Fat to Thin

Story of my Life

2011-08-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided to ride home from work and as always I made pretty much every mistake that you could make.

It started out as a crazy idea I had a little while ago. I use to ride to work all the time and got pretty good at it but change of work venue change of workplace plus my fitness levels are not what they were. Add into that my accident and I was very scared about my first commute home but knew I just had to get other all that stuff and just DO it.

So I court the train to work with my bike yesterday morning and then headed out at 3:30 for the expected ride home of about 29K and about 90 minute ride. There are to rules when commuting;

1)Carry as little as possible.
2)Dress in layers

Both rules seem easy enough to follow but you sort of forget these things as time passes. As always the first commute is not your best I took way to much stuff to work and then insisted on lugging it all home on my back rather than leaving it there for me to collect the next day. So I was overladen from the start which was not a good move. It makes it a lot harder to get out of the saddle (something I am not good at at the moment to begin with). So mistake one, second and probably the worst one considering the weather I we had yesterday. Dress in layers is something that should be employed by most people in there day to day lives it really can save you in all sorts of situations. I have learnt this many times over my life with travel, bush walking, running, cycling and triathlon. So you think it would of stuck but unfortunately it looks like I will need to learn this lesson all over again. I put on one pair of shorts and one shirt. Considering the weather I am lucky not to be ill right about now. I hand in my trip home sun, rain, clouds, heavy winds and then more sun. I did pack a spray jacket but for got this till I got home still it is hard to stop in the pouring rain to dress so will need to raid my bike clothes and see what I can come up with for future rides.

The First Leg

Anyway so I headed out from work unprepared and not in the best frame of mind as I have not ridden in heavy traffic for a very long time. I knew the first part of the trip along Henry Lawson Drive would be fine I have ridden it many times and for the most part there is a bike path I can follow so traffic would not be an issue. This really was the most enjoyable part of the trip. Its quite nice riding along the Georges river near the end there (if you look past all the rubbish that people dump). Even stopped and got a pic of Lady (my bike) on the waters edge always nice to get a photo op in. Plus was good just to have a little break. I felt strong through here and was looking to the next stage of the journey with only a little dread.

The Dreaded

Next was the M5 I knew it was basically flat and that the bumps that people call hills on here were not going to be an issue. What scared me was the thought of cars flying past me a 110k an hour and some of those people just cannot drive. I drive this road every day and am very aware of the idiots that are on it still I was determined to make it so of I went. DAMN it really is a long way yes its basically flat and yes three years ago it would have been a breeze unfortunately its not three years ago and I am not the rider I was three years ago. This was a huge slog and I was so glad when I got to the Brooks Road turn of as I new home was now 9k away.

Home Stretch

The last leg was from the Brooks Road turn of then into Ingleburn and then onto Minto and then home. I knew it was only 9k but that still didn't make it any easier. Really the bumps were becoming hills and on their way to mountains (I have ridden mountains before so I know the difference). Still this part wasn't as bad as I thought but must admit the closer I got to home the harder it got. Unfortunately I had gravely underestimated the distance so it ended up being 36.5k not the expected 29k. Plus I have been very proud to say that I have never in my life gotten of a bike to walk up a hill. This can no longer be said still I made it home so need to focus on the positive. If there is one it would be that I get to do it all again on Thursday (YEAH).

Special Mention

Ok I need to make a few firstly;

1)To the Honda CRV who stopped in the brake down lane on the M5 in the worst spot ever thank you. Thank you for making me get of my bike and hope the guard rail and then proceed to crawl through the bush to get past you as I was not going to pass you on the road side. Special thank you to the kid that hung out the window to laugh at me as I crawled past really made my day.
2)To the two cars who on two separate feed in lanes actually stopped and waved my past so I would be stuck there all day waiting for a break in traffic to get past.
3)To the guy that leaned out of his car window to yell at me “come'on don't let it beat ya” as I climbed the last hill of the ride. You got me up that hill buddy so thank you (actually that's what I head him say but in reality it's who knows still it did the trick :).

First thing to relearn

I MUST relearn how to do a track stand, yes I know the hours I put into it last time and yes understand that it sucks that I lost the skill but when riding long distance with clip in shoes its a must on a bike. I must of spent a good 15 minutes on the ride home waiting for a break in the traffic when I really shouldn't have. There were plenty of opportunities to go but just couldn't as I knew my take of speed is just not what it should be.

Take aways

One thing I took away from the ride was just home much confidence I have lost in my riding ability and also my ability to read traffic. This is a serious issue if I am going to keep this up. When riding in traffic you need confidence in yourself and your abilities but also you need confidence to read what's going on around you. I use to ride in some very very heavy traffic and it never bothered me as I was just use to it. Being one with your bike and your surroundings may sound stupid but is vital if you are going to spend any length of time in heavy traffic.

Sum up

Anyway time to sum it all up, first I'm glad I got this one out of the way. The next will be much easier and things will improve from there. So yes there will be another commute on Thursday and hopefully all will be well. Already I can tell that I am much better prepared so here's hoping it all works out.

Total Ride Time: 2:02:146
Total Distance: 36.5
Average Speed: 17.8
Kilometres YTD: 245.6 (I know what your thinking that's just a normal weeks ride distance for me but seriously I'll pick it up and will try to get over 5000K before the end of the year)!!

So ya

2010-10-04T02:44:00.000-07:00

Well the gym is a no go, they just want to much money so have decided to train from home. By the time I buy a exercise bike and a few other things still want add up to half of what the gym wanted for just one year so works out better in the long run. Plus also sort of half injuryed myself at work on friday night so want be able to train to hard for a little while so only went for a short walk today but hopefully I'll be back to normal in a short while.

JC

"....we came in?"

2010-09-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Well went down to join the gym today and WOW it's so cool has an awesome cycle class room and boxing class facilities, so can't wait to start back at training again. Has been way to long since I have done any serious training so really looking forward to it. Unfortunately I wont have my first class until Friday morning as I have to wait for the new month to join no point paying for a whole month for 3 days so A little delay but one I can live with.

JC

Not Another Post

2010-09-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

Wow well I have been inspired to blog again after all this time, my old blog was a journal of my training and since I am starting back up at the gym I thought it would be a good idea to blog about it to try and keep my motivation up.

So many things have changed in my life in the last two years I don't even know where to begin. So I wont this blog will have to post updates as I go.

Anyway will post again soon.

The Weekend

2008-06-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well I made it and here for another post which is a little exciting. I managed to drag myself out the door on Sunday morning as well and went for my 5k run, the first one on my 6 week program leading up to C2S. Was very nice to get the first run out of the way but really was a little worried at how slow I was but hopefully things will improve quickly. 5k in 36:10 not my slowest time but nowhere near my best anyway I new I would be slow and I new it was going to be hard but at least I was out there. It really was a very cold morning so was actually a little happy that I got out the door at all. Other than that I rode to work today which was the first time since I got this really bad cold so was happy to just be out there this was my second trip to work on the new commuter bike and there’s still a few things I would like to change. So will probably look into that on the weekend. Other than that I have a 3k run tonight after my ride home so hopefully I’ll make that one as well.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
7K PB: 48:20
10K PB: 70:39

Run YTD: 14K (was out last time) Bike YTD: 1726K

It's About Time

2008-06-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a year since I have posted so better catch everyone up on what's been going on, which is a lot. The biggest thing that has happened to me since I last posted would be the birth of my son “Thomas Jacob Clark”. I’ll post pictures soon. He’s now 5 months old and has completely taking over our lives but we love him all the same. My running has basically been no issue for well over a year, as I have been riding to and from work every day which doesn’t leave much time for running. However some friends have once again roped me into the C2S this year so with 6 weeks to go I’m starting my training (yeah I know) but here’s hoping I can pull it off. Also I have the Gong ride in November that will be another big completion with me and my mates (last man over the line has his legs shaved) so that will not be me I can guarantee it. So since my life will once again filled with training I thought it would be a good idea to log all the details on here. Unfortunately I have been sick the last 2 weeks so nothing really to blog about at the moment but I’ll post my totals so far for the year.

Run YTD: 12K (yes that is correct)
Bike YTD: 1690K (Yes that is correct ;)

Okay program starts on the weekend so will post up the results on Monday.

100th Post

2007-07-31T20:43:00.000-07:00

Wow 100 posts didn’t think I had it in me but there you go I have done it feels like an achievement in itself.

Did a 42K ride this morning had a little bit of the freak out on Sunday night cause I realised that Tri season is here again and my first Tri is now only 11.5 weeks away so yes will once again need to step up to two training sessions a day but hopefully everything will work itself out. Went up the M2 with Pebbles this morning was a nice ride but our lights went out at about 5:50 and we still had about 20 minutes of darkness so was a little scary there for a bit but we survived. All in all it was 42K in 1:46:54 so quite a bit faster than what I was 6 months ago and since I haven’t been on a bike for a while I was quite happy with that effort.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
7K PB: 48:20
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 8
Week: 8
Month: 55
Year to Date: 296
Life to Date: 681

Hot air for a cool breeze?

2007-07-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

Did my long run yesterday in the streets around my house because of the Bay run being on didn’t want to face the crowds that would have been at the bay. On the plus side I did do the planned 60 minutes on some pretty serious hills so that is going to help come C2S time. Which I realised this morning is now less than two weeks away so really not as prepared as I would like to be but still I know I’ll be in for at least a twenty minute PB if I just run the whole way at my slowest pace so far. So it’s going to be a good day either way.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
7K PB: 48:20
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 8
Week: 8
Month: 55
Year to Date: 296
Life to Date: 681

Cold comfort for change?

2007-07-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

Sundays run was the first really hard run I have had in a while but mostly I think I can put it down to my shoes. Its time for a new pair and I have been a little cheap of late and have been trying to hold out till after the C2S but I can no longer wait that long so its of to the shops for me on the weekend. Other than the sore feet on Sunday it was a nice run I managed 12K before I had to pull out but I decided to run in the afternoon so it was a very nice time of the day but it was a little crowded at the bay but I managed to survive still have trouble maintaining an even pace my splits are all over the place but hopefully that will just come with time.

Ran to work this morning was a nice and easy 5K decided to take it easy cause I’m going to attempt to run home from work tomorrow so wasn’t trying to break any PB’s but ended up doing it anyway 5K in 36:10 which is my slowest 5K ever not sure if I should be proud of that but I am hopefully I’m finally learning that every time I run doesn’t need to be fastest than the last. I can just slow down and take it easy when I need too.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
7K PB: 48:20
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 5
Week: 12
Month: 41
Year to Date: 282
Life to Date: 667

And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

2007-07-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

Have been a little of this week after my long run on Sunday always happens when I fail to do a recovery jog on the Monday always throws me out. Funny how not running actually makes me worse of than running. So headed out last night for a nice and quick run down to Weight watches normally takes me around 20 minutes or so but last night went a little to hard (think I was trying to punish myself for missing the recovery jog on Monday so ended up walking the last 1K so only ended up doing 2.15K in 15 minutes (I did the 150 meters that I missed on Sunday to even out my numbers).

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
7K PB: 48:20
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 2.15
Week: 19
Month: 19
Year to Date: 260
Life to Date: 645

How I wish, how I wish you were here.

2007-07-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

Wow will ran longer and further than I ever have before and damn am I tired.

Headed out to the bay yesterday morning and arrived at just on 5:20, I had realised half way there that I had left my breakfast at home back decided to forget about it and just focus on the run. Was planning on making my first attempt at a 2 hour run and was meeting a friend who would join me for the second lap and hopefully carry me across the last 15 minutes. Headed out at a nice easy pace for me 7:30min/k and was going strong and even averaging 7:10min/k I added in the canal in the first loop as my friend only wanted to do 7K unfortunately at the 5K marker near all that loose gravel I did not see a small rock on the path and ended up flat on my face with gravel imbedded in my hands and a perfect key shaped bruise on my right hip (had my card key in my pocket). Luckily no one was around so just got up dusted myself off and keep running made it back to the start and meet up with CR Pebbles and we headed of for the second lap. Now Pebbles is a little faster than me so I got a little scared when I saw our first K time was 6:30 but decided to just stick as close as I could and see what happens. So I managed to hold on and we averaged under 7min/k for the rest of the run and ended up doing my fastest loop of the bay ever so was pretty happy about that. All in all ended up doing 16.85K in 2:00:04 (unfortunately I didn’t look at the distance until it was to late otherwise I would of finished of the last 150 meters to hit the 17K marker. Splits follow

7:21
7:21
7:17
6:54
7:00
7:33
7:22
7:02
8:12(Effects of the fall I think)
6:30(Joined my friend here)
6:35
6:49
6:50
7:00
7:02
7:24
5:43(last 850m)

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
7K PB: 48:20
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 16.85
Week: 16.85
Month: 16.85
Year to Date: 257.85
Life to Date: 642.85

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,

2007-06-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

Well am once again guilty of being a bad blogger but hopefully I can pick things up again. Have no idea what I have missed but there isn’t really that much to catch up on since I have been a bad runner of late as well hopefully things will improve once the weather gets a little warmer.

Had my long run on Sunday had 2 hours on the program but ended up only doing 1 hour as I ran out of time. Went to the bay and ended up doing 8K in 60 minutes was a great morning with only a little bit of rain but was actually warmer at 5am than it was at 8:30 the same day. I was the first car at the bay so was a little excited when I realised I must of the been the first person out of bed for the run but that quickly went away.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 8
Week: 8
Month: 66
Year to Date: 233
Life to Date: 618

Running over the same old ground.

2007-06-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well I covered my 600th Kilometre last night in 6:34 and it felt great to be out there in the dark running along the streets near my house. Was really surprised with how well I was running coming of a 14K long run on Sunday (my longest in about 3 months). Ended up doing 7K in 49:53 which is really close to my PB Felt really strong in the legs last night which is strange for me normally feel all over the shop. I have hills on Thursday and hopefully I’ll be able to get out in the morning and have a good run but will probably end up going in the afternoon as it’s just a little to cold at the moment to run in the mornings.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 7
Week: 24
Month: 48
Year to Date: 215
Life to Date: 600

What have we found? The same old fears.

2007-06-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Well I had a great run on Sunday managed 1:45 minutes on Sunday afternoon and at just over 14K was very happy with myself have been slowing trying to increase my Sunday long run and this Sunday coming is my first attempt a running straight for 2 hours so hopefully everything will go well. It turned out well in the end on Sunday because I had skipped my 7K run the day before as I just couldn’t face the rain and I had decided to do both my 7K and the 5K that was planned for the Sunday together but ended up going for longer anyway. Really enjoyed being out there with the Sunday out had been a little while since I had seen it so enjoyed it while I could. Hopefully the rest of the week goes well and so to for the weekend. Only 3 weeks left to the next 5K challenge and am really looking forward to go faster than ever before. Also ended up doing a 3K recovery run on Monday morning just around my parents house but was a little funny even though I lived there for 24 years I got a little lost around the streets as it’s been a while since I have walked those streets but managed to get home without to much trouble.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 3
Week: 14
Month: 41
Year to Date: 208
Life to Date: 593

Wish you were here.

2007-06-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

Well June is becoming my favourite month of the year, have already covered more ground in 5 days than I did in the whole month of May but I think I just need to let that go and put it behind me okay moving on.

Tuesday: failed to get up in time for a run so had to head out last night for a nice and easy 5K. Was very enjoyable being out there after dark gives me a great feeling that I can’t explain only problem is everyone seems to be cooking at that time so am always starving by the time I get home.

Wednesday: Managed to drag myself out of bed this morning with just a little help from a friend. Was a fantastic run this morning was some cold and dark when I left but it was a surreal experience because for the first 30 minutes or so I didn’t see another person at all. I normally see someone either going to work or maybe some times another runner but for some reason the world was empty. Also I miscounted the splits from buddy so I ended up running up and down my street for ages trying to get him to click over to 7K but after the second lap I looked down and I had already covered 7.5K. I realised later that I had countered the 4K twice so I was only 1K behind not to bad.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 7.5
Week: 17
Month: 24
Year to Date: 191
Life to Date: 576

Back in the Action

2007-06-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well June has gotten of to a better start as I have run the last 3 days so after tomorrows run I actually would off already covered more ground than I did in the whole month of May. So things are hopefully looking up also I ran 2K in 11:39 on Saturday which is the first time I have ever gone under 12 minutes for 2K so very happy with that. For Sundays run I decided to run through the bush near my parents house which was a really nice run and a bit of a challenge as it’s got some rough bush down there so I ended up doing 10min/K for a bit there as I had to walk some of the downhills as it was just to dangerous to run it.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 4.5
Week: 4.5
Month: 11.5
Year to Date: 178.5
Life to Date: 563.5

June

2007-05-31T15:40:00.000-07:00

Okay I am hoping to restart my training in full again this month only managed 4 runs in the month of May, so just going to put that out of my mind and focus on the future.

Ran to work this morning from Concord (wife’s work) was a nice easy 4K although I couldn’t find my camelpak last night so just ran with a normal backpack and not a good option was just too heavy but managed to survive. Going for a ride tomorrow for the first time in who knows how long can’t even remember and then I have my long run on Sunday so hopefully I’m back on track in running and in blogging.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 4
Week: 3
Month: 4
Year to Date: 171
Life to Date: 556

Breathing

2007-05-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Have been having a little trouble with my breathing of late so decided last night that it would be the focus of my run so I stuck Buddy in my pocket for the whole run. I have a tendency to look at the pace, time and distance every minute or so instead of just running. So I just set the goal of 7K in 56 minutes which should be very easy for me and just headed out the door. For the whole run I just focused on keeping my pace steady and my breathing nice and even I sometimes hold my breath if I’m trying to pick my pace up which is not a good idea. Felt really good in the legs last night and added to that the focus on the breathing which really helped a lot was a very enjoyable run. Pulled up at the end and I had done 7K in 50 minutes which is not a bad time for me. Going to have a crack at my 1K PB tonight so hopefully I can shave a few seconds of my old PB.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 7
Week: 7
Month: 7
Year to Date: 153
Life to Date: 538

5K PB

2007-04-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

Well I was one of the few that turned up to the 5K challenge on Saturday morning the rain must of kept the rest away but it was still a great morning for a run. The light rain was a little blessing because I don’t do well in the heat plus was feeling strong from Thursday nights run so everything was set for a good run. I was the first to head up but didn’t mind being the Hair. Ended up with a PB which was a little surprising as I really struggled over the line and only really managed to shuffle the last 200 meters or so but luckily I had done enough for a 29:15 which was a good feeling. Then jogged the short way home for a change of scenery so ended up doing 9K all up which wasn’t too bad.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:15
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 4
Week: 0
Month: 33
Year to Date: 146
Life to Date: 531

On my way to a PB

2007-04-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

Wednesday
Did my 5K run from Tuesday in the afternoon as I was scared of the rain on Tuesday and elected not to venture out in it. Felt good to be out on Wednesday afternoon finished the 5K in a nice and tidy 34 minutes.

Thursday
I had 7K on the program and I wanted to take it easy as I have the 5K race on Saturday so I decided to run 8 min/k but I forgot when I got home that I had any training so sat down for dinner and then to watch TV finally remembered about 7pm that I was suppose to go for a run. So upstairs to get changed then out the door finally about 7:30 did 7K in 50 minutes so a little quicker than I wanted to but couldn’t really run it any slower felt really good out there the best I have in a long time. So hopefully it’s a good sign looking for a good time tomorrow hopefully I can pull something special out of the hat.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:55
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 7
Week: 18
Month: 24
Year to Date: 137
Life to Date: 522

All over the place

2007-04-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

Well this have been a little crazy of late and I have no idea where the time has gone. So not going to be posting a update cause I have no idea what I have missed. I lost Buddy Junior for about a week so there was a few rides and run’s that have not been logged but I am back on track this week.

23 weeks to go to my Half Marathon so the training resumed on Sunday morning very glad to report I was out the door in the morning and feeling good in the legs. Have decided to run my easy runs at the 7/min pace as opposed to my normal 8/min pace as I think it will help with my overall finishing time. So did 6K on Sunday and averaged just under the 7/min pace without any problems so all is looking good. Unfortunately I failed to get out of bed this morning so I have 5K on the program this afternoon.

Also going to be doing the CR 5K challenge this Saturday morning hoping to pull a PB out of somewhere, would really like to go under 28 minutes but who knows.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:55
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 6
Week: 6
Month: 12
Year to Date: 125
Life to Date: 510

Life is Good.

2007-04-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Well not much running is going on but things are going good anyway. Had a very promising job interview this morning so hopefully things will work out there. Other than that the only training that has been happening is long rides 40K last Wednesday and then 40K this Tuesday morning. Both went well with no incidents or flat tyres which was a pleasant change also going again tomorrow morning so hopefully the luck continues. Also have my first run in ages this weekend as I slowly get into it ready to start my 23 week program leading up to the half marathon. Also have been looking into signing up for CanToo more on that later on in the week if I decide to do it.

PB

2007-03-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I decided that my 10K PB has stood for too long so decided to have a crack at it. Got up a 6:30 in the morning thanks to no more day light savings it felt like 7:30 and the sun was well up into the sky. Set buddy to run 10K in 80 minutes (my PB is 76) so I new I had to flog by a lot but I wanted to take the first 4K easy and didn’t want to get behind. So took of and by the 4K mark I was fully awake and feeling strong in the legs so started to pick up the pace had a few little problems along the way just have a look at the splits and I think you can tell where the hills were (I wasn’t running around the Bay). Pushed really hard at the end cause I had a chance of getting under 70 Minutes but was just to buggered and just scrapped in the other side with a 70:39. So was very happy with that as it’s almost 6 minutes (5:58 to be exact) of my previous PB so yes very happy.

It’s getting down to the business end of things here to as its 20 weeks till C2s and 26 weeks till my Half Marathon so it’s time to step up and start lifting the weekly mileage.

Splits
7:30
7:29
7:29
7:29
6:11
7:46
6:36
7:26
6:44
5:56

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:55
10K PB: 70:39

Last Run: 10
Week: 10
Month: 28
Year to Date: 113
Life to Date: 498

All Good

2007-03-22T19:08:00.001-07:00

Pebbles and I braved the dark this morning and headed out at 4:30 down the M2 from Lane Cove Road up to Sunny Holt Road and Back. Things were going great and I was maintaining a better pace today until we got to Sunny Holt Road then I had a flat tire. Luckily I had my spare Tube with me this time and managed to swap it out in less than 5 minutes. Unfortunately I failed to check the tire before putting the spare in 100 meters down the road and I had another flat and I had run out of spare tubes. Luckily Pebbles had a patch it on her so we managed to patch up the tube get it back in the tire and of we went. We had wasted a bit of time so we tried to pick up the pace a bit here ( well pebbles picked up the pace and I tried to keep up) but not meant to be and then low and behold Pebbles got a flat tire. So she waved me by as I tried to get ahead of her as she was going to change the tube and then catch up to me. Only got 5 minutes down the road and she had caught up. So the 50K which took 2 hours and 10 minutes to ride actually took 2 hours and 47 minutes to ride. Luckily we left early.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:55
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 4
Week: 4
Month: 18
Year to Date: 103
Life to Date: 488

TRI

2007-03-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Wow what an experience this by far is the hardest thing I have ever done so far with my new sporting life. Was very hard on me mentally yesterday with the rain but I just couldn’t stop smiling the whole way around.

Pre Race
My day started at 3:30 in the morning as I we had to leave the house by 4 to make it up to Newcastle. I jumped out of bed as I just couldn’t wait for the day to start had my Yogurt and Nutri-Grain for breakfast and then we were of. The excitement laster all the way to the edge of Newcastle until I realised that the rain I thought would go away in fact was not going to go anywhere. Started to worry here as I had no idea how my equipment would handle the rain as I had tested my clothes in the wet but only in 30oC heat so they dried pretty quick so wasn’t sure what would happen if they were constantly wet. Decided to put that behind me and just see what happens. So I picked up my registration pack and then dropped my bike if in the transition area. Then walked down to the beach to check out the swim leg and the route we had to take back to the transition as it was about 250 meters. Then I had my race briefing and then we were all headed down to the beach. Let me tell you I was a little scared by this stage once I got down to the beach and had the Swimming Cap on I realised that there was no escape I was really going to do this the nerves were amazing I was really scared but then I just focused on everything I had done in the last 9 weeks everything I had achieved and got myself into my racing mindset.

The Tri

Well how many things can go wrong on the day lets count. Firstly I had my Swimming cap on and my goggle’s on my head waiting to go into the water then with 10 seconds to go the guy called out goggle’s on I was alive at this stage with so many emotions everything was running through my head. This time last year I couldn’t even run 100 meters and here I was ready to go for a whole Tri what was I thinking. Then the lights went out. As I put my goggle’s on they were fogged up to the max so I could see anything I lifted them of my face and was trying to clean them as I didn’t want to pull them all the way off as they took to long to get on in the right position. I could hear the starter counting down so I was in a real hurry to get them cleared then bang off we go and as I raced into the water ready to attack the Tri I made my first mistake unfortunately I got a little excited and dived a little to early and came up with a mouthful of sand luckily nothing was hurt except my pride so I ran a little deeper into the water and we where off. Now we had to swim out and back twice and I had a little trouble on the direction I was going so I probably swam 600 to 700 meters instead of 500 but still I got out of the water in 14:30 which was 30 seconds in front of my goal so things where going well. Just jogged easily back to T1 so I could catch my breath as I had sallowed a little too much sea water. Changed my shirt and put my shoes on but because of the rain everything was wet so I was unable to dry myself properly and my stupid race number wasn’t staying on my shirt they really did give us the worst safety pins I have seen so far in any race. So it just kind of had it half sticking on as I took of on the bike.

Now the plan was to go easy for the first lap to get into it and then pick up for the last two. Unfortunately due to the wet conditions and the fact my back breaks weren’t working properly I decided in the interest of safety to take it easy for the whole bike leg and then really push the run. Half way around the bike leg I noticed my Watch wasn’t working so no longer had any idea of how I was going. The bike leg was a lot harder than I thought it would be as it was described as a flat course when in fact there wasn’t really a flat edge on the course. Also my mountain bike might have the heart of a Felt but she doesn’t ride like one so I felt slow and unsure over the whole ride leg. Looking for a new bike today as I’ll never ride that bike again just not built for the road. So pulled back into T2 a little sore and feeling like there wasn’t much left in the tank as the final hills really took it out of me. T2 was a lot faster for me as all I had to do was jump of the bike and go.

Took of for the run and 2 minutes into it I new it was going to be a bad run my shorts were drenched and they were starting to chafe but dug deep and tried to push on but by the 2K mark things weren’t going well so had to pull up and just coast in didn’t see the point in ripping my legs apart to cut a few minutes of the run. I was in no danger of winning so pulled up and put it down as I learning experience.

Crossing the finish line was an amazing experience it just felt so good to finish I was on top of the moon it didn’t matter what the time was or what place I came I had finished I had been challenged and I came out on top. Really was something to remember was just awesome.

Official Results
Swim: 16:25
Bike: 47:12
Run: 25:14
Total: 88:51

Not sure how I feel about those cause I know I came out of the water in 14:30 I remember looking at my watch I would admit to a small error but not 2 minutes. The bike leg also seems a bit slow but then again it was bad conditions. The run I fully believe because I really was buggered by that stage and with the chafing I really wasn’t up to running a fast time.

All in all it was a fantastic experience and I look forward to next year so I can smash it in under an hour hopefully but for now the focus is C2S then the Half Marathon in September those are the goals for this year so thanks to all for there encouragement I really wouldn’t of got over the line if it wasn’t for everyone’s advise and support.

Catch up

2007-03-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Well the weekend so a lot slower than the last couple as my training is starting to slow down. Did my old boxing training on Sunday for something different and was amazed at how easy it was 20 minutes skipping use to kill me but got through it well easier than I use to then 20 minutes of shadow boxing. Was a great feeling at the end and almost felt like my old fit self. Road to and from work on Monday which took longer than I thought it should but did have a lot of gear on the back of the bike plus there are a lot of hills between Revesby and Burwood. Then came this morning, my last run before the Tri and I decided that my 5K PB has stood for long enough so headed out to the bay and just decided to go for it and see how I went. There was also a little bit of theory behind this. See in races I also hold back to much and I don’t push myself had enough so I needed to remind myself of how far I can actually push myself. So set up Buddy Jnr to run 5k in 33:35 (my current PB) and set of. I felt great out there today really strong in the legs and the breathing was working so I new that a PB was possible. I decided to run the first 3K without looking to see how Buddy was going which I normally do every 5 seconds. At the 3K post I looked down expecting to see Buddy way out in front as I hadn’t felt I had gone fast enough as I was still feeling fresh was very surprised to see I was in fact 358 meters in front. So put the petal to the metal and took of for the last 2K. Powered through and crossed the line at 29:55 it’s only 5 seconds but still averaged under 6min/K was very happy with the result now BRING ON THE TRI.

5:43
5:51
6:06
6:06
6:08

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 23:47
5K PB: 29:55
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 5
Week: 5
Month: 12
Year to Date: 97
Life to Date: 482

Every Time I see this it makes me laugh

2007-03-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

“Sing us a song, you’re the piano man”

2007-03-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

Well things have been going okay since Sunday. I decided against better judgement to go for a run on Monday afternoon just to see how the leg felt. After 2K I had to pull up as although it didn’t hurt it just didn’t feel right. So just walked home and decided to leave it for the day.

Tuesday I road to work its 30K there and back so not to bad a ride and quite enjoyable (except for the bus that failed to indicate and cut across 3 lanes of traffic to try and run me over). Felt slow on the bike with the bags on the back but still covered the 15K both ways in less than 50 minutes. The leg felt good on the bike and I could ride with no problems so going to try another slow run this afternoon and see how it goes. Got swim training tomorrow morning which should prove no problems so hopefully I’ll be back on track by the weekend for my last long ride.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 2
Week: 2
Month: 7
Year to Date: 92
Life to Date: 477

“Sing us a song tonight”

2007-03-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

Well had an interesting weekend but not much training happened which was a bit of a shame. Did 5K on Saturday with Jill which flew by in 33:37 YES 2 seconds of my PB but hey was still a good run and nice to be out there with some company. Forgot Last Friday morning had a really good swim and managed 500 meters in 12:25 which is a great time for me and actually felt good in the water for the first time so was really pumped for the Tri then came Sunday. Had some friends over and I was sratching around in the garage and I cut my leg on the lawn mower not to deep but it is across my shin and my leg has some pretty serious bruising so hopefully everything will come good by the 18th.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 5
Week: 0
Month: 5
Year to Date: 90
Life to Date: 475

“Well, were all in the mood for a melody”

2007-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Went for my long ride yesterday morning and what a great ride free of any problems was really lovely riding along the M5 in the early hours of the morning.

Left the house at 4:30am and head of down the M5 with the intent of turning around at Brooks Rd at Ingleburn all up it the ride should be a bit over 40K. Was a nice morning and the rain held of which made it a magical morning. On these long rides I leave the Ipod at home deciding it’s probably best for safety reasons which gives one a good long time to contemplate certain aspects of your life. Had a good long think about certain things yesterday morning which is always good one of the things I really love about running is that you really get some good time to yourself to just work things out. Anyway reached Brooks Rd and made the turn for home got maybe 300m from where I got my flat and I found my bag that I had lost the week before it was trashed but managed to save my $10.00 everything else was trashed but still happy days. The rest of the ride flew by as I hit a big down hill section so I just pumped my legs and travelled along at 1:30min/k pace for about 10K before I hit the toll gates.

Finished doing exactly 40K in 1:40:27 so looking to better that on Sunday morning.

“And you’ve got us feelin alright”

2007-02-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well had an interesting weekend was all about running for a change. Went running with my new running buddy Jill on Saturday and Sunday and fun was had by all. Saturday was our normal weekly run which was just around my house we did 4.75K in 32 minutes (Jill has a faster pace per K than me so I have been using our runs as my speed sessions). Then on Sunday My Wife, Jill and I went out to lunch and then afterwards it was decided and we would go to the bay and try another run. Ended doing 4.25K in 27 minutes so was a little faster but by this stage her right calf was a little sore so we walked the rest of the way around and then had a good long stretch before the drive home.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 4.25
Week: 4.25
Month: 46.66
Year to Date: 85
Life to Date: 470

A Calamity of Errors

2007-02-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

Well as the heading says this morning was unbelievable can still not believe it have never had so many things go wrong.

I got up at 4:15 to go for my 60K bike ride and really all I wanted to do was go straight back to bed (a feeling I really should have listened to). Anyway was out the door by 4:30 and on my way. The plan was to ride up the M5 to Ingleburn and back from the street directory it looked about 30K one way so hoping that was the case. Well it wasn’t but the next exit was til Campbelltown so turned around anyway and headed for home at the 21K mark. Well 22.57K into the ride I rode over a huge nail and bang went my tire. Pulled over to the side of the road and reached under my seat for my Spare Tube and tools and the bag that was there in the morning when I left the house was no longer there. Was very upset by this stage was roughly 20K from home no spare tube no tool kit No Money (it was in the bag under the seat as well. Luckily the bag was jam packed so I had my phone on a pouch on my arm so called my father (it was about 5:50 by this stage as I had walked a bit down the highway looking for an emergency phone before I realised I had mine on my arm). Told Dad basically where I was but would call him back to confirm once I got of the M5 Thank God it was only another K to the next exit. When I got of the M5 tried to call my Dad only to find my phone was busted and just showed a pure white screen so luckily there was a Caltex Service Station just down the road got there but was no pay phone asked the Girl behind the counter if there was one near by but she let me use her phone to call Dad to tell him exactly where I was (Thanx Christine if you ever read this really did say my day). Then Dad finally arrived and we got the bike in the car and was heading for home through peak hour traffic on the M5 but her at least it was moving (crawling) got home and as we where taking the bike out of the car I realised that my water bottles had leaked all over mums car so don’t think she is going to be to happy.

Anyone else just would have had a flat fixed in 5 minutes and on there way but oh not me of cause not.

All in All it’s just Brick Training in the Wall.

2007-02-20T20:21:00.001-08:00

Had my Brick training last night and still struggle a little bit when doing this so glad I am that I was advised that I would need heaps of training before the race. Was busting to get out on the bike this week as I had a new pair of riding glasses to test out (surprising how much of a boost you get when you have new gear to test). Was a little scary cause when I got back the glasses where covered in all sorts of sh1t which probably use to get straight into my eyes so glad I got them. Ended up doing 15K in 47:31 not my fastest time but it was very windy last night so going to use that as an excuse. Then straight into my 2K run (still al I can manage after a 15K ride) managed to crawl around the 2K loop around my house in 15:25 which is my long run pace so not to slow but still slower than I would like on race day but then again all I am looking for is to finish just need to keep reminding myself. Well I have swimming tonight and then my long ride tomorrow morning (60K) so going to sleep well tomorrow night.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 2
Week: 2
Month: 37.16
Year to Date: 75.5
Life to Date: 460.5

Blogging On

2007-02-18T18:48:00.000-08:00

Friday

Had my speed session today and it was my first in a long time and my heart really wasn’t in it so didn’t go very well but it was a start and looking forward to the one next week even more really need to focus on getting a little speed.
Saturday

Went for a run with one of my wife’s dancing friends (we will call her Jill) as she is trying to tone up a little. Jill is not the fittest person I have ever meet but damn she can run FAST. Which is good in a way for me, I decided to just run for 2 minutes then walk for 2 minutes so as to not wear Jill out. All was going well and I was managing to keep up in the two minutes we were running unfortunately due to the speed session the day before my legs were a little dead but I managed to finish nice and strong in the end. By the tenth rep Jill was a little tired but still very fast.

Sunday

Was up really early for my Long ride this morning but after the last two days my legs had really had enough and my riding buddy had gone for a really long ride the day before so we decided to just do two trips around the Bay (including the extra doggy bit plus the big hill so Two loops worked out to be 20K which we finished in 59:59 just inside the 3min/k pace.

All in all it was a big week last week but it’s going to be bigger this week before I start to wind down for the upcoming Tri. Still only worried about the swim leg hope I can get enough training in before the 18th March I know I can swim the distance just hope it wont take 2 hours to get there.

Bad Blogger

2007-02-15T14:52:00.000-08:00

I have been a Bad Blogger this week so will have to update

Tuesday

Went for a swim in the morning and managed 500 meters in 14:30 which is a bit slow but here’s hoping I can get a little faster before the Tri. In the afternoon I went for a bike ride as my legs where still a little funny from Sundays run so decided to go for an easy 10K.

Wednesday and Thursday

Will have to report that training just went out the window as had some others things to deal with was a little annoying but am determined to finish strong for the week.

Friday

Went for what I thought would be about a 40K bike ride this morning but it ended up only being 22K (hard to judge the distances in the street directory). So am back to the drawing board for a good long ride around my house. I need a nice long loop because I find it really difficult to ride past my house and keep going.

Tonight I will hopefully be going for a 5K run (speed work) if I can motivate myself to get out the door. Shouldn’t be too hard as my legs are back to normal now (after last Sunday). I want to crack the 5min/Km barrier again tonight as it has been a while since I did it last and am hoping I didn’t in fact dream it last time.

“And as we wind on down the road”

2007-02-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

Well had one of the best training runs so far on Sunday I went to the Bay yesterday afternoon and was planning on running for as long a possible as I have been neglecting my running a little of late and I wanted to attempt two laps of the Bay for quite some time so yesterday was the day I was going to achieve this. 14K is 4K longer than I have ever run and also haven’t run more than 5-6K in a long time. So headed out nice and easy was aiming for a time of 1:52 which works out to be 8min/km which is my normal long run pace. After about the first 1 I was 150 meters in front of Buddy Jnr (virtual training on my Garmin) and was travelling to fast so pulled back a little bit and ran the next couple at the correct 8 minute pace but then it started to pick it up again so the 7th and 8th K were a lot faster than they where suppose to but was feeling on top of the world it was at this stage that I felt I could go forever and was contemplating going for one more lap but by the end of the 13th K that stupid thought had left my mind. Finished up doing 14K in 1:46:54 which was 5 minutes under my target time so was ecstatic with the result and still managed to sprint the last 50 meters or so but I was well and truly done by the end. Still amazingly enough the last K was my fastest will never understand that.

Splits

7:08
7:51
7:53
8:09
8:00
8:04
6:58
6:55
7:50
7:23
7:43
7:55
8:07
6:52
1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 14
Week: 14
Month: 28.16
Year to Date: 66.5
Life to Date: 451.5

“Our shadows taller than our souls”

2007-02-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Wow well what I never would of thought possible 7 months ago happened this morning not only did I rise at 4:30 this morning (with only 4.5 hours sleep) but then drove to Ryde and then went for a 50K bike ride. Was really awesome meet up with Pebbles from Cr and we went up the M2 for 25K then turned around and came back whole trip took 2:07:50 which is pretty damn fast (well for me anyway). Was really nice going along the M2 at 5 in the morning good view along the bike lane and wasn’t to busy on the M2 when we turned around a Sunny Holt Road to head back to Ryde it got a little busier but still not to bad and we had a dedicated Bike lane so wasn’t to worried. Pebbles got a flat about half way back so that slowed us down a little, so only managed to make work at 7:45 just enough time for a shower and then run upstairs. So all in all it was a good ride but when I got back realised that I’ll have to do it all again next week and that’s a little scary.

“There walks a lady we all know”

2007-02-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well the ankle is finally feeling good again went for a 3K easy run last night as I didn’t have time for a ride and ended up doing it in 20:37 which is a good time for me. Going to attempt a new 5K PB again next week hopefully everything will go smoothly this time. Really believe that I can get under 30 minutes for the 5K will just have to see how I go.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 3
Week: 8
Month: 9.66
Year to Date: 48
Life to Date: 433

“Who shines white light and wants to show”

2007-02-05T15:32:00.000-08:00

Well first run after the fall last night and it didn’t go to plan, wanted to do a nice easy 5K and after about 1K I could feel my ankle starting to strain a little. It didn’t hurt but it just didn’t feel right so moved onto the grass but still only managed another 0.5K so just decided it was best to stop completely and give it a couple more days before I try again.

Went for a swim this morning and did 400m in 9:17 exactly the same as last time but was a real eye opener as it was really hard and don’t think I could of made the whole 500m swim leg of the Tri which is only 40 days away so will really need to focus on swimming for the next couple of weeks as I am confident in the other events.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 1.5
Week: 1.5
Month: 3.16
Year to Date: 41.50
Life to Date: 426.5

“How everything still turns to gold”

2007-02-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Well Fridays run didn’t go according to plain firstly my wife who was suppose to join me for a run once again decided that sleep was more important and refused to get out of bed (mind you this is at 5:30 in the afternoon). So decided to run over to my parent’s house and as I wanted to attempt a new PB for 5K I had been pumping myself up all day telling myself over and over that I CAN do this. So set Buddy Junior to run 5K in 30 minutes and took of after my warm up. 1.66K into the run everything went wrong I was going really well I was going strong was 52 meters in front of Buddy and then came the pot hole. Down I went and man did it hurt at the time I thought I had done ligiment damage to my right ankle but upon later investigation in turned out to just be a slight sprain so decided to stay of it for a couple of days and not exercise. Easier said than done because by 5pm on Saturday I was busting to get out for a run but my Wife talked me out of it saying it’s better to be careful. So have been very bored the last couple of days but am pumped for with afternoon as I am going for a easy 5K jog just to test the leg out and see how it goes hopefully all is well and then it’s back into the training.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35 (STILL)
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 1.66
Week: 1.66
Month: 1.66
Year to Date: 40.00
Life to Date: 425

"And if you listen very hard"

2007-02-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

Decided to go for a bike ride last night rather than a run as it's a little easier on the legs and mine haven't been feeling that great over the last couple of days. Road to my parents house only to find they weren't at home so missed out on my rest stop and had to turn around and go home. ended up doing 13K in 42.10 average of 3:14min/Km which is pretty good considering the hills I had to climb. All in all it's been a funny week where I exercised everyday but have failed everyday to do what was actually on my program so will really need to get into it next week as there is only 44 days to go.

"The tune will come to you at last"

2007-01-31T15:47:00.000-08:00

Please see below the latest edition to my familiy I would like everyone to say a big hello to "Buddy Junior". We went for a first run together last night and I can say that it really is love at first run. What an absolute pleasure it was to be out there with a new running partner. Really enjoyed last nights run and am looking forward to this weekend more than ever.

"When all are one and one is all"

2007-01-31T14:06:00.000-08:00

“To be a rock and not to roll”

2007-01-31T13:53:00.000-08:00

Well lots to catch up on. Have been having a little trouble with my new outlook on life but things are getting better.

Tuesday I had a swim and a run on the program but failed to rise early enough in the morning so missed my swim and just ended up doing the 5K run but really my heart wasn’t in it and only managed to scrap together 4.35 in 36.56 my slowest pace EVER.

Wednesday was just suppose to be a 6K run but felt bad about missing my swim so decided to do my brick training and I ended up doing a 9K ride and 2K run felt good on the bike and am really starting to notice that it’s slowly getting easier.

Thursday I missed my swim again this morning as well which was very annoying because as I was pulling into the pools car park I realised I had left my work shoes at home so had to abandon the swim as I only had time to drive all the way home shower and then drive all the way back to work not happy.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 2.00
Week: 8.35
Month: 38.34
Year to Date: 38.34
Life to Date: 423.11

"Do or do not, the is no try" -Yoda.

2007-01-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

I have decided to adopt the above as my new outlook on life for to long I have been telling myself “I CAN’T” in many aspects of my life so it’s time for a change. I really noticed it on Australia day as I crossed the line. My mate was really pushing me to pick up the pace for the last 300 to 400 meters of the race but I keep saying that I couldn’t or I can’t but that’s not true. I crossed the line in fine form and 5 minutes after you couldn’t even tell I’d run a race. I held back to much I know I’m still new to racing so I still need a lot more experience. So it’s now time to focus on not only getting that experience but also putting it into practice. Just like the first time I ran 20 minutes no stop I had built myself up all day continually telling myself that I can do this, result I did. So from now on I need to have a better attitude to how I attack my training and my races I need to focus I what I have accomplished so far and also what I wont to achieve in the future. I never thought I would be able to lose my excess weight but so far have lost 12 kilos and only have 17 more to go and even that is falling faster than it was 3 months ago. 7 Months ago I could even run to the end of the street but now I can comfortably complete a 10K run and well under my first time. Anyway hopefully with this new more positive outlook I will start to believe not only what I have done but also what I am yet to achieve.

3.2K Race and a Bit Extra

2007-01-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

Well the Race is over and thank God I made the finish line that last hill just seemed to go forever.

Friday

Did the 3.2K fun run (love the name) at Menai and it was a really good day and I learnt a lot. Was a very tough course and glad for the experience. Thanks to Razor who paced me on the day was good to be out running with you again even though you were walking. Anyway things learnt on the day.

1) I can run faster than I think I can.
2) Need to love hills even more
3) Need to do longer warm up and cool downs for and event
4) Family is the best cheer squad
5) Need to work on my mental preparation a LOT more

So ended up crossing the line in 19:24 which I am looking forward to beating next year hope to see everyone else there as well.

Also on Friday afternoon my wife who has been talking about joining me for runs for the last 4 or 5 months finally decided to take the plunge. So we headed out the door at about 7:30 and went for a walk down to the local park to go for a jog. Unfortunately my wife was using brand new shoes (not known to me at the time) and had developed a blister before we even reached the park. So we just walked home and well the blister was about the size of a 50 cent piece so will be a while before we try that again.

Sunday

First Brick training session and glad that I have started it as I will need a lot more training in this area. Did 10K on the bike and then straight into the run but for the first 1K my legs felt like lead and I could barely move them struggled through but still only managed 2K in 15:38. So will need a few more session’s to get my legs use to running after riding so far.

Also I have let my running slip a little bit as I have been doing a lot of other training for the Tri so we need to refocus on running in the coming weeks as I want to finish strong in the Tri in March.
1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 2.01
Week: 2.01
Month: 31.99
Year to Date: 31.99
Life to Date: 416.76

Fish out of water even when I’m in the water

2007-01-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

Went for another swim on Tuesday morning and did 400m in 9:17 which was a little slower than last week but I kind of felt a little better in the pool but still am a little worried as I need a good 10 to 15 seconds between each lap to rest. Hopefully things will get easier. Other than that have a race on Friday 3.2K so looking forward to that aiming to finish in under 16 minutes so hopefully that’s achievable.

Bike Ride to Hell

2007-01-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

Went for a ride Very Early Sunday morning to try and avoid the heat so got to the bay at about 6 and headed out with a mate of mine. I had 21K on the program hoping to average 3 minute per K but my mate has no sense of direction and kept going up the canal part of the 7K loop so we ended up doing 28.5K in 1:24:10 which worked out to be 2:59 per K which was right on the money. Was very happy with the effort cause even after the long ride I wasn’t that tired and I know I could of gone a lot harder as I didn’t really push myself so hopefully will be able to do the 15K on race day as close to 37.5 minutes as possible 2.5 minute K’s.

Leave the Music at Home

2007-01-18T13:28:00.000-08:00

With last nights run decided to leave the Ipod at home and just run without looking at Buddy (Garmin) every second. Result I really enjoyed last nights run and just let my legs set the pace they where comfortable with. In the end I have discovered my basic pace is 8 minutes per K and without looking at Buddy that’s what I did 4: in 30:19 (Had a good solid burst of speed over the last 500 meters) so all in all it was a good run and without the music quite enjoyable. When I first started running I couldn’t get out the door without the Ipod but now it’s easily done which hopefully means I becoming a better runner well anyway can dream can’t I.

Swim this morning and felt good in the pool for the first time as in didn’t feel like I was drowning the whole time. Covered 400 meters in 8:54 struggled a bit at the end but was determined to finish in under the 9 minute make. So all good in the hood and looking forward to my 21K bike ride on Sunday which hopefully can be done in under 63 minutes

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 4.00
Week: 8.00
Month: 26.79
Year to Date: 26.79
Life to Date: 411.56

Run

2007-01-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

It felt good to be out on the road for a run last night as I have been doing a lot of cross training lately so it had been 4 days since my last run. This is the longest I have gone without a run for over 4 months so the feet were a little itchy so headed out for an easy 4K run. Have been having a little bit of trouble with my run’s of late as my slow easy pace is 7.5kph but have been struggling running at this pace as I now seem to want to run at 8.5kph which is awesome but I seem to hit the wall at about 2.5K to 3K. Not sure if I should just push through and keep up the faster pace and just slowly increase the distance I’m running or if I should pull back and increase distance at the slower pace.

Also went for a swim on Tuesday morning and improved my time over the 300 meters finished in 7:07 so hopefully that’s a good sign. Was suppose to go for a swim this morning but decided to swap workouts so a run this afternoon and then swimming tomorrow morning.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 4.00
Week: 4.00
Month: 22.79
Year to Date: 22.79
Life to Date: 407.56

Bike

2007-01-14T15:38:00.000-08:00

Well in the spirit of this upcoming event I went out on the bike yesterday afternoon. Did 14.5K in 46:25 overall am happy with that effort as I didn’t go all out and it was a little easier than I remembered also lots of room for improvement so hopefully things will be better come race day. On a real plus note at the end of the ride still felt like I had something left so probably could of gone on for the 4K run but still need to take it slow as it’s only the start of my training still ten weeks to go which is more time than you think it is. After Sunday’s effort really looking forward to March am no longer concerned that I can’t finish the Tri now more concerned with finishing with a good time under my belt.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 2.4
Week: 0.00
Month: 18.79
Year to Date: 18.79
Life to Date: 403.56

Triathlon Training

2007-01-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

Well I couldn't put it of any longer so I jumped in the pool this morning and went for a swim. Didn't even realise that the pool just around the corner from my work is a salt water pool so it's perfect for training. Swam 300 Meters in 7:47 and was stuffed afterwards which I knew would happen but had to start somewhere. At that pace I would swim 500M in about 12:30 so would like to get that down to about 10:00 at least as it will take a little longer in the ocean than the pool but still it's offical my training has started.

Triathlon

2007-01-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

Well I’m in it now have just decided to compete in a triathlon on the 18th March 2007 so From this Sunday I will have exactly 10 weeks to train before the event. I have assured that this is going to be enough as it is only a baby well compared to an Iron man event but still seems like a long bloody way to me. 500M Swim 15K Bike ride and a 4K run aiming to finish under 90 minutes but would be happy just to get across the finish line really because 8 months ago I wouldn’t off even dreamed of attempting to complete even one of the above events let alone all three together.

So after all the talk of the Tri yesterday last nights run was a bit of a disaster as I went out way to hard and completely blew my chance at a good run. Still pulled up for the 4K in 26:31 which is the second fastest I have ever run 4K so not to bard all in all but I now I can do a lot better and a lot faster.

So Swim tonight and then hills tomorrow morning am only going for 300M in the pool tonight as I have not swam for a very long time and not sure if I could make the distance have never been a fast swimmer but am or was a very strong swimmer.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 4.01
Week: 9.02
Month: 16.39
Year to Date: 16.39
Life to Date: 401.16

Not the Start I Would have Liked

2007-01-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

So far this year my running has not really been that great I finished last year with a great PB and was really looking forward to getting into some serious training but have been unable to motivate myself enough to really push myself have barely been able to get out and train. Hard 23K on my program last week only managed 7K for the week very sad. On a bright note managed to get out of bed this morning at a good hour and went for my Sunday run this morning had 7K on the program but only managed 7K so will need to add those 2K too my Wednesday morning run which as it is my speed session that could be a problem but I refuse to cut any more of my runs short I really need to stick to my program otherwise how will I ever finish the half in September.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 5.01
Week: 5.01
Month: 12.38
Year to Date: 12.38
Life to Date: 397.15

PB for the New Year

2007-01-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

Well my first run of the new year and it was a good feeling to get out there haven’t run since Sunday which for me is a long time between runs. Had a fast 5K on the program which basically means 7 minute pace not the normal 8 for my long runs but as I crossed the 4K mark decided to just pelt the last K and see where I ended up. Managed to finish the 5 in 33:35 which is almost a 2 minute PB so have been feeling good all day.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 33:35
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 5.01
Week: 5.01
Month: 5.01
Year to Date: 5.01
Life to Date: 389.78

Reflection on 06

2007-01-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

Well since everyone else is doing it I think I better post some goals for 2007. But first achievements for 2006 since starting running in May;

Lost 10 Kilo’s (15 to go but still feeling great)

Race Debut 3.8K Bridge run in September (25:55) was aiming for 24 minutes but as my first race made practically every mistake I could

Walked the C2S in 124:50 and came 30074th

Ran a K in under 5 minutes (4:28 to be exact)

Ran 7K in under 49 Minutes (Managed this on the 31 12 2006 but hey still part of 06)

Ran 10K non stop (PB 76:37 – first 10k was 81:13)

Looking back at some of those it’s really starting to sink in how much I have improved over the 7 months I have been running. My first day out I went with my mate and we run for 1 minute and walked to 3 for a total of 20 minutes. The last 1 minute run and had to crawl most of the way as I could barely moved my feet. But now I can comfortably run 10K without to much trouble. Also I ran 384.77K last year that’s scary but what’s even worse is that I’m planning on more than doubling that figure in 07.

Hopes and Dreams for 07

Sub 60 10K (Really think I will crack this soon if I had of keep my 7K PB pace I would I finish in 70 minutes so only need to knock 1 minute of per K so hopefully should crack this one before March.

Sub 70 C2S not sure if this is possible but hey why not aim for the sky.

First Half Marathon Really want to get under 2 hours but at current speed it would take 2 hours and 48 minutes so lots of work needs to be done.

Take up swimming everyone keeps telling me this is great cross training and also very good for weight loss so hopefully will be able to get into this.
Stay healthy and injury free as have really enjoyed the last 7 months and really starting to develop the runner’s itchy feet. Just can’t seem to sit still. It’s now 3rd of January and I have yet to run this year and it’s driving me crazy.

Last Post of the Year

2007-01-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

Wow has been a while since I have posted anything so will just close out 2006 with my final stats for the year. Managed to get a few new PB’S just before the end of the year so am really excited about 2007 and looking forward to the C2S in August and my first Half in September.

1K PB: 4.28
4K PB: 25:28
5K PB: 34.09
7K PB: 48:54
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run in 2006: 7.01
Last Week in 2006: 7.01
Last Month of 2006: 69.12
Year to Date: 384.77

Damn looking at the calendar on my desk and there is only 31 weeks til the C2S and 37 Weeks til the Sydney Half better get running.

BAY RUN FAST BECOMING MY FAVOURITE PLACE TO RUN

2006-12-12T18:57:00.000-08:00

Hard a good run this morning before work did 6K in 42 minutes which is very fast for me but more than that broke my 1K PB and my 5K PB. Also more than that really enjoyed the run this morning very nice place to run and very enjoyable. Running around the streets near my house would be lucky to see 3 people on a 10K run but at the Bay I normally pass 50 to 60 people as I run around Iron Cove good motivation knowing that you are not the only person getting up at such an ungodly hour.

1K PB: 4.28
2K PB: 12.04
4K PB: 27:56
5K PB: 34.09
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 6.00
Week: 9.16
Month: 31.72
Year: 347.37

Speeding Up

2006-12-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

Well Sunday was a good run going through the bush around near my Parents house. Was a good experience have never run in the bush before ended up doing 10K in 96 minutes was the longest I have ever run for but a good 20 minutes slower than my PB for 10K but the trails really do slow you down and there was two major hills in the run so was really happy with the time and the distance covered. Was probably one of my most enjoyable runs have started to leave the Ipod at home and just enjoy the runs.

1K PB: 5.20
2K PB: 12.04
4K PB: 27:56
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 3.16
Week: 3.16
Month: 25.72
Year: 341.37

Wow What a 10K

2006-12-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

Went and did the Bay Run last night and it was very enjoyable was nice weather and the run went very uneventful. I decided to leave the Ipod in the car and just enjoyed running around at my nice easy pace. Didn’t push to hard through the whole run as 10K is my long run so normally just cruse through as the focus is on distance not speed. At the end however was a little shocked when I looked at the GPS had knocked almost 5 minutes of my best 10K time was really happy with the result and am looking forward to my Sunday run so I can do it all again.

2K PB: 12.04
4K PB: 27:56
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 76:37

Last Run: 10.0
Week: 16.01
Month: 20.03
Year: 335.68

Sunday Run

2006-12-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

Had a good run yesterday had 10K on the program but due to time issue’s ended up doing 6K instead. So just aiming for my easy pace of 8 minute per K and ended up doing 6 in 47:59 so was right on the money so was happy with the effort.

2K PB: 12.04
4K PB: 27:56
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 6.01
Week: 6.01
Month: 10.03
Year: 325.68

We Will Have to See

2006-11-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hmm starting to lose hope for the race am not worried about quitting running have kept it up to long to worry about that but am just not improving fast enough less than 8 weeks to the race and Ray is running twice as far and twice as fast as me and I just don’t have any time left to improve.

2K PB: 12.04
4K PB: 27:56
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 4.02
Week: 10.04
Month: 4.02
Year: 319.67

Good Run

2006-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

Man had a really nice run last night was a good strong pace and the whole 4K felt really easy but beyond that the clouds were out and the wind was blowing was a awesome feeling being out there running in weather that 6 months ago would have had me on the lounge eating hot chips with gravy. Still just can’t get over the difference in my attitude from then to now. Linda said as I was walking out the door last night “isn’t it a little cold to go for a run?” my reply was “Probably but I’m going anyway”. Now as I can finally start to feel the last six months starting to come together I can see how certain things are just becoming easier to do it’s all good.

2K PB: 12.04
4K PB: 28:45
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 4.01
Week: 6.02
Month: 25.90
Year: 315.65

UPDATE

2006-11-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

Stupid 19/11/2006

Well once again I did the stupid thing yesterday was going for a 10K run and was looking to beat my PB (which is also the time I logged the first time and ran the distance I have yet to beat it). Left the house just after 4:30pm in the afternoon by 2K in I new something was really wrong did not feel like I should of and it ways really starting to hurt in my chest. I tried to push through it but by the 4K mark I was gone could barely put one foot in front of the other and was really light headed and confused about were I was I have never felt anything like it. Was trying to find my phone and then realised that since I wanted to travel light I hadn’t packed my mobile also as I wanted to not carry a backpack I didn’t have any water with me. That’s when I realised that I was just really dehydrated. Invaded the first front yard I found with a water tap and managed to get a little water down my throat even still I had to walk the rest of the way home. Got home and felt really stupid as I have already been through this lesion about 3 times and I should really be past it but hey can’t win them all. So drank about 4 litres of water last night and started to feel a little better.

Good Run 24/11/2006

Went for a 5K run this afternoon and it was probably my best run this month not sure what’s happened this month but have really lacked motivation. Can feel myself starting to slip a little but the run today has put me back on track. Was a good strong run I finished well with more left in the tank which is a good feeling as I am normally buggered after a long run.

Speed 27//11/2006

Got up this morning as I missed my long run yesterday and decided to do a quick couple of K’s as I didn’t have time for my 10K run will need to do that tomorrow. Things went well and was happy with my time of 13:58 for 2K it was a little slower than my PB but maintained a better speed throughout the whole 2K when I normally go hard and then slow in my 2K run’s.

2K: 12.04
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 2.01
Week: 2.01
Month: 21.89
Year: 311.64

Getting Speed

2006-11-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

Finally starting to feel like I am getting some speed into my runs went out of Tuesday night and had a 1K warm up then ran 2K as fast as I could plus a 1K cool down. Felt really strong as I did the 2K but was still buggered at the end so finally starting to push myself hard which is a good thing as only 11.5 weeks to go.

2K: 12.04
5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 2.0
Week: 7.41
Month: 7.41
Year: 297.16

Your last run is not always your best

2006-11-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

Your last run is not always your best

Man did I prove this theory on the weekend went out for my run on Sunday first run of the new program and I was really looking forward to a good long hard run had left a bit down the whole weekend and was looking like improving my 10K PB. Unfortunately it was just not meant to be I headed out at 2:30 and there was a lot of wind and rain around but spirits were high. About 2K in I new something was wrong had done it in over 17 minutes and was way behind my normal time felt really hot and dry even though it was raining only realised after another K or so that I hadn’t drunk anything all day felt like a right idiot after that realised I was really dehydrated and things weren’t looking good as I was starting to get really light headed. Decided to cut it short and pulled up at my parent’s house 5.41 K later in at 44:38 but feeling really stupid and very tired. But all in all a good lesion to listen to your body and if it tells you something is wrong LISTEN. Felt better after I drank about 2 litres of water over about an hour so all in all pretty dumb but not the end of the world. Looking forward to my next run on Tuesday as I am starting my exciting speed work program and it looks exciting.

5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 5.41
Week: 5.41
Month: 5.41
Year: 295.16

Speed

2006-10-31T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well coming down to crunch time 12 weeks till the big race and it’s time to do some serious speed training. Went out last night and did a 1K warm up and then attempted to run 2K in under 12 minutes pulled up at the end and had run 2.12 in 13:08 so all in all not to bad for my first attempt and putting some speed into these legs of mine. Averaged of 6:11 a K my fastest time so far and left good in the 1K cool down was buggered but still felt I had a little left which was a good feeling. Really starting to enjoy the challenge of the training was a little down last week with the whole running alone but things are starting to pick up again so hopefully am in for another good period of strong happy running.

5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 2.12
Week: 9.82
Month: 40.36
Year: 289.75

Top Run

2006-10-31T13:56:00.000-08:00

Ran to my Parents house yesterday was suppose to be a 10K run but as it is only 4K to my parents house tried to run the long way around but I still got there in 6K. Ran around the streets near my parent’s house for a bit but got bored so decided to end it at 8K. Really starting to struggle to find longer run routes if I’m running from point A to B I find it really easy to complete the run but if running in a circle I find it really hard. I find it difficult to retrace my steps I think I might need to get in the car and do a few drives around the area and try and find so good long distance runs. Other than that I felt good and strong in the run and am really starting to notice that it’s getting easier to complete the runs and I’m not as tired as I was so will need to lift the intensity of the runs got to push those thresholds. Ran 7.7K in 59:09 and finished with a 500 meter sprint my longest so far.

5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 7.70
Week: 7.70
Month: 38.24
Year: 287.63

10K

2006-10-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

10K will I have done it and let me tell you it feels amazing well now anyway. Really didn’t feel that good just after the run but have been on happy ever since and really my legs don’t hurt today so must be doing something right. Haven’t blogged for a while have been doing my assignment for my course so have let a few runs slip by without a blog but think I will just have to leave it of as I can’t remember what I missed out on. Having trouble thinking past the fact that I ran 10K last night finished in 81 minutes and 13 seconds, just over 8 minutes a K but still very happy and looking forward to beating that time next Sunday. Only 14 weeks till my race with Ray so I have one of my friends from Church who is a personnel trainer writing me a program for the 12 weeks before the race the focus will be on speed as I have been building a base for the past 5 months but it is now time to get some speed into these legs of mine.

5K PB: 34.49
10K PB: 1.21.13

Last Run: 10.00
Week: 10.00
Month: 27.82
Year: 277.21

Going Well

2006-10-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

Wow time for some catch up firstly will finish of last week.

Last Wednesday once again ran to Weight Watches (which by the way has been going great have lost weight for 6 weeks straight) was a nice easy run but after my stupid move on Tuesday was really felling it in the legs. What followed was not good first I missed my Friday speed session as I had to drive my wife to work and then missed out in the evening as well. Then came Sunday was all ready for a run but stuff just got in the way. Was not my best weekend but didn’t end up running again until Tuesday.

Had 4K on my program on Tuesday but as I missed my Sunday run decided to do 7K instead was a awesome run in the end as I was well rested I ended up doing 7K in under 52 minutes over a 3 minute PB from my last time. Really starting to appreciate the need for a warm up it takes me about 2K to really start running well. All in all was very happy fir my run and managed to finish a lot strong then my previous 7K.

Last night I decided to do 4K had 3 on the program but was still feeling guilty about Sunday planned to do a nice easy pace of 8 minutes per K giving me a finish time of 32 minutes. Did not get out the door until 8:50 as I had a dinner on at 6:30 so didn’t have time before was a really nice time to run and luckily I had given my dinner enough time to settle in my stomach before running. Didn’t push myself at all and ending doing 4K in 28:44 was surprised at my time think it means my easy jogging pace is starting to get faster well hopefully anyway.

Last Run: 4.01
Week: 10.81
Month: 10.81
Year: 260.2

Some Times you just have to say STUFF it.

2006-09-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Well that’s what I did last night and still can’t decide if it was a good idea or a bad. First of all it was just not a good day to go running we had our friends that have been living in London for the past two years come over. Which was awesome but ended with me running out the door after 8:30 also for the first time I ate before I did my run which I can tell you is a bad idea. I had an easy 4K on the program but decided to say stuff it and went out hard. After 2K I could feel the food rolling around in my stomach and just decided not push to make myself sick and just walked the last 2K home. In the end though I had done 2.15K in 14 minutes 4 seconds was really happy with that time as the pace was 6:31 per K which for me is Flying so here’s hoping that finally I’m starting to get some speed into my legs.

Last Run: 2.15
Week: 9.16
Month: 44.53
Year: 246.49

7K

2006-09-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Well Missed my Early morning run with my mate on Sunday morning as I had to drive up the coast and back so didn’t get home until about 5:30. So I had to do my long run in the hot dry wind yesterday afternoon. Was also really tired from driving all day so was not feeling that good at all. Left the house at about 6:15 as I fluffed around a lot trying to work out an excuse so I wouldn’t have to run luckily I couldn’t come up with anything. Once again just stuck to what seems to be my idle jogging pace of 8 minutes per K. I managed to maintain this pace through the whole 7K and even managed a small sprint at the end although my legs really were sore from the 6,8K before the last 200 meters. Finished in 5 minutes and 20 seconds just under 8 minutes per K. Was so happy but was a little silly I normally don’t run with any water on me as am usually only going for 20 to 30 minutes so don’t really need it. Yesterday though ran for almost an hour and the hot dry wind didn’t help so was very dehydrated when I got home so did the smart thing and drank about 2 litres of water over about 2 hours to get my fluids back up.

Interval Training

2006-09-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Well had my first speed session this morning did 5 x 1 minute reps with an active recovery of 2 minutes. With a 5 minute warm up and cool down. Was interesting did the first rep only slightly faster than what I would normally run. And tried to increase the speed every rep. Coming into the last rep I was starting to get a little tired but I was pumped by how well I was doing I was really surprised with how fast I can now run. The last rep I just sprinted as hard as I could as managed to keep it up for about 40 seconds before I had to pull back just a little but still managed to run the last 20 seconds. All in all it was my self time and trying to maintain a faster pace so I am happy with how it went. But there is a lot of room for improvement but I’m happy to put in the work.

Last Run: 2.56
Week: 15.42
Month: 35.37
Year: 237.33

Awesome Five K

2006-09-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

Wow what a run last night went out at about 7pm as it was very hot yesterday and wanted to give it time to cool down. Ran to my parent’s house again but took a different route. Decided last night that I would start to get more serious about my training up until now I have just been walking out the door and running for as long as I can and then walking the rest of the way home. Have had a rough idea of how long or how far I wanted to go but nothing really concrete about how far in what time always focused on one or the other. So last night I set myself a goal to run to my parent’s house at 8 minute per K pace. Well headed out the door and set my count down timer to 8 minutes and started the run. Once the first K was over I found it really easy to maintain this pace and managed the run in 44 minutes the distance was a little over 5.3K so I ended up averaging 8:10 per K which I was very happy with as this is the first time I have tried to pace myself. So now all that’s left for the week is my interval training on Friday morning I have tried to do this a few times and have always pulled out at the last minute and just gone for a run instead but it’s time to get serious only 127 days to go to the race with my mate and I want to at least be competitive if not win so hopefully I can lift the intensity of my training.

Last Run: 5.36
Week: 12.86
Month: 32.81
Year: 234.77

Not a Fun Run

2006-09-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well last nights run was interesting planned to run 4K at 8 minute pace just to ease back into running after my race. Headed out and everything was going well til the 2K mark then my Ipod case which wraps around my waste broke. I was very annoyed as I have had it for about 3 years but have only just started to use it when I started running. Was so annoyed I threw it away not my best moment as I normally don’t litter but was so mad. About 500 meters down the road I realised that not only do I keep my Ipod in the case which I now had to carry but I also store my house keys in there as well. So went flying back down the street by this time it was really dark so it took about 10 minutes to find the bag get my keys out and then I still had to run home. Decided to then take the short cut home as I had had enough. Did 3.7 in 27 minutes but that didn’t include me running the 500 meters back don’t know why but I shut the garmin down so had to turn it back on once I found the keys. Anyway was not my most enjoyable run and now have to try and find something else to carry my Ipod around in.

Last Run: 3.7
Week: 7.5
Month: 27.45
Year: 229.41

My First Race

2006-09-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

Well it’s over and what a day missed my train to the city and the next one wasn’t for half an hour so got to Milson’s Point Station at 7:20 (Race started at 7:30). So only just had time to run down and under the harbour bridge and then the gun went of. Ran straight past the line and was so focused I ran straight past Megan Gale who was there to start the races. Had ten thousand people in front of me at the start of the race so it took a little about a 1K in get through most of them so didn’t really hit my stride until the 1.5K mark. Also getting there late didn’t have time for a warm up but it’s all a learning experience all in all I am happy with my performance I ran it in 26 minutes which is only 2 minutes behind the time I wanted to do and considering my start I have to be happy with it. Also I ran the whole way so that was encouraging. The only really bad part of the day I feel was that I probably went a little to easy on myself and it was finished before I realised not knowing the course outline that well I failed to pick up the pace at the end to give me a better time but all in all was a great day and nice to be out running rather than sleeping in like I would normally do. Stayed around for a bit and watched the end of the Marathon damn those guys can run unbelievable how fresh they look after 42K. The winner missed the start and didn’t start running until 5 minutes after the gun went of and he still managed to be about 2 minutes in front of 2nd place crazy.

Last Run: 3.8
Week: 3.8
Month: 23.75
Year: 225.71

Last Run Before My Race

2006-09-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ran to Weight Watches again on Wednesday night took a different route this time around. Wanted to take it a bit easy but that hasn’t been working of late and Wednesday was no exception. Ran 3K in 20 minutes which is pretty close to my hopeful race pace on Sunday but came out of it feeling great so I’m ready for my first race and hopefully everything goes to plan.

Last Run: 2.9
Week: 5.77
Month: 19.95
Year: 211.91

Another Update

2006-09-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well have been a very bad blogger of late so I need to update a bit.

Last Friday decided to run to my parent’s house from my place for the first time. Had no idea how long it would take or how far it would be but decided to give it a go anyway. Well took of at about 8:30 am (had the day of) and arrived just after 9:00 am only took 32:06 and was a little over 4K not my best average time but was a lot of hills and a very strong wind so was very impressed with my efforts and was happy that I didn’t stop to walk the whole way.

Sunday’s run was a bit of a rush job as had to get back to the house by 8:00am and could not make the Bay and be back in time so decided at the last minute to just do my normal loop around my house. Took of at 7:30 planning on running 30 minutes and see how I feel but ended up only doing 22 minutes as it was raining for most of the run didn’t want to risk a cold the week before my race.

This Sunday is my First race and am really nervous I know it’s only 3.8K and I know that I can do it easy but really want to come in under 24 minutes which means I would have to run faster than I ever have before. I do think it’s possible though as I always hold back a little bit on every run never had the opportunity to go out hard as I have other runs the next day and such. I should pull in under 28 minutes no problem that averaging under 7 minutes a K which I have done on a few occasions but really want to pull in under 24 would really be a good feeling so here’s hoping everything goes to plan. Unfortunately I have yet to really learn how to pace myself so I am afraid I’ll go out to hard and blow it but I did that in the C2S so hopefully this time around I can hold to the race plan.

Last Run: 2.87
Week: 2.87
Month: 17.05
Year: 219.01

Bad Run

2006-09-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

Had a bad run last night not sure what happened have been doing so well of late and have been feeling strong. Last night was completely different really didn’t feel like going but forced myself out the door which is the first time in ages that I have had to do it. Normally though once into there run I feel great but don’t know just didn’t feel right the whole time I was out there. Never got into my ritham which kind of spoiled the whole thing. Then this morning woke up feeling like crap so I think I might be coming down with a bug which is not great as I have my dabue race next weekend. So hopefully everything is better by then. Also am going away for the weekend and not sure if I will be able to run which is scaring me a little as I don’t want to miss this Sunday’s long run so hope I will be able to find the time.

Last Run: 2.44
Week: 7.44
Month: 10.09
Year: 212.05

A Week of First’s

2006-09-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Will do two blogs today to catch up with all the news firstly my run Last Friday was very cool. Focused on speed for the first time since started running and was really surprised with how fast I can know run. Normally just plod along at a nice easy pace not pushing myself to hard. On Friday set my timer for 6 minutes and planned to run 1K in the 6 minutes pulled up at 900 meters but was still feeling strong so took of again and managed 800 meters in the next 6 minutes before I had to slow down.

Managed 2.65K in 20 minutes the further I have ever run in 20 minutes. Felt great on Saturday was not sore at all and was really looking forward to my Sunday run.

Sunday morning got up at 5:30 in the morning and picked my mate up on the way to do the Bay Run 5K. I did it last week in 35:50 and was looking to better that run. We started running just on 6:30am and it was a really nice time to run the sun had been up for about 20 minutes so it wasn’t to hot yet. We headed out and I felt great really starting to enjoy my runs more than every before. Before I knew it we had crossed half way and I was still feeling strong. We had a plan to try to keep to 7 minutes K’s then pick up the pace for the last K. Ran under the bridge and crossed the 4K mark and then picked up the pace this is where I really struggle the last K but managed to cross the line strong (also managed to run past the line not just to it and Ray kept prompting me). Crossed in 34:49 a 1 minute PB left unreal didn’t even care that I couldn’t breathe who needs to breathe anyway. So the First’s

First 5K under 35 minutes.
First run in which I averaged under 7 minutes a K (6:57)
First K I have run under 6 minutes (Last K on Sunday 5:58)
First 100K clocked on my running shoes (101.9 total)

All in all I have had a great weekend and am feeling really confident for the run on the 17th September really want to crack the 24 minute barrier but would be happy with under 25.

Last Run: 5.0
Week: 7.65
Month: 7.65
Year: 209.61

On Top

2006-08-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

Had a great run on Wednesday night was the first time I have run two days in a row since I started and have been really worried about it all week I was fine nothing to worry about. Came away fine from it this was also the first time I was running to somewhere normally only do a loop around my house but actually ran down to Weight Watches kind of stuff it a little to. I have never run there so was not sure how long it was going to take. The way I went takes over 30 minutes to walk but only took 15 to run there it was a little shorter than the 20 minutes I had on the program but still was enjoyable. Really feel like I am starting to get somewhere all I need to do now is drop a few more kilos in the next 2 weeks. I have my next race on the 17th September 3.8K and I want to do it in under 24 minutes at the moment at my easy pace it would take about 28 minutes so hopefully on the day I can go a little harder and pull in around 24 minutes. Dropping a few kilos would really help that and it would make running easier all around. So really need to focus for the next few months on losing a few kilos (22 to be exact) will make it a lot easier come race day on the 26th January 2007.

Last Run: 1.92
Week: 9.32
Month: 47.08
Year: 201.96

After 5K

2006-08-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

Went out the door at 5:45 last night and it ended up being a really good run was a little sore in the legs from my 5K on Sunday but soon found myself in the zone and finished up doing 2.38K in 20 minutes which pretty much my average run time and distance these days hopefully my speed will start to pick up soon. All in all I am happy with were I am at at the moment have been sticking to my schedule really well and hopefully come Sunday I’ll be up for a good long run and hopefully might do 5K in a little less time than t=last week.

Last Run 2.38
Week: 7.4
Month: 45.16
Year: 200.04

Five K

2006-08-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Struggles are over I am back in action and ready to run. I did my first 5K on Sunday and know feel like I am actually a runner but first better catch up.

I missed my run on Wednesday last week so was felling really bad and guilty and then went to the movies on Friday night after work so didn’t get home until 8:30 but forced myself to go out the door as I didn’t want to fell guilty for another two days did 2.5K in 20 minutes but felt flat through the whole thing plus also had to stop half way through again as I’d once again tired my shoelaces to tight and my feet were going blue.

So I turned up to my mates place on Sunday morning really not felling that good at all and was not very confident. We drove over to Drummoyne to do the Bay run and started out before I could talk myself out of it. I find it so much easier to run with someone than by myself Ray talked me through the last 1K and we had crossed the line before I realised looked at my watch and couldn’t believe it 35:40 average 7 minutes and 8 seconds a K much faster than I have ever run before and longer than I have ever run before could not believe it and didn’t really feel that tired so was a little bummed as I probably could of gone harder. But it is all a learning curve so next week I’ll be ready to go a little harder and hopefully knock of a bit of my time.

Last Run 5.02
Week: 5.02
Month: 42.78
Year: 197.66

Struggling

2006-08-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

My run on Sunday was another struggle since C2S I have really found it hard to get out there and run. And since my running buddy had to cancel on me on Sunday morning decided to sleep in even though I new that I probably wouldn’t have time in the afternoon. Got home around 5 which wasn’t too late and fluffed around a bit before I finally got out the door at around 5:30 covered 2.37K in 20 minutes. Only had to stop to walk twice which was a big improvement on my last run but still a long way from where I was before the race. Can’t believe its taking me this long to recover but as it was my first race I have nothing to compare it to. Anyway this week I’m now into my race prep for the 3.8K on the 17th September I don’t feel that 30 minutes is to much to ask just as long as I stick to my schedule over the next couple of weeks. Would also like to drop a few kilos between now and then so hopefully my weight will start to move. I was looking at my legs last night and already I have lost most of the fat of them in only 13 weeks. Hope I can lose some more around the middle section now.

Last Run 2.37Week: 2.37Month: 35.27Year: 190.16

Ouch

2006-08-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Last nights run was very hard my first after C2S and was very hard to get out the door. Also once I got started things went from bad to worse my legs had stopped hurting when I walked but once I started to jog they really started to sting. So kind of half ran half jogged for about 15 minutes and then kind of crawled the last 5 minutes. Did not think it would take this long to recover hopefully my run on Sunday with Ray will be a lot more enjoyable as I can already feel myself starting to slip with the focus. Need to remind myself that my next race is only 4 weeks away come on 17 07 2006 looking forward to doing 3.8K really want to do it in under 30 minutes that’s all I’m aiming at at the moment.

Last Run 2.2
Week: 2.2
Month: 32.9
Year: 187.79

City 2 Surf

2006-08-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

WOW 123 Minutes and 16 Seconds am so excited even though I am so tired I can barely move. I had a goal of finishing in under 140 minutes as I wanted to do better than 10 minutes per K. smashed that and averaged 8:39 per K so was very happy with my effort. It was a great day and even though I ran it by myself I had a lot of fun. It’s a really nice course and the atmosphere was amazing could not believe what I saw people running in some of the outfits I saw yesterday included.

About 20 guys in just Speedo’s
About 500 guys dressed as Fairies
4 guys in one costume (Loch Ness Monster)
One guy was dressed as a Giant Condom
About 50 girls in Bikini’s (They all got my vote for best costume).
A couple of people dressed as Chicken’s

Anyway now all I have to focus on is making sure I run this week. That thought right now is a scary one as I am very sore at the moment but I’ll go for a walk tomorrow and hopefully that will help and then I’ll attempt an easy run on Thursday.

Last Run 14.3
Month: 30.7Year: 185.59

Need to Review before Posting

2006-08-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Well after Sundays run I was on a high and on Tuesday I almost flew out the door could not wait to start my run I mean 4K is an achievement and it means I am really starting to become a runner. Did the same loop around my house as I did on Sunday and even (for luck) had the same tee shirt on covered the distance in 25 minutes was so happy. Then as I was stretching in front of my house I looked at my garmin (Seline) I got quite a shock I’d only covered 3.2K couldn’t figure out the problem for I had covered the same distance as Sunday then I realised I’d not reset the trip on the garmin on Sunday so my warm up walk was included in the distance so I actually covered about 3.2K on Sunday not 4K was a little upset until I realised that I had covered the same distance in only 25 minutes only 2 days later was really happy after that. Also I had felt strong coming down my street so still had more in the tank I’m sure I could off gone for longer. Also I realised today that I sold myself short on my total distance covered in the year as I forgot to add the monthly and yearly totals together so please find below the accurate distances travelled so far. Looking back to when I started running on the 23 05 2006 I would jog 1 minute and walk 3 and could barely keep that up for the 20 minutes. Now am jogging at a nice pace for over 20 minutes can’t believe how much I have changed in the 11 weeks I have been running its crazy.

Last Run 3.2
Week: 3.2
Month: 16.4
Year: 171.29

Last Week

2006-08-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

Well haven’t blogged for a bit so need to get everybody up to date.

Last Wednesday I walked to work which is 13.2K good training for the City 2 Surf. I rain the last 3K as well as I wanted to see if I could as I want to run the last leg of the C2S this weekend. Was a little slower than I normally run but felt like I could of keep going but once work was in site was too hard to force myself to run past it. Covered the distance in 2:25 minutes which I was really happy with as the fastest I’ve done it in the past is 2:45 minutes and I had an extra 900 meters to walk this time.

Fridays run unfortunately did not happen as I was too tired after working Thursday night to get up in the morning and then missed it in the afternoon as I went from work to the football. So ended up doing my boxing exercise when I got home which was quite late but okay.

Sunday Monday once again I missed my run hard to go up the coast with my wife so that put an end to running with Ray but when we got home I was determined to go for a run and it paid of. Out the door at about 5pm and straight into my warm up then into my run which was only suppose to be 20 minutes but felt really good so kept going and ended up running 4K in 28 minutes and 37 seconds which is the longest I have ever run EVER. So was on top of the moon yesterday.

Also have decided to scrap the posting of my weight as I have decided not to worry about it and focus more on my running and my ever shrinking body. So instead I’ll take an idea from my friends and post the distance I have travelled. Hopefully this will stop me jumping on the scales 3 times a day Just to check stupid and none productive.

Month: 13.2
Year: 154.9

Make your Move

2006-07-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well things last week didn’t go so well Tuesday was a really hard run and then on Friday ended up running out of time and missed my run. So had to do my boxing really late Friday night but still somehow I survived.

Luckily for Sunday morning otherwise I might of started to lose hope that I would ever be a runner. Ray and I have been running at Olds Park now for about 2 months and I have yet to run the whole 20 minutes I have done it a few times when I run near my house but have yet to complete 20 minutes at Olds Park. So we got there just after 7 on Sunday morning and went into our warm up (walking once around the park) and then we jogged. After about 2 minutes I new I was going to do it easy as I had missed Fridays run my legs felt great and I really enjoyed the run. It was a lot warmer than it’s been of late and was a really nice time to run without being to hot. We ended up running 2.81K in the 20 minutes and still had enough in the tank to sprint the last 200 meters to the car. Think Ray was a little tired from his race yesterday cause I was a little faster than him in the sprint which normally I get my @ss kicked.

Current weight 95 (need digital scales cause I reacon it was about 94.8 this morning but to hard to tell)

Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Hit The Wall

2006-07-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Found last nights run very had to complete but it was my own stupid fault. I went out to hard and to fast, normally I travel at about 8Kph but last night I took of and when I looked at my GPS (Seline) I was going at over 9.5Kph and stupid me thought of well lets just see what happens. Man did I hit the wall at about the 8 minute mark I could barely move my legs it was so bad I almost fell over. I had never felt anything like it could barely draw a breath I have been tired in the past but not like this. I new then that I had to stop for a bit so walked for 1 minute and then tried to run again but was no good my feet were killing me that’s when I realised that my laces were too tight and my feet were throbbing. So stopped completely retired my shoes and then started of again managed to keep running for the last 12 minutes but at a very slow pace. I felt like a fool when I got home as I have been doing to well and have been so careful to pace myself can’t believe I threw everything I have learnt out the window last night DUMB DUMB DUMB. The only good thing that came out of last night was the fact that I now know what it’s like to hit the wall and hopefully if it happens in a race I won’t panic like I did last night. Also how dumb is it to tie your shoelaces so tight you feet hurt anyway now that’s behind me and looking forward to Fridays run hopefully things wont be as bad as I have two days to recover.

Current weight 95 (Finally the scales have started to move again)
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Tagged

2006-07-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

Well since I've been tagged here goes

4 Jobs:
Commonwealth Bank – Client Service Professional
K-Mart – Mini Lab Operator
Camera House – Photographic Salesman
Lone Star - Waiter

4 Movies I could watch over and over:
Gone with the Wind
Rocky 3
Empire Strikes Back
The Princess Bride

4 Places I have lived:
Picnic Point
Moruya
Bankstown
Revesby

4 TV shows I like:
The Simpson’s
Futurama
CSI
Law and Order

4 Holidays:
Brisbane
South Coast
Great Britain
Europe

4 Web sites I look at daily:
Cool Runnings
Google
smh.com.au
Commbank homepage

4 places I'd rather be:
Scotland
Venice
Rome
Kilkenny

4 Favorite foods:
Pizza
Roast Veggie’s
Wonton Soup
BBQ Prawns

4 bands I like:
Pink Floyd
Led ZeppelinMetallica
Pearl Jam

4 bloggers I tag:
Confessions of a running widow
Brown Eyed Girl
A Rebels Tale
Henry F Wookie

Just Keep Running

2006-07-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

My run on Thursday night did not happen as I found out I was working that morning when I got to work. The first run I have missed since I started but true to my word I ran on Friday night and it was a very good run managed to replicate my feat from Tuesday and ran the whole 20 minutes. Not sure if I’m up to the real enjoyment part yet as I am always really tired after a run but am starting to notice the changes I’m not as tired as I was 2 months ago when I get home and things are starting to get easier. It’s easier to get out the door for a run. It’s not taking as long to recover after a run. Even my wife is starting to come around at first she was a bit sceptical can’t say I blame her, I must of started 20 or 30 times of these get fit programs of mine have joined two gyms only to go once and never return. Have managed to keep up the running for 2 months now and she is even starting to notice the difference. No longer does she complain about me running more she pushes me to keep it up which is a good change. Went out on Saturday with all the young guys from work to “One World” a club in Parramatta was lots of fun but am a bit past night clubs and was very tired on Sunday morning when I was suppose to get up for my run. So had to go Sunday night was a good run but went out a little hard (I blame the music makes me run to fast) so I had to stop for 30 seconds at the 15 minute mark but that was my only stop so was proud of myself managing to just rest for 30 seconds and then jump back into it. Still even after stopping for 30 seconds still managed my best average speed 8.2kph my previous being 8.0kph I want to get that Really looking forward to this weekend as Ray is yet to run with me for the whole 20 minutes so want to show of my progress. My weight has been hanging in there for a while now but on the scales this morning it seemed as if it had dropped a little bit so can’t wait to my official weigh in on Wednesday hopefully I’ve drop a little bit as it’s hard to lug all this weight around for 20 minutes and losing a little bit is the easiest way to gain some speed.

Current weight 95.5
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

To End all Runs

2006-07-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

My run on Tuesday night was by far my best run for the whole 20 minutes and it felt fantastic. It all happened like this.

Got home at 5:45 and headed straight up stairs to get changed, normally while I am doing this I decided my run/walk times for the run coming up. Always I think this is my downfall always decide before I walk out the door when I am going to stop running. So this time didn’t give myself the chance decided there and then that THIS time I was going to run the whole twenty minutes stopping wasn’t a option. So out the door I went and into my warm up. Was feeling really good in the legs and kind of knew that I was going to do it but still was a little scared that it would be to painful afterwards but put that out of my mind and after 10 minutes started to run. Now in my little circuit that I run around my house I have a hill in it right at the 8 minute mark and if I run the whole way I’m up it by the 10 minute mark but as yet always have stopped about half way up have yet to run the whole hill. But knew if I could make it up the hill I’m half way through the 20 minutes and the rest is downhill. So after 8 minutes running I reached the hill and rather than look to the top and see how far it is which is what I always do I just turned the music up and looked at my feet by the end of the song “lose yourself” I was up and over the hill and well on my way home. Things were looking really good and my legs didn’t feel to bad although I think my paced had slipped a little I was still running and not walking. After rounding the corner of my street I know I only had 400 meters to go so picked up the pace and powered home and just as I crossed my driveway I looked at the watch and realised still had 20 seconds to go before the 20 minutes so that God I had yet to stop and ran straight past my house. That was the hardest part right there having to keep going past my house I know it was only 20 seconds but it felt like a very long time. Now all I have to do I do it AGAIN. So since I am working tonight will be going out way to early in the morning tomorrow because I know I’m not going to have a chance to run on Friday afternoon.

Current weight 95.5 (I kid you not it’s still hanging in there)
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Catch Up

2006-07-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys but haven’t posted anything for a while have been a little busy. Well I have 3 runs to catch up on so here goes.

Last Tuesdays run was at a very slow pace as I was very sore from the weekend but was very happy that I got out the door as my legs very really not in the mood. Once I had finished my warm up I was feeling a little better but still not 100% so kept it very slow but still managed to complete the 20 minutes without incedent.

Thursdays run did no happen as I was still sore and als my weight has been stable for 3 weeks now and at weight watches they were talking about being stuck on a weight and things you could do to get of it. One of them was alternate your exercise routine and since I have been doing exactly the same thing for 7 weeks thought it would be a good idea to change it up so did my old boxing exercises. Which consist of skipping, shadow boxing and push ups. Takes about 30 to 40 minutes so is a little longer than a run but not by much. Also was a good break on for the legs.

Finally Saturdays run was enjoyable but still felt a little flat and I am starting to get a little scared as this always happens when I start a new routine I eventually get bored and not stick to it. I have been running now for 7 weeks and I am starting to not enjoy it as much as I was at the beginning a little bit of it is the fact that I thought I would be up to running 20 minutes solid now but it’s taking longer than I thought and I seem to be going backwards the last couple of times I have run. I think the problem is more mental than physical because when I am running I really have to push myself hard not to stop even though I am not that puffed. So this week I have decided to once again mix it up and am going to run on Tuesday and do my boxing on the Thursday and hopefully that will get me through to when I can complete 20 minutes without stopping cause if I can get that under my belt I know things will start to move a little faster.

Current Weight 95.5 (Haven't weighed myself this week so hopefully it has changed)
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Finally Coming Together

2006-07-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

My running is finally starting to come together my mate and I have been running at Olds Park on Saturday morning for the last 7 weeks. It is a circuit that runs for 1.2K I started out running 1 minute then walking for 3 and have slowly built it up. This last Saturday I finally ran around the whole thing without stopping. My Thursday run I covered 1.14K in 8 minutes 15 seconds but on Saturday I covered 1.22K in 7 minutes and 28 seconds also on Saturday the track is not flat had to run up a few small hills so was very happy with my effort Although I probably went out a bit to hard as I found it hard to complete the 20 minutes that we normally run. All in all I’m very happy how my running is going and look forward to the future when I can run faster and longer. Really sore at the moment had to break up a concrete path at my parents house yesterday and was using the jackhammer for hours yesterday so am in a lot of pain today. Hopefully it’s all gone by tomorrow as don’t want to skip my run.

Current Weight 95.5
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Forget All PB’S

2006-07-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Last nights run killed them all in fact it was so good I am comfortable in calling it a run not a jog. Got home at 5:30 and went straight upstairs and then straight out the door. Was planning on taking it easy last night as I want to go harder this Saturday than have previously but just felt to good legs didn’t hurt for the first time in ages. So after my warm up went into my RUN was felling good and strong so after my watched beeped at the two minute mark where I was suppose to walk for a minute I decided to just keep going for a little bit longer. Then my favourite running song came on the Ipod (Black Betty by Spiderbait) so just took of and kept going ran further than I ever had before and when I finally stopped which I think was more a mental thing than a physical thing I had run 1.14K and done it in just over 8 minutes was ecstatic. Only stopped two more times in the whole 20 minutes could believe how easily I ran last night I think I could of gone the whole 20 minutes but unfortunately my brain kept telling me that I’m not a runner I have a tendency to over think things so I Saturday I will try not to think so much.

Total Run Time 20:00
Running Time 16:02
Walking Time 3:58

Current Weight 95.5 (Hanging in there but hopefully soon should drop below 95)
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Tuesday Run

2006-07-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Man it was hard to get out of bed this morning, I am doing the late shift today at work so wont get out til after 8 so had to go for a run this morning. Was very cold and was raining so when the alarm went of a 7am for me to get up was no surprise that it was quickly thrown across the room and back to sleep I went. Finally dragged my arse out of bed at around 8:45 and tried to think of a thousand reasons not to go running in the rain but in the end I knew I would feel bad if I didn’t so got dressed and out the door I went.

Once again just decided to jog for as long as I could and then just limit my walking breaks to 90 seconds. Started out alright even though I was wearing a rain coat as it was coming down quite hard it was very hot wearing the jacket but keep up my pace and was really surprised when I stopped for the first time as I had jogged for over 6 minutes. 6 minutes and 8 seconds to be precise felt on top of the moon and was soon jogging along singing to Pink Floyd (This time I was listening to “The Wall” Disc one). All in all it was a good jog although my feet hurt a little at the end as it was the most I have run since starting but they are fine now. Going to take it easy on Thursday to give them a rest as hopefully on Saturday I can go a little harder with Ray.

Today’s Run.

Total Run Time 21:05
Running Time 14:53
Walking Time 6:12

Current Weight 95.5
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Run for Yourself

2006-07-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

Went to the football yesterday and watched the Dogs smash the Tigers but still enjoyed the game. Then got home at around 5:30pm and yes I once again failed to get up in the morning. Also I had missed my Saturday morning run as my legs were still very sore. So I knew that I had to go for a run last night so forced myself up the stairs got changed and then out the door. That’s the hard part over once I am out the door and have my Ipod on I’m happy and I really start to enjoy myself. I have been using the same play list for a while now so last night decided to listen to some Pink Floyd instead I picked “Wish you Were Here”. My friend and I are still fighting over which Pink Floyd album is there best he thinks its “Dark Side of the Moon”. Which many believe is the greatest rock album ever released. I on the other hand believe that “Wish you Were Here” is there greatest work ever. You can make up your own mind so out the door I was and after the debacle on Thursday night I was determined to not do any more damage. So I warmed up for more than 20 minutes normally only do 10. Then into my jog also I have reset my watch so I can time how long of the 20 minutes I am jogging and how long I am walking. So after 20 minutes which just seemed to fly by I have run for 14 minutes and 23 seconds. I only walked 5 minutes and 37 seconds. I am very happy with that because I ran for well over 5 minutes before I needed to stop which I was just over the moon. Also there is a small hill on my normal circuit around my house that I always seem to come too just as my walking period is coming up. But as I warmed up for longer I cam to it a lot faster and I ran up the whole hill about 300 meters doesn’t seem long but it’s hard on the legs. So all in all I am doing well and hopefully it won’t be to long before I can jog for the whole 20 minutes then things will start to happen.

Current Weight 95.5 (Hard to read as they are analogue scales but it did read below 96 finally cracked it this morning).

Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

When will it stop

2006-06-29T23:52:00.000-07:00

My run on Thursday night was not as enjoyable as it should have been. I jogged for over 5 minutes which is the longest I have managed to jog for ever. Unfortunately I was pressed for time and could not do a proper warm up and am paying for it now. My legs are very sore and really I know that it is my fault but still have a smile on my face as I probably had the best run I have had yet. I just hope it doesn’t effect tomorrows run as I don’t want to skip it as I will not be able to run again until Tuesday.

Current Weight 96 (Still at 96 but glad it is not going up).
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77

Best Yet

2006-06-28T00:39:00.000-07:00

Wow my best run yet, got home at 6:45 and was not feeling in the best mood but still was looking forward to my run. Got out the door just after 7 pm and went straight into my warm up walk. I walk for 10 minutes or two songs on my Ipod then I start to run. Was feeling good and the soreness that has been in my legs the last couple of days was not present so I decided to reproduce Saturdays run of going for as long as possible and then when I have to stop just walk for 90 seconds before running again. So at the 10 minute mark of took of at my rather slow pace just wanted to build up my running time at the moment before I work on speed and left really good ran for what felt like 2 minutes before I needed to stop for a walk break looked at m stop watch and I had gone for 4 minutes and 7 seconds could not believe it the longest I have ran since starting was over the moon after that it was all to easy. For the rest of the 20 minutes only needed to stop 3 more times which means I ran for 14 minutes of the total 20 only walk for 6 minutes. Unbelievable started out running for 5 minutes and in 5 weeks have gone to basically walking for the 5 minutes and running the rest. Felt so good when I got home just couldn’t sit still wanted to go for longer and probably could of but kept hearing all those voices in my head telling me to slow down and not push myself to hard. Was sore in the legs but didn’t care afterwards was a little worried as the soreness in my legs hung around for a bit and was scared I’d pushed to hard already. When I woke up the morning felt awesome my legs were fine so don’t think there is anything wrong at all in fact felt like I could run today but once again forced myself to stick to my program and just walk today. Will be running tomorrow morning as am busy in the night my first weekday morning run in to weeks so I hope I can get out of bed have enjoyed sleeping in. Was scared I wouldn’t run this week as am not running with Ray on Saturday and could of justified have a day of but so far have managed to stay focused.

Current Weight 96
Starting Weight 101

Goal 77