Monday - 15km

I lacked that extra gear today, so just got out and ran at my usual intensity (although slightly slower). Out along the Shelly-Fairlight Loop on a cool and windy morning. Apart from the council workers closing the pathway underneath the Queenscliff Bridge (in the space of literally one minute, as it was open when I ran underneath it for the third time [before shortly turning around for the final 800m back to North Steyne]), nothing to interesting to report apart from the GPS under-reading by 100m (yes, I ran the extra 100m to ensure that the Garmin read 15.00km). Got back to North Steyne in 55:03 (3:40’s), nothing special but nothing horrible either.

Sunday - 30km

Fantastic conditions for a run around the lake this morning. The first time I’ve worn a top (just a singlet) by choice since about September last year. A slightly moderate southwesterly was the only complaint, otherwise I felt really good. The effort felt much easier than the past few weeks, which is always a good thing. Got back to Harris Farm in 1:56:43 (3:53’s). Time for breakfast and a coffee!

Saturday - Parkrun

I was quite surprised to see that none of the fast guys showed up, especially considering that the Sydney10 is only a week away. That left me solo out the front on what was a slow, wet and windy morning - completely different conditions for a change, and arguably for the worst. I made sure that I didn’t go out too hard this week (much more respectable first kilometer in 3:07), but after that it was a struggle. Running into a headwind through puddles and mud wasn’t much fun, then it poured! Then on it was simply a battle of finishing. The time was terrible, 16:50, but the intensity and effort was definitely there. Not sure how much slower the conditions made it, so I’ll look at the positives and know that at worst I still got a great workout out there. I’ve had one of my fastest and most consistent week’s of running, so it’s not like I’ve suddenly lost it. A slow jog back home through a few more down pours. Glad I’m done for the day now!

Thursday - 15km

Up to North Head once again on a very foggy start to the day. At least the crowds were down compared to yesterday. Quite nice conditions, although a touch humid (very sweaty now, although that may be due to the fog). Felt good, which is unusual for a Thursday. Got back to North Steyne SLSC in 55:08 (3:40/1’s), happy with that. Now back to reality!

Wednesday - 15km

A slight cloud cover this morning kept conditions ideal, with a very slight drizzle towards the end. Out along the Shelly-Fairlight loop today, and it was absolute chaos along the beachfront - especially around Manly LSC. The most congested I’ve ever seen it, people everywhere, chairs being set-up and pretty much the whole path being blocked. I did my best to squeeze through as fast and elegantly as possible - which by my standards is a big compromise. Got back to North Steyne in 54:13 (3:37’s), a great time considering how much I had to slow down around Manly LSC. Felt good, so I had to make the most of it!

Tuesday - 15km

Up to North Head this morning on another stunning day. Good to see Justin back out there, obviously getting over his calf injury. Feeling good this morning, and was able to push the intensity somewhat. Got back to North Steyne in 55:16 (3:41’s), so a solid run.

Monday - 15km

Out for my usual Monday run alongnthe Shelly-Fairlight loop on another stunning morning. Feeling quite good for a Monday! I saw my good mate Barry early on - well, I should say I heard his name before I saw him. I was running past Queenscliff Lagoon early on when I heard a man yell out “BARRY” with a hint of desperation in his voice. Barry obligued this time as his owner frantically put him back on his leash. A shame really, as I could have used the company. Nothing else exciting to report, other than getting back to North Steyne in 54:14 (3:37’s). Very happy with that, a great way to start the (shortened) week!

Sunday - 30km

Out for a solo run around the lake on a beautiful crisp morning. I could definitely feel yesterday’s Parkrun in my legs, so just ran on feel as normal. Got back to Harris Farm in 1:58:44 (3:53’s), a good time no doubt helped by the improving conditions. Pretty knackered now though. Looking forward to a massive bowl of fruit, yoghurt and granola!

Saturday - Parkrun

Slightly cooler, drizzling, but still a bit of humidity this morning. I didn’t get too wet on the warm-up to Curl Curl. Had a quick look around at the start line and saw John Binfield, but wasn’t too sure what sort of form he was in. So wasn’t too sure what to do, so I just thought I’d try to lead from the front and see what happens. I didn’t realise at the the time, but the first kilometer I ran a 3:04! Probably a bit too fast, but I was out solo. I reined back the pace a bit for the next kilometer, and then realised that John was right behind me. This was good, as I sat on him for the next kilometer or two to grab my breath back. When we got to the bridge with 600m to go, we were neck and neck. Actually, I took the lead (by about a meter) until about 300m to go. But, as I’ve recently come to discover, I have absolutely no finishing kick these days (thanks to a lack of specific speed work beyond my weekly Parkrun and weekday 15km runs) and was never going to pip him. In the end, I followed him home in second place one second behind in 16:23.4 (3:17’s). So quite happy with the time (a second off my best in recent times), but I reckon had I have known how close I was, I might have been able to push a bit earlier for a sub-16:20 (although perhaps not with that first kilometer). Oh well, it was a great run for both of us, and we were both pretty stoked to get it done. A very slow and gentle cool-down along the beachfront with Darren for 17km all up.

Thursday - 15km

I felt slightly better upon waking this morning, but it was much of the same as yesterday once I started running. I felt slow, but unlike yesterday, I didn’t feel as if I was able to push the intensity as much, so in that regard today was slightly easier. Another stunning morning, not a cloud in the sky, no wind, not hot, not cold and only very slight humidity. Up to North Head, just running in survival mode today, anticipating around a 56:30 pace. As has been the case with each run this week, I was very surprised to get back in 55:22 (3:41’s) - and this was despite the slight detour both ways along Addison Rd (to be fair, it looks like it’s almost finished, so it’s only taken the council two weeks to fill in a few blocks of concrete) as well as having to slow down to a single file just south of Manly LSC (again, council doing some digging). Looking forward to some breakfast, a coffee, and a sleep in tomorrow!

Wednesday - 15km

I felt better upon waking up this morning, but felt worse once I started running (the opposite to yesterday). Conditions were great though, slightly overcast, a very mild to moderate southeasterly wind and very little humidity. Out along the Shelly-Fairlight Loop this morning. I felt like I was working hard but running slow - I just didn’t have that extra gear this morning, so was resigned to the fact that it was simply going to be a matter of going through the motions and getting it done. So I was pretty happy to get back to North Steyne in 54:43 (3:39’s), a great time considering how I felt! I’ll take that any day. Just have to survive tomorrow before a much anticipated rest day on Friday!

Tuesday - 15km

I felt terrible when my alarm woke me up from a deep sleep this morning. It took a lot of motivation to get out there today, but after much procrastination (and a slightly upset stomach), I finally bit the bullet and got out later than usual. An overcast and quite humid day made the run that extra bit tougher. Once I got going I was okay, so up to North Head and back I ran. The GPS decided to under-read again today (it’s been good lately) by 130m, so as usual the OCD in myself ran that extra 150m. Anyhow, I got back to North Steyne SLSC in 55:30 (3:42’s), not a bad time at all. Just glad to get that one done to be honest!

Monday - 15km

An absolutely stunning morning, although I reckon that I should have left about 20 minutes earlier to maximise the conditions. The sun was beaming down by the time I left, so out of the shade was quite warm. Out along the Shelly-Fairlight Loop this morning, seeing Justin and Amelia along the way (the latter who was doing well to walk today after racing in Canberra yesterday). Came home into a stronger then liked headwind (northwesterly) between Manly LSC and Queenscliff SLSC. Finished in a swift 54:21 (3:37’s), very happy with that - especially after another solid weekend of running. Although I’m covered in sweat right now, so perhaps it wasn’t as stunning as I thought!

Sunday - 30km

Very windy, but at least it was a lot cooler than yesterday! And no humidity! Feeling good once I got through the first 2-3km, and just held a good steady rhythm for a solo lap around the lake. Got back to Harris Farm in 1:58:14 (3:56’s), not a bad time at all with what felt like a constant headwind. Now time to watch the best event at the Commonwealth Games - the marathon. Australia is looking good so far in both the men’s and women’s, fingers crossed!

Saturday - Parkrun

Far from ideal conditions today, already a steamy 24 degrees at 5:45am with a strong northwesterly (bushfire-like) wind. With this in mind, today was all about getting out there and getting it done, not worrying too much about the actual time. I was stoked to see Mike turn-up, knowing that I would have a race this week (and not run a time trial like last Saturday). We shared the work for the first 3-4km. Remembering the outcome from our last race, I knew that a sprint finish was going to be a disadvantage to me, so I really had to make a break before that opportunity could arise. I could sense a little bit of struggle in Mike with about a kilometer to go, so I had to make a move. I managed to eek out a gap and hold it until the end, crossing the line in first place in 16:36 (3:19’s) - pretty much the same time as last week, but in the toughest conditions we’ve had yet! Mike came across the line about 10 seconds later, with third and fourth about a minute behind. Young Lachlan had a good race with Lauren, and Darren went hard for a sub-18 which was a fantastic effort for his first real ‘effort’ since his injury. Spent way too much time chatting to everyone post-race, so much so that I was actually the last to leave (that has never happened before) about an hour later! A slow and enjoyable 8km cooldown along the coast for 17km all up.

Thursday - 15km

Quite a warm one out there this morning, I did my best to get out there earlier than usual (in the end, it was about the same time as normal despite my best intentions). Felt quite good for a Thursday, no doubt helped by being relatively fresher than usual for this time of week following an extra rest day on Monday. Up to North Head (the council still have the path along Addison Road blocked off), with lots of sweat flicking off me with almost every arm swing. Got back home in 55:32 (3:42’s), not a bad effort at all in that heat. Time for a swim now!

Wednesday - 15km

I felt terrible when the alarm woke me up from a deep sleep. Dragged myself out of bed knowing that today was going to be a struggle. I didn’t muck around as much this morning and got going about 15 minutes earlier. An awesome day out there, with an ever increasing northeasterly seabreeze which made the final stretch from Manly to Queenscliff harder than it needed to be. Out along the Shelly to Fairlight Loop this morning, seeing Darren early on. Avoided some more council trucks (they are everywhere these days - all the gear with no idea), and narrowly missed getting run over at the crossing by a tradesman who was flying (he definitely saw me, but didn’t really care). Got back in a surprisingly quick time of 54:09 (3:37’s), great considering how I felt and the wind along the beachfront. Not enough time for a swim this morning as I had to quickly organise tonight’s dinner. At least the forecast is looking similar for the next few days, so plenty of time to get back in there!

Tuesday - 15km

Back into it this morning after a much needed rest day yesterday. Great conditions, 19 degrees, very slight humidity, and a very light drizzle of rain here and there. Up the North Head on what felt like new legs. Got home in 54:58 (3:40’s), and that included some detouring around the footpaths along Addison Rd due to council works (yet again, hopefully it won’t take them six weeks this time)! Happy with that!

Sunday - 30km

I was only saying yesterday that I am a week overdue for an easier week. I’ve been working off roughly a four week cycle, with the plan to take an extra day off every fifth week. So that means an extra rest day tomorrow. And it seems timely, as I really struggled this morning, and my performance has dropped off slightly since Thursday. All the signs that I used to ignore! So the plan today was to simply get through the 30km. The first 10km or so I was quite stubborn in trying to maintain my normal intensity, but I finally succumbed to the pace just after this. Cruised through the next 20km at a somewhat easier effort. Around the lake and home in 2:03 (4:06’s). I hate taking an extra rest day, but I know that my body needs it, plus I know I’ll bounce back better for it.

Saturday - Parkrun

I had managed to luck into some good competition for each of the last three Saturday’s, so it was only a matter of time before I was going to have to run a solo Parkrun from the front. Today was that day. Like always, I just ran on feel. Surprisingly, there was a guy in Red Bull singlet who hung in my shadow. So at the start of the three kilometer mark, I backed it off to make him take the lead. He didn’t, so I retook the lead. Again, just after the Harbord Rd hill he was still there, so I did the same. He kind of reluctantly took the lead, but the pace slowed right down. So it was up to me again to push, and I just grounded through until the end. After the bridge, he told me to go for it as he was done. So got across the line for the win, the first this year - but a slower time of 16:35 (3:19’s). The effort was definitely there, so I’ll put the slower time down to the weather and the fact that it was really a solo effort. Enjoyed a nice run back along the coast with Darren for about 17km all up.

Thursday - 15km

After five consecutive days of better than usual runs, today was simply a matter of survival. Motivation was low, but knowing that tomorrow is a rest day was what got me out the door in the end. Up to North Head on an absolutely stunning morning, although quite hot once I got going with the amount of sunshine. Nothing spectacular today, but then again nothing horrible either - finishing in just shy of 56 minutes (3:44’s). Time for a swim now!

Wednesday - 15km

Today felt tougher than the past few runs, with the level of perceived effort feeling harder than usual. Conditions were overcast, warm and slightly humid, with a mild to moderate southerly wind. Nothing horrible, but far from ‘world record conditions.’ As usual, I simply just went out there and pushed through it. Out along the Shelly-Fairlight Loop this morning, quite a few people out and about, but nothing compared to Monday. Saw Tom and Macca at Manly LSC post-B&B swim. Surprisingly got home in 54:38 (3:38’s) in what felt high-55’s, low 56’s. So very happy with that. One more run until a much anticipated rest day on a Friday.

Tuesday - 15km

Up to North Head this morning on a warm and windy day. A moderate southeasterly made the first half up to Fairfax Loop harder than usual, but as always, the incentive was to come home with a tailwind (and downhill). Felt pretty good, getting back home in 55:35 (3:42’s), quite a solid time given the conditions. No signs of Barry today, I think he’ll need at least a few days to fully recover!

Monday - 15km

I had some company on this warm and steamy morning in the form of Barry. I met Barry while heading south just before Queenscliff SLSC, about 1.5km into my run. Barry is a dog whose owner didn’t bother with a leash, so Barry being Barry decided to come for a run with me. And not just a brief cameo appearance, good old Barry was in for the long haul! Out to Shelly Beach, then to Fairlight, back to Shelly Beach before heading back to the lagoon at Queenscliff - where his ‘lovely’ (sarcasm) owner went ballistic at the both of us! I laughed it off and suggested to Barry’s owner that he should perhaps invest in a leash given Barry’s endurance capabilities. Now back to me (of course), I felt quite good, but definitely sore from yesterday’s run (probably more so than normal for a Monday, but then again yesterday was significantly faster than usual). It was chaos out there this morning, people everywhere trying to make the most of a stunning morning and the last day of the long weekend. Running through the B&B as actually impossible today, having to slow down for a brief walk. I was thinking I was on for around a 56 minute effort today, so was quite happy and surprised to see 54:18 (3:37’s) at the end! Really happy with that, and I’d like to give credit to my new training buddy! Time for a swim now!

Sunday - 30km

Powered on last night’s arepas (I tried Venezuelan cuisine for the first time) and an extra hour’s sleep (the only good thing to come out of the end of daylight savings), today’s run was good. I didn’t feel amazing by any stretch (in fact, I felt that I was having to work slightly harder than usual) as I made my way around the lake on a solo run. Got back to Harris Farm in just under 1:56:00 (3:52’s), much faster than I had planned and the fastest I have run that this year! Oh well, I’m not complaining. A solid start to the day. Time for a swim (I’m surprised that I’m still doing this at this time of year)!