Catch up time

Yes Stu Mac its been a while since I last posted and I did neglect to write about Coliban!!! So here goes...

Off to Melbourne on July 4 for the Coliban Relays. A team event over about 45kms consisting of 6 runners competing over varying distances and terrain. I had the pleasure of running the 3rd leg for our team and despite only arriving at the transition area 90 seconds prior to starting I was pretty happy with my effort. 8.4kms in 29:00 over a testing course with no warm up, yep I'll take that one. Overall we finished 3rd which was one of many placings the club achieved for the day.

After Coliban I took a week off running. It had got to the point where I was only running because I felt I HAD to as opposed to running because I wanted to. A break was definitely in order.

The timing of the break wasnt great considering we had the Launceston Ten this morning (34:55) and next week is the Tassie XC Champs. The Ten this morning was OK. I wasnt expecting to run much quicker than 35 given the last few weeks running/not running. I did feel as though I could have maintained that pace for a while longer but a couple of times when I tried to pick it up there was nothing in the tank.

So, here I am back running 30 minutes a day and getting some enjoyment out of it. Again.

Still feeling flat

Well, I thought by now I would be over the bug but Im not, and ITS PISSING ME OFF.

I headed out with the guys yesterday morning to do a session (10/20) figuring I could just skip the 10 minute effort and tempo the 20 minute effort. WRONG. I wore the HRM monitor and even during the warm up my HR was in the tempo range. Not good.
I ended up just cruising for 70 minutes and taking side streets to keep ahead of the guys doing the heard work. By the end of the run I was actually starting tom feel OK.

Long run today and rather than go for 2 hours I decided 90 minutes would suffice. I pulled the pin at 80.

Hopefully it clears up soon cos I wanna start running without a cough and not feeling flat.

Bloody Flu

Well unfortunately I am not immune to the Flu. On a positive note it did mean a few days off work, the down side though was a few days off training.

Robyn said the other night that every time a race gets close (Coliban Relays Saturday week) I get sick. I had never taken much notice but thinking about it, she is right. Of course she is, she is NEVER wrong. ;-)

So, first run back tonight was an easy 40 minutes. It didnt feel anywhere near as bad as I thought it would but it did feel like I hadnt run for a while!!! I wont do any sessions for the rest of this week other than a tempo run on Saturday. Next week will be a full weeks training, somewhere between 100 - 110ks including Saturdays race.

In 2 weeks (July 19) is the 2009 edition of the Launceston 10. I am very much looking forward to this years event. Hopefully Steve Moneghetti is successful in his attempt at a World Record for his age group. Shame I wont get to see it as I will still be a few minutes away from finishing. Not too many I hope!!!

Time will tell.

A long weekend

Spent the long weekend in Melbourne catching up with the crew over there. A good weekend with visits to Werribee Open Range Zoo and the Melbourne Aquarium, both of which in my opinion are overrated!!!

Did my 2 hour run yesterday up in the Dandenongs and must say it was a nice reminder of how tough it is up there. Not to mention the fact that it was very wet and muddy!

Managed to make the return trip with some extra baggage in the way off 3 new pair of Sauconys. That should see me thru til about October me thinks.

Just under 4 weeks now until Coliban Relays. That means 7 or 8 more long runs and who knows how many kms under the belt. Still not sure whether or not I will back off but I guess a decision will be made closer to the day. Launceston 10 is only 2 weeks after Coliban and State XC is another week after that. Decisions decisions. Hopefully I can turn the form around and get in some good performances.

Great photo of Kerryn Mc Cann and Jenny Gillard in the Herald Sun during the week for the launch of the Melbourne Marathon. I have the pleasure of training with Jen and I hope she pulls off a win come October 11th.

Training with Tucks

Had the pleasure of training with World Champs marathon rep Mark Tucker yesterday. The big guy was in town for the launch of this years Launceston 10 and given that he was here for the day an opportunity arose for us to train with him.

Mark and I actually went to the same school in Geelong, Newcomb High. He was 4 years below me so I didnt expect him to remember me and was very surprised when he said "I thought it was you" when we were introduced. We spent most of the day then reminiscing about all our old teachers etc. Some laughs were had, very funny stories told, and some VERY juicy gossip passed on. Its amazing what some teachers get up to at times........... I will say no more.

He also gave me some tips on the Coliban relay course. Most importantly he told me which legs to avoid running if I can help it ;-)

I dropped Mark off at the airport for his flight home and he invited me to train with him when next in Melbourne. It will need to be an easy run cos I got no hope of keeping up if hes doing a session!!

In a big announcement at yesterdays launch, Kim Gillard has secured a World Record attempt in the race. Steve Moneghetti will be having a crack at the WR for his Age Group. Cant wait for that one.

Training this week has been good. 2 long runs completed and a solid hit out yesterday with Tucks. Focus now is on picking up the mileage heading into the 2nd half of the year which will include at least one half marathon, possibly 2.

City to Casino

Spent the weekend down south in Hobart for the City to Casino. This is Hobart's biggest Fun Run with just over 2000 competitors. Last year I ran the 7km but this year I stepped up for the 11km event.

Unfortunately things didnt go to plan. I was hoping to run around 37 minutes and place top 5 or 6. I crossed the line in 38:30 and was about 14th. This along with last weeks ordinary 5km means my last 2 races have been shockers. The worst part is I cant explain why.

Its about 6 weeks until my next race so I have time to go back and fix some things. No doubt tomorrows easy run with Kim will be somewhat of a debrief and planning session.

The 2009 Launceston Ten will be launched next Saturday and both Peter Brett and Dave Evans will be in attendance. I might even pick their brains a little. Why wouldnt you??

We have a winner!!

Headed off to Beaconsfield yesterday for the Anzac Day Fun Run over 8k.

I was hoping a few more "hitters" would be there but unfortunately all the pre race talk was just that, talk.

There was only myself and John Claridge toeing the line with about 100 others of varying abilities. Johnno is no slouch and I knew that it would be a tough day out. Having run a 73min Half Marathon last year I figured that he would be tough over the last few km, having said that an 8k is a lot different to 21.1km.

Not knowing how much speed Johnno has I decided that I needed to get rid of him before half way is possible. Just before the 2km mark I could no longer hear his breathing or footsteps. Shortly after that the road went up hill and I decided that I had to work extra hard just to be sure he had gone and wasnt coming back.

At the 4km turn around I had 20s but was starting to hurt. I tried to shout out some encouragement as he went past but I was breathing way too hard for anything remotely sounding like English. Johnno on the other hand had plenty to say. Shit, hes feeling better than me. Luckily I had enough of a break to hang on and take a win.

The finish chute was about 2 metres wide and there was a photographer from the local paper standing smack bang in the middle about 2ft past the line. Given that I didnt see her amongst the officials I nearly gave her a VERY close up!!!! Hopefully it makes for a good shot!!!!!!

Nice cruisy 2 hours this morning in the rain with the boys to finish off a good week.