Thursday - 15km

I could have easily have hit the snooze button this morning and slept in. I was pretty tired this morning (as expected), but reluctantly got up telling myself that I can sleep in tomorrow. The plan once again was to simply run on feel, which was going to be slower and easier than the past few days. I even convinced myself to avoid North Head and stick along the beachfront to keep it flat. But similarly to yesterday, as soon as I started running I felt fine! So I decided to run North Head, keeping the pace controlled and within my comfort zone at all times. I pushed the final few kilometers, but again, not all out by any means. 15km in 3:47's! Wasn't really expecting that, but I'll take it. Another stunning morning out there, although a little breezy at times (especially up at North Head). Last day of winter, so I can't complain! Hopefully not too long until I can start jumping into the ocean once again post-run.

Wednesday - 15km

Felt a bit more tired this morning, so the intention was to hold back the intensity a bit. I felt fine once I got out, and probably ran at what felt like a similar intensity as yesterday. Saw Ben just as I started - he was just over 2.5km ahead of me. I thought he might be running the same loop (the Shelly-Fairlight loop), so thought I might have some fun and see if I could make up the ground over the 15km of running. Saw him again at Manly LSC (I was on my way to Shelly, he was off to Fairlight), so it was down to just under 2km. Then again between Fairlight pool and the turnaround - so now about 1km. Then lastly on the way back from Shelly - this time it was down to about 300-400m. I caught him just after Manly LSC, and he decided to push the pace with me up to Queenscliff bridge. I pushed the pace a bit more here, with Benny just hanging in there. I turned around just after Bridge before the final 800m back home along the beachfront. The company, albeit short and not much talking, was nice! Final two kilometers were quite quick, 3:32 and 3:31. All up, 15km in 3:47's. Again, the pace felt solid but definitely controlled the entire way. Every time I consciously felt myself trying to run faster, I would back it off. Another cracking morning out there once again - only one more day of winter!

Tuesday - 15km

Up to North Head this morning. Feeling good, so ran firm but kept it comfortable the whole way. 15km in 3:51's. Bumped into Jamie at the very end, it's been a while so we had lots to catch up on!

Monday - 15km

Another solo run this morning. Just did the usual Monday morning beachfront-Fairlight loop. Pretty chilly out there this morning! Feeling quite good despite the long run yesterday. 15km in 3:55's.

Sunday - Two hours

That was an eventful morning. I picked up Scotty at 6:30am and drove to Centennial Park to meet Barts for a two hour long run. After a delayed start, we finally got going just after 7am. Things were going as per normal until about 8km in when Barts took a sharp right hand turn onto one of the trails and hit his knee really badly onto one of the pillars. He went down, and it looks like he may need stictches. Scotty stayed with him while I ran back to the car to pick him up. Drove him back to his car before Scotty and I were off again. I'm hoping that Barts won't be out of action for too long! Anyway, just a few laps around the outside and the white fence bought up the two hours, finishing just shy of 28.5km. 4:13's, feeling pretty comfortable.

Saturday - Manly to Spit & Return

It has been a few years since I've run the full Manly to Spit, and I forgot how good it was! The track has been improved drastically on some sections, almost like running on a footpath. But there are still the more technical parts, especially from Tanya Park to Clontarf (I think I got a 6 min/km through here this morning). I couldn't figure out why I saw bunches of four people with numbers pinned on their tops - I couldn't think of any races that were going on at the moment? Then upon returning to Tanya Park, I realised that it was the Oxfam 100km trailwalk. No wonder they didn't seem too responsive when I said good morning! A cracking morning out there. Kept the pace firm but comfortable, only really opening up in the final few kilometers once I was back on normal terrain. Just under 20.2km in 4:33's. A great way to start the weekend!

Thursday - 15km

North Head loop today, feeling really good! Another amazing morning, although slightly windy. 15km in 3:54's.