October, so next Sunday I am doing 35K with her. that will be a challenge for me.

Saturday 27/8/2005

I helped out at the Springfield Lakes fun run this morning. I helped Di Miller set out the course with road closure signs and witches hats. A couple of hours work. Then I helped on the water table until the last walkers went through. I went back to the start/finish area and ran over the 5k course with a couple of other helpers to fill in the time until the 2k race started. During the 2k race I helped on the finishing shute then helped a little with the packing up before I had to head home.

Mine was a very little effort compared with that of Bob and Di Miller in organising the whole event. They did a fantastic job against the odds. The local council gave them so much grief. Bob and Di have had enough so it was their last today. Thanks Bob and Di.

Tomorrow I am meeting the Park Road crew at 5:30AM. We are planning on about 21k.

One of the helpers I ran with at Springfield today was Peter Hunt, known as Wombat, (not our CR Wombat). Peter is the Captain of the Brisbane Road Runners 500k relay team. He is getting stuck into me already about training for the relayto be run in November, my 3rd this year. The relay requires team members to run their guts out for 3 to 6 k's at least 3 time a day over three days. You run your guts out because there is no way you want let your team mates down. When your team mate comes in utterly spent and tags you you just know that you have to give it all you've got.

It's a tremendous event to be part of and raises funds for the Endeavour Foundation.

Friday 26/8/2005

Yesterday I went for a run in my lunch break. I followed the course used for the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Coolnight Classic which will be coming up again in November. the run took me through the City gardens, accross the Goodwill Bridge, along Kangaroo Point, over the Story Bridge and back to the Gardens.

Approaching the Story Bridge from the south means that not only do you have the steady incline to the centre of the Bridge but you have the very long approach to the Bridge as well. This fact can take runners in a race like the PwC classic by surprise.

It was a good run and I worked up a fair old sweat.

Tomorrow I will be helping out with the Springfield Lakes fun run. 5k and 2K events to which to hope to get 2000 runners and walkers. This may be the last as the local council is making it almost impossible to meet there requirements for an event like this.

Sunday 21/8/2005

Noosa Half
I ran my third Noosa Half today. I set out to do 1:35 and was happy to achieve my goal. It was 5 minutes slower than last year but last year I had been training.

It takes me about 10k's to really get into the race. I wasn't feeling to good at first. My legs felt like lead weights. The second part of the race went well and I reeled in and passed a few of those who had passed me earlier. I had enough left in the tank to put on a bit of a sprint for the finish.

It was a great day. For those who had put in the training the conditions were perfect for PB's and they were abounding.

My results from the Noosa Half webb site: 1:35:34, placed 160 out of 774 overall and 11 out of 59 for the M50-54 category.

Sunday 14/8/2005

What a beautiful day today after the bleak cold day yesterday. It was perfect running weather this morning and I enjoyed it to the max. We ran a 10 miler at West End today and I managed 1:13:30 which I was very pleased with.

I had the pleasure of running with a lady named Julia, Jules for short, whom I had never met before. We encouraged each other along and ran a nice consistent pace, picking up a little at the end.

Hannah, who did the 10 miles as well, and I were expecting to see Clairie but she was a no show. CR Lizell ran a strong race and won the female category.

Saturday 13/08/2005

Yeah I know.... Slack Eddie. Don't worry I am still here. Just been finding it hard to organise my time lately.

I went out with Bob & Di Miller this morning. Bob & Di are wonderfully generous people who have given so much of themsleves to "Running". They are, again this year, organising the Springfield Lakes 5k and 2k fun runs which will be run on Saturday 27 August. They put in an incredible effort to get these runs organised and the Authorities just keep throwing up obstacles. I call it CYA syndrome (Cover Your Ass).

This morning we ran over both courses just so that someone else was familiar with them as a back-up for Bob.

Tomorrow I will be doing the 10 mile race with Brisbane Road Runners at West End.

Sunday 7/8/2005

What a beautiful day! It was great to be out there enjoying with so many thousands of others. I had a really enjoyable run. It was my slowest Bridge to Brisbane so far at 54 mins. My first was 52 minutes and last year I did 48:23. Unfortuneately there will be no record of my time this year as I left my Chip at home.....bugger. Never mind. Worse things happen.

I was running along and saw Clairie up ahead and just couldn't resist the opportunity to give her a big cheer.....I just happened to do it right in her ear. Sorry Clairie.

As I neared the finish I caught up with CR Penny from Woodenbong. We crossed the line together. So whatever gun time Penny got is what I got too since I was chipless.

Tuesday 2/8/2005

Yes Lucky Legs, I am a bit slow lately.

On Sunday 31/7/2005 I ran in the Ipswich Park 2 Park. It was originally planned as a Half marathon on an A to B course, one Park to another but the Ipswich City Council wouldn't grant some permits so the course was latered to a 5k circuit in and around 2 parks, Queens Park and Limestone Park in the heart of Ipswich.

The course environs were very pleasent..... but the hill, they were something else! There was no 'flat'. You either going up a hill or down a hill. It was tough. Howerver, strange to relate, I enjoyed it and will definitely do it again. The organisation was great. There so many water tables with such enthusiastic attendants I felt mean turning them down so I tried to give everyone a turn.

I havn't done much training since the Gold Coast, so I went into the race with the desire to enjoy it and do my best. I was not disappointed with my time of 1:40:42. A valuable lesson I learnt from the GC was to run my own race and not be overly influenced by how other runners are performing in the race. I did run my own race at Ipswich and I think it worked very well for me.

A lot of people did pass me in the early stages but I manged to reel a few of those in. All in all a great run and I look forward to the next.

Bridget to Brisbane on Sunday...can't wait.

Thursday 28/7/2005

My goodness! I have been so slack lately. I did a long run on Sunday, about 20k and a short run on Wednesday, about 5k. Dear Oh Dear!.

Ive been leving for work at 6:30am lately so that I can keep up with the workload at the moment. Busy busy.

i am looking forward to the Park2Park Half on Sunday in Ipswich. I think it will be great fun, especially with Tesso and Clairie at the Start/Finish line and the course being 4 laps.

Saturday 23/7/2005

I decided to head to Beerburrum and put in a late entry for the 8k. It was a very enjoyable run. A little muddy after some recent showers but not too bad. I got a whimp award for tip-toeing around the mud holes. It's a great event. Every finisher gets pottery mug. Over a period of time you can build up sets as each of the Glasshouse mountains are depicted on the mugs. You have a set when you have one of each of the mountains. Run67 and Karisma have 3 sets. I keep forgetting which mountins I have so I have doubled up on some and have none of others. i came home with one of Mt Beerburrum this morning only to find I already have one. I'll have to make a list.

The race entry also included a hamburger, cream cake with strawberries and coffee, provided the school fete next door to the race start/finish area. Ian Javes always organises a great event.

Wednesday 20/7/2005

I finally got myself into gear. Last night I thought I would skip the morning run and go out in my lunch break and set my alarm clock accordingly ie 5:40AM instead of 4:40AM. However I woke at 4:40 anyway and decided to make the effoort and just get out there on the road. I went for a nice easy run...12k in 1:05.

When I arrived home the rest of the household were up and about. Most unusual I thought. Why? . Hmmm! I forgot to turn off the alarm for the 5:40 rise.

Tuesday 19/7/2005

After doing so litttle for 2 weeks I met the gang at Park Road on Sunday a 5:30AM and ended up running 25k. I was so glad to get back to Park Road and have a coffee and giant Donut.

I should have run this morning but once again my bed wouldn't let go of me.

Saturday 16/7/2005

Bula! Back from Fiji. What a great time we had. I now have a Daughter-in-law, Kym. Kym and Anthony's wedding went perfectly. Kym, who's father is Chinese and mother is English, was absolutely stunning. The Chapel on the edge of the lagoon at the Fijian Resort on Yanuca Island was a beautiful setting.

I had only one run in Fiji. Too lazy to do any more. That is all I have done since the GCM. However, today I entered the Park to Park Half Marathon to be run on 31/7/2005. I specially want to do this run because it is in my home town and it is the first. I don't expect my time to be too crash hot but being part of it will be great.

Thursday 7/7/2005

I am off to Fiji tomorrow. Will be back next Wednesday. Catch you then.

Sunday 3/7/2005

It was great to meet and catch up with so many CR's today. What a difference it makes to an event have so much support from so many people.

Sadly, it was a tough day at the office for me. A combination of poor preparation and a crumby race strategy (my own..no one else to blame)saw me go through the half in 1:34, through 25 in 1:56 (my best 25) and die at 29. I suffered cramps and spasms for the remainder of the race and had to walk and run. I had to be helped from the finish line because I couldn't make my legs work anymore. The long finish shute was torture as I willed myself to finish with a run at 3:31:16.

Congratulations to all those (almost everyone I spoke to) who achieved a PB today. The conditions were almost perfect, spoilt only by a head wind (a nice cool one)on the south from the last turn-around.

Sunday 26/6/2005

What a glorious day! I had a great run this morning. How could I not..with Clairie, Tesso and Karisma as a cheer squad. Whow! 10k in 42:40, average 4:16 per k. Iwonder if I can maintain an average pace of 4:40 for the GCM. Hmmmmm!

Saturday 25/6/2005

7k today, no watch. Just a run to keep the legs ticking over.

Wednesday 22/6/2005

I took a longer lunch break today and ran from the City Gardens, Edward St to Toowong Village, a round trip of 12k. I was pleased with my time of 54:15, av 4:33 per k.

Sunday 19/6/2005

With only 2 weeks to the Gold Coast Marathon, today's run was important and I am pleased to say that I was very happy with it. I ran with friends from Park Road on an out and back course for a total of 28k in 2:30. A tad slow but I felt good afterwards.

While we were out there we saw a big group running towards us...it was Pat Carroll and a lot of his crew. It was good to be able to yell a hello to some my old running buddies as they cruised past. Casper was in the lead.

Thursday 16/6/2005

12k in 1:02 today. A nice steady run. I didn't push myself at all.

Sunday 12/6/2005

Thanks to Wombat I had a comfortable run today. Tuli's heel cups are great. I only ran about 14k today because on Friday I was off work due to, I believe, food poisoning. Gosh! I was crook. Today my stomach was still very tender and the further I ran the sorer it got. Needless to say my energy level was pretty low as well.

Thursday 9/6/2005

Helllloooo...........I'm still here. My wheels fell off this week. I have had a very busy week and things have been a little out of control.

After my big run on Saturday I rested on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon I went to help out on the running club's info table at a West End community fair. I locked my keys in the car and it took Keith Chaston (club President) an hour to unlock my car while I looked on and offered helpful suggestions.......thank you Keith.

I rested Monday.

Had to get to work very early Tuesday so decided to run at lunch time. I had a good run, Edward St entry City Gardens to Toowong Village and back. 12k in 54:30. I really enjoyed the run but......my right heel hurts like hell - not when I put it down but when lifting my foot. I had this, only worse, in the left heel in 2003 and that turned out to be a stress fracture. Fear! Panic! Noooooooooooo not again. No running, lots of ice, voltaren cream. Getting better. Phew! 20 mile at West End on Sunday in question though.

Saturday 4/6/2005

Change of plans today. Sunday is usually Long run day but went out today instead. 33.7k in 3:07:34, average pace 5:33/k. This bought my total k's for the week to 90. next week will be much less because there will be no long run on Sunday.

Friday 3/6/2005

Yesterday my alarm went off but my bed wouldn't let go of me. It took me another hour for me to finally struggle free form it's clutches.

Today is a different story. I didn't give the bed a chance. I set off on my 12 k circuit feeling good. Though I wasn't pushing myself, I knew I would be disappointed if I didn't get home in under the hour. On Tuesday I was really pleased with my 58:52 so you can imagine how I felt when I looked at my wacth and saw 56:38. It was one of those moments that make the effort so worthwhile.

Thursday 2/6/2005

My bed wouldn't let go of me this morning.

Wednesday 1/6/2005

My legs kept their promise! 12k today in 58:52. They put in a great effort. I was felt like I was running well and thought I might get in a few seconds under 60 and was surprised when I looked at my watch.

The moral of the story is: 'when your legs talk to you....listen to them'.

Tuesday 31/5/2005

My legs talked me into another rest day today. Though I reckon they could have managed an easy 12k today they put up a convincing agrument that the extra rest would do them good and they have promised to put in a big effort tomorrow.

Sunday 29/5/2005

Thanks Spot, for an very tough run and for being patient enough to hang back with me. It's a shame Rith couldn't make it. He would have loved it.

We covered 32.4k's today in 3:12:04. The course was very hilly, specially the State Forest section. One 1k section there took 9:49min and we ascended from 70m to 178m. I had to walk most of it.

Mrs. Spot served up a magnificent breakfast. Boy! did that go down well.

I have tired sore legs now - but it's a good tired and sore. Most runners would know what I mean by that. When I think that a couple of weeks ago I found running very difficult, I am very pleased with today's effort.

Friday 27/5/2005

Yahoo! 73k for the week. It is so long since I was able to do that.

My week consisted of:

Sunday Club run - 25k 1:58:05
Monday - rest day
Tuesday - 12k 1:05:50
Wednesday - 12k 1:03
Thursday - 12k 1:02:59
Friday - 12k 1:00:43

Saturday will be a rest day and then on Sunday I have committed myself to running with RITH and Spot. This is really going to stretch me. Rith ran Cnaberra in 3:08 and Spot ran Brisbane in 2:54. Oh well, the worst that can happen is that I get left behind in Brisbane Forest.

Thursday 26/5/2005

Yesterday I did the 12k in 1:03. Today I blitzed it. Today I did the 12 in 1:02:59. Well that's got to be better than 1:03:01 don't you reckon.

Wednesday 25/5/2005

12k in 1:03. I am hoping to do the same on Thursday and Friday. this will give me a total of 73k for the week. It is a long time since I achieved that. So let's see how I go.

Tuesday 24/5/2005

12k today in 1:05:50. A pleasant recovery run after the 25k on Sunday.

Sunday 22/5/2005

25k in 1:58:05 today at West End with the Brisbane Road Runners. That's the time I did for the first 25 k of Canberra. There was no way I could have kept going for another 17k today. It was good to gete a cheer from Hannah and Runner Bee.

Friday 20/5/2005

Another 12k today. This time in 1:02. I am pleased with the way I am progressing. When I filled out my Gold Ccoast entry form yesterday I just couldn't resist ticking the Marathon box. I haven't got great expectations but I reckon I can do it.

Thursday 19/5/2005

What a beautiful morning. I went for a 12k run and even took time to appreciate the stars. It was a good run. I took it easy and felt as if I was beginning to find what I lost through speed training........my own personal running style. The style which could keep me out on those long runs forever and which, I recall, RITH once described as "economical".

Tuesday 17/5/2005

I did the same circuit today that I did on Friday. It's a bit under 8K and thiss morning I did it in 42:16. 3 minutes better than Friday.

Sunday 15/5/2005

I ran from Park Road this morning with friends. We covered almost 21k in 1:56. A fairly slow run but reasonably long. That is furtherest and longest I have been since Canberra. As I write this it is 7 hours since this morning's run and I don't have anywhere near the soreness I have been experiencing of late even after a short run.

Saturday 14/5/2005

This is great! I went along to Sherwood again today and ran the 6k. Of course there are those who will say it is a 'short' 6k, but it doesn't really matter when you are just comparing the same course from one run to the next. Today I ran the '6k' in 23:57, an improvement of 16 seconds on last week. Am I happy with that?........ You bet!

I met Coolrunner MaxMTC this morning, so that was a bonus.

Friday 13/5/2005

i had a very pleasent 45min run this morning. I think it was about 8K....it doesn't really matter....I enjoyed it.

Wednesday 11/5/2005

I hit the road yesterday for 6k and it took me 32 mins to get back home. The way I am going I will probably have to give the Gold Coast marathon a miss and maybe just do the half.

Sunday 8/5/2005

I did 15k in 1:14:27 at West End with the Brisbane road runners today. A bit slow after mine fine run yesterday.

Saturday 7/5/2005

After a great time at the Brisbane Coolrunning drinks night I awoke bleary eyed but never-the -less determined to try something new. I went off to Sherwood to do a run with the Sherwood Forest Runners. This is an informal group that started 21 years ago and they have not missed one Saturday morning. You have a choice of 2, 4, 6 or 8 k's. I opted for the 6 and did it in 24:13 which I was very happy with. I reckon I might become a regular at Sherwood as it seems a good alternative to speed training.

Thursday 5/5/2005

Another rest today. I ran 12k yesterday in 1:07 and enjoyed the run. Today I am going to enjoy the luxury of having my legs massaged for an hour. Mmmm! that should bo good.

Monday 2/5/2005

I had a good run today. 14.7 k in 1:24. A bit slow but I am happy to have had the 'time on legs'.

Sunday 1/5/2005

We had an good turn out for the Brisbane Road Runners 14k and 7 k runs today. As the director today I wasn't able to run, but it is good to be there wathcing everyone taking part. I really appreciate the effort of the rostered club members. They do an excellent job in setting up, manning the water tables, marshalling, looking after entries and results, manning the finish line, and packing up afterwards. Without their effort we would not be able to stage the Club runs.

I am really looking forward to running tomorrow, the Labour Day public holiday.

Saturday 20/4/2005

I haven't managed as much running as I would have liked this week. I had a great run on Wednesday but may have overdone it a bit. Thursday I was too sore to run. Friday I set out to do 8k and by 5 k I was wishing I had stayed at home. I didn't run today and tomorrow I am the Race Director at the Brisbane Road Runners so will miss out on what a 14k which probably would have suited me really well at the monent.

The soreness is not there went I am walking today so hopefully if I go out nice and steady on Monday I can build up from there.

Wednesday 27/4/2005

Eddie is ascending from the Valley of Dispair.

I almost wept tears of joy this morning. Having finally worked up the courage to have a go at my 12K circuit, I set out this morning just before 5:00AM. I was pleased to find it was moonlight and temp about 12 degrees. It was a beautiful run and I made it home in 1:01. I was very happy.

The tops of my legs and groin are very thight and I am trying to find suitable stretches help loosen up a bit. A steady recovery run tomorrow might help.

Tuesday 26/4/2005

I was a bit sore and stiff after my run yesterday so decided to give today miss. I will ease my way back into training. I am rearing to go but don't want to end up where I was before Canberra. I want to make the most of this glorious weather too.

Monday 2/4/2005 ANZAC Day

A glorious ANZAC Day morning. How privileged we are to have the freedom to just go out and run wherever and whenever we like.

I ran 9k this morning in 50:22. It was good to be back on the road.

Friday 23/04/2005

Lucky Legs has asked me why I have quit Pat Carroll's Brisbane Running Group. Let me say firstly that I loved the running group and will miss training with my friends very much. It was good training with Pat because didn't just stand there on the sideline, he was always out there with us and always out in front.

I quit because the speed training seemed to be wearing me out. If you want to find out where weaknesses are in your lesgs and hips then try speed training. Though I had some initial improvement in running time, like my sub 20 minute 5K which I am still stoked about, my running seemed to gradually deteriorate. I am not blaming this wholly on speed training. I think what the training did was aggravate already existing underlying problems with my hips and lower back. These could possibly be remedied through a programme of physio and remedial massages. Such treatment is long and costly and quite frankly I do not have the time or the resources to commit to this. Though I love running I do have other committments and priorities and all things had to be considered and bought into perspective.

I am reverting to my previous training program which I enjoyed and which seemed to suit me quite well. This will consist of my 12K undulating circuit from home Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Each day run at different paces depending how I am feeling on the day. Sunday will be either Club Runs or long runs from Park Road with my friends . This is the training that got me through Gold Coast and Sydney marathons in 2004.

Thursday 21/4/2005

Today, after much thought, I decided to quit Pat Carroll's training programme. I will really miss the group. The camaradarie is unbelievable. I value dearly the friendships I have made there.
I still have not run since Canberra. I am still getting over a cold virus which has bowled me over.

On Sunday I am marshalling at the Brisbane Marathon and looking forward to seeing many CR's out there.

Sunday 17/4/2005

I was supposed to run 10K with the Brisbane road runners today but have succumbed to some sort of virus which has me finding it diffcult to breathe and my nose running faster than I can. I went along to the event however, and was able to help out at the finish line. It was enjoyable watching everyone come in except for a sad Clairie who is nursing an injury. I hope you get better quickly Clairie.

I was heartened to read LL's Blog today. What a tremendous spirit that wonderful lady has. See you at the Gold Coast LL.

Wednesday 13/4/2005

Now the Marathon is over.

Today I went back to work after spending a couple of days in Canberra after the marathon. I have felt exhausted and flat today and am not surprised by that. I rest satisfied in knowledge that I did my best on the day. I gave it all I had. When I crossed the finish line I was near collapse. It took a lot of will power to stay upright. To continue on to do the 50K would have been madness on my part.

The run was, for the most part, very enjoyable. I enjoyed the company of Nicholas Petrie, until he turned on his supercharger, Horrie, until I had to slow for water, Rooster, who kept me going at a good pace, and Colin, who was displaying guts and determination after injury.

I had Tesso hot on my heals for quite some time. A big hug from Clairie at the 10K mark gave me a boost.

Having not been happy with my preparation, or lack there-of through injury, I had very mixed feelings about the race but never once considered not doing it or not going on to 50K. Race morning I awoke and just wanted to get into it. Staying in a motel right at the start line was a real bonus.

I was really happy with my first 10K, about 47 mins which was slower than I planned but still good. When Nicholas Petrie left me behind at about the 15K mark I knew it would be a mistake for me to try and keep up with him. He was running so well and looking strong.

When I saw Pat Carroll coming along on his return I surprised that his group had dwindled so much and that Rith was not with them. It wasn't long before I saw Rith and I was pleased to see that he was going so well. I reached the Half point in about 1:42 and was pleased to hit 25k in 1:58. However I knew that I would not be able to maintain the same pace for another 25 and come in for 4 hrs for the 50k.

Heading back out on the last leg of the Marathon I was tiring quickly and by 30K was finding it an effort but knew from my experience, limited though it is, that I would come good again which I did at about 35K. This was short lived because by 40K I was thinking about still having 2.2k to go just to finish the Marathon let alone going on to 50K. 2.2K seemed like a hell of a distance at that point. My legs were saying WALK and my head was saying RUN and run I did to 42.2K. I went into the 50K shute and thought a test of my ability to keep going would be to stop and see if I would be able to start again. I stopped and didn't start. My legs went to jelly. I was ready to fall in a heap. I went back and got my medal. A wise decision I think.

I finished in 3:25:59, an average pace of 4:48. I am very happy with that. My race number was 187 and I came 187th out of a field of 788 finishers. I was placed 17 out of 69 in the Mens 50 to 54 category. It was a great experience and I can't wait for the next marathon. Bring on the Gold Coast.

Wednesday 6/4/2005

Since the 21k on Sunday I have done absolutely nothing and feel much better than I have in weeks. I am beginning to feel much more confident and relaxed about Canberra. My friends and I are flying down on Saturday morning and are staying at the Telopea Inn which, I am told, is very close the the race start and finish.

Sunday 3/4/2005

It was good to go out and feel a little bit of bounce in my legs again. 21k at 5:37 pace today. I am hoping for a better pace than that next Sunday and also hoping I can maintain it for 50k.

Thursday 31/3/2005

I didn't dare not turn up at Training today (note I left out Speed). I am overwhelmed by the encouragement and support I have received and since a lot of that comes from my running buddies in Pat's group.......what could I do? No, truly, I would miss them too much.

So, this morning, even Clairie was way out ahead of me and she reckoned she was having a bad day. I did 3 X 2K efforts at 4:15 pace with 1:30 standing recovery.

It was a great morning and I am really glad I went along. We have a good time. I am happy to just soak up the atmosphere the group generates.

Tuesday 29/3/2005

12K this morning in a staggering 1:10:45. I couldn't take it much easier than that if I tried.

Monday 28/3/2005

Well the easter eggs are kicking in. I had a good run this morning - 12K @ ave 5min. I know I said I was going to do a long run but I have decided on a new strategy to keep me going until Canberra. I am going to stick to my 12k circuit - nothing else, just the 12k at least 5 times each of of the last 2 weeks. Speed work seems to be a serious hindrance to my health and wellbeing at the moment.

I am going to rethink my whole Gold Coast program as well and am not sure to what degree, if any, speed training will play a part. Over these last 6 weeks I have felt like a complete wreck. I handled being out for 10 weeks in 2003 from a stress fracture better than I have handled my injuries this year. I think I was expecting so much more from myself. As a mate of mine reminded me, prior to the Gold Coast and Sydney Marathons last year I was really pumped up and raring to go. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely looking forward to Canberra, I just have some reservations about how it will go for me.

Sunday 27/3/2005

I spent Friday and Saturday at Couran Cove with friends. I took my grandchildren, 6 & 7, with me. We had a great time, riding, swimming, jet- sking, banana boat riding, the works.
This morning, Easter Sunday, was spent with my family at a Barbaque breakfast at Mt Coot-tha with ther family.
I didn't make to West End for the 7-35k self select this morning. My plan is to do a long run tomorrow. I haven't done any running since Tuesday's speed session.

Thursday 24/3/2005

I missed the speed session this morning. I decided to do an easy run from home instead and set out at 5:00AM and after about 800m turned round and went home in disgust. I just couldn't get going and didn't have the where-withall to push myself.

I am off to Couran Cove tomorrow for 2 days. Hopefully the rest will do me some good.

It is really good to hear how well everyone seems to be doing as they begin the taper to the big race. Have a VB for me Plu.

Wednesday 23/3/2005

I rested today. I have decided to give tomorrow's speed seesiion a miss and do an easy run from home. I don't think it will do me any harm to have a change.

Tuesday 22/3/2005

A great Hill session this morning. I really enjoyed. It was on nice soft grass and didn't hurt much.
I have no idea how many of Pat's extended loops I did but it seemed a lot. Rith only passed me once.

Sunday 20/3/2005

A good long run today. Set out from Park Road at 5:00AM for a 2hr 30min run and managed to do 27k. After the run I walked a couple of K's to meet some friends. I found the walk really beneficial. It seemed to take away some of the stiffness from the run.

Saturday 19/03/2005

7.6k in 41:00, average 5:23 per k. I decided to do a short run in prep for the long one tomorrow.
My long run last Sunday sure seemed to take it out of me. I will take tomorrows run a bit easier. I need to relax and not be driven by anxiety.
I fear I have not learnt Horrie's lesson. I am letting finishing times and speed take the enjoyment out of the run. I think if Horrie can recover and run and enjoy the 6' as he did then I can do it for Canberra. I will go back and read Horrie's Blog between his 10k shocker and the 6' and see what I can glean.

Friday 18/3/2005

I didn't run today. I went for a remedial massage instead. It was painful but good.
I'll have a short run tomorrow and a nice long one on Sunday.

Thursday 17/3/2005

OK! That's it! I am never going to whinge about my legs again. Just like that other subject I am never going to mention, I am not going to talk about my legs again. Even if they drop off, you won't hear about it from me.
Between Rith, Tesso and Clairie I reckon they have me pretty well sorted out. I am sure I heard Clairie yell something like "Whinging Eddie". I could be mistaken. I definitely heard "Steady Eddie", and "Slow Down Eddie".
We did 3 X 4 mins and 1 X 2 mins today. All I can say is that the 3 X 4's took me 4 mins each and the 1 X 2 took me 2 mins. Other than tha t I am not commenting.

Wednesday 16/3/2005

After Sunday's run and speed work yesterday my legs were shot by last night so I thought it would be wise to give this morning's run a miss.

My hip is much better but my legs, generally, seem to be suffering. They seem to be screaming out for a break. Everything feels out of whack at the moment. I just going to ease on into Canberra now.

Tuesday 15/3/2005

What a great bunch Pat Carroll's Running Group is. It's always a pleasure to meet up with them. Just going along there and training with them enables you to put the effort in. I know I just wouldn't do it on my own. Even though you may not be feeing up to doing the session, once you are there and with these people you just get on with it.

Clairie sure gave me a run for my money this morning. She getes away from the start line so quickly and takes some catching up to I can tell you. Everyone seemed to be working really hard this morning, especially after all the PB's on Sunday.

I got in 8 X 500's at average 1:57 and then a 1K at 3:48.

Sunday 13/3/2005

At last!!!! A long run. Yahooooo! After making the decision to sacrifice the Brisbane Road Runners Half Marathon championship race for a 3 hour training run, I arranged to meet some running buddies at Park Road at 5:00AM.

Saturday night I got my gear ready and set the alarm for 4:05AM. Plenty of time to get ready and drive to Park Road.

Sunday morning I awoke, not to the alarm but to the light of the dawning Sun filtering through the curtains. I took a look at the alarm clock - the digital display was flashing. I jumped out of bed horrified, raced to the kitchen to check the battery operated clock - 5:30Am.

I made it to Park Road at 6:15AM and set off on my 3 Hour run all by myself. BooHoo.

I set off to Newstead and beyond, whatever distance 1Hr 30 min would take me.
Besides feeling a bit down, I was otherwise, feeling pretty good. My spirits were lifted when I met my running buddies along the river between New Farm and Breakfast Creek. They, of course, were heading back. I still had another 30 mins before I could turn around.

I was able to maintain a fairly steady pace, I had a GU at the turn around, which was just under 18 K's and kept up the water the whole way. I carry a small water bottle in my hand and keep it topped up the various taps along the way. I find belts really annoying.

After 35.5K and 2:58:37 I arrived back at Park Road feeling exhausted but elated. My buddies plus other friends who had been at the Club run were drinking coffee and they gave me a big cheer which topped off the morning very nicely. Bad start.......good ending. This morning's run has given my confidence for Canberra a much needed boost.

Friday 11/03/2005

I just couldn't make the cut today. Saving myself for a long run on Sunday....3Hours.

I had terrific remedial massage from Murray Crean last night. He got to the spots where I have been feeling I really would like to apply sore serious pressure. It was really good.

Thursday 10/3/2005

Today I was paying the price for my good run yesterday. I found training very hard this morning. After a long warm up we did some run throughs and then 2 x 5 minute efforts. My run throughs were more like walk throughs and then in the first 5 min effort Clairie and Tesso took off and I just had to let them go. In the second effort I got away before them and was running a bit better. We ran out for 2.5 minutes and then back to the start. In this last return section I somehow manged to get in the Zone and felt good and couldn't stop myself from racing back and cut 10 seconds of my return run. That was good.

We then did about 7 reps on the Goodwill Bridge - fast up and jog back down. That was tough.

The test for me today is my recovery. How well and quickly I recover willbe a good indication of how my Injury recovery is going. At this point, 3 hours, I am doing well.

Wednesday 9/3/2005

On Saturday I did the 12K circuit from home in 63 mins today I did it in 55:57. My average pace was 4:40. Am I pleased? You better believe it. Annnnnnnd I can still walk.

Tuesday 8/3/2005

A great crowd at speed training this morning. I was there just going through the motions - a bit frustrating but necessary. I am much improved.

Monday 7/3/2005

Well I've had 2 days with no running at all. I've been popping Voltarin - which work like magic. I've got a massage lined up for Thursday. I'm feeling a lot better. Tomorrow I'll be at speed training with Pat's group but without the speed. Hopefully I'll be right by Sunday because I have a much needed and much looked forward to 3hr run lined up.

Saturday 5/3/2005

A very easy 12k today in 1:03. I just wanted to keep the legs ticking over without aggravating the injury too much.
This afternoon I will be at Southbank helping set up for the International Women's Day fun Run. There will be about 3,ooo runners/walkers lining up tomorrow morning. I will be helping out in the morning as well. The event is organised by the Brisbane Road Runners Club and raises funds for the Surf Life Savers. Keith and Jenny Chaston, and Brenda Kerr (RunnerBee) put in an enormous effort in the organisation of the event.

Friday 4/3/2005

Thanks everyone, for the good wishes. I gave my Friday run a miss altogether today. I got straight into the Voltarin as prescribed by Steve the Footman and I can't believe the improvement already. Today I have been able to walk without being continually conscious of the discomfort in my hip and upper leg. It's been great.
Don't worry I am still going to take it easy. I'm daring to feel much more positive about Canberra now.

Thursday 3/3/2005 - Extra

I went to see Steve the Footman today. He says I have Hip Flexor Tendonitis. I am to take it easy for at least 8 days. No long runs over 90 minutes and no speed sessions. Oh well! If I am going to do any good in Canberra I have to do what Steve says.

I am a bit concerned about my lack of long runs and had planned to go out on Saturday with Tesso and her crew but won't be able to now........very disappointing.

Thursday 3/3/2005

Another good speed session today. I was a bit slow off the mark but improved as the session progressed. We finished the session with a no-watch 1k predictor. My prediction was 3:55 but I ran 3:39. Pat says that in future he would like us to nominate a race pace,eg marathon, so that we can see how well we can pace ourselves. Belinda won this morning. She was 7 secs off her prediction. Each person who nominated a time paid a gold coin ( or more if you like). The money Raised goes to a charity (Camp Quality) and the winner gets the receipt to claim on their tax .

Wednesday 2/3/2005

Before I started out this morning I was going though various ideas about where to run and how much etc. When I got out side the gate I decided to set off on my usual Wednesday 15.7K run. I wasn't doing very well and feeling a bit dispondent until the about 4k when another runner loomed out of the dark, coming the other way. I rarely see other runners when I run from home, so it nice surprise to see someone else out there. The reason I mention this is that it gave me a real lift - it spurred me on. I started to think a bit more clearly about what I was doing and what would be best for me today.

I made the decision to cut my 15.7k circuit short and revert to my old 12K circuit. This seemed to lift a load off my shoulders because, physically, I didn't think my 15.7 circuit was the best thing for me at this time. I finished the 12k in 58:03 and felt quite elated. Now at 10:30am I am still feeling good and I am not hobbling when I get up to walk so I must have made the right decision.

If you been able to figure out what the hell you have just read then you are doing well.

Tuesday 1/3/2005

I went along to Pat's Group this morning but reneged on the 3K Time Trial. I just jogged it and gave Tesso a bit of a razz on the last K.....that was fun. Another PB for Clairie ..... what a machine! Another PB for RITH.......keep an eye on this man in Canberra.

Sunday 27/2/2005

It was my first stint as Race Director for the Brisbane Road Runners today. I was very fortunate to have a good band of helpers turn up. The responsibiltiy was made much easier having some very experienced people there like Ian Javes and Keith Chaston to give me guidance.
The event went really well, the highlight being Clairies 10K PB. We had an excellent turn out with 131 finishers total for the 20K, 10K and 5K events.

Saturday 26/2/2005

23k's today in 1:58. Pat had me down for the 20k race at Brisbane Road Runners tomorrow but as I am the race director I won't be able to do it. I found today very hard going and thought that if I am feeling like this running only 23k, how the hell am I going to do 50k. I am wondering if I should back off on the speed training between now and Canberra......... how necessary is speed training between now and then? I seem to be getting very negative don't I? Never-the-less I am really looking forward to Canberra.

Friday 25/2/2005

Headed out on my 11.3K circuit this morning at about 4:50AM and found it really hard to get moving so took it very slowly. It took me a massive 1:03:18. Strangely enough my legs feel really good now. Over the last couple of weeks I have found that when I get up to move, after sitting for a while, my legs are really stiff. Today is different.........I hope it lasts.

Thursday 24/2/2005

Another very good speed session this morning - 3 X 4 min and 1 X 2 min sprints. It doesn't seem much on paper but I worked up a pretty good sweat. We have the 3K time trial on Tuesday.....something to look forward to. I am conscious that Canberra is getting closer and I need to find the balance between going all out in speed work and making sure the body is ready to endure the 50K.

Wednesday 23/02/2005

Once again I did my 15.7 Wednesday circuit. I stuck to, what I term, my recovery pace to finish in 80:36, averaging 5:05. It's quite dark when I set out 4:50AM so I wear a reflective band around my ankle.

Tuesday 22/02/02

A real crowd at Pat's Training Group today. We were privileged to have Action the Coolrunning Strider with us this morning. We did 15 minutes of hills in the City Gardens. I felt really good today, which probably means I wasn't working hard enough. My excuse is that my hip is coming good and I didn't want to agravate it. Howerver, RITH didn't manage to lap me so that was a good sign.
Poor Clairie twisted her ankle and was sidelined. I hope it is not serious Clairie.

Saturday 19/2/2005

Saturday is usually a rest day but some of my Park Road running friends aren't able to make it on Sunday. When the alarm went off at 4:10 this morning I was in rest day mode and found it a little hard to get moving. We set out at a little past 5:00 and took it nice and steady. By the time we had run along the river to Breakfast Creek and back we had covered 23k and been running for 2 hours. My right hip/leg is still bothering me but after 5 or 6 K's it settles down. At the end of the run this morning I felt like I could have just kept on going.

Friday 18/2/2005

I decided not to do my 11.3k circuit this morning so that I could aviod a couple of serious hills. It's not the going up, it's the going down that is the problem. I am finding it to jaring on my right leg and hip. I opted, instead, for a less hilly out and back and did 10k in my programmed 50 min.

Thursday 17/2/2005

When I started out on the warm up for the speed session this morning my legs didn't want go with me. I perservered and eventually they submitted. However, when it came time for the 1k efforts Clairie and Tesso took off and I thought I was going to have trouble catching them - I did eventually. My splits were 3:45, 3:49, 3:51, 3:49, 3:48.

Wednesday 16/2/2005

My legs don't normally feel as tired as they do today. I guess they have taken a bit of a caning so far this week. Almost 50k's including a 10 mile race and a speed session.
I did my 15.7k circuit today in 80:32. I did take it easy because my legs wouldn't let me do anything else.

Tuesday 15/2/2005

A good crowd this morning at speed training. 8 x 500m with what was supposed to be1:00min standing recovery and finish off with 1k. I must say I am starting to, um, dare I say, "enjoy" speed training. As ever, it is always so good to have the encouragement from the rest of the group when your out there giving it all you have.

We missed Clairie this morning and we are still missing Puntermatt.

Sunday 13/2/2005

What a great race this morning. We had a good turnout for the Club 10 mile Championship race.

Clairie was there for the first time and true to her recent form, ran an excellent race.

Rith won his category in a blistering time of 61:40. He, understandably, was pretty pleased with that. Rith was in good company this morning - we had the pleasure of having our coach Pat Carroll run with us today - well, with Rith at least.

Chunderchick is on fire. She won her category as well AND was the first female overall. Congratulations Chunderchick.

As for me I got second in my category. I averaged 4:16 to come in at 1:08:45. If I had known that the guy who won my category, 50-54, was actually in my category I would have tried harder. Mind you if I had beaten him I also would have been the outright winner because that is what he was. He was Ron Peters from Toowoomba.

With regards to my hip. Again running seemed to help. After the race I felt really good. Sitting agrivates the problem which leads to believe the problem is Sciatica.

Friday 11/2/2005

What a fantastic day. Took my 11.3 nice and easy this morning and enjoyed every minute. My hip was less troublesome today and managed to average 5:04 to finish in 57:16. Considering that I didn't get to bed until midnight and thought I would be find it hard to get stared this morning, I felt surprisingly good.

Thursday 10/2/2005

Another good session with Pat's group today. 1 x 2k 1.5 min rec, 1 x 1k 1.5 min rec, 2 x 500m 1 min rec, 1 x 2k.

I'm experiencing some discomfort with my right hip. It's Okay after a good warm up but really slowing me at the start. Rith showed me some stretches to do so I will do them and see how I go. I occasionally go through these sorts aches and pains, as I am sure we all do, and usually they go as quickly as they came. However, I woudn't like this one to get any worse.

It was great to have the Qld 50k Champ, Tesso, with us this morning. We run in esteemed company. Clairie is doing really well, week by week she is getting stronger and faster.

Wednesday 9/2/2005

I woke this morning at 4:25 and got up to get ready for my Wednesday 15.7k but decided against it. I have been feeling very tired and lethargic and decided to listen to my body today.

I am getting a bit anxious about having strong enough base to finish the Canberra 50k without killing mysef, so giving up the run this morning was not an easy decision.

Tuesday 8/2/2005

No I'm not going to mention the H word. Suffice it to say that today's conditions were a bit on the extreme side. Not that I'm complaining.

We had a pretty good session this morning with everyone putting in an extraordinary effort. 8 x 1 minute sprints with 45 sec recovery for the first few then Pat's watch seems to start running faster.

Sunday 6/2/2005

We headed out from Park Road this morning, over the Gray Street bridge, up over Highgate Hill, out through Yeronga, Fairfield, Chelmer, over the river at Indooroopilly, through UQ and back to Park Road - 2:40:03 and 29k. I was pretty stuffed by the time we got back - well before we got back actually. The horror stretch for us at this time of year is the path along the river form the Toowong Ferry to Park Road. There is no shade and the sun beats down on the path and reflects off the river.

It was great to see RITH, Chunderchick and a couple of guys from Pat's group, Davis and Mark (Slash we call him) out there. They started from the Regatta and were heading the other way.

Almost forgot to add, for the record, I was running in new shoes today.

Saturday 5/2/2005

Rest day for me today.
I just read about Horrie on CoolRunning. He must have put a super effort in the Striders 10k as he wasn't too good at the end of the race. I hope he is okay.

Friday 4/2/2005

A very slow 11.3K in 59:13 this morning . My legs just didn't seem to want to get into it until about the last K when I was moving along pretty well.

My long run for Sunday is set down as 2:40. I'm looking forward to it. I just won't tell my legs about it.

Thursday 3/2/2005

Pat said we had it easy today because of the big effort in the time trial on Tueasday. Ha! 6 x 2 min with 1 min recovery. I must say though, I went further in the 2 mins than I have in previous sessions and I felt good - breathless but good. The combination of a cool breeze and reducing my pace on Wednesday certainly helped.

Wednesday 2/2/2005

Took it easy today. My 15.7k circuit took me 1:23:42 today( av 5:21 k's). It took me another hour to stop sweating.

Tuesday 1/2/2005

What a great morning. So much effort went into the 3k time trial by everyone. Tesso, after her big weekend in Sydney (5k in 20:03 Saturday, hilly 30k Sunday), knocked 9 sec off her PB to come in under 12mins for the first time. Clairie knocked a whacking great 52 sec off her PB. RITH had a first as well - first time under 10 mins at 9:59. That guy is on fire. Even I came in on the right side of the ledger by 2 sec at 11:19.

All in all it was a very satisfying session.

Sunday 30/1/2005

I managed to get to West End at 5:00 this morning and do 10k (in 50:00) before the start of the 15k race. I started out in the race taking it pretty easy and tried to keep a nice steady pace. I did the first 10 k in 47:00 and finished the 15k in 1:10. That gve me 25k in 2 hours and my training program called for 2:30. I set out again to do another 5k circuit after the race but at 2k only just made it to the pit stop - a very close call. After that I said that's enough, no more today.

Tomorrow I will rest and hope that I'm ready for the 3k Time Trial on Tuesday.

Friday 28/1/2005

Ahhh! It was so good to go out and just enjoy the run. I did my 11.3k circuit in 58:50. I just let my legs move at the pace they felt like moving and didn't let my head interfere. I didn't look at my watch once during the run.

I am trying to figure out how I can combine my 2:30 program run with a 15k at the club on Sunday. Maybe if I get there early I can go 3 times around the 5k circuit before the start of the Club run at 6:00 AM.

Thursday 27/1/2005

I felt this as if I put in a good effort this morning. After the warm up we did 2 X 5 min efforts followed by hill work on the Goodwill Bridge. It is great doing this sort of work with a group because you get so much encouragement from others.......thanks RITH. Clairie, the great team person that she is, found herself out searching for another lost runner today. Jodie did a "Don" on us and, I must say, we were worried about her, Jodie. I felt a real sense of relief when I saw Jodie on the Goodwill Bridge as I was heading back after the session.

Wednesday 26/1/2005 Australia Day

Went for a bit of a toddle this morning. Met a group of friends at Park Road at 5:00 AM and headed out to the Uni of Qld and on to Indooroopilly. We covered 17.3 K in 1:33. As I said a bit of a toddle. It was "time on legs". It all helps. It is an overcast day today, I felt good all the way, I had pleasant company, and coffee afterwards - so it all added up to an enjoyable run. A great way to start Australia Day 2005.

I almost forgot to mention! On our way back we saw Clairie and Celtic with some of their Regatta running friends standing outside the Regatta. I think they were waiting for opening time so they could start celebrating Australia Day.

Tuesday 25/1/2005

Speed training today was hard going. After my big run on Sunday my legs really took some persuading to get moving. Once again the humidity didn't help, but enough of the excuses. I like to promise not to mention the humidity again, however, I know it's promise I wouldn't be able to keep. So I'll always be whinging about it. I rarely whinged about it before I took up running.

Our training this morning consisted of a long warm up and 15 mins of 1 min fast 1 min slow recovery, 30 secs fast 30 sec recovery then 2 X 15 secs fast and recovery.

Sunday 23/1/2005

When I stepped out the door at 4:30 this morning it was like stepping into a sauna. The humidity is unbelieveable. I got to Park Road with the intention of running to and around Mt Coot-tha. I am so glad I didn't. I don't think I would have made it back. My program called for a 2:30 run today. I ended up sticking as close as possible to the river and managed to get to Hamilton and turned round at 1:15 and followed the same route back. I got back to Park Road in 2:30 having covered 30k - average 5min K's. I was absolutely stuffed and so relieved to have made it back.

Friday 21/01/2005

Missing a speed training session pays off ........... in the short term. Hmmmmmmmm! Time will tell for the long term though. I did my 11.3k circuit today in 51:08 , average 4:32 k's. I felt so good as I started out. i couldn't believe it.

Thursday 20/1/2005

After a wonderful birthday, dinner with family and friends, and a very late night I bombed out and didn't make it to training this morning. Sorry guys.

Wednesday 19/1/2005

Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me-ee. Happy birthday to me. 53 today and a beautiful day it is too. 53 years of countless blessing to celebrate today. The alarm went off at 4:15 to start my day with a run. Robyn, my wife (we've been married 34 years), had left a birthday card for me and I'd like to share the verse with you:

Sometimes I stop and think about what we've been through together - the good, the bad, and everything inbetween. And I realise that there's no one I'd rather share my life with than you.

Isn't that beautiful. You know, I'm surrounded by georgous women like Tesso and Clairie, and I regularly fall head over heels, but only one of them has known me and loved me, warts and all - Robyn is a special lady and believe me, she is georgous.

I floated round my 15.7k circuit in 77:56 thinking how loved and blessed I am.

Tuesday 18/1/2005

Great speed session today. Pat's away. No it wasn't great because Pat's away. I was was feeling good that's all. Ian Eckersley, the sports journo from ABC TV and who wrote Pat Farmer's biography, took charge this morning. Ian's one of our A Team. We did 8 X 1 min reps with 45 sec standing recovery. Ian cut our warm up run short so that may be the reason the reps didn't kill me.

Sunday 16/1/2005

The heat and humidity are back with a vengeance. I ran with the Brisbane Road Runners at West End this morning. I was feeling pretty good when I started out and did the first 7 in just of over 30 min and was a bit surprised and wasn't sure I could maintain the pace. I managed to hang in there and finish in 1:00:53. I have to check my records, which are at work, to confirm whether or not it is a PB. I am fairly certain it is. According to my Forerunner 201 the course was 14.2k and I averaged 4:17 .

Tesso had a friend in tow this morning. Kay (I think) form Sydney Striders. It was great to have a Strider at our club run.

Friday 14/1/2005

Out and back this morning to do my programmed 40 mins. I managed to squeeze out 8.3k. It takes me at least 4k to warm up so the return trip felt really good.

Thursday 13/1/2005

I actually enjoyed today's speed session, 2k, 1:30 standing recovery(SR), 1K, 1:30 SR, 2 x 500m, 1:00 SR, 2k. We had quite a crowd this morning with everyone putting in a great effort, including Clairie after her super 10k effort yesterday. The fact that I enjoyed the session may mean that I didn't work hard enough, but then again, RITH always puts in a super effort and he enjoyed it.

Wednesday 12/1/2005

Another beautiful day in paradise. A nice cool breeze helped me enjoy my recovery run this morning. After yesterday's hill session it was a pleasure today to go out on my 11.3 k circuit and average 5:00 k's to bring me home in 56:30. I hardly even worked up a sweat. It would have been great to have just kept on going but unfortunately I have to work.

Tuesday 11/01/2005

A glorious day in Brisbane today. Still a bit humid but with a nice cool breeze. I felt good this morning and the hill session in the City Gardens went well. I had a slow start but improved as I went along - so was pleased with that. In fact I am feeling pretty good all round.

Sunday 9/1/2005

Ran at West End with the Brisbane Road Runners this morning. We had a 10k without watches and had to nominate our run time prior to the race. I didn't feel like putting in a big effort so nominated 44:00 feeling more like it would be 50:00. One of the guys, however, had other ideas for me and said he wanted to use me as a pacer and had nominated 42:00 which would be a PB for him. I felt priveleged. I ended up doing 41:49 while my shadow did 42:10 - PB for him so he was happy. It's surprising what you can do once you get into the race.

The weather was very kind this morning - excellent for this time of year.

Friday 7/1/2005

Would you believe it! A new course record today! 11.3k in 59:20 - the longest time I have taken so far. It was all I could do to keep my legs moving up the hills. Thank goodness there shouldn't be any hills when we go out with Plu this afternoon.

Thursday 6/1/2005

I'm struggling. The humidity is unbelievable. Yesterday it took me 82 mins to run my 15.7 circuit. Speed training to day was heavy going - 6 X 2 min with 1 min recovery. While we were out there training somebody shifted our meeting place because it was a lot further back than it was going out.

Nomad Plu will be finding it a bit of a challenge.

Tuesday 4/1/2005

After not sleeping well ( I thought I would get the excuse in first) I was up at 4:15 AM to get to the 3k Time Trial on time. I drop my gear of at work in Brisbane City and then run about 2k to the meeting place for Pat's Group. By the time I arrived this morning I was already dripping sweat. It didn't bode well for the TT. So you probably have already guessed that I didn't do a PB. My PB is 11:21, today I did 11:26. Oh well, next time.

RITH didn't need any excuses he did 10:06, about 19 secs off his previous PB. Congratulations Rith, well done mate and Pat's Runner of the Month to boot.

Back at work today and updating my training program I decided to check December total K's and found that I had done 315 not 278.

Monday 3/1/2005

Rest day today. Speed training tomorrow. Oh no I just realised! - it's the first Tuesday of the month..........3K time trial!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 2/01/2005

It's already 2/1/2005. How the year is flying! The Canberra Marathon will be upon us in no time.

I ran with friends from Park Road this morning, starting at 5:00 AM. We covered 25.9 K in 2:16 and ran via the Goodwill Bridge, Stones Corner, Story Bridge, New Farm, James Street, Fortitude Valley, City Gardens and back to Park Road. The conditions were pretty good. By 7:00 AM the heat was intensifying. As I was nearing the finish I passed a group of my fellow runners from Pat Carroll's group who were just heading out, probably from the Regatta. I was glad I was finishing not just starting.

I was disappointed not to be able to go to the Gold Coast to run with Plu. I had family commitments at home so had to be home early. I may have an opportunity to catch up with Plu on Friday when he is coming up to Brisbane.