2012 Year in Review.

And so another year draws to an end, with it comes the time to look back over the past 12 months to see how it all panned out. After a very good (and perhaps my best) 2011 that saw me take out the most Improved for the HuRTS group, 2012 will be more remembered as a frustrating time as i never really managed to put it all together as i succumbed to a few annoying injuries.
Of course there were a few highs amongst the lows,
The Highs being -1. Helping Win the Churchill/Sands Trophy with the English lads and at the same time putting Enda to the sword once more over his dreaded 21k distance.
2. Noosa Tri
3. Nepean Tri
4.Some Good Performances in the Duathlons over the Winter Months

The Lows.
1. Calf /Hamstring problems
2. Not running under 35 mins for 10k in the Year (35.11 the best i managed)
3. Getting Sick 36 hours before the Thailand Race
4. Running 51.35 for City to Surf

Lets see how the Year went by;

January. The year started with Kanser and I made to run a Marathon qualifier in order to get into 6ft track out at Smithfield ( kip of a place) ...we did easily running easy for a 3hr:20 time

February.  The first race in the Striders 10k at Homebush and was happy enough with a 36.53 to kick start the season, also prepared for the March 6ft race with the Striders Equalizer including hills  14ks to run home in 60 minutes.

March. After all the hard work (although in truth i never thought i was ready) the 6ft Track race gets CANCELLED due to the state of the track after all the heavy rain we had over the Summer. March also saw some of  the HuRTS team line up for the A.B.C Biathlon with Pete Walker first home in 18.29 , and Tom getting a rare win over me in 19.26 as i crossed in 19.41 (knew it was going to be a bad year from there on in)

April. Kanser and I ventured down to the Nations Capital for the Canberra Half, had a solid run in prep for the Syd Half a month later and gave Kanser the fright of his life when he looked over his shoulder and saw me only about 40 metres behind. I finished the day in 79.52 ( Kane 79.44)

May. The first of the seasons bling was handed down and it was the English who tasted victory over old foes Ireland in the Churchill /Sands Cup. Run a creditable 78.31 over a tough course and beat Enda despite carrying him around for the best part of 20ks. The FREE winning beers tasted oh so good that night :)

June. Over to Bali for the Triathlon , and was delighted to finish 8th overall despite nearly getting killed whilst on the bike and forced to run the 10k in searing heat through loads of traffic.  We also welcomed Young Cillian Stankard to proud parents Ange & Enda to the World, and lets just hope he turns out a better runner then his old man............and with less excuses.

July. Was Duathlon season and was very happy to finish 11th overall out at Parramatta in the World Qualifiers  finishing only 4 seconds behind Pete Walker. Also did the BRAT series over the winter and was always the Bridesmaid getting 2nd in 5 continuous races, never managing to snag a win.
Also a great time to be English with the Olympic games held in London and some sensational performances across the board, none better then Wiggo's and Mo's not forgetting the Delighful Jess in what is sure to be the Best Games i've seen.

August. Is the big month that sees ALL the HuRTS boys line up for the City to Surf, was in pretty good form and was confident to break 50 minutes, All was going well until the 10k mark when the hamstring gave up the ghost, that meant i wasn't able to come down the hills and finish the race of as i wanted crossing in 51.35.

September. Was the start of a troubled month when i tore the Calf Muscle that left me very frustrated, although got a nice pick me up when i treated myself to a NEW bike

October.  Started to plan ahead for Thailand that saw me do about 6 races in 6 weeks, the best of them during this month was to be Nepean out at Penrifffffffffff. returning with a 1.45 to my name.

November.  Spent loads of time in the water trying to improve the swim leg and also went up to Noosa for the Triathlon. Had a few issues early but was more then happy with an overall time of 2.11 to finish 5th in the A/G. Great night in the Surf Club that followed with a drunken Kanser and Ronan. Was left a spectator for this years J.P Morgan run in Centennial. Made myself useful though by being on camera duties for the night. Some great performances, none better then Tucks 3rd and Tom's 4th (yes you guessed it...approx 8 seconds behind). Another good night had in the tents post race drinks thanks mainly to Enda and Richie Highs hospitality.
One of the lows as mentioned was getting sick some 36 hours before my BIG Thailand race in Phuket, Had a great swim and felt OK on the bike but when it come to the run leg i couldn't manage any more then 4.30 pace for the first 2ks and after that seemed to walk more then i run.

December.  Pretty much the start of the holiday / Silly season once i returned from the Land of Smiles with constant parties and functions on that sees training take a back seat. Got good incentive to try to train through it this year though as i managed to get a spot in March's 6ft Track race.
Also had news from the Chairman Tom upon returning from Thailand that i along with 11 others are all heading to Berlin next September to do the Marathon (not to mention the Beer Feest in October) so that will keep me more then focused during those tough winter months prior.

So here's hoping that 2013 returns to be more like that of 2011, and that a good 12 months lays ahead for not only me but ALL the HuRTS boys and girls and the one or two readers of the Trash out there.
i wont mention my goals just at the moment, I'll keep them for later............But one of them will certainly be to continue the dominance over Enda in the Half's and help the English team to more glory come May time :)

Cheers