Sunday Long Run with a Big Crew

Massive turnout for the Long Sunday run around Centennial this morning (someone did actually remark that it was because Enda was away?), with everyone there including the likes of Fats, T.B , C.T, Lady Laura, Leech, Pommy Paul, ShireBogan Damo, Jeet, Jonathan W, BenTen,  and a host of others.

Very warm and humid to even start and the pace was more then honest as we set about the first 10k loop, Came around just over 44 minutes at 4.30 pace, wasn’t feeling that great even then despite running from the front for most of it with C.T and Laura.

Set off on the 2^nd loop and straight away I was struggling as the guys were already about 10 metres ahead after the first 1k, thought at that stage I would be doing well to even get back to the café and considered pulling the pin at 14ks. That was until Pommy Paul called out to me that we should continue but stop at the 8k mark instead of going up the hill for the regular 10k.

The paced dropped pretty dramatically to be honest as we BOTH battled it out and tried to help each other just to get back; it seemed the longest 36 minutes in history as we toiled at 4.42 pace before the café appeared.

A quick drinks break and then I decided that I had to do a further 2ks and would do them at pace. So I convinced Pommy Paul to do the same and unbelievably I actually run better and it felt so much easier? Did a 3.49 for the first one then a 3.46 for the return.

20ks all up in 90.11 average pace of 4.31 per/k – so despite feeling like crap for large parts of the run it wasn’t too bad when I look at the overall picture.

Most of the guys called it quits on 20ks although Laura, went on and did 30ks, and I think T.B & Fats did likewise but pushed the pace on even faster.

Good chat with everyone at the end, and we had a nice surprise when Damo brought his oversized Esky out and produced a box of the ‘Shire’s finest Fruit for the team, He even brought out some ‘Ham and Pickle’ Sarnies at one point.

Just about to jump in the motor at the end and who should come running around? None other then the ‘Flake’ himself Paulie Brunning, good to see him out doing his long run. Of Course I had to have the customary weather check for the day, not to mention a full report on what Tommy H and Kanser were up to over the weekend J

For the record, it was a HOT 29 degrees, and high humidity with NO sign of any rain.

Good weekend had running wise ( not so the footy ), and think I’ve earned myself a nice beer or two – might head down to watch those English blokes that are impersonating cricketers down at the S.C.G for a few hours and might see if I can see Pommy Paul who is also down there.

Need to get back out in the morning for an easy 10ks

Cheers