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!