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.