3 x 2k's at 8:00 mins each with 90 sec WR's
After feeling under the weather for thirty-six hours, and spending extra time sleeping, I ventured out into the stormy weather late this arvo to hit the tready at Fitness First. After a ten minute warm up, it was straight into the session. With the tready set to 15kms/hr, this was the fastest I have gone on it and even though I was doing what I thought was a relatively easy pace, it felt like I was running at 7:20-7:30 pace for those 2k efforts. Either I've lost more fitness than I thought over the last month or I'm underestimating the softness of the treadmill mat which makes you work harder than running on a bitumen surface. Had a coupla moments when the weak side of the brain wanted to ease off, but with Bribie Tri Race Two run leg of 8k coming up on Sunday, it wasn't hard to shoosh those thoughts away. Again, no discomfort in the shins during the session. I'm undecided on my Bribie race plan, but at this stage, I'm likely to run at 90% effort - a little bit faster than four minute k's giving me a time of 31 something, which should still be good enough for a top three run leg time and hopefully, a Northies victory.
Got stuck into writing my Bank of Qld Classic race report for R4YL before going to the gym. Writing is a lot like running, some people want to put if off, but once you get going, the words really flow!!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Cranky, but controlled..
55 mins, 11k's at 5:00 mins/km
After getting up early this AM to watch the Kangaroo's put the finishing touches on the worst year in Australian sport, I went back to bed before heading to Fitness First, tempted to give myself a good flogging to purge the anger from my system.
Instead my desire to recover carefully from the shin splints won out and I met up with MJ, jumped onto the tready and spent a controlled 55 mins rolling along with not one iota of discomfort intruding on my run.
After getting up early this AM to watch the Kangaroo's put the finishing touches on the worst year in Australian sport, I went back to bed before heading to Fitness First, tempted to give myself a good flogging to purge the anger from my system.
Instead my desire to recover carefully from the shin splints won out and I met up with MJ, jumped onto the tready and spent a controlled 55 mins rolling along with not one iota of discomfort intruding on my run.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Friday Recovery Run
40 mins - 8k's at 5:00 mins/km
Had a nice recovery run on the tready followed by a rub from Bruno who was again pleased with the condition of my legs. Bruno has advised me to do some occasional hamstring curls at the gym to offset the reduced workload they will have on the tready so have taken that on board. Morale is high at the moment and I've keenly applying myself to a long list of "one-percenters" - those little things that'll ultimately assist me in getting back on track.
Enjoyed a fun evening of drinks at dinner at the Ship Inn with the Par Carrollers. We have had informal and hastily planned drinks on Friday nights in the past but I've decided its time the Group took the next step and started up a Social Committee so we can set up a calender of social events for 2006. If this evening is any indication, with twenty people turning up at relatively short notice, it should be a barnstorming success. As usual, when runners get together there were bold predictions aplenty and big talk about 2006!!
Had a nice recovery run on the tready followed by a rub from Bruno who was again pleased with the condition of my legs. Bruno has advised me to do some occasional hamstring curls at the gym to offset the reduced workload they will have on the tready so have taken that on board. Morale is high at the moment and I've keenly applying myself to a long list of "one-percenters" - those little things that'll ultimately assist me in getting back on track.
Enjoyed a fun evening of drinks at dinner at the Ship Inn with the Par Carrollers. We have had informal and hastily planned drinks on Friday nights in the past but I've decided its time the Group took the next step and started up a Social Committee so we can set up a calender of social events for 2006. If this evening is any indication, with twenty people turning up at relatively short notice, it should be a barnstorming success. As usual, when runners get together there were bold predictions aplenty and big talk about 2006!!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Picking up the pace
3 x 2k's (9:00 mins per rep) with 90 sec Walking Recovery, 2k warm up and 2k warm down
Picked up the pace on the tready this morning running at 14k's per hour for 2k reps and got through the session with little discomfort. It was great to get the HR up and have a good sweat. Have pulled up satisfactorily so far. I was a little concerned prior to the session as yesterday I had dropped into Fitness First on the way to work for a quick cardio session on the bike and rowing machine. Whilst there, I also experimented with one of those ridiculous skiing machines or whatever they are called and ended up with some muscle discomfort on the outside of my lower limbs between the calves and the tibia. Its highly unlikely, I'll spend much further time on that machine!!
I've just spent 30 mins researching and reading up the use of Skins by athletes(Eloise Wellings in particular had good things to say about how they helped her shin splints) and in conjunction with all the good words I've heard about them, I'm now convinced enough to buy. Am about to head down to Westfield Chermside to try out some full length skins at Rebel Sport prior to ordering them at a discount through a team mate.
Picked up the pace on the tready this morning running at 14k's per hour for 2k reps and got through the session with little discomfort. It was great to get the HR up and have a good sweat. Have pulled up satisfactorily so far. I was a little concerned prior to the session as yesterday I had dropped into Fitness First on the way to work for a quick cardio session on the bike and rowing machine. Whilst there, I also experimented with one of those ridiculous skiing machines or whatever they are called and ended up with some muscle discomfort on the outside of my lower limbs between the calves and the tibia. Its highly unlikely, I'll spend much further time on that machine!!
I've just spent 30 mins researching and reading up the use of Skins by athletes(Eloise Wellings in particular had good things to say about how they helped her shin splints) and in conjunction with all the good words I've heard about them, I'm now convinced enough to buy. Am about to head down to Westfield Chermside to try out some full length skins at Rebel Sport prior to ordering them at a discount through a team mate.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Back at speedwork!
15 mins of fartlek – 1min, 1min JR, 30 secs, 30 sec JR, 15 secs, 15 sec JR – repeat 4 times
This morning in beautifully warm conditions, I joined my Pat Carroller team mates for speedwork for the first time in three weeks. I took the session pretty easy by my standards, concentrating on an even tempo and trying not to go too fast! As expected there was some shin discomfort but not as bad as I feared and I got through the session unscathed. The A-Team was a little thin on the ground again with Gary leading the way and being pushed by Slash and Scotty whilst there were some strong sessions from the rest of the Group. Already looking forward to my next session with the Group in a fortnight.
The latest Run For Your Life magazine arrived last night and I was pretty pleased with how my Noosa and River Run race reports came out. I only had one spelling mistake and one punctuation mistake which unfortunately, was not picked up by the sub-editor. With R4YL offering an extra month’s subscription to subscribers who point out spelling/grammar mistakes, the pressure is on the editorial team and contributing writers to eliminate errors!! I’m looking for volunteers with a keen sense of written grammar to proofread my work in future! Mum? Lacho?
After watching an Errol Flynn DVD, Dive Bomber last week and disucssing with a workmate, the facial fuzz that was characteristic of that time I accepted a challenge from him to show up to work today in an Errol Flynn mo and boy, it’s a nasty look!! I don’t think I’ll be posting any photos of this one ;-)
This morning in beautifully warm conditions, I joined my Pat Carroller team mates for speedwork for the first time in three weeks. I took the session pretty easy by my standards, concentrating on an even tempo and trying not to go too fast! As expected there was some shin discomfort but not as bad as I feared and I got through the session unscathed. The A-Team was a little thin on the ground again with Gary leading the way and being pushed by Slash and Scotty whilst there were some strong sessions from the rest of the Group. Already looking forward to my next session with the Group in a fortnight.
The latest Run For Your Life magazine arrived last night and I was pretty pleased with how my Noosa and River Run race reports came out. I only had one spelling mistake and one punctuation mistake which unfortunately, was not picked up by the sub-editor. With R4YL offering an extra month’s subscription to subscribers who point out spelling/grammar mistakes, the pressure is on the editorial team and contributing writers to eliminate errors!! I’m looking for volunteers with a keen sense of written grammar to proofread my work in future! Mum? Lacho?
After watching an Errol Flynn DVD, Dive Bomber last week and disucssing with a workmate, the facial fuzz that was characteristic of that time I accepted a challenge from him to show up to work today in an Errol Flynn mo and boy, it’s a nasty look!! I don’t think I’ll be posting any photos of this one ;-)
Monday, November 21, 2005
First road run since starting on the tready!!
Just want to briefly report that I ran(literally) across the road from work to the pub to watch a mate's horse run in the 4th at Nowra this afternoon. I would have only covered about fifty metres but the difference in my stride was quite noticeable after spending the last ten runs on the tready. Speedwork with the Pat Carroller's is on the cards tomorrow and it'll be interesting to see how my running goes!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Sunday long run - yeah, right!!
50 mins, 10 k's at 5:00 mins/km
50 minutes is hardly a genuine Sunday long run but it will have to do for now. Indeed, it is my longest run ever on a treadmill as I take the slow and cautious route to building up mileage. The run went smoothly as I bumped up the speed on the tready to 12 km/hr for the first time and rolled along. That's 35k's for the week, the most for four weeks.
50 minutes is hardly a genuine Sunday long run but it will have to do for now. Indeed, it is my longest run ever on a treadmill as I take the slow and cautious route to building up mileage. The run went smoothly as I bumped up the speed on the tready to 12 km/hr for the first time and rolled along. That's 35k's for the week, the most for four weeks.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Gym membership negotiations
40 mins, 8k's @ 5:05 mins/km
A solid run - a couple of niggles here and there as the legs continue to get accustomed to the tready.
Of more interest today was my negotiations with the Assistant Manager at Fitness First. As mentioned previously their first offer of six months membership at $45 a fortnight(equating to $92-93 a month) plus $100 joining fee was unacceptable to me. Today I met with the Assistant Manager, a pretty decent bloke actually and presented him with a written statement of my proposal for membership on my specific terms. After politely but firmly clarifying my terms verbally the AM lowered his offer to $30 a fortnight(about $65 a month) with a reduced joining fee on $59 on the condition that I take twelve months membership instead of six and give up reciprocal rights. This was not totally unexpected and I was comfortable with accepting that offer as the six months will take me to May next year when I hope to be in heavy training for the GC Marathon and perhaps in need of additional cross training apart from runnning. The lengthier membership will allow me to slowly wean myself off the treadmill with four, then three, then two sessions per week - if I have gotten over the bloody shin splints by then!! Ultimately, I would have like to have pressed the AM harder and tried to get him to waive the administration fee but at the end of the day I need Fitness First and their 9am Sunday morning opening times so I can stop off for a long run on my way to work. And of course, there is the added bonus of MJ and RooBoy both being members there also, so we can workout together every now and then.
A solid run - a couple of niggles here and there as the legs continue to get accustomed to the tready.
Of more interest today was my negotiations with the Assistant Manager at Fitness First. As mentioned previously their first offer of six months membership at $45 a fortnight(equating to $92-93 a month) plus $100 joining fee was unacceptable to me. Today I met with the Assistant Manager, a pretty decent bloke actually and presented him with a written statement of my proposal for membership on my specific terms. After politely but firmly clarifying my terms verbally the AM lowered his offer to $30 a fortnight(about $65 a month) with a reduced joining fee on $59 on the condition that I take twelve months membership instead of six and give up reciprocal rights. This was not totally unexpected and I was comfortable with accepting that offer as the six months will take me to May next year when I hope to be in heavy training for the GC Marathon and perhaps in need of additional cross training apart from runnning. The lengthier membership will allow me to slowly wean myself off the treadmill with four, then three, then two sessions per week - if I have gotten over the bloody shin splints by then!! Ultimately, I would have like to have pressed the AM harder and tried to get him to waive the administration fee but at the end of the day I need Fitness First and their 9am Sunday morning opening times so I can stop off for a long run on my way to work. And of course, there is the added bonus of MJ and RooBoy both being members there also, so we can workout together every now and then.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
False alarm
45 mins, 9km @ 5:15 mins/km
I wasn't happy with how my shins felt last night and again this morning so I made a last minute decision not to go to speedwork with the Pat Carrollers for my only non-tready session of the fortnight. Fortunately, it turned out to be something of a false alarm as I got through my equal longest session on the tready with only a few seconds of discomfort early in the run. After two weeks, its still far too early to say whether the conversion to treadmill running has helped me. I expect that I'll be in a position to say more in a months time, especially as I've slowly increased my speed on the tready each session and am now up to 11.6 km/h. By next week, I'll be running at my usual 12-12.5 km/hr for all easy runs and 14-18km/hr for speedwork. I haven't done any speedwork on the tready yet, but naturally, I'll be introducing it slowly.
Some may recall that I put on my home handyman cap a few weeks ago to fix a leaky toilet. I can report that my work was partially successful as the leak stopped when the cistern outlet piece is in the right place, but too often, it starts up again after a flush because cistern outlet settles into a different position. Don't worry - when I get a new cistern outlet, it'll be fixed for good. Anyway, the home handyman cap was back on again today to fix a worrying problem - When I get torrential rain, water pours through the ceiling of my balcony and sometimes into the frames between the brick wall of the balcony and the study. I went up onto the roof last year and was unable to work out where the leak was coming from. With the storm season just upon us, it was time to address the problem once and for all. "Call a roofer!" I hear you say. "Naaah - I'll be able to fix it." And so it was. I got up onto the roof again today and after removing some mesh netting that keeps leaves out of the gutter, I realised that there was a lot of grout missing from the row of tiles next to one of the main grooves that channels water down the roof into the gutter. 8kg of grout and 90 minutes later, the gaps had been sealed after some nifty work with the trowel. I can't wait till the next storm comes around to see how the job stands up!!
And what about those Socceroos? Despite playing soccer at school, I can't stand watching it as there is far too much diving and play acting for a hard bitten league man like me to take. But, I am a patriot first, so last night I was at Rooboy's place watching my second game of soccer in four years, expecting yet another choke. So it was a pleasant surprise to see our boys victorious. The only problem is that, I'll be forced to watch at least three games of soccer next year when I watch them at the World Cup!!
I wasn't happy with how my shins felt last night and again this morning so I made a last minute decision not to go to speedwork with the Pat Carrollers for my only non-tready session of the fortnight. Fortunately, it turned out to be something of a false alarm as I got through my equal longest session on the tready with only a few seconds of discomfort early in the run. After two weeks, its still far too early to say whether the conversion to treadmill running has helped me. I expect that I'll be in a position to say more in a months time, especially as I've slowly increased my speed on the tready each session and am now up to 11.6 km/h. By next week, I'll be running at my usual 12-12.5 km/hr for all easy runs and 14-18km/hr for speedwork. I haven't done any speedwork on the tready yet, but naturally, I'll be introducing it slowly.
Some may recall that I put on my home handyman cap a few weeks ago to fix a leaky toilet. I can report that my work was partially successful as the leak stopped when the cistern outlet piece is in the right place, but too often, it starts up again after a flush because cistern outlet settles into a different position. Don't worry - when I get a new cistern outlet, it'll be fixed for good. Anyway, the home handyman cap was back on again today to fix a worrying problem - When I get torrential rain, water pours through the ceiling of my balcony and sometimes into the frames between the brick wall of the balcony and the study. I went up onto the roof last year and was unable to work out where the leak was coming from. With the storm season just upon us, it was time to address the problem once and for all. "Call a roofer!" I hear you say. "Naaah - I'll be able to fix it." And so it was. I got up onto the roof again today and after removing some mesh netting that keeps leaves out of the gutter, I realised that there was a lot of grout missing from the row of tiles next to one of the main grooves that channels water down the roof into the gutter. 8kg of grout and 90 minutes later, the gaps had been sealed after some nifty work with the trowel. I can't wait till the next storm comes around to see how the job stands up!!
And what about those Socceroos? Despite playing soccer at school, I can't stand watching it as there is far too much diving and play acting for a hard bitten league man like me to take. But, I am a patriot first, so last night I was at Rooboy's place watching my second game of soccer in four years, expecting yet another choke. So it was a pleasant surprise to see our boys victorious. The only problem is that, I'll be forced to watch at least three games of soccer next year when I watch them at the World Cup!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Persistence
40 mins, 8k's @ 5:15 mins/km
Another session in the bank on the tready. Like Sunday, there was just a little distant jarring in the shins in the first twenty minutes before I finished the session without incident. I've been around long enough to know that in a long term recovery program like this, I'm going to have good days and not so good days. But, I will persist until the not so good days are fewer and further between and then eventually, just a distant and unpleasant memory!
Persistence, persistence, persistence!!!
Another session in the bank on the tready. Like Sunday, there was just a little distant jarring in the shins in the first twenty minutes before I finished the session without incident. I've been around long enough to know that in a long term recovery program like this, I'm going to have good days and not so good days. But, I will persist until the not so good days are fewer and further between and then eventually, just a distant and unpleasant memory!
Persistence, persistence, persistence!!!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Sunday on the tready
45mins, 9km @ 5:15 mins/km
Had my longest session on the tready this morning as I continue to build up slowly. It wasn't as good as Thursday and Friday as I felt some very distant jarring in the shins, but pulled up well. Wrapped up the day with a lazy bike ride with MJ, only burning a few calories, but a few is better than nothing!
Had my longest session on the tready this morning as I continue to build up slowly. It wasn't as good as Thursday and Friday as I felt some very distant jarring in the shins, but pulled up well. Wrapped up the day with a lazy bike ride with MJ, only burning a few calories, but a few is better than nothing!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Positive progress...
40 mins, 8k's at 5:15 mins/km.
A great day with another easy session on the tready and a good rub from Bruno. Bruno and I spent much of the rub brainstorming about those little things I can do that could potentially contribute to alleviating my problems. Like just about everyone, I've spoken too, Bruno is keen on giving the Skins a go. Also, he supported my idea of trying to get around barefoot where possible saying that some of his clients came in for a rub with their soles still blue from warming up or training barefoot on the Nudgee College Athletics track. Growing up as a kid, I only wore footwear when Mum made me wear them to school, church or shopping!!! And I never had any problems. Over the last few years, with wooden floorboards at my place, I've fallen into the trap of wearing Maseurs and pluggers around the house, especially since getting shin splints. So, I'm going back to my roots and going barefoot as often as possible - hopefully that'll strengthen my feet rather than having them pampered with cushioned footwear.
My spirits and motivation have been high since the Noosa Bolt - I'm really fired up to race it one day and give it a red hot go!!
A great day with another easy session on the tready and a good rub from Bruno. Bruno and I spent much of the rub brainstorming about those little things I can do that could potentially contribute to alleviating my problems. Like just about everyone, I've spoken too, Bruno is keen on giving the Skins a go. Also, he supported my idea of trying to get around barefoot where possible saying that some of his clients came in for a rub with their soles still blue from warming up or training barefoot on the Nudgee College Athletics track. Growing up as a kid, I only wore footwear when Mum made me wear them to school, church or shopping!!! And I never had any problems. Over the last few years, with wooden floorboards at my place, I've fallen into the trap of wearing Maseurs and pluggers around the house, especially since getting shin splints. So, I'm going back to my roots and going barefoot as often as possible - hopefully that'll strengthen my feet rather than having them pampered with cushioned footwear.
My spirits and motivation have been high since the Noosa Bolt - I'm really fired up to race it one day and give it a red hot go!!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Another tready session in the bank
40 mins, 8k's @ 5:10 mins/km
Another easy paced hitout at fitness first this morning at about 11.3 kms/hr. Little discomfort in the shins and next week I'll be gradually working the tready speed up to 12kms/hr. When I've run discomfort free for a few weeks, I'll slowly ease the tready speed up a little faster than 12kms/hr.
Tuesday night poker was an interesting experience. As far as the Broncos Leagues Club was concerned we were playing for chips, with no money exhanging hands. In actuality, all seven blokes had kicked in $10, with the winner to take all. I was the third man to run out of chips after a run of bad hands depleted my stakes as the big blind bets continued to increase. Prior to that however, I had played good solid poker and was happy with my performance. I might have to enter a poker tournament at the Casino one day!!
Something else I'll have to do one day is run the PWC Cool Night Classic of 5.13k from the QUT amphitheatre over the Goodwill and Story Bridges, finishing under Michael's. I wathced it for the first time with MJ last night and was really surprised with the large corporate turnout that saw around 3000 competitors - perhaps more. It's moment's like those that I get frustrated knowing that I could be running and finishing in the top twenty.
Another easy paced hitout at fitness first this morning at about 11.3 kms/hr. Little discomfort in the shins and next week I'll be gradually working the tready speed up to 12kms/hr. When I've run discomfort free for a few weeks, I'll slowly ease the tready speed up a little faster than 12kms/hr.
Tuesday night poker was an interesting experience. As far as the Broncos Leagues Club was concerned we were playing for chips, with no money exhanging hands. In actuality, all seven blokes had kicked in $10, with the winner to take all. I was the third man to run out of chips after a run of bad hands depleted my stakes as the big blind bets continued to increase. Prior to that however, I had played good solid poker and was happy with my performance. I might have to enter a poker tournament at the Casino one day!!
Something else I'll have to do one day is run the PWC Cool Night Classic of 5.13k from the QUT amphitheatre over the Goodwill and Story Bridges, finishing under Michael's. I wathced it for the first time with MJ last night and was really surprised with the large corporate turnout that saw around 3000 competitors - perhaps more. It's moment's like those that I get frustrated knowing that I could be running and finishing in the top twenty.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Encouraging signs....
40 mins, 8km's @ 5:10 mins/km
Hit the tready at Fitness First at 8:30 on my way to work this AM. Wore a brand new pair of Brook's Glycerin 4's and I enjoyed a relatively discomfort free session of 4 x 10 mins with one minute walking recoveries. Its now lunchtime, and I'm here at my desk at work eating leftovers from last nights dinner of nachos and the shins have pulled up well so far.
I've read a lot of postitive reports from runners wearing Skins over the last six months or so. (Skins are body moulded compression garments manufactured from the finest Lycra and Meryl Microfibre, scientifically engineered to provide support and muscle alignment to the garment covered area of your body. Skins will definitely change the way that you train and play as well as speed your recovery. You will feel fresher after heavy bouts of exercise and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) will be minimised.) Non-runners may have noticed the likes of Steve Waugh and AFL players wearing these at training and for recoveries. After reading Tesso's blog this AM about how the Skins have proved beneficial for her, I've really decided to step up the research into their properties and benefits. I've still got $80 worth of gift vouchers left over from my birthday five months ago, so hopefully the skins might make a late birthday present(goes to show you how much I hate shopping!)
Off to the Broncos Leagues Club tonight to play Texas Hold Em poker for real money for the first time. I'm backing myself to maintain a good poker face and will be leaving the sunglasses at home!!
Hit the tready at Fitness First at 8:30 on my way to work this AM. Wore a brand new pair of Brook's Glycerin 4's and I enjoyed a relatively discomfort free session of 4 x 10 mins with one minute walking recoveries. Its now lunchtime, and I'm here at my desk at work eating leftovers from last nights dinner of nachos and the shins have pulled up well so far.
I've read a lot of postitive reports from runners wearing Skins over the last six months or so. (Skins are body moulded compression garments manufactured from the finest Lycra and Meryl Microfibre, scientifically engineered to provide support and muscle alignment to the garment covered area of your body. Skins will definitely change the way that you train and play as well as speed your recovery. You will feel fresher after heavy bouts of exercise and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) will be minimised.) Non-runners may have noticed the likes of Steve Waugh and AFL players wearing these at training and for recoveries. After reading Tesso's blog this AM about how the Skins have proved beneficial for her, I've really decided to step up the research into their properties and benefits. I've still got $80 worth of gift vouchers left over from my birthday five months ago, so hopefully the skins might make a late birthday present(goes to show you how much I hate shopping!)
Off to the Broncos Leagues Club tonight to play Texas Hold Em poker for real money for the first time. I'm backing myself to maintain a good poker face and will be leaving the sunglasses at home!!
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Fab weekend at Noosa!
40 mins, 8k's @ 5:10 mins/km
Had a fabulous weekend in Noosa for the Triathlon. I left work early on Saturday and MJ and I headed up on the stroke of noon in order to make it to the Sheraton before the roads closed for the events. After checking in, MJ and headed to the Resort gym. After five minutes on the tready, I realised that I had forgotten to tape my ankles, but thought to myself "aaah - lets see how they go". There was a little discomfort whilst on the tready and some discomfort after cooling down, but nothing major. This time, I ran for 10 minute intervals alternating with a one minute work. Didn't come close to falling off the tready this time, but was again dizzy after getting off.
At 5pm MJ and I left the Resort and walked down to the start of the Noosa 5k Bolt, barely 100m away. There, I obtained my media accrediatation and met up with Run For Your Life publisher, Daniel Green for the first time. The media pass was awesome and enabled Greeny and I to venture onto the middle of the road and watch the warm ups and race from the traffic island just a few metres shy of the Start-Finish. Run under lights for the first time, in cool conditions at 6:30pm, the Bolt was a thriller with Marty Dent holding off Olympian Peter Nowill by one second and Sarah Jamieson winning the women's. I was busy taking splits during the race and jotting down shorthand comments of my observations. Greeny and I then proceeded to interview the likes of Mona, Troopy, Westcott and McCann to go with the aforementioned placegetters. It was a great experience getting an insight into the thoughts of the elites and I also managed to thank Mona personally for the 30th Birthday email he sent me! Wrapped up the proceedings having a long chat with Greeny about our ideas for the mag and its future direction.
Then it was back to the Resort for a quick shower before I took MJ to Berardo's for dinner. I've never dined under a Michelin starred chef before, so I thought it would be good to have a new experience. Boy, was the food good!! I ordered an appetiser of Grilled Pork Belly, Roasted Chilli, Peanut Dressing & Fresh Pomelo, before MJ and I both ordered a main of Flinders Island Milk Fed Lamb, Fillet, Leg & Crepinette, Confit Vegetables, Parsley Coulis. This we washed down with a bottle of 2001 Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Cab Sav which had just reached peak maturity. The phrase "this melts in your mouth" is an overused one but I can assure you that it couldn't be more appropriate for the divine meal we had. The restaurant itself was comfortable and relaxed. Naturally, it was pricey, but for a rare treat, you'd be hard pressed to find a better dining experience.
The next morning started early when I dragged myself out of bed at 5am to watch the Kangaroos account for the Poms before MJ and I headed to the Intraining tent to watch the Noosa Tri. There we cheered on our team mates and friends as well as my brother Adam, who's team managed a 70th placing from 853 finishers. Conditions were equally tough as last year with intermittent heavy rain and warm, humid sunshine testing the competitors. Noosa does itself proud on a weekend like this - it was just a great time!!!
Had a fabulous weekend in Noosa for the Triathlon. I left work early on Saturday and MJ and I headed up on the stroke of noon in order to make it to the Sheraton before the roads closed for the events. After checking in, MJ and headed to the Resort gym. After five minutes on the tready, I realised that I had forgotten to tape my ankles, but thought to myself "aaah - lets see how they go". There was a little discomfort whilst on the tready and some discomfort after cooling down, but nothing major. This time, I ran for 10 minute intervals alternating with a one minute work. Didn't come close to falling off the tready this time, but was again dizzy after getting off.
At 5pm MJ and I left the Resort and walked down to the start of the Noosa 5k Bolt, barely 100m away. There, I obtained my media accrediatation and met up with Run For Your Life publisher, Daniel Green for the first time. The media pass was awesome and enabled Greeny and I to venture onto the middle of the road and watch the warm ups and race from the traffic island just a few metres shy of the Start-Finish. Run under lights for the first time, in cool conditions at 6:30pm, the Bolt was a thriller with Marty Dent holding off Olympian Peter Nowill by one second and Sarah Jamieson winning the women's. I was busy taking splits during the race and jotting down shorthand comments of my observations. Greeny and I then proceeded to interview the likes of Mona, Troopy, Westcott and McCann to go with the aforementioned placegetters. It was a great experience getting an insight into the thoughts of the elites and I also managed to thank Mona personally for the 30th Birthday email he sent me! Wrapped up the proceedings having a long chat with Greeny about our ideas for the mag and its future direction.
Then it was back to the Resort for a quick shower before I took MJ to Berardo's for dinner. I've never dined under a Michelin starred chef before, so I thought it would be good to have a new experience. Boy, was the food good!! I ordered an appetiser of Grilled Pork Belly, Roasted Chilli, Peanut Dressing & Fresh Pomelo, before MJ and I both ordered a main of Flinders Island Milk Fed Lamb, Fillet, Leg & Crepinette, Confit Vegetables, Parsley Coulis. This we washed down with a bottle of 2001 Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Cab Sav which had just reached peak maturity. The phrase "this melts in your mouth" is an overused one but I can assure you that it couldn't be more appropriate for the divine meal we had. The restaurant itself was comfortable and relaxed. Naturally, it was pricey, but for a rare treat, you'd be hard pressed to find a better dining experience.
The next morning started early when I dragged myself out of bed at 5am to watch the Kangaroos account for the Poms before MJ and I headed to the Intraining tent to watch the Noosa Tri. There we cheered on our team mates and friends as well as my brother Adam, who's team managed a 70th placing from 853 finishers. Conditions were equally tough as last year with intermittent heavy rain and warm, humid sunshine testing the competitors. Noosa does itself proud on a weekend like this - it was just a great time!!!
Friday, November 04, 2005
Comeback # 8 - Hitting the treadmill
40 mins - 8k's at 5:20 mins/km with 1 min Walking Recoveries
With the shin splint battle about to tick over into the eleventh month, I today entered the Brave New World of treadmill running. MJ and I went down to Fitness First at Lutwyche this morning and hit the treadys together. Believe it or not, this was the first time I've ever been on a treadmill for more than two minutes and it showed as I twice nearly fell off after losing concentration once and making the mistake of looking over my shoulder on another occasion. Apart from that hiccup, everything went smoothly as I eased into my new running surroundings carefully alternating five minutes of running with one minute walking recoveries. A little bit embarrasing, really, but if its good enough for Lee Troop and Susie Power, its good enough for Matty. Pulled up well, apart from having dizziness and vertigo after hopping off the tready.
Whether I continue to attend Fitness First beyond the two week starter package period remains to be seen. Today, they offered me a package with a $45 joining fee, $60 admin fee, and $46 a fortnight. At more than $92 a month, this is well over the $59 a month that MJ has been paying there for a few years. Needless to say, there'll be a lot of negotiating ahead to lower that price as I won't be taking it. I'm considering coming up with my own offer and tabling it to the manager. If anyone has any good suggestions for negotiating lower membership fees with gyms, i'd love to hear from them!!
With the shin splint battle about to tick over into the eleventh month, I today entered the Brave New World of treadmill running. MJ and I went down to Fitness First at Lutwyche this morning and hit the treadys together. Believe it or not, this was the first time I've ever been on a treadmill for more than two minutes and it showed as I twice nearly fell off after losing concentration once and making the mistake of looking over my shoulder on another occasion. Apart from that hiccup, everything went smoothly as I eased into my new running surroundings carefully alternating five minutes of running with one minute walking recoveries. A little bit embarrasing, really, but if its good enough for Lee Troop and Susie Power, its good enough for Matty. Pulled up well, apart from having dizziness and vertigo after hopping off the tready.
Whether I continue to attend Fitness First beyond the two week starter package period remains to be seen. Today, they offered me a package with a $45 joining fee, $60 admin fee, and $46 a fortnight. At more than $92 a month, this is well over the $59 a month that MJ has been paying there for a few years. Needless to say, there'll be a lot of negotiating ahead to lower that price as I won't be taking it. I'm considering coming up with my own offer and tabling it to the manager. If anyone has any good suggestions for negotiating lower membership fees with gyms, i'd love to hear from them!!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
God, I love cricket.....
Today was my last run free day, before I hit the treadmills tomorrow with a Fitness First "Starter Pack" giving me two weeks membership for $29. We'll see how things go from there.
Today was also the day I renewed my intimate friendship with Mr XXXX after a 31 day stint on the wagon. Shortly after 10am and shortly before Matty Hayden took strike for the first ball of the Australian cricket summer, I enjoyed a long awaited sip of that tasty amber fluid. "Aaaah - life is indeed good." You'll treasure that first sip of red when you hop off the wagon also, Clairie ;-)
I enjoyed a great day at the cricket with Adam and later joined my old mates Dan, Jimmy and .05 at another section of the ground and things got decidedly rowdier when I joined them!! All in all, it was a day at the cricket, the way it is supposed to be enjoyed.
I then sobered up enough by in time for Langy to pick MJ and I up before we went out to the University of Qld for the Simon Doyle 1500m Classic on the track. I'll be filing a race report for R4YL mag on the event, so I was busy clocking splits and interviewing the respective race winners, Youcef Abdi and Emma Rilan. I arranged for Langy and my photographers, Tesso and Clairie, to join me inside the track for the proceedings. We and our team mates in the grandstand all enjoyed the opportunity to witness the elites up close and gees, they were flying tonight. It was a jolting reminder that I'm a long way off ever doing a sub 4:15 1500, let alone a sub 4!! I'll stick to having a crack at a low 15mins for the 5k, thanks!!
Today was also the day I renewed my intimate friendship with Mr XXXX after a 31 day stint on the wagon. Shortly after 10am and shortly before Matty Hayden took strike for the first ball of the Australian cricket summer, I enjoyed a long awaited sip of that tasty amber fluid. "Aaaah - life is indeed good." You'll treasure that first sip of red when you hop off the wagon also, Clairie ;-)
I enjoyed a great day at the cricket with Adam and later joined my old mates Dan, Jimmy and .05 at another section of the ground and things got decidedly rowdier when I joined them!! All in all, it was a day at the cricket, the way it is supposed to be enjoyed.
I then sobered up enough by in time for Langy to pick MJ and I up before we went out to the University of Qld for the Simon Doyle 1500m Classic on the track. I'll be filing a race report for R4YL mag on the event, so I was busy clocking splits and interviewing the respective race winners, Youcef Abdi and Emma Rilan. I arranged for Langy and my photographers, Tesso and Clairie, to join me inside the track for the proceedings. We and our team mates in the grandstand all enjoyed the opportunity to witness the elites up close and gees, they were flying tonight. It was a jolting reminder that I'm a long way off ever doing a sub 4:15 1500, let alone a sub 4!! I'll stick to having a crack at a low 15mins for the 5k, thanks!!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Resting up.....
Missed this morning's Pat Carroll Running Group 3kTT. I've decided to let my shins recover as much as they can before I commence comeback #8, on the treadmill, this Friday. I feel that its best that I commence a radically new form of training unecumbered by the niggling shin discomfort that has been bothering me the last two weeks.
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