The Year in Review - 2011.

Well what a year its been, probably my most successful running wise of my career, Finally breaking through the sub 35 minute barrier (twice) and managing to dip under 50 mins in the big City to Surf race in August. With some good consistent training throughout the year helped mainly by the HuRTS sessions, and my training partners it really did make a big difference to my overall races and times achieved over the 12 months.
There were many highlights and they were;
Breaking 35 mins over 10ks
Running 49.17 City to Surf
Running 3rd in the Phuket Half in June
Running 3rd in the Striders Equalizer in February
Smashing Tommy H (albeit by about 5 seconds) in the Boy Charlton Biathlon
Smashing Enda in the Gold Coast Half in July
Winning Most Improved at the HuRTS presentation.
Husky Long Course Triathlon in 4.16

Low lights;
Disappointing Phuket Traithlon due to virus/infection that resulted in a DNF.
Sydney Half 79.59, despite running a 10k PB only two weeks prior.
Managing to let Kanser and Stankard to get one over me in the 'Head to Heads' at JP Morgan.

 February.
The year actually started in the worst possible way at the Striders 10ks at Homebush with 40 degree heat and me having a bad cold, that resulted in me getting off my sick bed and then struggled to even finish in a time of 45 mins+. It was just carnage out there with people being carted off in ambulances.
March.
 Concentrated on the tris and gave the Husky long course a go for the first time, went well with an overall time of 4hr16.
April.
Saw some of the elite HuRTS guys line up for the final biathlon for the season at the ABC Pool, nerves and tension running high as everyone was out to be 'Top Dog' - Stevie T aka Wildman took the honours and our chairman Tom finished a distant last, even getting 'Chicked' by Greta Truscott :)
May.
Not much running in May as it was a trip back home to watch Stoke City in the FA Cup Final (which we lost) it also meant i missed out on the Half Marathon around the city, but i did manage to run a 35.11 at the Striders before leaving, and in turn giving me the confidence i needed to get under the elusive time.
May time was also the month that certain members of the team brought SHAME to the great name and send the papers into overdrive at the Striders Presentation evening, old pests Thurston, Durante, Kane and Highnam were out of control whilst poor writer Bryce Courtenay never had a chance. It also led to the resignation of Chris Truscott from the committee.
June.
June the 4th will go down as a great day - It finally happened, young Timmy dipped under the 35 mins for 10ks, and wasn't so happy since i scored in the semi Final under 17s for Stoke City in the Sentinal Cup.Crossed the line to be congratulated by Big Sam and the rest of  the team.......Nearly brought tears to my eyes :)
July
Another successful month , this time putting Enda to the sword up at the Gold Coast Half, after sitting on him for 18ks it was time to turn the burners on and he could only watch the big screen and his fans as i flew by. Meanwhile Old Kanser was tackling the hills in France and again bringing more shame to the squad as he decided he wanted to get his mug on the telly,
Run of the Year though went to chairman Tom who on debut in the Marathon smashed his way to an impressive 2.36
Whilst the biggest Battle of the Month was out at Homebush where Kanser was taking on Mikey Conway - in lightening quick times MC took the title and Kanser's $20 when he crossed the line in 37.30, but Kanser did get his own back when he demolished 17 Lamington Cakes at the end. whilst Conway sat happy in the car park counting his cash.
August.
The good form continued into August and without doubt Sydney's biggest day at the City to Surf, managed to record a PB of 49.17 and take a few scalps along the way in good guys Richie High and Razor Wareham.
The Timmy run of the day though went to J. Fenton storming home in 47.41. A massive afternoon followed with the annual Tom's tent (Allens) hosting the boys and girls before Richie High pulled a few strings to get us into the Pie Face tent where we all went ballistic :)
September.
Started another month with a PB 34.27 at North Head running with Paul Macca Mclarnon and Richie High.  this was possibly the strongest i felt all year at this time, but unfortunately only two weeks later Paul Macca run about a 75 mins and i could barely get home in under 80 mins - the decline for the year was on, i had run my races for the year i thought to myself.
Tommy H, also breaks through for his maiden Striders win taking out the North Head 10ks - many (well Kanser anyway) question the win as his nemesis Tuckey didn't race?
October.
Another season started with the ABC Biathlon with more of the big guns lining up, unfortunately Tom's swimming didn't improve and came in last once again although he didn't get chicked this time around. Charlie 'Ribena' Low takes the crown.
November.
Saw a massive high then a major down, The High coming in Noosa where i knocked out a 2.11 in O.D Triathlon on a day where everything went well and i thought Phuket was looking rosy, sadly a virus curtailed any dreams i had and i was left with my first ever DNF :(
It was also the month Kanser and Enda recorded the first win over Young Timmy at the JP Morgan 5.6k race to give them there one moment of glory in 2011. Another big party followed care of Richie Highs hospitality in the ANZ tent that resulted in me missing my classes the next morning.
December.
Massive night with an even bigger crowd to witness Tucks take out the 'top award of the HuRTS team, and well deserved with Laura an obvious choice for top Female, with Mikey taking out his customary 'Overacheiver' once more. I manage to snag 'Most Improved'

Well that's pretty much it - A very good year for the Young Lindop bloke from Stoke, and hopefully i can keep it going throughout 2012, First race up will be the Striders 10ks in February.

Many thanks to the 3 regular readers of the 'Trash'.... Old Bert in the nursing home, Kanser, and my 7 year old nephew, plus anyone else who suffers from insomniac, i hope after reading it has helped you get some shut eye :)
To any others who may have checked it out anytime, hope you have enjoyed or even got a wry smile ( mostly at the expense of good friends Kanser and Enda) :)

All the best, train well
Cheers