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!