3 x 2k Centennial Park

Didn’t get time to get to the city on Tuesday  with the HuRTS boys so stayed in the park after my early class and decided to knock out 3 x 2k reps. My usual preferred route was hampered as they were still clearing the remains from the ‘She Runs the Night’ Nike run from Saturday that then meant I had to rearrange my course and add a small hill early in each rep.

Didn’t feel that great to begin with on a cold morning and basically struggled to even get motivated at one point. Battled to hold 3.35 pace as stopped the clock in 7.13 for the first rep.

Felt only slightly better on the 2^nd and then it was just a case of knowing there was only one to go and seeing it out.

Times were 7.13, 7.06, 7.07

Not the best session in truth but happy to just get another one under the belt, and perhaps if I was to run with the rest of the team then I maybe could get around that 7 minute mark?

Had to endure the daily abuse from cyclist Paulie ‘Cement’ Hanley each time he flew by…….Still no clue what he says in his deep Cork accent, all’s I get is ‘Is amadán tusa Timmmmmmmmmy’ , Gobshite

The Sydney Striders running club released a set of 10k handicap times yesterday for all involved. Very interesting and at long last something that we can all go on without fear of any shafting, rorting and any other Irish Shenanigans going on for future races. I see Enda has to give me 3 .37  for the next 10k race ( and he only gave me 3.30 last week) so hopefully I can continue to add to the little ‘Kitty’ that is building J

Was supposed to head into town today to run with the Enda and the Chairman himself, but I’ve heard (and he’s not stopped crying about it) that Tom has a Killer cold that would bring down an elephant, so I thought better to join them……………..he probably sneezed once last Monday, It still means that we can expect Enda to have his monthly epidemic now come the weekend.

Will try to get back with the boys for the Thursday session tomorrow

Cheers

Sunday Long Run - Centennial Park

Big crowd in the park for the Sunday long run which was impressive especially with many backing up after the State 10k only 24 hours prior.

Tommy H , Barts, Enda, C.T, and Laura were the first to start the first 6ks at 6.30 joined later by the likes of Pommy Paul, Jeet, Elle, Renee, J.C and Curl Curls new #1 ‘Allo Allo’ . The usual Sunday banter was flying around as the pace was kept more than honest as we also picked up a late running Dave Kane after about 12ks

Couldn’t believe how well the legs felt and how I was moving throughout the morning as we ticked off the ks, although they did start to struggle around the 22ks and I was happy to call it quits once I’d returned to the café with 24 done for the morning.

24ks in 1.46 average pace 4.26s

Great afternoon spent over a few beers later with Lisa & Keith and the Taffy Lad watching the ‘A League G/F, entertaining game with the QLDers taking victory.

Monday. Down to the Prince Alfred Pool (PAP)  for the first swim of the winter season and good to see the return of Eloquent Julia and QLDer Dave joining regulars Coach Walker, Angus and The Champ’  Tougher pool to swim than the A.B.C and made to work far harder in just maintaining the times.

 Session was 1 x 400, 4 x 200, and 8 x 100.

Sat on The Champs feet for the first 400 coming in on 6.39 and did the same for the first of the 200s. Then pushed up a spot and was made to work even harder as I sat on Angus feet for the remaining 200s coming in on 3.15 and 3.17 respectively.

Finished with the 100m efforts coming in between 1.35 -1.37 for the 8.

Great pool this one but boy it’s a tough session.

Will back up tomorrow and get out although not sure I’ll make the HuRTS session due to work so I may be forced to go solo and get it done early.

Cheers

Sydney/State 10k - 37.04

With heavy rain and dark skies on the drive out to Homebush thoughts turned to what many presumed would be a tough morning – Fast forward a couple of hours and the HuRTS team were left with a number of PBs and many more feeling pretty good after a mornings work.

The State 10k was the next race on the list for the team  with a full quota of representatives on show, a short warm up chatting to everyone including the Chairman, Enda, Rich H, and Barts I lined up alongside Angus and Todd as I thought they were more my pace to at least try to hang onto for the next 37 minutes or so.

The mad dash of a start took place and tried to hold back on the first k but still saw 3.25 flash past, Then tucked in with Angus for a few ks before realizing I was never going to hold that.  The steady rise back up to the old finishing line was a battle and was happy enough to see 18.08 on the clock at the 5k mark as I set out for the 2^nd lap.

Was pretty much feeling the pace from about the 7k but hung in there without losing too much time, managed to get a good look on who was close by on the hairpin bend at 7.5ks and with Todd and Jeet closing in I knew I’d be doing well to hold out. The climb back up the hill past the stadium was a killer for me and I felt as if I literally labored on the right turn as I approached the 9k mark of the race.  Soon after Jeet and Todd finally came by and I lifted to stay on them thinking that I could perhaps find something to outkick them if I was close enough over the final 300m.

Nobody told me there was still a bloody hill to climb on the far side of the track with 500m to go and I nearly cried just at the sight of it, came into the stadium on the heels of the two boys and had the tactics to kick for home at the 120m mark…………Unfortunately both decided to get the jump on me and kicked at the 125m leaving me that split second in their wake. Gave it one more go and actually got on the shoulder of Jeet only for him to hold out and beat me to the line with a  second to spare and  Todd a further second ahead again.

Crossed in 37.04 officially, pretty happy with that  and certainly my best time for the year so hopefully heading in the right direction at long last.

As mentioned at the top of the post there were many great times from the gang and special mention must go to Renee on smashing through the 40 minute barrier on a massive 2.12 minute PB, and to fellow Englishman Pommy Paul BUT the much sought after Timmy’s Run of the Day goes to old mate Enda Stankard, absolute superb effort on his way to a 50 second PB to come home in 33.46 ( about bloody time he put something on the board), great to finally see that all that travelling for training and eating Dogs B@lls and Sheep’s semen has paid off for him J

Times for the team (that I know) were;

Barts 32:15,

CT 32:31,

 Chairman 32:37,

 Quentin 33:16,

 Enda 33:46,

Darien 33:50,

Fats 34:25,

 Muz 34:35,

 Dicky High 34:37,

 Dicky Palmer, 34:38,

Rich Mullaney 35:04,

Angus 36:00,

Craig Pager 36:04,

Todd 37:02,

Jeet 37:03,

Timmy 37:04,

Sam Towill 37:26,

Ben S 37:41,

Greta 37:58,

Erika kaka 38:02,

 KiltedScot 38:16,

 Birchy 38:40,

 Renee 39:39.

Apologies if I’ve missed anyone.

Managed to clean up on the days bets that made it even better,

Despite Enda’s heroic performance it still wasn’t good enough to beat me by more than 3.30 minutes – so a collect there.

Tommy H despite dying all week with a cold still got within 25 seconds of Barts – collect there

Kanser as usually didn’t show (some were saying, ‘Running scared’?) – so I’ll also add that to the collection.

Whist ALL the BIG boys and girls were battling it out at Homebush one of our popular members of the team took a slightly somewhat easier option for the morning ……….Step up to the plate one Renaud “Allo Allo’ Herington who travelled the length of the East Coast in search of victory that finally took him to the ‘Curl Curl Park Run’  Pleased to announce that victory did go his way but he didn’t have it all his own way,  with him only just outkicking some 9 year old girl in the last 150m.

Congrats to ‘our party boy’ But I do think he may have gone a little O.T.T on the post race celebrations – check out the photo as he broke the tape on the line.

Backed up this morning for the Sunday long run, but will post more about that later on (plus some more of Renaud’s antics) later on in the day, just out now for a few beers and may take in the A League Final between the Roar and Sydney Westie Wanderers.

Timmy’s Tip – Take the Brissie boys to lift the ‘Toilet seat Cup’ 2-0

The home straight with Todd first home, Jeet then I a further second behind in 37.04

Meanwhile, at Curl Curl - Renaud can't hide his excitement at winning the 'weetbix 5k'

...and once he had calmed down this is the SHAMEFUL face of one 'Allo Allo' man

Cheers

Easy Week

Not the training week I really wanted in truth, due to work commitments I didn’t get to any sessions this week and only run an easy 12ks on the Wednesday morning and 7.5 yesterday. Still I’ll look at it as a taper and hopefully I can go into this weekend’s State 10k at Homebush fresher than previous races.

So a big race tomorrow that will see many of the team take to the starting line for what is perhaps Sydney’s fastest 10k going.  A little reluctant to say a predicted time for myself as I’ve not got close this year so will just go out easier and see how it pans out. The big guns will be at the pointy end of the field with Barts, C.T and Tommy battling it out, and Enda despite being in career best form will run around the 35 minute mark

Here are some of my predicted finish times

Barts  32.58

Tom    33.12

C.T       33.50

Enda   34.17

Kanser 37.45

Paul    38.53

Got a few bets riding tomorrow and for the  record they are

1.       $20 with Enda getting 3.5 minute handicap

2.       $20 with Kanser of scratch

3.       $20 with Kanser, I’ve said Tommy H will get within 25 seconds of Barts finishing time

Had a good luncheon on Wednesday when Brendan organized a presentation for the HuRTS swimming team with awards and trophies handed out to the respected winners. Nice turnout and the sangria went down a treat ( I was nearly asleep after that) with Mermaid, Walker, MrAce, The Champ, Brendan, Eloquent Julia and Angus all putting in appearances.

The big winners of the day were

The Champ – for time trial champion

Coach Walker – for ‘Swimmer of the year’

Timmy       -  for participation award

So, who would have thought 2 swimmers awards in a week – I might give up the running at this rate.

Big weekend in the footy with the penultimate round of the season, all to play for in the Mediocre Cup and I think Tommy H may just crawl over the line with his Newcastle team although never give up on the Stokies

Timmy tip

Stoke 2 v Fulham 0

Congrats to 'The Champ' on T/T award and getting 3 Golden Ducks (helps when you work with the Handicapper)

Another one for the collection room - with the Participation Award

Performer of the Year - Coach Pete Walker

The collection Very professional

Have a great weekend
Good Luck to all those that are running in the morning

Stay Safe
Cheers

April 1k Time Trial - 16.57 1st Golden Duck comes home.

Well after many hard months of blood, sweat & tears (not to mention abuse) it all seemed to pay off yesterday at the A.B.C Pool for the last of the  time trials for the season.

The April 1k t/t was delayed till the Monday with Anzac Day falling on the Friday and with no swimming done for the past 3 weeks I didn’t think I stood a chance for the prized ‘Golden Duck’ especially seeing Pete Walkers miserly handicap given.

Smaller crowd today but don’t let that fool you with triple winners (the champ & Angus)and last month’s winner (cialis) on the starting blocks looking for more glory, throw in the ever reliable Coach Walker and Lady Laura off a generous handicap and I knew I had my work cut out.

The Champ and I were starting together and he tried every trick in the book to lose me – Think he changed lanes 9 times in the first 250 metres  I struggled to stay with him for the first 150 and couldn’t even be bothered to change lanes after that thinking I was ‘dropped’ Just hung in and was then surprised when I caught him and flew by at the 400 metre mark. Battled on despite feeling tired at 750-800, managed to take a seconds look at 900 and with the crowd going ballistic pool side I managed to touch out in 16.57 and in the process take out the prestigious ‘Golden Duck Award’ with Coach Walker 2^nd on the day.

Don’t know where that come from to be honest, as no training was done for weeks in the pool, all I can put it down to was just ‘finding a little heart’

So a Golden Duck sits pride of place on the mantelpiece as I join the exclusive list of winners that include Élan, Mermaid Emma, Charlie Low and now Lindop…………does it get any better?

Overall Times

Pete Walker     14.30

Angus                  16.42

Cialis                    16.44

Lindop                 16.57 (Duck Winner)

The Champ       17.49

Lady Laura         20.00

With the pool closing now till September, Brendan has kindly organized a luncheon tomorrow (Wednesday) for all swimmers and sorted some awards and trophies out that include, Swimmer of the Year, t/t performance of the year and participation award of the year? I reckon I must be a shoe in for the ‘Double’ after yesterday, just hope people didn’t submit their votes pre race? J

I missed the Tuesday HuRTS session due to working all day in the city so need to get out first thing in the morning for a trot around the park.

Couldn’t finish off without a mention of Slim Sammy Agnew’s 40^th Party on Saturday evening, absolute belter of an evening with a  good showing from the HuRTS boys that included Tommy H, Enda, Kanser, Tucks, Quentin, Jamie, Warrior Charlie and Ben to help our South London Palace fan mark the occasion.  As expected the TRASH levels hit record volumes with Enda trying to even get Quentin in the Irish team based on that he lived in Boston (and that is considered an Irish town?)

Kanser was talking his chances up for the Half and even offered a $20 scratch bet that he will turn me over in the State 10k this week (yes, he was very drunk)

Many thanks to Sammy and in particular his lovely wife Jacqueline for the invite and making it such a successful evening……….all without Sammy knowing a thing about it

At long last i get my hands on a Duck, The Golden Duck 1k winner for April.

Kanser, Tom, Birthday Boy Sammy (in NEW shirt), friend Alex and Timmy.

With Sammy and his sister Mia

Timmy, Sammy and a very drunk Dave Kane (moments before he was lobbed out)

Cheers

Anzac Day - Lest We Forget

Out and about early today to mark Anzac Day and headed over to Bondi beach for the start of today’s run. Met by huge crowds to mark the Anzac Day remembrance dawn service. A couple of ks jog up to the outside of Royal Sydney Golf course where I then just did two outside loops of the course - 8ks in total.
Worked the pace pretty honest and kept it around 4 min/ks before the two ks back
Spent time on the beach front with my coffee and toasted banana bread before putting in a call to Enda to tell him get the kettle on. Unfortunately he's not as welcoming as the Kane's and told me to bugger off.... so was left to go without.

Big day out now so not sure I’ll be getting any running done tomorrow,  Will go and give the Two Up a spin or two and have a bevvie with the old boys.
Have a great day on what is traditionally one of Australia's best days of the year.
Lest We Forget
Cheers

Easter Weeks Training

Sunday, With many away over the Easter weekend I caught up with some mates starting from Bondi Beach. Hit the City to Surf course in reverse up to Watsons Bay then back on the long slog up Hopetoun Avenue to Heartbreak Hill then along New Sth Head road till Edgecliff and back up to the Junction, before returning to the beach.
All up just on 20ks average 4.40s
Monday, After an afternoon in the Icebergs the previous day all I was fit for was a cycle around the park hurling abuse at Ronan, Kanser and the Sweaty Sock (Craig) who were out running the Sri Chimnoy 21ks.

Tuesday. Into town for the HuRTS session although a smaller crew today with many taking the extra few days off after Easter. Still Tucks, Fats were leading from the front whilst I sat in next alongside Todd, Super Kev and a NEW lad who could be our next English hope for the half.
8 x 5 minutes was the session and I felt pretty good throughout, Sat on 3.36 pace on the easier downhill 'out' section and then worked harder getting back with 19 seconds to spare averaging 3.31s
The second and 3rd reps were very similar hitting the same spot each time although that 19 seconds from the 1st got reduced to 14 & 8 respectively.
After doing 7 ks in the morning I then decided to run the 7th & 8th reps with Sonya Sultry working at 4 min/ks and found it a nice way to finish off the set.

Thursday. Worked by myself in the park and went with the 'Deek 5k' session that consists of 400s with a 200 recovery in between each. It’s supposed to work out at pretty much your 5k time and as I came home in 18.40 I reckon it’s not far off (although really depends on how hard/slow you do the recovery)
18.40 average pace 3.42

Supposed to head out tonight for drinks but with many of the team away I think I’ll give it a miss and save myself for the busy day tomorrow out with the old Diggers to honour ANZAC Day.

How the English prepare for a Half, In Manly 'Good Friday' with Pommy Paul, Slim Sammy, timmy, Tommy H, Warrior Charlie (token Aussie out for the night) and James Taffy Lad Matthews.

The Irish doing it a lot tougher, Ronan and Kanser on his comeback out for a hard 21k hit out, carrying a 'Jock' along for the morning.

Slim Sammy happy to see his Palace boys staying in the Premier, Happy 40th for today as well mate.

And have a guess what Muppet went out to the pub in his Slippers?

Have a great ANZAC Day ........and remember to 'Head Em Up'

Cheers