Chewing the Fat with "Rev Rick"

Its been a good week. In fact the best in a long time.

Whilst I still had 2 days off running, the other days were very good. The 2 days off weren't planned but at the end of the day definitely did no harm. My mileage for the week was slightly more then 10% greater than last week so the rest helped in that it stopped me from doing too much too soon in terms of k's. I want to stick to the 10% per week increase, so if that means a day off then so be it. Naturally I want to get back to running everyday but easy does it.

I used a local 6km fun run this morning as my weekly tempo run. The idea was to run at a solid pace keeping my HR below 175. My average ended up being 176 so spot on. It also earned me 7th place. I felt pretty comfortable and felt that I could have kicked it down toward the end if need be but I was pretty well clear of the dude in 8th so no need.

Looking forward to running a 3km on the track next week in Melbourne and again wont be going all out. Just trying to get some rhythm happening and gain some strength by running at tempo but feeling strong as opposed to busting my balls and feeling like crap. The body's not ready for that yet.

Robbie dragged me along to her Church on Friday night for a little gathering they call "Friday Night Church". Its aimed at, as they say, "Those that hate Church!" I cant say I hate Church but wasnt brought up in that environment. It was a relaxed setting just chatting, some music, lattes, and a good feed.

I spent most of the night chatting to "Rev Rick". It turns out that we have a bit in common. Both Geelong supporters, both lived in Geelong at some stage in our lives, and both enjoy cycling. He has invited me out for a ride sometime and given my habit of hitting the deck I'm not too sure if its a good idea!!

I must admit it was weird sitting there "chewing the fat" with a Minister of Religion. I even swore in front of him and he didn't bat an eyelid. In fact he later referred to someone as a "bastard". As soon as he said it he looked at me and said "Am I allowed to say that?" To which I replied "you tell me?" He justified it by saying "Hey, I used to be a builder". Fair enough.

This guys alright me thinks. Apart from a mate of mine who is now a Minister himself, I guess I always thought that people in that position were squeaky clean. Maybe they're are human too!!!! ;-)

New Boots

Got some new shoes in the post today. Saucony Grid Type A. They are supposed to be a racing shoe but more like a lightweight trainer. I guess if you were gunna run a half marathon or go the full 42k, then they would be an awesome alternative to a pure racing flat.



Im gunna use them for longer reps off track and tempo runs.

Decided on an easy 20 minutes thru the Gorge this arvo to try them out and I am impressed. Lots of cushioning and VERY bright too!!!

The only problem with tonights run was some soreness in my calf. I had wanted to do about 35 minutes but cut it short instead. It seems I am cutting a few sessions short lately for one reason or another.

Otherwise things are progressing nicely. The Cadbury Half Marathon is coming up in January in Hobart and Im thinking that entering would not be such a bad idea. The theory is that by having to train for a half means that I need to get some mileage happening therefore building a solid base in which to progress off at the start of next year.

Once the race is out of the way then it would only take 4 - 6 weeks to get some speed in the legs before events such as the Nationals and State Champs.

I will see how the next few weeks go training wise before committing to it.

1km Reps & Management "Run In" update

Off to heritage Forest this morning to run some 1km reps and again I had to cut the session short.

The plan was to do 3 x 1km with 1km recovery in about 3:20. The first was spot on, but the 2nd was 3:30 and terrible. I felt as though my arms weighed about 15kg each. Very heavy and just lacking any rhythm at all. I figured there was no point busting my arse trying to do a 3rd rep as it would probably do more harm than good at this stage.

Stu Mac asked yesterday what had happened in regards to a previous post I wrote titled "Run in with Management"? Well, first I received a written warning. Then when I said I would like to pursue it further given that I felt our Manager was out of line in asking us "outside" and in doing so was trying to intimidate us which is totally against the Company harassment policy he decided that only a verbal warning was required. Therefore nothing more than a slap on the wrist and no record on our Personnel file!!!! Some you win, some you lose.

Anyway the case is now closed and I certainly wont be opening up any tabs in the near future without prior authorisation. ;-)

Tummy Bug

Have been suffering the effects of a tummy bug over the last few days. Been feeling very tired and run down, in fact I went to bed at 5pm last night and then woke at 6am this morning!!!

Feeling heaps better today and managed to squeeze out an easy 6km. Felt ok, but I now that I need to replace the fluids I have lost as well.

Its yet another set back which I would rather not have to have but surely my luck has to change sooner or later.

I ran into Rob Gillard (brother of Kim) on Tuesday and he gave me a flyer for a new 10km race he is organising on November 25th. Its called "Run the Ridge" and its a 10km race thru some local wineries in the Tamar Valley region just north of Launceston. Check out www.runtheridge.com.au

I told him I would run if he could guarantee there would be no snakes!!!!

Despite the dangers of the slithery variety, I am actually looking forward to it. I now have something to focus on which will make training so much more easier.

Now that my tummy has settled a bit hopefully I can get out a rep session on Saturday. Plan is for some 1km reps @ Heritage Forest.

Shithouse TT

Pulled the pin at the 2km mark of my TT today feeling absolutely shocking. Very heavy in the arms and the 2nd km was 10 seconds slower than the first. Splits were 3:10 & 3:20.

I was feeling ordinary after the 1st km but I was on pace so I kept going but at 2km I was never going to make up the time and was only feeling worse with each step.

Very disappointed but at least it shows me where I am and what I need to be doing.

Will add some long reps into my training as of this week. Most likely quick 1k's with a decent recovery on Tuesday and rhythm 2k's with a shorter recovery on Saturdays.

Its been a bitch of a week and hopefully it all settles down from now on.

TGI Friday

Jacko seems to be on the improve. He is showing signs of his old self. Today he jumped on his bike and went "broom broom" which is something he definitely hasnt been doing lately. All we need now is for the little bloke to pull all the DVD's out of the TV cabinet and then we know hes back to normal!!!!!!

Did my first run since Monday tonight and surprisingly felt pretty good. The plan tomorrow is to do a 3km TT around Heritage Forest and see where I am at. Track season start here next week so I figure the TT will give me some indication of what needs to be done. I will get each KM split and see if I lose anything in the later stages or not. If I can break 10 minutes I will be happy and based on Mondays effort when I ran 3:07 for the last KM then 10 minutes is not out of reach.

Work today was a pain in the arse. I spent all day fixing problems that arose due to me having 2 days off this week. Its a shame that you cant go away and rely on others to back you up.

What a Week its been.

My return home from Melbourne last Sunday night was very short lived. As I said in my previous Blog, Jack was a sick little boy when I left.

On Tuesday when I was about 2 hours out of Launceston working, Robyn called to say Jack was going to Hospital. Within 3 hours I was back in town and on a Plane to Melbourne.

The little fella wasnt very well at all and there was bugga all the Hospital were prepared to do for him and they sent him home. Later that same night, about 1:30am to be precise, we had him back in Hospital again.

This time they did a little more than simply take his temperature. Just as well cos I dont think Robbie was in the mood to be stuffed around again. Who is at that time of morning???

The little man is now back home and still not 100%, he spends most of the time sleeping and when hes not sleeping he is very grizzly. Things can only get better I guess.

Needless to say I havent run since Monday night, but I cant say Im too fussed about that.

Trip to the Zoo

Spent the weekend in Melbourne with the family and decided yesterday that we would take Jack to the Zoo.

Poor little man wasnt feeling too good so we thought it might cheer him up a little. We hadnt got 20 metres inside the gate when he decided to empty the contents of his tummy all over the place. Gastro does that I guess.

He did seem to enjoy it though, every animal he saw prompted a "woof woof" from the little bloke. Somehow I cant see how a Gorilla looks like a dog but who am I to ruin his fun?

On a training front I have only been getting out every second say lately as I am trying to build up slowly to protect my Calf. Every now and then I feel a twinge which is concerning but resting every 2nd day seems to be working pretty well so far.

Plodded around Heritage Forest tonight and decided at the end to run the last km pretty solidly. 3min 07s later and the job was done. The last km didnt feel all that good but was a lot quicker than I thought it would be.

well done to the Western Aths boys who ran the Melbourne Marathon yesterday. Adam ran around 2h 49m and Adrian Jeffkins in around 3h 15m. (Apologies up front if I am wrong). Their plan was to meet up at the Transport bar afterwards and sample many of the 100 odd beers available. Good luck with that one fellas!!! Gotta keep the fluids up yeah??

Anyway, Im outta here.

Run in with Management

I have always said that respect is something you earn, not demand.

Last night at a work function, my boss decided that he was going to demand my respect. WRONG.

Myself and another Rep arrived at the bar early with 2 of our best customers and decided that we would start up a Tab in the Company name. We knew that this was the intention of Management to begin with so we didnt see a problem starting it up. When the boss arrived an hour later he wasnt happy that we had started it without first speaking to him.

He start by telling us in front of both fellow workmates and customers that we needed to show him some respect and seek permission first. Fair point and I understand where he is coming from. However, I did strongly reject the language in which he was using.

On 3 occasions I asked him not to swear at me and on all 3 occasions he continued to do so. When I gave him one last chance to stop he said "right, outside now" to which I replied "OK lets go". I took 5 or 6 steps towards the door and turned to see if he was following and guess what? He hadnt moved. I have no idea what would have happened "outside" but I refuse to take a backward step to anyone. Theres only one person I am scared of and its not him.

I admit that the whole situation could have been avoided if we had gone about the Tab differently, however I wont be spoken to like that BY ANYBODY.

I had a few people at work today say that he was way out of line and showed a total lack of control. At the end of the day it doesnt change what happened.

I didnt see him today and when I do, as far as I am concerned, matter over.

Stay tuned for any updates.