Striders Homebush 10ks - 38.15

With it hammering down with rain all through the night and early morning  i had the pleasure of giving HuRTS Performer of the Year Man Tony Fats a lift out to Homebush for the first race in the Striders 10ks series of the year. Must say it was by far the best conversation I've had on the way to a race in years and i arrived in a more relaxed frame of mind rather then having to listen to that Irish twaddle i normally put up with.
Had a very good warm up with him even if we were saturated by the time we lined up for the run, Met some friendly faces before the off that included the Chairman, Macca, Elvis, Laura, The Leech, MaccaMcCreadie, MrAce, and many others.
After a sharpish start it was the normal battle to get around the tight 500m car park before we settle for the long stretch up the straight and towards the footy stadium. Think Elvis was trying to play mind games and he went ahead of me early but i was more then happy to just sit with him and get into a nice rhythm, Had the Leech come by soon after and i thought that was my queue to tag onto him for a change and did so for the next 3ks or so. Battled my way around the very muddy 'Common Area' and came around for the completion of the first lap in 18.46. Felt that about right as i thought i was in about 37.45 shape before the start and just tried to keep it ticking over from there, Had a quick glance over the Car Park as i was leaving and could see Elvis and the more dangerous Laura about 20 seconds behind.
Felt OK at times and bloody terrible at others in truth and was delighted to come from the even muddier Common area for the second time and hold for a relatively strong finish  (even if i did look like Dog Sh!te) stopping the watch in 38.15
Time was slower then i anticipated but conditions weren't great and that probably represents where i am in training at the moment. Looking across the board i think everyone times were down (maybe up to 45 seconds?) although it didn't stop Tommy H at all, as he crossed in 5th spot with a very impressive 33.52 ( and cleaned me up for the easiest $20 he'll ever get)
The Timmy's Run of the Day goes to The Chairman - super effort that mate
Timmy's Flop of the Day - David Kane for his 36.46 ( although he missed the start but lost ONLY 20 seconds)
The Anthony Mundine Trash Talk of the Day - Robert 'Elvis' Costello, for his 38.46 after telling all of  N.S.W he was going to smash me and then even failing to beat Young HuRTS Girl Laura.
Notable solid runs from Fats, The Leech and Dicky Green.

I in fact actually run with the I Pod today, which i don't normally do but i figured i needed something different for a change and just got my Top 10 songs on playlist to keep me motivated - Worked wonders as well, as the end of the 10th was just finishing as i crossed the line. Take a look to see if you know any, (if not ask Mr Elvis:) )
1. Shipbuilding
2. Beyond Belief
3. Everyday i write the Book
4. Love, Peace and Understanding
5. Watching the Detectives
6. I Don't want to go to Chelsea
7. Pump it Up
8. Radio Radio
9. Alison
10. Oliver's Army

Handed Tom his winnings at the end - and as mentioned HUGE congrats to him but i really do think he needs to get his 'Fair Play Character' back as i told him prior that 4 mins would have been close on the handicap and so it proved???
Anyway that's the first race down and although certainly nothing to shout about, Old French Geordie Jimmy James will have to better it before May time :)

Return journey was again with Fats, and boy this lad is pretty easy going, not only is he a fantastic runner and great company when out socializing but he is an even better family man. Telling me how he Bakes Cakes for everyone when at home, and how excited he is to have his eldest daughter starting school on Monday and is all set to take her for her first day.  It was about this point he started to get all teary eyed and i needed to pull over and get the hankies at the ready - Nothing Wrong with that Fats, and i won't be telling anyone :)

Out in the morning for the long run that will bring the Dark Side boys over to my office (Centennial Park) , Kanser will run as will Enda( although i suspect there will be an excuse come 5pm) , and HuRTS #1 Girl Laura is venturing up from 'Gods Country' for a trot with us.
Breaky on at the (NEW) House of Kane's after.....wouldn't miss that one now.


Results here - http://www.sydneystriders.org.au/10k/13/TK13R01OR.shtml


Cheers